Huaraz is the easy-going base camp for the northern Andes of Peru, an inexhaustible landscape of creaking glaciers, sapphire lakes, and lush valleys. Mountains rear up on both sides of Huaraz, but the easterly Cordillera Blanca range draws everyone from day hikers to trekkers and serious alpinists. That mountain range tops out in Huascaran National Park, a nearby cluster of high passes and summits, including Huascaran itself. At 22,200 feet (6,768 meters), it’s the highest point in Peru.
The Huaraz trekking and climbing season goes from May through September, a stretch of dry weather and mild temperatures. While it gets rainier outside that busy season, it’s not until January and February that conditions are truly wet. As the rainy season dwindles in March and April, travelers will find a beautifully lush landscape and—for the most part—clear mornings ideal for getting outside.
Huaraz is a walkable city, with most hotels, restaurants, and bus stations within the strollable center. Reaching trailheads and Huascarán National Park can be time-consuming without a car. If your time is limited, booking a tour including transport is the most straightforward option. Private taxis and budget-friendly shared (colectivo) taxis are other alternatives when heading to trailheads closer to town.
Don’t underestimate the altitude. Huaraz’s 10,013-foot (3,053-meter) elevation takes some getting used to, and most hikes go far higher. Steep paths to places such as the 15,092-foot (4,600-meter) Laguna 69 leave many feeling short of breath, exhausted, and headachy. Give yourself a day or two to acclimate, then make your first excursion a moderate one. One popular acclimatization hike is the relatively gentle trail to beautiful Laguna Churup at 14,599 feet (4,450 meters).
