• World-class trekking opportunities abound in Cordilleras around Huaraz.

• Hand-picked selection from amongst the best-known day hikes.

• Enjoy stunning snow-clad peaks, gorgeous lakes & steep-sided valleys.

• Ideal for acclimatisation, prior to multi-day trek.

One could spend months - or even years - hiking in the mountains around Huaraz, without repeating oneself.

There are, though, a number of stunning destinations that are conveniently located, so as to be accessible from Huaraz in a day (or less).

Here is PeruNorth’s selection, classified in order of difficulty:

• Wari ruins of Wilkahuain & Monterrey (Half Day)

• Lake Wilcacocha (Half Day)

• Lake Paron

• Llanganuco Valley (from Portachuelo)

• Lake Churup

• Lake 69

• Lake Ahuac

These hikes are ideal for those wishing to acclimatise to the altitude, prior to a multi-day hike; or for those who want to see and feel the awe-inspiring Andean scenery … but don’t relish the thought of sleeping under canvas!

Please note that some of the above destinations have multiple spellings, (eg Willcahuain, Huillcahuayín, Wilkahuaín, Willkawaín) reflecting the differing linguistic influences of Quechua and Spanish.

Half-day hike to Lake Wilcacocha in the Cordillera Negra

We pick you up from the hotel after breakfast, and drive about 15 minutes to the town of San Pedro, 10 km (6 miles) south of Huaraz.

We begin hiking uphill into the Cordillera Negra, from the bridge that crosses the Santa River. Along the way, we can see small villages and typical houses, belonging to the friendly locals.

After about three hours’ walking, we reach Wilcacocha Lake (3,500m / 11,319 ft).

Here we have magnificent views of the Cordillera Blanca. On the lake, we can see various species of duck.

We spend an hour resting here, before returning by the same route to our transport (2 hours’ walking approx).

We then return to Huaraz.

Above prices are based on a group service, with transport & English-speaking guide.

FULL-Day hike to Lake Churup

After breakfast, we pick you up from your hotel and drive up to a small village up in the mountains above Huaraz called Pitec.

From there we start walking up (3 - 4.5 hours approx) to beautiful Churup Lake, located at a breathless 4,450 m (14,600 ft) above sea level.

Once at the lake, we have an hour break for a picnic lunch (included) and relaxation, before walking back to the start of the trail (1.5 - 2 hours approx) from where we return to Huaraz.

Above prices are based on a group service, with transport, English-speaking guide & box lunch included.

Full-day hike to Lake Ahuac

After breakfast, we pick you up from your hotel and drive to Willcahuain, located 7.5 km (5 miles) northeast of Huaraz.

Here, we begin our hike, on a switchback trail, surrounded by Andean flora, such as ichu grass and quenual (Polylepis tree).

After some three hours’ walking, uphill, we arrive at Lake Ahuac, located at 4,560 m (14,961 ft).

From here we can see the Cordillera Blanca and Negra in all their splendour, including impressive mountain peaks such as Vallunaraju (5,680 m / 18,635 ft) and Ocshapalca (5,888 m / 19,318 ft).

This spot is also a viewpoint for the Callejon de Huaylas valley and the city of Huaraz.

We return by the same path to our transport, to take us back to Huaraz.

Above prices are based on two people in a private service, with transport, English-speaking guide & box lunch included.

Half-day hike To Wilcahuain & Monterrey
(thermal springs optional)

After breakfast, we pick you up from your hotel and drive to Wilcahuain, located 7.5 km (5 miles) northeast of Huaraz at 3,450m (11,319 ft).

Here, we visit two archaeological centres belonging to the Wari Kingdom, a pre-Inca culture from around 700 AD: Ichic Wilcahuain (Little Wilcahuain) and Hatun Wilcahuain (Big Wilcahuain)

Following the visit, we walk for two hours approximately, to the thermal baths at Monterrey.

Along the way, we pass through picturesque Andean villages, such as Chauin and San Martin, as well as having panoramic views of the Callejon de Huaylas and Cordillera Blanca, crowned by the majestic Huascaran Mountain.

On arrival in Monterrey, you have the option of entering the Thermal Baths to make use of their health-giving pools.

After time at the thermal baths, we return to Huaraz.

Above prices are based on two people, in a private service, with transport & English-speaking guide.

What our clients say about the Wilcahuain Trek:

Full-Day Hike to Llanganuco VALLEY from Portachuelo Pass

After breakfast, we pick you up from the hotel, in our private vehicle, to make the drive to the Llanganuco Valley - a journey of roughly two hours. 

First, we register at the Park Ranger Station, before continuing ascending past two beautiful lakes, Chinancocha and Orconcocha, to Portachuelo Pass at 4,780 m (15,682 ft). Here we have magnificent views of the high peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, such as Huandoy, Huascaran, Chopicalqui and Chacraraju. 

We can start walking from here, descending into the Llanganuco Valley, past Orconcocha and Chinancocha, to join the Maria Josefa Trail, which follows the course of a river for some 3 km (2 miles). The path goes through a bio-diverse area of Huascaran National Park, and with luck, we may spot an endemic fox or deer. 

NB. This trail takes its name from a local legend: the María Josefa in question was a beautiful local girl who caught the eye of a rich landowner. She rejected his repeated advances, and finally decided to run away over the Cordillera Blanca, where he would not be able find her. Unfortunately, as she was making her escape, the landowner caught up with her at Llanganuco Lakes. Once again she turned him down, and in a fit of rage, he stabbed her and left her to die.

After some 5 - 6 hours of downhill walking, we return to our vehicle to make the drive back to Huaraz. NB. The hike can be shortened, by starting lower in the valley.

If time allows, we will make a stop in the town of Yungay, on the way. 

Arrival in Huaraz at 6pm approx.

Above prices are based on two people in a private service, with transport, English-speaking guide & box lunch included.

Full-day hike to Lake 69

After breakfast we pick you up from your hotel with our private transport, and take you down into the Huaylas Valley.

In Yungay, we turn East towards the mountains and start driving to the entrance of Huascaran National Park, with Huandoy to the left and Huascaran - the highest mountain in Peru - to the right.

After passing the famous Llanganuco Lakes, we continue another 20 minutes by car until we reached Cebollapampa.

From here, we start walking (2.5 - 4 hours approx) to Lake 69 (4,600 m / 15,092 ft).

At the time the lakes were mapped, they were given numbers because their names were not known to the explorers. Afterwards, many were given local names, but this particular lake never was.

After walking back to the trail start (1.5 - 2 hours approx), we make our way back to Huaraz.

Above prices are based on a group service, with transport, English-speaking guide & box lunch included.

What our clients say about the Lake 69 Trek:

Full-Day Hike to Lake Paron

This morning, we head north out of Huaraz, towards the peaceful town of Caraz (2,290 m / 10,138 ft). This is a journey of roughly an hour along the Callejon de Huaylas.

From Caraz, we head eastwards and upwards into the Paron Valley, finally arriving at the stunning lake of the same name, located at 4,190 m (13,747 ft) above sea level, two hours later. Lake Paron is the largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca.

Here, we hike on the north side of the lake towards the Artesonraju Base Camp with wonderful views of thirteen snow-covered peaks, including Paria, Artesonraju, Pirámide de Garcilazo, Pisco and Chacraraju.

Meanwhile, the landscape is covered in distinctive polylepis trees and ichu grass.

On return to Caraz, we visit the main square and its famous milk bars, before heading back to Huaraz.

We arrive back in Huaraz at 6.30 approximately.

Above prices are based on two people in a private service, with transport, English-speaking guide & box lunch included.

What our clients say about Huaraz Acclimatisation Hikes: