The gateway to the spectacular Cordillera Blanca, Huaraz has become northern Peru's epicentre for adrenaline fuelled activities and outdoor lovers' dreams.
This small mining city in North of Peru is often referred to as the Switzerland of the Americas. This is because of the imposing and absolutely breath-taking peaks that are clearly visible from the center of Huaraz. This province is home to the highest peaks in Peru, Mt Huascaran (6 768m/22 205ft) and Huandoy (6 360m/ 20 870ft) and another 3 peaks above 6 000m. Its famous for the Cordillera Blanca Mountain range and its Llanganuco lakes, all enclosed within the Huascarana National Park.
It’s a traveler’s paradise for winter sports and adventure enthusiast. Local activities include: ice climbing, hiking, mountain biking and snowboarding among other things. The Cordillera Blanca is the most extensive tropical ice-covered mountain range. The Lllanganuco Lakes are made of a number of lakes, including Lake Huandoy thats fed by the second highest peak in the region. It has simple access and has spectacular views of the scenery. Another famous lake is Lake 69, declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve and world heritage site. The hike to this stunning lake is a moderate full day hike. For those that enjoy a bit of a challenge, you can find peaks like Nevado Meteo, the icy peak is perfect for ice climbing and other winter sports.
The town also has a lot to if you enjoy something more relaxing and less thrill seeking. Just on the outskirts of town are the medicinal baths of Monterrey, in a beautiful location and amazing snow blanketed mountain views. Unfortunately, in 1970, 95% of the town was destroyed by an earthquake and over 20 000 lives were lost. The only thing that remains of this town pre-earthquake is Jose Olaya Street, which you can still visit to get a feel of old Huaraz. Opposite plaza de armas is Museo Archeologico Augusto Soriano where you can learn about the older tribes that settle here before the Incas. Because it’s a mining town if you head to the paraditas (street market) you can purchase local mined and manufactures jewelry made from tin, copper and silver. Another great place is to visit is the Wilcachuain Temple, only 8km from the town. This is a Pre-Inca citadel with ruins to explore.
The food here like in the majority of places in Peru is absolutely scrumptious. While in town try caraz, a milk-based desert mixed with fruit cake or Ceviche de chocho, ceviche with a typical legume. It’s a must visit city and has a non-ending list of activities.
We are located near the Plaza de Armas for any questions or queries
Renew, refresh and reconnect with life. Discover new ways to see the world
We are committed to fulfilling the highest possible international standards for service, security and safety
We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit
We provide personalized attention to the needs of our clients
Looking for the best Tours & Treks in Huaraz? This is the perfect place for you! A complete packages & guide to the hiking capital of Peru, within this guide you’ll find our top recommendations on activities, places you can’t miss, where to stay and lots of helpful tips to plan your stay.
Climb Vallunaraju, a great beginner mountain and one of the few peaks in the Cordillera Blanca that can be climbed from Huaraz in only two days. A good peak for beginners or to include at the end of your trek or for acclimatization for climbing bigger peaks.
from $ /
Experince the remote beauty of the Cordillera Blanca
The Santa Cruz trek departs from the trekking mecca the is Huaraz. This region is consistently overshadowed by Cusco & Machu Picchu, but thats what makes this place so magical -with towering snowcapped peaks, and no crowds.
The Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Cordillera Blanca. The trek takes you through fertile valleys, has views of magnificent, spiraling high glaciated peaks, flower-filled meadows and glacier-fed turquoise lakes. This world-famous circuit crosses from one side of the Cordillera Blanca range to the other through ascending the Punta Union Pass reaching an elevation of 4750m.
from $ / 4Days
If you’re planning on visiting Huaraz – hell, even if you’re not – you absolutely need to visit Laguna Paron. The largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca, it’s also one of the most beautiful.
Altitude: The mirador over the lake sits at 4,200m, the lake itself a little lower. Yep, this is really quite high
Distance: If you choose to hike from the trailhead entry, the total distance is approximately a 20km round trip. Should you take a tour that goes all the way to the lake entrance, you need only do a short walk (45 minutes there and back) up to the mirador.
Time: This is a long day trip from Huaraz, requiring a start at either 5 a.m. or 8 a.m. dependent upon the type of tour you take. Tours are usually back in Huaraz by about 6 p.m.
Base City: Huaraz.
from $? / Full Day
Laguna 69 is one of the best hikes in Huaraz.
Laguna 69 (or Lake 69) has become a popular Peru hike as of late and it’s no surprise why! After an endorphin inducing hike, you’re rewarded with stunning views of glacial turquoise waters surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Huascaran National Park. This trek in Huaraz, Peru has put Northern Peru on the must-visit list for many travelers. Are you one of those wanderlusters?
from $? / 1Day
Sam Corporations is a 100% Peruvian family-owned company with no shareholders. We offer a highly exclusive personalized service of the highest quality. Our treks are operated by our regularly trained and highly experienced SAM CORPORATIONS staff and guides. We strive to be environmentally sustainable and a responsible tour operator by incorporating the most important universal principles of tourism. Our team has been trained within these principles.
We have put together packages that include locations that we have personally experienced. Traveling the great length of our country we have compiled the most compelling, must visit location in Peru. Sam Corporations will take you on an unparalleled journey in our modern vehicles, in small intermate groups, whilst upholding our reputation as an outstanding service provider.
Read moreThe rickety houses standing on stilts with their staircases going down to the river shore are one of the first impressions!
Linked to the outside world by air and by river, Iquitos is the world’s largest city that cannot be reached by road. It’s a prosperous, vibrant jungle metropolis and the northern Amazon Basin’s chief city, teeming with the usual, inexplicably addictive Amazonian anomalies!
Our Favorite TourIquitos is a fantastic city to visit in northern Peru. This is Peru’s gateway to the Amazon Rainforest near the famous Amazon River. As this is often a favored entry point for the Peruvian Amazon.
Known as the largest city that cannot be reached by road, getting to Iquitos feels like an adventure right from the start! Iquitos is one of the world’s most extreme towns on the planet due to its isolated nature despite it being Peru’s largest city on the Amazon River.
In Iquitos, you’ll find species which don’t exist elsewhere and unique experiences you can’t get anywhere else in the world. There’s a gourmet restaurant that floats down the Amazon River and even a Treehouse hotel where you can live out your childhood fantasy!
Luxury river cruises and rustic lodges provide the home-base for daily excursions that take you deeper into the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Peru. You can photograph lush jungle landscapes, spot wild animals in their natural habitat, taste Peruvian superfoods straight from the tree, and listen to the symphony of sounds around you on an Iquitos amazon tour into the Peruvian jungle.
When you hear that there is a big city in the northern Peruvian jungle that is basically only reachable by plane, you won´t be able to stop thinking about this hard-to-reach place, until you can finally get to live your own experience in Iquitos.
We are located near the Plaza de Armas for any questions or queries
Renew, refresh and reconnect with life. Discover new ways to see the world
We are committed to fulfilling the highest possible international standards for service, security and safety
We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit
We provide personalized attention to the needs of our clients
Check out our complete Iquitos adventure tours and the best hotels in Iquitos.
Climb Vallunaraju, a great beginner mountain and one of the few peaks in the Cordillera Blanca that can be climbed from Huaraz in only two days. A good peak for beginners or to include at the end of your trek or for acclimatization for climbing bigger peaks.
from $ /
Experince the remote beauty of the Cordillera Blanca
The Santa Cruz trek departs from the trekking mecca the is Huaraz. This region is consistently overshadowed by Cusco & Machu Picchu, but thats what makes this place so magical -with towering snowcapped peaks, and no crowds.
The Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Cordillera Blanca. The trek takes you through fertile valleys, has views of magnificent, spiraling high glaciated peaks, flower-filled meadows and glacier-fed turquoise lakes. This world-famous circuit crosses from one side of the Cordillera Blanca range to the other through ascending the Punta Union Pass reaching an elevation of 4750m.
from $ / 4Days
If you’re planning on visiting Huaraz – hell, even if you’re not – you absolutely need to visit Laguna Paron. The largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca, it’s also one of the most beautiful.
Altitude: The mirador over the lake sits at 4,200m, the lake itself a little lower. Yep, this is really quite high
Distance: If you choose to hike from the trailhead entry, the total distance is approximately a 20km round trip. Should you take a tour that goes all the way to the lake entrance, you need only do a short walk (45 minutes there and back) up to the mirador.
Time: This is a long day trip from Huaraz, requiring a start at either 5 a.m. or 8 a.m. dependent upon the type of tour you take. Tours are usually back in Huaraz by about 6 p.m.
Base City: Huaraz.
from $? / Full Day
Laguna 69 is one of the best hikes in Huaraz.
Laguna 69 (or Lake 69) has become a popular Peru hike as of late and it’s no surprise why! After an endorphin inducing hike, you’re rewarded with stunning views of glacial turquoise waters surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Huascaran National Park. This trek in Huaraz, Peru has put Northern Peru on the must-visit list for many travelers. Are you one of those wanderlusters?
from $? / 1Day
Sam Corporations is a 100% Peruvian family-owned company with no shareholders. We offer a highly exclusive personalized service of the highest quality. Our treks are operated by our regularly trained and highly experienced SAM CORPORATIONS staff and guides. We strive to be environmentally sustainable and a responsible tour operator by incorporating the most important universal principles of tourism. Our team has been trained within these principles.
We have put together packages that include locations that we have personally experienced. Traveling the great length of our country we have compiled the most compelling, must visit location in Peru. Sam Corporations will take you on an unparalleled journey in our modern vehicles, in small intermate groups, whilst upholding our reputation as an outstanding service provider.
Read more