If you are visiting Peru and are interested in hiking, you have to go to Huaraz. Huaraz is known as the hiking capital of Peru, with both day and multi-day hikes and treks that will take you around snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes. Let’s take a look at some of the best hikes in Huaraz!

Do you want to go hiking in Huaraz?

Check out the best organized hikes in Huaraz to make the most out of your trip.

Best hiking and trekking tours in Huaraz:

1. Laguna Churup hike and tour
2. Lake Paron tour
3. Lake 69 tour
4. Santa Cruz trek (4 days/3 nights)
5. Huayhuash trek (10 days/9 nights)
6. Mini Huayhuash (8 days/7 nights)

Huaraz is the capital of Ancash, a region located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It’s the region where the Huascaran National Park is located, and where you can find the Huascaran, Peru’s highest peak.

Huaraz and the surrounding region is the perfect destination if you love hiking, mountains and lakes. Actually, there you will see some of the most beautiful lakes that you have probably ever seen!

I am Peruvian and have visited Huaraz several times. In this travel guide I have put together the top day-hikes and multi-day treks that I have done to help you plan your trip.

But before we start, make sure you know a bit more about Huaraz altitude and how to prepare for your hikes.

Getting to Huaraz

Unless you are driving, normally you will arrive in the early morning, since the most convenient way to get to Huaraz is to take an overnight bus. Be prepared for a winding bus drive though. I usually get altitude sickness on the way there.

Currently, as of early 2024, there are no flights arriving in Huaraz, but there is a project to reopen the airport and flights in mid 2024.

Generally people travel from Lima (an 8-hour ride), though a few people will travel from Chimbote or Trujillo, in the north of Peru.

If your hotel is not picking you up from the bus station, maybe you can walk towards the plaza, which is just a few blocks away and have breakfast at one of the nearby cafes. You might arrive around 6am, but you will find at least a couple of places open.

Acclimate to the high altitude before hiking in Huaraz

The most important thing is that you realize that Huaraz is at a high altitude. It is 3000 meters, or around 10.000 feet high. So one of the first things you need to do is to acclimate to the high altitude.

The first day, just take it easy. It’s advisable not to go on any hikes on your first day in Huaraz to avoid getting altitude sickness. You will need this first day to get your body accostumed to the altitude.

If you have already acclimated to being in other high altitude destinations, like Cusco, one day might be enough. If you haven’t, consider taking at least two days to make your body get used to it.

After having traveled a lot for years around Peru, my body is pretty used to the altitude. But there’s one tip that helped me a lot in the beginning when I was feeling sick from the altitude.

Most people will tell you to drink mate de coca (coca leaf tea), a very popular drink in Peru, especially in the Andes. It certainly must help, since people have been doing that since the times of the Incas. For me and for many other people, it doesn’t do much though.

What can actually make you feel much better is taking a pill for altitude sickness (for example Sorojchi pills), which you can buy at any pharmacy. If you go by bus, I advise you to have one with you for the ride, plus others for your time there.

After a day or two of acclimating, you will be ready to begin you hiking adventures in Huaraz.

1. Laguna Churup

One of the best day hikes from Huaraz is a hike to Lake Churup (located at 4,450 meters or 14,600 feet) above sea level. This is actually one of the nicest hikes I’ve done in Huaraz, and it’s not so far from the city.

The lake can be reached via a hike from the town of Pitec, a 45 minute ride from Huaraz city. The hike to Lake Churup requires a good level of physical fitness, and it takes around 2 hours each way. Or possibly up to 3 and half hours if you are not used to altitude and/or are not so fit.

The main path will divide in two sections not so long before the end of the walk. One goes straight and the other one goes left. If you take the straight route, you will encounter three small sections where you will have to use a rope to climb up the rock.

I highly recommend you to take the other route if you are afraid of heights and/or not very fit.

I am afraid of heights and took this route with ropes, not really knowing what tp expect.

It was a very scary experience! It’s just a couple of short sections, but once you are there, there’s no way back, you can only climb, because otherwise there’s only the abyss.

If you take the road to the left you will have to walk more but you avoid the ropes. Anyhow, before you get to the part of the main road where it divides in two, you will have to do a small section involving ropes, but that one is much more doable.

Once you reach the lake, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the crystal-clear water and the surrounding peaks.

To get back, preferably take the path that doesn’t involve ropes.

Now it will be time to go back where the van will be waiting for you.

If you prefer not to go on this adventure by yourself, book a tour to lake Churup, which will include a hotel pick-up.

2. Laguna Paron

Lake Paron is one of the most beautiful lakes in the region, if not the most beautiful. It’s my favorite lake in Huaraz. It’s surrounded by snow-capped peaks and the water is turquoise.

To get to the lake, you can either travel first to Caraz town and depart from there, or do a day trip from Huaraz.

Basically, there is no hike to get to the lake, since the taxi or the tour will leave you right at the lake. There is a short hike involved though, to the viewpoint for seeing the lake from above. It took us 25 to 30 minute walk to get to the top, though for many others it took up to 40 minutes.

From there, you will have a breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. After that, you can spend some time by the lake itself.

Since the lake is at an altitude of 4,200 meters (13,779 feet) and surrounded by snow it will be very cold. But if you are brave you can go for a swim like a few people do. My partner actually went in for a short freezing swim and found it super refreshing.

You can also go for a ride on a boat. There are some small food stalls near the lake as well.

The weather at the lake can be quite cold in the moments when the clouds are covering the sun, so make sure to bring a jacket.

You can book a tour to Lake Paron here. They depart from Huaraz, but if you stay in Caraz you can arrange for them to pick you up at your hotel in Caraz.

3. Laguna 69 (one of the most popular hikes in Huaraz)

The Laguna 69 hike is not only one of the best hikes in Huaraz but also one of the most popular ones. Actually, this trek has put the Huaraz region on the must-visit list for many travelers. 

The hike is a short 6-kilometer (~4 miles) one-way journey. The first part is relatively flat, but after some time it gets increasingly difficult. There are some steep sections that, coupled with the high altitude, may slow down your pace.

The hike from the starting point to the lake takes around 3 hours to get there and around 2-3 hours to get back.

Especially because of the altitude (reaching an altitude of 4600 meters, ~15000 feet), it’s better to do this hike after you have already spent some days in the region.

Booking this tour to Laguna 69 can be a good option to get there.

Or if you prefer a more flexible schedule, you can take a private tour to Laguna 69.

4. Laguna Wilcacocha (one of the easiest hikes in Huaraz)

The hike to Lake Wilcacocha is one of the easiest hikes in Huaraz, both in terms of getting there and the hike itself.

To get there, take a colectivo (shared taxi) to Chiwipampa, the starting point, just 15 minutes away from Huaraz. The first part will be around towns and a rural area, and the landscapes get prettier as you approach the lake,

Even though the lake itself is less impressive than the most well-known lakes around Huaraz, you can sit and relax enjoying the company of the ducks at the lake and the views of the surrounding mountains.

The route itself is also quite easy to walk, since the trail goes up very gradually, and it takes around 2 hours to get there. Also, the lake sits at around 3700 meters high, so the altitude is much lower compared to many of the other lakes. This makes it one of the best hikes in Huaraz for your first days if you want to get acclimated to the altitude gradually.

5. Laguna Rajucolta

The hike to lake Rajucolta is another easy hike that can be great for acclimation for harder treks in Huaraz.

The starting point of the hike is in the town of Macashca, an hour away from Huaraz. Generally, people go as part of a tour, but you can also get to Macashca by public transport. You will have to take a combi (van) at the crossing of avenues Confraternidad Internacional and 27 de Noviembre in direction to Recuay. Tell the driver you want to get off at Macashca.

From Macashca, a semi-flat path with a gradual ascend will take you to the lake, which you will reach in approximately 3 hours.

The lake, situated at 4250 meters of altitude, has blue waters than on clear days reflect the Huantsan peak, which stands next to it.

This peak is actually one of the highest of the region and is also known as the K2 of the Andes because of how difficult it is to climb it.

6. Laguna 513

Similarly to Laguna 69, this lake is also known by its number. There are so many lakes around Huaraz that only a few ones have names and not numbers!

To get to Laguna 513, you can either take a tour from Huaraz or go by public transport. If you go by public transport, make sure to start very early, since the walk will be long.

If you go by yourself, you will first have to get to Carhuaz, a town 45 minutes away from Huaraz. From there, take a combi to Hualcan, and offer to pay extra so that they combi will continue further and leave you at Shonquilpampa, the starting point of the walk.

The walk will take you among queuñales trees, a stream, and two other lakes before reaching Laguna 513. The path is very quiet, and it is likely you won’t encounter other visitors along your walk.

The hike takes 4 hours on the way there and 3 to get back, and the difficulty is moderate. But the lake is really beautiful and its turquoise waters make it totally worth it!

7. Santa Cruz Trek (multi-day)

The Santa Cruz trek is one of the best multi-day treks to do in Huaraz. Still, there are not many hikers on the trail, so you can basically enjoy the trail all by yourself.

This trek is a walk of 4 days and 3 nights in the Cordillera Blanca that allows you to admire a series of snow-capped mountains, small rivers and beautiful lakes. During your walk, you will also see the Artesonraju mountain, which some say it’s the mountain that inspired the Paramount Pictures logo.

People usually go trekking with a guide and as part of a tour, but it is also possible to do it on your own because the path is well indicated.

If you go by yourself, the disadvantage is that you have to bring everything yourself (you’ll have to carry a tent, food, water, pack a hiking first-aid kit, etc.). While if you hire a tour, they will take care of the logistics and you can just enjoy the trek.

If you want to do it by yourself, take a bus to Caraz and then another bus to Cashapampa, which is the starting point of the Santa Cruz trek.

If you prefer to go on an organized excursion, you can book the Santa Cruz trek here.

8. Huayhuash Trek (multi-day)

If you are looking for a longer multi-day trek, then the Huayhuash trek is your best option. They say this trek is one of the most beautiful in the world, going through stunning landscapes in the Andes in a very isolated environment.

At the same time, it’s also one the most difficult treks in the region. It requires hiking about 130 km (81 miles) between 4,000 and 5,490 m (13000 and 18000 feet) of altitude.

People usually take around 10 days to hike it, but there are many shorter variants of the trek. There is even a 4-day route, called the “Mini Huayhuash”.

Along the way, you will be able to see native animals, like condors, vicuñas and deers. You might even see a puma!

Halfway along the way you can also enjoy the thermal waters that offer a well-deserved dose of relaxation to the body.

Same as with the Santa Cruz trek, the Huayhuash trek can be done with a tour agency or alone. Still, the safest way is to do it with a guide. I remember not long ago it was on the news that a foreign tourist got lost on the trail.

If you really want to do this trek by yourself I recommend that you do it only if you have good experience in high altitude and good equipment.

You can book the Huayhuash trek here (10 days/9 nights). Or, if you prefer to do a shorter trek, you can book the Mini Huayhuash (8 days/7 nights).

How much is the entrance fee to the Huascaran National Park?

Most treks take part inside the Huascaran National Park, so you will need to pay a fee to enter. But in practice, the fees vary.

For foreigners who don’t reside in Peru, the cost of entering the Huascarán National Park is 30 soles for 1 day, 60 soles for 2 to 3 days, or 150 soles for 4 to 30 days. For Peruvians and foreigners that live in Peru, it is 12 soles for 1 day, 30 soles for 2 to 3 days, and 75 soles for 4 to 30 days.

Now, let’s see how much you will pay in practice:

• Lake Churup, Lake 69 and Santa Cruz Trek: you pay the full fee.
• Lake Paron: even though it is also inside the Huascarán National Park, you will only pay 5 soles to enter.
• Lake 513 and Lake Rajucolta: even though they are inside the Huascaran National Park, there are no guards to charge you at the entrances to the lakes.
• Lake Wilcacocha: it’s outside the Huascaran National Park, so there’s no entry fee.
• Huayhuash Trek: the trek passes by the lands owned by 8 different local communities. The entry cost to pass by each community varies, the cheapest being 10 soles and the most expensive 50 soles per day.

Take into account that the entrance to the park is not included in the tours from Huaraz unless specifically mentioned.

What is the best time in the year for hiking in Huaraz?

During the rainy season (November to April), the temperature hovers around 11°C (52°F). March tends to be the rainiest month, although showers typically occur in the afternoon, allowing you to bask in the morning sunshine.

In the dry season (May to October), which corresponds to summer in the Andes, the temperature averages around 15°C (59°F). It is generally sunny and relatively warm during the day (except if you are out in the middle of the mountains). Rainfall is minimal from June to September, providing mostly dry weather conditions. This means that June to September are the best months to go hiking in Huaraz in regards to weather.

Something else to take into account is that the tourist high season in Peru is between June and August.

If you travel in the low season and you want to book a tour with an agency, it’s possible that there won’t be enough people for the tour to actually take place. So you might need to be flexible with dates or end up paying more.

How to dress for hiking in Huaraz?

Regardless of in which season you go to Huaraz, dressing in layers is a good idea. During the day, the weather is generally warm if it’s not raining.

Usually you would be wearing a T-shirt if it’s sunny. As soon as there are some clouds covering the sun, even for a little bit, it will get cold (especially in the mountains), so you might want to have a light sweater with you. Plus a jacket if the weather cools down.

If you are planning to go on a multi-day trek, make sure to carry enough warm clothes with you, as you will be sleeping on a tent and the temperature can be very low outside at night.

Additionally, make sure to have a poncho or rain jacket if you are planning to visit during the rainy season.

If you are traveling and are planning to go hiking in Huaraz but don’t have enough clothes with you, don’t worry. You will be able to get hiking and trekking clothing and equipment in Huaraz.

Where to stay in Huaraz for hiking?

Even though many of your hikes and treks will take place not se near the city of Huaraz, Huaraz is still a good base if you are planning to go hiking. Let’s take a look at some of the best options for accomodation in Huaraz:

El Patio de Monterrey (Mid-range): Great place if you want to stay away from the city center. It is located in the neighborhood of Monterrey (18 minutes away by car). Beautiful, quiet place with a big garden.

Selina Huaraz (Mid-range): Colorful hotel not far from the main square. Great hotel if you are looking for a place where you can meet people. They have a coworking space, a movie room, offer yoga and salsa lessons, and live music.

Akilpo (Budget): This highly rated B&B is a very good option a few blocks away from the main square. The hotel has been recently built. They used to have a hostel with shared dormitories in a different location, but this place is new and has a different concept. Great breakfast included. The last time I visited Huaraz I stayed here and I totally recommend it.