It varies depending on the zone: 17º C in the coastal
zone and 7º C in the highlands. Rainy season: In the
coastal zone rain is unusual; however, in the highlands
is from November to March.
Access Routes
By land
The most recommended is the Lima-Pativilca-Huaraz route
(408 km) about 7 hours drive.
Other routes include: Casma-Huaraz (149 km) about 6 h 30 minutes drive. Santa-Huallanca-Huaraz (277 km) about 5 h 30
minutes drive.
By air
Non-regular flight services to Anta airport (Carhuaz).
Flight takes approximately 35 minutes.
Historical Overview
A region with a rich historical past, it was the cradle
of Chavín culture (about 1 700 years BC) which
influenced other regions and later cultures. Recuay and
Huaylas cultures developed on the first millenium of
this era, leaving interesting traces of pottery and
stone statues. The Incas conquered the region in the
middle of the 15th century and attached it to their vast
empire.
During the Spanish domination, the system imposed by the
conquistadors was reflected in a total abandonment of
the region’s material and cultural development, leading
it to take an active role in the fight for National
Independence.
Today, Ancash is one of the most important tourist
centers in Peru due to its archaeological ruins and
privileged geography, including glaciers and snow-capped
peaks of over 6 000 meter high.
The department of Ancash consists mainly in two clearly
defined regions: The Coast, where one can find
commercial cities such as Chimbote and Casma, and the
Highlands, where visitors can find towns full of
traditions all over the Callejón de Huaylas.
Attractions in the City
Ancash Archaeological Museum
Av. Luzuriaga 762, Huaraz.
Phone: (044) 72-1819 / 72-1551.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-17:00, Sunday
9:00-14:00.
Collection of pieces from the Chavin, Recuay, Huaraz,
Mochica, Chimú and Huari cultures. Textiles, ceramics
and pre-Columbian lithic pieces.
Santuario del Señor de La Soledad
Plazuela del Señor de la Soledad.
Phone: (044) 72-1073.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00
Located in the Barrio de La Soledad. This is the Huaraz
Patron's Church.
Mirador de Rataquenua Located 7 km from the city of Huaraz (east of the
hill), where visitors can enjoy the city's landscape.
Outskirts of the City
Monterrey
Located 7 km north from Huaraz and about 5 minutes
drive. Famous for its landscapes and hot springs for the
treatment of rheumatic illnesses.
Callejón de Huaylas
Vast Andean valley spreading across 200 km, between the
Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra (the White
and Black Mountain Range). The Santa River that has its
source at the Conococha Lagoon 4 100 masl, crosses the
entire valley skirting the most picturesque cities and
villages, the most important of which are Recuay,
Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz.
Recuay
Located 3 394 masl and 25 km south of Huaraz. Its humble
and hardworking people are engaged in agriculture and
mining activities. Recuay is home to the Pueblo Viejo
Archaeological Ruins.
Carhuaz
Located 2 645 masl and 34 km north of Huaraz.
Traditional city built in the mestizo style. Its large
Main Square features modern buildings such as the Civic
Center and the Virgen de las Mercedes Sanctuary, whose
feast is celebrated on September 24TH.
Yungay
Located 2 548 masl and 55 km north of Huaraz, this city
lies at the foot of the famous snow-capped Mount
Huascarán. The name of this city comes from the Quechua
word Yunga that means "warm lands". The old city was
buried by an alluvion in 1 979, however it was rebuilt
1,5 km away from its original location. It is from here
that the road leading to the Llanganuco lagoons starts.
Caraz
Located 2 256 masl and 67 km north of Huaraz. This
picturesque city preserves all the beauty of the ancient
highland villages. Its countryside has a fascinating
beauty and exhibits a variety of carnation cultures. The
magnificent Mount Alpamayo (5 947 masl), was declared
the "World's Most Beautiful Mountain" in the World
Competition of Scenic Beauty held in Munich, Germany in
1 966.
Museo Amauta de Arte Ancashino
(Ancash Art Museum)
Av. Noe Bazán Peralta cdra. 2, Caraz.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-12:00 and 15:00-17:00.
Unique exhibition of typical outfits from several
villages of Callejón de Huaylas and Callejón de
Conchucos, which are more than 100 years old.
Huascarán National Park
Control stations:
Carpa Sector: At the entrance to Mount Pastoruri.
Llanganuco Sector: At the entrance to Llanganuco lagoon.
Located about 2 hours drive from Huaraz. It spreads
across an area of 340 thousand ha of the Cordillera
Blanca (the world's highest tropical mountain range),
where the snow-capped Mount Huascarán (6 768 masl)
stands out. Huascarán is the highest peak of Peru. It
was declared National Park by the Peruvian Government
and World Natural Heritage Site in 1 987. Its natural
attractions include its exotic flora and fauna, its
lagoons, snow-capped mountains, gasified water sources
and hot springs.
Chavín Archaeological Complex
Located in the Province of Huari, 110 km west of Huaraz,
about 3 h 30 minutes drive. It was discovered by Julio
César Tello en 1 919, and declared World Cultural
Heritage Site in 1 985.
The temple, with a truncated pyramidal base, was built
with huge symmetrical stone blocks, fastened by stone
wedges and stone mortar.
Inside the Old Temple, at the center, there is a gallery
known as Lanzón, that contains a 4,6 m high stone shaped
in the form of a gigantic spear point, representing a
personage with feline, bird and snake features.
The inner galleries are formed by stone walls. It seems
that they were originally mud plastered and painted. The
roof is made of big slabs that not only served their
architectural function but were also decorated with
religious motifs
There are other galleries contemporary to the Old Temple
such as the ones of the camp, the offerings, the stairs,
the larders, the labyrinths of the bat and the captives
and the double corbel.
There is no certainty as to Chavín's age, but its
origins date from 1 200 BC.
Sechín
Located 5 km southeast of the city of Casma.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-17:00.
This archaeological complex consists of a stone and mud
temple-palace. Its main attractions include its lithic
sculptures, the only ones in the Peruvian coast,
representing beheaded and mutilated warriors.
Willcahuain
Paraje Paria, 7 km northeast of Huaraz.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-17:00 and Sun:
9:00-14:00.
This entirely stone-made temple with superposed
platforms is located some 35 minutes drive, about 3 h
walk from Huaraz. There is a series of galleries inside
it. This temple dates from the year 900 AD and is a
clear evidence of the Wari influence on the region.
Waullac
2 km from Huaraz.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00.
Located 5 minutes drive, about 20 minutes walk from
Huaraz, the origins of the archaeological remains of
Waullac are probably Wari. The remains comprise stone
structures with 5 elevated chambers.
Tumshukaico
2 km from the city of Caraz.
Located 5 minutes drive, about 20 minutes walk, these
are the archaeological remains of a big temple featuring
carved stone sculptures.
Rutas de Trekking:
- Llanganuco - Santa Cruz:
Duration: 4-5 days.
Distance: 50 km.
Difficulty: Moderate and difficult near Punta Unión (4
750 m).
- Santa Cruz - Yaino:
Duration: 6 days.
Distance: 55 km.
Difficulty: Moderate and difficult near Punta Unión (4
750 m) and Alto Pucaraju (4 650 m).
- Honda - Ulta:
Duration: 8-9 days.
Distance: 91 km.
Difficulty: Moderate and difficult near Honda (4 750 m)
and Punta Yanayacu (4 850 m.).
- Los Cedros - Alpamayo:
Duration: 8-9 days.
Distance: 92 km.
Difficulty: Difficult.
- Jahuacocha Lagoon:
Duration: 5 days.
Distance: 68 km.
Difficulty: Easy and moderate near Pampa Llamac (4 300
m).
Folkore
Typical folklore expressions include the Ancash Chuscada
which is cheerful and danceable, and is a mix of
Pasacalle, Marinera and Triste. Many dances express the
Inca and Colonial life; others represent war and
conquest. The most popular are: Shacshas, Huanquillas,
Antihuanquillas, Capitanes, Pallas and Negritos.
Handicrafts
The making of traditional costumes and embroidered
polleras (skirts) is a widespread craft. There are also
experts who make wax candles for processions.
Handicrafts such as Chavín wool blankets, Taricá pottery,
forged iron, repoussé leather works and basketry are
popular.
Gastronomy
Typical dishes:
- Picante de cuy (spicy guinea pig stew with peanut
sauce and panca chili).
- Cuchicanca (tender pork marinated in vinegar and
roasted, served with boiled potatoes and mature corn).
- Tamales (steamed corn dough stuffed with meat, wrapped
in banana leaves).
- Charqui (cured llama meat).
- Llunca kashki con gallina (boiled chicken with wheat
and black mint).
- Pecan caldo (broth based on lamb head, tripe or
innards, legs and mint).
- Pachamanca (assorted types of meats, potatoes and
tender corn or maize cooked underground amid hot stones
and aromatic herbs, pre-Hispanic style).
- Humitas (steamed sweet corn dough stuffed with
cinnamon and raisins, wrapped in maize leaves).
- Cebiche de Pato Casmeño (duck marinated in orange and
lemon juice).
Other products include: buttery cheese, quesillo, ham,
butter, honey, milk jam, cider dessert, and a large
variety of fruits such as capulí, quince, eggfruit,
granadilla, custard apple, guava, prickly pear, etc.
The traditional drinks are: Chicha de jora, Chicha de
maní (fermented peanut drink).
Festivities
The Week of Mountaineering (May / June)
Competitions in several adventure tourism sports,
cultural and social activities.
Carnival in Callejón de Huaylas (February) May Festival or Feast of the Patron the Lord of La
Soledad (May).
The Virgen del Carmen Tourist Festivity, in Chavín de
Huántar (July).
The Virgen de las Mercedes Tourist Festivity (September).
The Lord of Burgos Tourist Festivity (September).
Services
Airports
Aeropuerto Tte. FAP Jaime de Montrevil.
Panamericana Norte s/n, Chimbote.
Phone: (044) 31-1844.
Aeropuerto Cmdt. FAP Germán Arias Grazzini
Anta, Carhuaz.
Transport By land
El Chimbador.
Urb. 27 de Octubre, Panamericana Norte, Chimbote.
Terminal By land Huascarán.
Prolongación Raymondi cdra. 8 s/n, Huaraz.
Health Centers
Chimbote.
Hospital Regional de Chimbote.
Phone: (044) 31-1280.
24 hour service
Huaraz.
Hospital Emergencia.
Av. Luzuriaga s/n.
Phone: (044) 72-4146.
24 hour service
Police Stations
Chimbote.
Leoncio Prado 401.
Phone: (044) 32-1651.
24 hour service
Huaraz .
Emergencia Policía Nacional del Perú.
Phone: 105.
24 hour service
Unidad de Salvamento de Alta Montaña.
Av. Arias Grazziani s/n, Yungay.
Phone: (044) 72-3333.
24 hour service
Yungay.
Policía Nacional del Perú.
Phone: (044) 79-3292.
24 hour service
Handicrafts Markets
Centro Artesanal Callejon de Huaylas. Oficina Serpost Plaza Mayor s/n, Huaraz.
Feria Artesanal La Plaza.
Plaza Mayor s/n.
Post Office
Chimbote.
Av. Pardo 294.
Phone: (044) 32-4073 / 34-6299.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-19:00, Sunday 9:00-13:00.
Huaraz.
Av. Luzuriaga 702.
Phone: (044) 72-1030 / 72-1031.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-19:00.
Caraz.
Jr. San Martín 909.
Phone: (044) 79-1094.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Regional Tourism and Industry Office
Campamento Vichay s/n, Huaraz.
Phone/fax: (044) 72-1521 / 72-4168.
E-mail:
drita@terra.com.pe
Tourist Information Office (DRIT) - Ancash (Plaza de
Armas, bajos de la Municipalidad de Huaraz).
tourist information and assistance
Peru features a tourist information and assistance
service called iPerú where visitors can ask about
official tourist information on Peru, as well as
assistance if the tourist feels the service paid for was
not provided as advertised.
E-mail:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe
Lima Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez
Arrival lounge / main hall
Phone/fax: (01) 574-8000 / 574-6900
24-hour service
E-mail:
sptijch@indecopi.gob.pe
San Isidro
Jorge Basadre 610, Lima 27.
Phone: (01) 421-1583 / 421-1227 / 421-1627 / 421-1546.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00
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