5 Best Day Hikes in Huaraz, Peru
If you plan on hiking in Peru, you should not skip Huaraz, often nicknamed the Peruvian hiking capital. High in the Andes, this city is a great place to acclimatize before hikes and treks in Huascaran National Park. Our travel guide includes the best day hikes from Huaraz and our favorite day-trips you can't miss.
When planning your Peru itinerary, make sure you set your priorities right. This country offers sightseeing in the cities, many famous Incan ruins, diverse flora and fauna, and much more, so it is hard to decide which destination to visit or skip. It is impossible to see every single destination mentioned in travel guides.
Still, if you love outdoors and hiking, you should make sure to allocate enough time for Huaraz, a city high in the mountains that is often nicknamed the hiking capital of Peru.
Except for exploring the city itself, Huaraz offers an uncountable number of day trips and hikes to choose from, and the area allows travelers to explore both the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra, home to Huascaran National Park.
The Cordillera Blanca is the more popular mountain range. It is covered with snow all year round; thus, it is more photogenic, but the Cordillera Negra also boasts many natural highlights.
The region around Huaraz is rich in turquoise lagoons, snow-capped mountains, and glaciers, and it is a paradise for all adventurers who love to spend their time actively.
Although the area boasts of many incredible multi-day hikes, the great news for travelers who do not want to go camping or for those visiting Huaraz in the wet season is that you can find here a large number of day trips and day hikes, so you can every day explore the insanely beautiful places, and in the afternoon return to your warm and cozy room.
We spent a week hiking in the mountains around Huaraz, and during this time had a chance to see some of the highlights the region has to offer.
As we did not have camping gear, and the weather was hit or miss at the beginning of the rainy season, we could not be happier to find out how many short but rewarding trips we could make from the city.
To explore the area thoroughly, rule number one is to have enough time for at least the most significant day trips in the area, so plan accordingly.
In this travel guide, we've put together the best day hikes from Huaraz, including tips on how to get around, where to stay, and how to acclimatize.
HUARAZ ALTITUDE
Cordillera Blanca mountain range and Huascaran National Park offer great day trips and hikes, but as most of the paths are located between 4000 and 5000 meters above sea level, it is essential to acclimatize first to enjoy them to the fullest. It is not safe to arrive in Huaraz and set off on a day trip straight away, so take it slowly.
Altitude sickness is a real thing in the Peruvian mountains, and you should not take it lightly, especially if hiking and trekking are the main reasons you travel to this part of the country.
The best way how to acclimatize is to stay in Huaraz for a couple of days before you start climbing up. The only important thing to know is that Huaraz sits at more than 3000 meters above sea level itself, so it can happen that you will feel a bit dizzy for a day or two even without leaving the city limits.
What is the best strategy to acclimatize?
It can be different for everyone as every person is affected by altitude differently - some can be sick for days while some don't feel any different. It is necessary to know there's no way how to prepare for the altitude except for being at the altitude for some time.
Generally, after arriving in Huaraz (especially when you are coming from destinations by the sea), do not plan any hard physical activity.
Walk around the city, drink lots of water or coca tea, eat light meals, do not drink alcohol and only breathe, and get used to the thinner air.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in Huaraz.
The first day trip you can make from Huaraz to test how your body will react is the hike to Laguna Wilcacocha, which is close to Huaraz and is 3680 meters above sea level.
The great thing about doing day hikes from Huaraz is that you will climb high, but every time will come back to Huaraz sitting at lower elevation, which is precisely what you should do when acclimatizing.
HUARAZ DAY HIKES
We spent in the area near Huaraz a week or so, and it was a solid week filled with postcard-perfect views, incredibly blue lagoons, glaciers, and mountainous landscape.
We are not afraid to say that those who get tired of these views are tired of life. Simply put, we would have come back in a heartbeat, just to feel the raw power of perfectly shaped nature.
Here's our list of the five best day trips and hikes we've done in the Huaraz area.
These are the most popular trips that should be on your itinerary. If time allows, it is worth it to visit all those places.
LAGUNA 69
Laguna 69 is on every traveler's Peru bucket list, and it is certainly the most popular day trip from Huaraz. Pictures of the famous lake hang in every hotel around the city, and every travel office will gladly offer you a trip to Laguna 69.
The lagoon itself is often placed on the list of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
It is one of the most iconic sites in Peru because of Laguna 69's beauty and the spectacular and scenic hike leading to the lake. It is pretty obvious that expectations are super-high, but, spoiler alert, Laguna 69 won't surely disappoint you.
The trek to Laguna 69 will take your breath away, and we mean it not only figuratively but literally as well as the lake sits 4600 meters above sea level.
Laguna 69 is the Insta-famous spot, so many backpackers set off every morning from Huaraz with one thought in mind - get the best picture possible.
Sometimes you might get the wrong impression that when Laguna 69 is the must-do activity in Peru, it must be easy to get there, but the opposite is the truth.
The hike to Laguna 69 is not long, only 6 kilometers one way, but you must gain 800 meters - it means some parts are steep, and the combination of the high altitude and the unforgiving weather might slow you down (it can be either too hot or too rainy and cold).
It usually takes about three hours to get to the lake and a bit less than two hours to get back.
Because of the elevation, it is better not to plan hiking to Laguna 69 on the very first day of your stay in Huaraz.
We met quite a few people who underestimated this activity and did not make it to the lagoon as the altitude and lack of preparation took a toll on them.
On the way to Laguna 69, you will see another lake, Laguna Llanganuco, and if you feel that the hike to Laguna 69 could be too hard for you, it is possible to take a Llanganuco Day Tour only to this lake and walk around its shore while admiring the mountains around.
Although it is possible to get to Laguna 69 from either Huaraz or Caraz by public transport independently, taking a Laguna 69 Tour makes more sense in this case as it costs almost the same plus you have a guaranteed transport.
LAGUNA PARON
Laguna Paron is the largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca and one of the most beautiful lakes we've seen in Huascaran National Park.
Laguna Paron sits almost 4200 meters above sea level, so it is better to wait with this day-trip once you are well acclimatized. The lake has an absolutely mind-blowing light blue color caused by melting glaciers, but what makes the lagoon even more outstanding is the surroundings.
Laguna Paron is nestled in a valley carved by a long-gone glacier, and from its shore, it is possible to see snow-covered mountain peaks: Chacraraju mountain, Nevado Piramide, and Artesonraju mountain. The last-mentioned peak is also the most famous one as it is supposedly the mountain depicted in the Paramount Pictures logo.
When you reach Laguna Paron, you have several options on how to spend your time.
You can walk around the lake's shore via a path on the left side, take a boat and enjoy the views from the water surface, or you can climb up to the viewpoint on the right side of the lake.
We chose the latter option as we were sure vistas from above would be even more excellent.
Although a bit cloudy, the weather was pleasant, and we sat on the top for quite a long time enjoying perfect views.
You have two options on how to get to Laguna Paron.
It is possible to hike 10 kilometers to the lake from Pueblo Paron or reach the lake by car as a winding unsealed road leads right to the lake's shore.
In case you prefer to go hiking, we recommend you spend a night in a small town Caraz, from where it is possible to take a colectivo to Pueblo Paron.
When traveling to Laguna Paron from Huaraz, you can either take public transport (you need to go early in the morning to catch a colectivo from Huaraz to Caraz and from Caraz to Pueblo Paron, or you can take a taxi from Caraz) or travel with a tour.
If staying in Huaraz, taking a Laguna Paron Tour is the most convenient way how to get to the lake.
The only disadvantage is you will skip the hiking part as the van will take you directly to Laguna Paron (plus you will spend quite a lot of time in a transport). However, you will still have plenty of time to explore the lake's surroundings.
Despite the fact it takes time to reach Laguna Paron, this lake became one of the most popular Huaraz day hikes because of its unparalleled beauty.
We've written a full guide on how to hike to Laguna Paron independently with detailed information on how to get there from either Caraz or Huaraz, so check it out if we have inspired you to visit the lake.
PASTORURI GLACIER
If you happen to be in Huaraz, one of the places you should not miss visiting is Pastoruri Glacier for two reasons.
One, the glacier located 5250 meters above sea level, is literally breathtaking. Second, you can be one of the last travelers privileged to see the glacier because it is retreating quickly, and it is possible there won't be any Pastoruri Glacier in a decade or so.
Pastoruri Glacier is one of the last glaciers in South America located in Equatorial areas. It is shrinking every year as the glacier is no longer building up ice in the winter and is constantly losing its volume instead.
Because of the altitude, Pastoruri Glacier should be the last day-trip from Huaraz on your itinerary.
The hike to Pastoruri Glacier itself is not that hard. From the parking lot, you will walk approximately 40 minutes to the face of the glacier on a paved path, but the elevation can make it difficult.
At the moment, there is no public transport from Huaraz to Pastoruri Glacier.
In order to get there, you need to either shop around the city and look for a travel agency that has scheduled trips to the glacier (there are many of them), or you can reserve a Pastoruri Glacier Tour in advance.
The tour usually includes transport and several interesting stops along the way, such as Patococha Lake, Pumapampa plain, and you can even see the Queen of the Andes, a plant which is almost 15 meters high.
You can usually spend about an hour near the glacier and photograph it from every angle possible, but do not go behind the ropes for security reasons.
It is also essential to pack warm clothes as it can be really cold up there, not mentioning the weather can change several times a day - we had the sun in the morning, later clouds and even experienced hail and a quite terrifying storm.
LAGUNA CHURUP
The hike to Laguna Churup was one of the most rewarding day-hikes we've done from Huaraz.
We were really pleasantly surprised by how spectacular this little hike was, as Laguna Churup is for sure not that well-known as other lakes in the Cordillera Blanca.
To be honest, we discovered Laguna Churup thanks to two Dutch travelers we met in Chachapoyas, who told us about this hike, claiming it was the best day hike they did in Peru, so we knew we have to check this little gem out.
Laguna Churup lies 4450 meters above sea level, and although the hike to the lake is not long, only 3 kilometers one way, it is a steady climb all the way up (you will gain 600 meters), so it takes at least two hours to reach the lake's shore.
On the way up, you will see splendid mountains, green hills, waterfalls, and there is also a short section where you need to use ropes, which makes the trek a bit more challenging (but it is possible to avoid this section and choose a different route).
We reached Laguna Churup, and it was so cloudy and misty that we could not see the water at all for a moment. Luckily after some time, the clouds lifted, and we could admire the blue-green mirror-like surface.
In case you have more energy, you can extend the hike and walk to a smaller lake, Laguna Churupita. The extension takes approximately one hour each way.
Laguna Churup is one of those day trips you can do completely on your own.
In the morning, jump on a colectivo going to Pitek. The van will drop you off at the trailhead, and it waits there to take you back to Huaraz as well.
Of course, you can book a Laguna Churup tour in advance as well.
LAGUNA WILCACOCHA
Unlike other hikes on this list, Laguna Wilcacocha is not located in the Cordillera Blanca as many of the most famous day trips from Huaraz, but in the Cordillera Negra, the less-visited mountain range surrounding the city.
Although Laguna Wilcacocha is probably the least appealing of the lakes we've seen in Peru, it is not the lake but the views why you should hike this trek.
On the way to Laguna Wilcacocha, which sits 3700 meters above sea level, you will walk via the true Peruvian countryside with the amazing wall of Cordillera Blanca on the backdrop.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to get from Huaraz to the trailhead of this hike by colectivo going to Puenta Santa Cruz.
At times, the path is not very well-marked, so it is better to follow your offline maps.
Unlike trips to Laguna 69, Laguna Paron, or Pastoruri Glacier, you will need only half-day to get to Laguna Wilcacocha and back to Huaraz, which gives you an opportunity to take a rest.
ENTRANCE FEE - HUASCARAN NATIONAL PARK
Hiking in Huascaran National Park is not free. It is actually quite expensive (for budget travelers) if you plan on spending your time in the region actively.
You can either buy a one day ticket for S/.30, the entrance fee for two to three days costs S/.60, and when you plan on hiking near Huaraz more extensively, you should think of buying a multi-day pass valid for four to thirty days for S/.150.
Even though the admission fee to Huascaran National Park was high, the visit was worth every penny.
WHERE TO STAY IN HUARAZ
Huaraz is a must-visit destination on every traveler's itinerary, so it is not surprising you can find here many hotels and hotels in every price range.
The hiking season in Peru starts in May and ends in October, so when traveling during this time of the year, book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you have certain requirements.
We've handpicked the three best places to stay in Huaraz for every type of traveler.
Budget | Selina Huaraz - This colorful hostel offers everything a traveler needs for a very reasonable price. Rooms are small but well-kept, and the property provides free wifi and a terrace to hang out.
Mid-range | La Casa de Zarela - Rooms in this hostel are spacious, clean, and comfortable. The staff is friendly and welcoming, great breakfast is included, and the restaurant serves Thai food. It is one of the most popular hostels in Huaraz.
Luxury | The Lazy Dog Inn - If you like Finnish sauna, great food, romantic fireplace, and quiet location, this lodge is perfect for you.
WHEN TO GO
The fact that all the best trips around Huaraz are high in the mountains means one thing. You must be all the time well-prepared, no matter when you travel to the area because the weather is unpredictable.
This part of Peru has two distinct seasons - dry season from May to October, and as the name suggests, it rains less often.
Hence, you have a better chance to experience clear blue skies, but on the other hand, this is Peruvian winter, so temperatures are lower (and you still can experience snowstorm during this time).
The rainy season lasts from November to April, and although it does not mean you should not visit the area at all (we were in Huaraz in November, and it usually rained later in the afternoon, plus the mountains were not that crowded), be ready for afternoon showers, clouds, but also warmer weather.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHAT TO PACK
It is only up to you when you decide on visiting Peru, but when it comes to packing for hiking around Huaraz, for a day trip, we would have always packed the following essentials, seasons regardless.
Wear comfortable hiking boots, and it also makes sense to have your trekking poles ready. It is always better to pack layers to put them on and off, depending on the current weather.
Rain jacket, and in winter even down jacket is a must-have gear all-year-round. Hiking pants and rain pants should also go without saying.
For every single day hike in the mountains, we bring a comfortable daypack, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and lip balm as the sun high in the mountains is super-tricky.
If you want to keep your valuables safe, we find these dry sacks invaluable.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
