Huaraz

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

South America

$29.99

Shop Book

Beautiful Natural Scenery in Lake Paron with a beautiful turquoise blue water color, Cordillera Blanca, Peruvian Mountains, South America

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Huaraz. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Get Inspired

Overview

Huaraz is the restless capital of this Andean adventure kingdom and its rooftops command exhaustive panoramas of the city's dominion: one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, Huaraz isn’t going to win any Andean-village beauty contests anytime soon, but it does have personality – and personality goes a long way.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Monumento Nacional Wilkahuaín

Huaraz

This small Wari ruin about 8km north of Huaraz is remarkably well preserved, dating from about AD 600 to 900. It’s an imitation of the temple at Chavín…

Piscigranja de Truchas

Huaraz

At the trout hatchery, Piscigranja de Truchas, you can see the stages of the trout-hatching process from eggs to adults. By the entrance, the Recreo de…

Museo Regional de Ancash

Huaraz

The Museo Regional de Ancash houses one of the most significant collections of ancient stone sculptures in South America lined up in a garden out back…

Mirador de Retaqeñua

Huaraz

Mirador de Retaqeñua is about a 45-minute walk southeast of the center and has great views of the city and its mountainous backdrop. Unfortunately,…

Jirón José Olaya

Huaraz

On the east side of town, Jirón José Olaya is the only street that remained intact through the earthquakes and provides a glimpse of what old Huaraz…

View more attractions

Plan with a local