HUARAZ, THE SWITZERLAND OF PERÚ

 

HUARAZ in Quechua means DAWN is a city located in the spectacular white mountain range 420 kilometers north of Lima (261 miles) this mountain range shelters the highest mountains and snow-capped mountains in Peru that have snow all year round and that makes them some of the few tropical glaciers in the world given its location a few kilometers from the equator. Huaraz is located 3,050 meters above sea level in the ANCASH region has become in recent years a first-class tourist destination for lovers of adventure tourism with extreme trekking routes, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding and other sports.

 

  Geographically, this city is located in the Huaylas alley, between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra, in the basin of the Santa River, which, after a long journey, flows into the Pacific Ocean. However, this region has also been the cradle of ancient civilizations, among which the Chavín civilization stands out. An enigmatic and mysterious culture that lived in these mountains from 1200 BC to 200 AD, they built complex and strange underground temples where they worshipped their gods.

 But among Huaraz's main attractions are its high-mountain destinations, as this area boasts towering mountains that are a favorite destination for tourists seeking to challenge the high peaks of the Peruvian Andes.

   

Among all the great snow-capped peaks in Huaraz is the majestic Huascaran, which at 6,757 meters is the highest mountain in Peru. This enormous snow-capped mountain has two peaks at its highest point: the North Peak and the South Peak, which dominate the landscape. Local residents have called this great mountain Huascaran for thousands of years, and in Quechua, it means "Mountain Range".

 

 Climbing Huascaran is a challenge for even the most experienced mountaineers, who come to Huaraz each year to attempt to conquer the summit of Peru's highest mountain and the fourth highest in the Americas. The best time to go mountaineering is between May and September during the Andean summer, a period when the days are usually sunny and dry. Before climbing any snow-capped mountain, it is recommended to have at least one day of acclimatization in Huaraz, where you can also enjoy hot springs a short distance from the city.

  

Among the most popular routes for tourists are: NEVADO PASTORURI (This is a somewhat easy route to enjoy a circuit where we can observe beautiful lagoons). NEVADO PISCO (This is so named because the first time it was crowned by mountaineers, they had drunk pisco (a typical Peruvian drink) to reach its summit, which is located at 5,760 meters above sea level. NEVADO MATEO (This is a more challenging route that includes an ascent through the southern part of the snow-capped mountain until reaching the summit). NEVADO HUARAPASCA (This is one of the most extreme routes since it involves climbing through a steep summit until reaching the top of this glacier, making it a dangerous expedition. Other interesting circuits are the trek to the beautiful LAGUNA 69 (Lagoon 69) or the trek from the town of SANTA CRUZ to the LLANGANUCO lagoon.

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