Although Cusco and Puno are a lot higher than Huaraz (3340 and 3850 meter in comparison to
3100 meter), people are more susceptible to altitude sickness in Huaraz.
The reason for this is simple: Huaraz is the Mecca for adventure outings in Peru,
so visitors tend to do a lot more physical exercise in Huaraz than anywhere else in Peru.
More information on altitude sickness and how to avoid it.
Here some suggestions of activities to do in the Huaraz vicinity before starting your real
adventure in the mountains:
Dayhike to Lake Churup:
After finishing your breakfast we pick you up from your hotel with our private transport and
drive up to a small village up in the mountains above Huaraz called Pitec.
From there we start walking 3 - 4,5 hours to the beautiful
Churup Lake at 4.450 m (14.600 ft). At the lake we take an hour break to have lunch and relax before walking to
the trail start in 1,5 - 2 hours from where we return to Huaraz.
Dayhike to Lake 69:
After finishing your breakfast we pick you up from your hotel with our private transport and take you down into the Huaylas Valley. In Yungay we turn East towards the mountains and start driving towards the entry of the Huascaran National Park, with Huandoy to the left and Huascaran - the highest mountain in Peru - to the right. After passing the famous Llanganuco Lakes we continue another 20 minutes by car until we reached Cebollapampa. From there we start walking 2,5 - 4 hours to Lake 69 4.600 m (15.092 ft). At the time the lakes were mapped, they were give numbers because their names were not known to the explorers. Afterwards locals were called to name the lakes and has it happened, this lake in particular had not been given a name yet and so it became known as Lake 69. After walking back to the trail start in about 1,5 - 2 hours we make our way back to Huaraz.
If there is enough time we can also visit the so-called "Campo Santo" of the old City of Yungay, which was covered by a mud avalanche caused indirectly by the 1970 earthquake.
1/2 Day rock climbing in Chancos:
After trying on our harnesses and climbing shoes in Huaraz we take you with private transport
to the nearby rocks of Chancos (approx. 1/2 hour drive), where 8 rock climbing routes have been equipped with bolts.
These routes have difficulties from the very starters to the intermediate level, the rocks
are situated in a Valley looking at Mount Copa right next to a big stream, very picturesque.
All routes are climbed by our guides to collocate safety ropes and karabiners to guarantee
a 99,99% safe experience. As safety is number one on our priority list, all guides and clients
will have to use safety helmets and clients will be taught basic rock climbing techniques and safety
instructions.
1 Day rock climbing in Hatun Machay:
After trying on our harnesses and climbing shoes in Huaraz we take you with private transport
to Hatun Machay (approx. 90 minutes drive), where over 40 rock climbing routes have been equipped with bolts.
These routes have difficulties from the starters to the very experienced level and are located in a very
picturesque area called "Stone Woods". In the area are also archeological interesting sites and
rock paintings (origins and date of the paintings has not been defined yet).
Worth doing a short hike around the "Stone Woods" - takes about 1 and a half hour.
All routes are climbed by our guides to collocate safety ropes and karabiners to guarantee
a 99,99% safe experience. As safety is number one on our priority list, all guides and clients
will have to use safety helmets and clients will be taught basic rock climbing techniques and safety
instructions.
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