ancient ruins
Chavin de Huantar
A 3,000-year-old temple complex in the Cordillera Blanca with a labyrinth of stone galleries leading to the Lanzon, a 4.5 m carved granite deity still standing where it was placed.
39 km · about 45 min drive
Ancash, Peru · South America
Huaraz sits on the route: 30 minutes from Jangas, 46km from Huascarán National Park.
Huaraz is a city located in Ancash, Peru. With a population of 118,836, it is an important destination in South America.
On a road trip, Huaraz sits in Peru, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Lima time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Huaraz to your route.
Huaraz ([waˈɾas]) (from Quechua: Waraq or Warash, "dawn"), formerly designated as San Sebastián de Huaraz, is a city in Peru. It is the capital of the Ancash Region (State of Ancash) and the seat of government of Huaraz Province. The urban area's population is distributed over the districts of Huaraz andRead more
Independencia. The city is located in the middle of the Callejon de Huaylas valley and on the right side of the Santa river. The city has an elevation of approximately 3050 meters above sea level. The built-up area covers 8 square kilometers and has a population of 120,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest city in the central Peruvian Andes after the city of Huancayo. It is the 22nd largest city in Peru. Huaraz is the seat of the province's Roman Catholic Bishop and the site of the cathedral.
Huaraz is the main financial and trade center of the Callejón de Huaylas and the main tourist destination of Ancash region. Moreover, it is one of the biggest towns in the Peruvian Andes. Huaraz is the main destinations for winter sports and adventure. Many visitors from around the world come to the city for practicing sports as climbing, hiking, mountain biking and snowboarding, and also to visit the glaciers and mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, mainly Mount Huascarán, which is considered the tallest mountain in the tropics, all of them located in Huascarán National Park which UNESCO declared a nature world heritage site in 1985.
The city was founded before the Inca Empire when humans settled around the valley of the Santa River and Qillqay. Its Spanish occupation occurred in 1574 as a Spanish-indigenous reducción. During the wars for the independence of Peru, the whole city supported the Liberating Army with food and guns, earning the city the title of "Noble and Generous City" granted by Simón Bolívar. In 1970, 95% of the city was destroyed by an earthquake that damaged much of Ancash Region. 25,000 people died. The city received much foreign assistance from many countries. For this reason the city was named a capital of International Friendship.
The main economic activities in the city are farming, commerce and tourism. Since Huaraz has tourist infrastructure supporting the Ancash Highlands, the city is the main point of arrival for practitioners of adventure sports and mountaineering. Along with the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, one can visit archaeological sites like Chavín de Huantar and the eastern highlands of Ancash, known as Conchucos.
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Huaraz offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Huaraz is located in Ancash, Peru, South America. The coordinates are -9.5261 latitude, -77.5287 longitude.
Huaraz has a population of approximately 118,836 people, making it a city in Peru.
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2 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
A 3,000-year-old temple complex in the Cordillera Blanca with a labyrinth of stone galleries leading to the Lanzon, a 4.5 m carved granite deity still standing where it was placed.
39 km · about 45 min drive
national park
UNESCO park protecting the Cordillera Blanca, including the 6,768-metre Huascarán, entered on roads from Huaraz.
46 km · about 55 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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