Glaciers, Lakes, and Adventure: Exploring Ancash, Peru

Nestled along some of the country’s most iconic mountain ranges, Peru’s Ancash region was fairly inaccessible to tourists until recently. Why? Up until now, visiting cities like Huaraz, Peru, required a long and bumpy bus ride from Lima. But that all changed this summer when LATAM Airlines launched a new flight between the two cities.

Last month, the team at PromPeru invited us to experience the magic (and now convenience) of Peru’s Ancash region. Of course, I was blown away by the vast mountainscapes and delicious food. But the people are what made it even more special. They are beyond excited to welcome tourists to their home and share the amazing Ancash region with you.

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I found myself saying over and over again that I wish my family were there with me. Having two teenagers myself, I found this area to be such a wonderful destination for active travel families. Plus, Lima is only a six-hour flight from Atlanta, and I didn’t even have a time change. This makes Peru a great “big trip” for families without all of the big trip headaches, such as jet lag!

So, let’s jump right in! First, I will tell you more about this region. Then, I will share my recommendations on where to stay and some of the top things to do in the Ancash region of Peru.

Peru’s Ancash Region

The Ancash Region of Peru can be defined geographically by two main valleys: the Callejón de Huaylas and the Alto Marañón. On my trip, I explored the Callejón de Huaylas, or Huaylas Valley, which is nestled between the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountain ranges or the white and black mountains.

The Santa River runs through the valley near cities like Huaraz, Carhuaz, and Yunguy and was a popular route used by the Incan Empire.

In this family travel blog post, I will focus on the part of Ancash that I visited, Callejón de Huaylas, which is home to the Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport near Huaraz, Peru.

Where Is Huaraz, Peru?

The capital city of Ancash, Huaraz, is located near the southern end of the valley and sits at 10,000 feet above sea level. That said, it’s a great place to get acclimated before adventuring even higher into the Peruvian Andes, known as the gateway for Peru’s mountain adventure travel.

For decades, adventure travelers from around the world have made the journey here by bus, ready to explore the Cordillera Blanca by foot. It’s one of Peru’s most popular trekking destinations! Ironically, you likely haven’t even heard of it. But that is about to change now that the area is much more accessible for families like mine and yours.

New Direct Flights From Lima to Huaraz

LATAM’s new route from Lima to Huaraz, which launched in July, is already proving quite popular. My flights in late August and early September were quite full, with 130+ passengers each.

The new direct flight from Lima to Huaraz (and back) currently operates four days per week and is approximately one hour from gate to gate. This flight is operated in the morning, so the best bet would be to spend a couple of days enjoying Lima before leaving on the early flight up to Huaraz. If you do, make sure to go swimming with sea lions like I did. It was such a unique experience!

Upon arriving in Huaraz, you should give yourself a day or two to acclimate to the altitude before planning your mountain adventures. Use this time to get settled into your accommodations, explore the city, and enjoy the amazing food in Peru’s Ancash region.

Accommodations Near Huaraz, Peru

Speaking of accommodations, there are a plethora of hostel-style options that have long been popular with solo and couples adventure travelers. However, there are also some boutique hotels scattered in the foothills that honestly blew me away!

My favorite was the Wayarumi Sky Hotel, which we stopped at for breakfast and a site tour. I would definitely recommend staying here on your trip to the Ancash region. It was centrally located near the airport and the two main roads that head up into the mountains.

Another wonderful option is the Cuesta Serena Boutique Hotel. This property is ideal for luxury family travel and a place where you can truly relax as you enjoy the pool and top-notch restaurant. It is located just minutes from the airport and is another great option for a family trip to Ancash.

On this trip, we stayed at the Andino Club Hotel in Huaraz. This budget-friendly option is located in the heart of Huaraz and is ideal for travelers who want access to the city. I do use the term budget-friendly loosely because I found that your dollar goes very far in this part of Peru. All of the accommodation mentioned here costs the same or less than your local Holiday Inn.

Things To Do In Peru’s Ancash Region

Now that you know how to get there and where to stay, let’s take a look at some of the incredible things your family can do on a trip to the Ancash region of Peru. Many popular mountain activities center around Huascaran National Park in the Cordillera Blanca, a World Natural Heritage Site.

Go Rock Climbing in Huaraz

During my first full day in the Ancash region, our tour guide took us rock climbing right there in Huaraz. The team at Mountain Happiness showed us the ropes, literally! As someone who had never rock climbed outside of climbing gyms, I found it both challenging and rewarding as I attempted both courses.

They do this class for children as young as six years old, and this would be a great activity if you visit Huaraz with teenagers.

Hiking To Lagoons Near Cordillera Blanca

One of the primary activities that draws visitors to this region is the abundance of glacier lagoons in the mountains. Visiting these can range from a half-day outing to a multi-day guided trek. They all require a 2+ hour drive up into the mountains from the Callejón de Huaylas, which is not for the faint of heart. But these bucket-list mountain adventures are worth the journey!

On my trip, I had the opportunity to visit both the Rocotuyoc and Llanganuco Lagoons. For this activity, I highly recommend booking a tour with a reputable company to ensure you safely traverse the mountain and minimize any language barriers. Edgar Figueroa with Yanapacha Peru served as our guide, and I highly recommend him!

Explore Ancash Museums and Historical Sites

The cities in this part of Peru are centered around a central square that serves as the social and governmental heart of the city. You’ll want to explore these parts of each town. Many also are home to sites of significant historical importance.

We visited Campo Santo in the community of Yunguy. This is a large cemetery and memorial to honor the more than 25,000 people lost in the 1970 earthquake and subsequent landslide. It was sad but nonetheless educational. If traveling with older kids, this site and the accompanying museum are a worthwhile stop.

In addition to museums throughout the region, there are numerous pre-Incan archeological sites, many of which offer tours. Our guide mentioned the Guitarrero Cave, and after some research, I realized that it’s one of the oldest caves in South America, with human remains dating back to 10,000 BCE. I definitely want to visit there during my next trip.

Enjoy The Ancash Food Scene

All of this adventure is sure to work up your appetite, and you will have amazing foods to try in Peru’s Ancash region. If you have yet to try Peruvian food, you’re in for a treat! Peruvian cuisine is unique because of its use of fresh, colorful local ingredients and diverse influences.

Popular Peruvian dishes served in this area often contain colorful tubers, and you can typically find ceviche on most menus. What may surprise you is that guinea pig is a popular delicacy here, called Cuy.

We ate out for every meal during our time in the Ancash region, and every meal was better than the last. I particularly enjoyed Anden Verde in Huaraz. If you visit Carhuaz, pop by the famous Moto Ham Store!

Drink Local Beer in Carhuaz

On the drive in and out of Carhuaz, you’ll pass by the Ucacha Cerveza Artesanal taproom and beer garden. This is a family-friendly spot where the kids can run around in the sun while you sample some of the popular local beers on tap.

Biking In Peru’s Ancash Region

If you don’t want to hike all the way up into the mountains, consider booking a bike outing. The Ancash region has numerous biking trails of varying difficulty. I recommend booking this through a bi-lingual tour guide to ensure you choose an outing appropriate for your group’s ages and experience levels.

Visit The Hot Springs Near Huaraz

In addition to all of the archeological and adventure activities in Peru’s Ancash region, there are also hot springs! Check out the Baños Termales de Monterrey or the Chancos Hot Springs.

I want to point out that these are authentic primitive hot springs and not a luxury experience. In my opinion, that is something that makes them unique and fun to experience with your teenagers on a trip to Peru.

Plan Your Trip To Peru’s Ancash Region

As you can see, the Ancash region of Peru offers an abundance of unique adventure opportunities!

My perfect itinerary would be 3-4 days in this area with a home base near Carhuaz at either the Wayarumi or the Cuesta Serena. I would spend the first day and a half exploring Carhuaz and the stunning mountain views to the east as you acclimate to the elevation. On the third and fourth days, I would plan half or full-day adventures up into the mountains, visiting at least one of the iconic lagoons.

Tips For Traveling To Huaraz, Peru

Before wrapping up, I want to share a few additional tips to help you plan the best possible trip to Peru’s Ancash region!

First, if you don’t speak Spanish, you will likely encounter a language barrier. It’s common for restaurants not to offer English menus. While you can utilize a translation app, I think you would be better off using a tour guide for your entire trip. If you decide not to, at least make sure to book tours that offer English-speaking guides.

Second, when visiting this area, you will want to pack in layers. When the sun is high in the valley, it can feel quite hot, even in cooler months. Depending on how high you travel up into the mountains, warm jackets are likely going to be needed!

Being a South American travel destination, the seasons are opposite, so you may initially want to visit in December or January. However, in the mountainous Ancash region, the dry or hot season is during the winter (June through August), and the summer is the wet season (October through April)

One other thing that caught me a bit off guard is that dogs run free in this area. You will encounter thousands of dogs who confidently navigate the streets. All seemed very friendly to me; however, if you have a child who is scared of dogs, it may add a layer of stress to your trip.

More Peru Travel Inspiration and Trip Planning

Most trips to Peru start and end in Lima, and the opportunities are endless! Whether you are inspired to visit Peru’s Ancash region or want to plan a trip to Manchu Picchu, there is something for everyone in Peru.

The team at PromPeru has made planning your trip to Peru as easy as possible! Visit Peru.Travel to learn more about Peru and start planning your trip to Peru’s Ancash region.

**Photos attributed to Sarah Blevins with the exception of the lead Pinterest image.

About the author: Sarah Blevins is the creator behind Our Little Lifestyle, a travel and lifestyle blog with a focus on family travel and adventures big and small. She is a travel writer, professional photographer, and storyteller, who is happiest when visiting new places and experiencing new things.