Information on Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca
The Huaylas valley, 400 kilometers north of Lima, is a genuine quirk of nature, with its impressive scenes of wild countryside, and its colorful valley formed from the Black and White cordilleras or mountain ranges, the Santa River flowing powerfully between the two, watering the fields of the picturesque chain of villages ranged along the length of its banks.
This area of high peaks is a favorite of mountain climbers from all around the world, as there are 35 peaks in the Valley over 6,000 meters high. Among them of course is Huascaran, with its 6,768 meters, the highest peak in Peru and the second highest in the Americas after Aconagua, in Chile. Another famous mountain of the Huaylas Valley, Alpamayo (6,210m) is known as the "most beautiful snow-capped mountain in the world".
Things to do around Huaraz
The main reason to come here is for the mountains. Either to look at them or to climb them or walk within them. There are beautiful lakes as well.
Trekking. There are all levels of trekking here. Plenty of one day hikes around the area as well as more strenuous treks up to 7 days camping.
One important archeological site here is Chavín de Huantar. An ancient temple complex dating back to 900BC.
The importance of Chavín de Huantar:
Chavín de Huantar, 900BC was a culture that spanned the transition into leadership cultures...from everyone being of equal status ( farmers/hunter gathers ) to the formation of inherited leadership, such as monarchies. The culture also developed a unique style of ceramics, textiles design and metallurgy, during it's later stages ( 400-200BC ). The culture was without doubt, the most prestigious religious and urban centre in Peru. It is one of the earliest large scale ceremonial centre's of the central Andes.
Huascarán and Alpamayo, are part of the highest tropical mountain range in the world, known as the White Mountain Range ("Cordillera Blanca"), not just due to its perpetual snow caps but also for the chemical constitution of its quartz and feldspar rocks.
