Travel Guidebook

David Angel
Travel Guidebook

Food scene

Authentic Neapolitan pizzas made with only the freshest ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven. This is one of the best restaurants in Huaraz, the quality of the food, friendly welcome by manager Graciela, professional service and pleasant, warm decor are hard to beat, yet prices remain very affordable.
Mi Comedia - Pizzeria
351 Centenario
Authentic Neapolitan pizzas made with only the freshest ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven. This is one of the best restaurants in Huaraz, the quality of the food, friendly welcome by manager Graciela, professional service and pleasant, warm decor are hard to beat, yet prices remain very affordable.
This restaurant offers an original fusion of Italian and Peruvian food. They only use fresh, top quality ingredients. Their varied menu includes: tasty steaks and chicken dishes, excellent salads and sandwiches, homemade pastas, raviolis and pizzas. There are some good vegetarian options. Also, don’t miss their unique and delicious desserts, especially the oreo cheesecake and maracuya pie.
Manka
840 Jr. Juan Bautista
This restaurant offers an original fusion of Italian and Peruvian food. They only use fresh, top quality ingredients. Their varied menu includes: tasty steaks and chicken dishes, excellent salads and sandwiches, homemade pastas, raviolis and pizzas. There are some good vegetarian options. Also, don’t miss their unique and delicious desserts, especially the oreo cheesecake and maracuya pie.
Excellent burgers and parrillas, good pasta dishes and pizzas. Spacious restaurant with good hygiene and friendly service. Great value lunchtime menu.
TAMYA RESTAURANTE
1274 Jiron Amadeo Figueroa
Excellent burgers and parrillas, good pasta dishes and pizzas. Spacious restaurant with good hygiene and friendly service. Great value lunchtime menu.
Great restaurant offering typical food of the region with a modern twist.
Ancestral
327 Atusparia
Great restaurant offering typical food of the region with a modern twist.
This simple, popular restaurant, serving typical Peruvian fares, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The varied, good lunch menus offer good value for money; come early as it does get very busy. They also serve great breakfasts with delicious pancakes.
EL RINCONCITO MINERO
757 Jirón Julián de Morales
This simple, popular restaurant, serving typical Peruvian fares, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The varied, good lunch menus offer good value for money; come early as it does get very busy. They also serve great breakfasts with delicious pancakes.
This new restaurant serves gourmet Peruvian food cooked by a passionate young chef, at very affordable prices, only using local ingredients from the Andes. The colorful, tasty dishes are as much a feast for the eyes than the stomach. Great vegetarian options, 100% unique and delicious! Reservations are recommended.
Jama
Psje. Guzman Arenas
This new restaurant serves gourmet Peruvian food cooked by a passionate young chef, at very affordable prices, only using local ingredients from the Andes. The colorful, tasty dishes are as much a feast for the eyes than the stomach. Great vegetarian options, 100% unique and delicious! Reservations are recommended.
This cevicheria offers the best seafood in Huaraz. A good option if you won’t spend much time on the coast and want to try some of Peru’s most famous dishes, such as ceviche and arroz con mariscos. It gets very busy at weekends, so come early!
Mordiscos
1280 Jiron Amadeo Figueroa
This cevicheria offers the best seafood in Huaraz. A good option if you won’t spend much time on the coast and want to try some of Peru’s most famous dishes, such as ceviche and arroz con mariscos. It gets very busy at weekends, so come early!
This popular restaurant serves delicious pollo a la brasa (spit roast chicken) and parrillas (barbecued meats), as well as a good and cheap lunchtime menu. Waiters are unusually pleasant and efficient, prices offer great value for money and the decor is modern and welcoming. There are very few vegetarian options, if any.
El Fogón
928 Av. Mariscal Toribio Luzuriaga
This popular restaurant serves delicious pollo a la brasa (spit roast chicken) and parrillas (barbecued meats), as well as a good and cheap lunchtime menu. Waiters are unusually pleasant and efficient, prices offer great value for money and the decor is modern and welcoming. There are very few vegetarian options, if any.
This place offers 100% authentic, delicious Indian food, and to make it even better the prices are very affordable. The menu is extensive and varied and offers fantastic options as much for meat eaters than for vegetarians and even for vegans and celiacs. There is an incredibly good value lunchtime menu (from 12pm until 4pm) at only S/15 soles. The young chef Jonathan is everything a chef should be: passionate, eager to please, experienced, kind and attentive. It shows that he loves cooking! Well to sum it up this is a place you cannot miss, especially if you have been travelling for a while, have tired of Peruvian food and yearn for something different.
PAULINO'S INDIAN CUISINE
859 Jiron Juan Bautista
This place offers 100% authentic, delicious Indian food, and to make it even better the prices are very affordable. The menu is extensive and varied and offers fantastic options as much for meat eaters than for vegetarians and even for vegans and celiacs. There is an incredibly good value lunchtime menu (from 12pm until 4pm) at only S/15 soles. The young chef Jonathan is everything a chef should be: passionate, eager to please, experienced, kind and attentive. It shows that he loves cooking! Well to sum it up this is a place you cannot miss, especially if you have been travelling for a while, have tired of Peruvian food and yearn for something different.

Sightseeing

Lake Churup is situated at an altitude of 4450m to the east of Huaraz at the foot of Mount Churup (5495m). The trail to the lake can start from the village of Llupa (3450m), situated only 7 km from Huaraz, and goes at first past fields and traditional homes of the Quechua people, or from Pitec (3850m), the entry point of the Huascaran National Park. From there, a steep trail up a rocky path leads to the lake, past a waterfall and a 40m high rock wall. The glacial lake is a wonderful sight with its turquoise-emerald green waters surrounded by huge granite slabs and the native quenual trees. Please note that the last part of the hike involves scrambling over rocks, which may intimidate the less experienced hikers. Take great care when it rains, as the rocks get incredibly slippery. We do not recommend anyone to go hiking there solo, due to the non-straightforward nature of the trail.
14 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Churup Lake
14 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Lake Churup is situated at an altitude of 4450m to the east of Huaraz at the foot of Mount Churup (5495m). The trail to the lake can start from the village of Llupa (3450m), situated only 7 km from Huaraz, and goes at first past fields and traditional homes of the Quechua people, or from Pitec (3850m), the entry point of the Huascaran National Park. From there, a steep trail up a rocky path leads to the lake, past a waterfall and a 40m high rock wall. The glacial lake is a wonderful sight with its turquoise-emerald green waters surrounded by huge granite slabs and the native quenual trees. Please note that the last part of the hike involves scrambling over rocks, which may intimidate the less experienced hikers. Take great care when it rains, as the rocks get incredibly slippery. We do not recommend anyone to go hiking there solo, due to the non-straightforward nature of the trail.
Beautiful red canyon just above the town of Huaraz with great panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca and Negra. The hike starts from the town of Huaraz, first walking up to the cemetery and then on to the Rataquenua viewpoint. From there carry on uphill towards the Pukaventana Canyon, the views get progressively better as you gain height. The canyon is a surprising sight with its steep red walls plunging below. You can follow a path along the canyon rim and also take a path down into the canyon. Perfect first acclimatisation hike.
Mirador Pukaventana
Beautiful red canyon just above the town of Huaraz with great panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca and Negra. The hike starts from the town of Huaraz, first walking up to the cemetery and then on to the Rataquenua viewpoint. From there carry on uphill towards the Pukaventana Canyon, the views get progressively better as you gain height. The canyon is a surprising sight with its steep red walls plunging below. You can follow a path along the canyon rim and also take a path down into the canyon. Perfect first acclimatisation hike.
Lake Wilcacocha is a small lake situated at 3720m, high in the Cordillera Negra, where flocks of ducks like to swim and cows, sheep, donkeys and horses munch peacefully on the surrounding grass. The hike up to the lake passes several small Andean villages, where colourfully dressed local people still follow a traditional way of life. The highlight of a visit to Lake Wilcacocha is the breath-taking panoramas from a hillock by the lake, with superb views of the Cordillera Blanca, including the perennially snow-capped peaks of Mount Huantsan (6395m), the range’s third highest summit, Shaqsha (5703m), Cashan (5716m), Tumarinaraju (5668m), Pongos (5680m), Churup (5495m), Ranrapalca (6162m), Vallunaraju (5675m), and Huascaran, Peru’s highest peak at 6768m. This spectacular view of the ‘White Range’ is one of the best in the region. It is an ideal first acclimatisation hike that can easily be done in half a day.
Wilcacocha
Lake Wilcacocha is a small lake situated at 3720m, high in the Cordillera Negra, where flocks of ducks like to swim and cows, sheep, donkeys and horses munch peacefully on the surrounding grass. The hike up to the lake passes several small Andean villages, where colourfully dressed local people still follow a traditional way of life. The highlight of a visit to Lake Wilcacocha is the breath-taking panoramas from a hillock by the lake, with superb views of the Cordillera Blanca, including the perennially snow-capped peaks of Mount Huantsan (6395m), the range’s third highest summit, Shaqsha (5703m), Cashan (5716m), Tumarinaraju (5668m), Pongos (5680m), Churup (5495m), Ranrapalca (6162m), Vallunaraju (5675m), and Huascaran, Peru’s highest peak at 6768m. This spectacular view of the ‘White Range’ is one of the best in the region. It is an ideal first acclimatisation hike that can easily be done in half a day.
Lake Paron is the largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca and also one of the most beautiful, its dazzling turquoise waters surrounded by imposing icy peaks. In recent years, the lake’s water level has dropped from 75m to a mere 15m, but Lake Paron is still a jewel, with the unrivalled picture perfect view of Mount Piramide de Garcilaso’s pyramid of ice (5885m) rising above crystalline waters bordered by powdered white sand. An easy path surrounds the lake revealing in turns the snow-covered summits of Mount Piramide, Huandoy East (6000m), Aguja (5888m) Caraz West (6025m), Chacraraju (6112m), Pisco (5752m) and finally the magnificent perfect pyramid of Artesonraju (6025m). The lake is located in the northern section of the Huascaran National Park, 32km east of Caraz, and reached after following a dirt road that snakes its way up the Paron Valley. The sheer granite cliffs that tower high on either side of the valley are an impressive sight, and include the 5325m high monolith known as The Sphinx, which is a popular destination for rock climbers.
19 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Paron Lake
19 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Lake Paron is the largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca and also one of the most beautiful, its dazzling turquoise waters surrounded by imposing icy peaks. In recent years, the lake’s water level has dropped from 75m to a mere 15m, but Lake Paron is still a jewel, with the unrivalled picture perfect view of Mount Piramide de Garcilaso’s pyramid of ice (5885m) rising above crystalline waters bordered by powdered white sand. An easy path surrounds the lake revealing in turns the snow-covered summits of Mount Piramide, Huandoy East (6000m), Aguja (5888m) Caraz West (6025m), Chacraraju (6112m), Pisco (5752m) and finally the magnificent perfect pyramid of Artesonraju (6025m). The lake is located in the northern section of the Huascaran National Park, 32km east of Caraz, and reached after following a dirt road that snakes its way up the Paron Valley. The sheer granite cliffs that tower high on either side of the valley are an impressive sight, and include the 5325m high monolith known as The Sphinx, which is a popular destination for rock climbers.
If you are unable to go trekking or mountain climbing in the Cordillera Blanca but still want to view a glacier up-close, a great alternative is the day trip to the Pastoruri Glacier. Located south of Huaraz, it is the only glacier accessible by road. The glacier has receded dramatically over the years and is therefore the best place to learn about the effects of global warming. Another highlight of this tour is a stop along the way to see the gigantic and rare Puya Raimondi. The plant can reach up to 12 m in height, making it the world’s largest bromeliad - a member of the pineapple family. It is in full bloom only once in its 100-year lifetime when several species of hummingbirds can be seen feeding on the nectar of its white flowers, and dies shortly afterwards. Even when not in bloom, these giant plants stand out on Peru’s high-altitude grasslands and are worth seeing.
6 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Pastoruri Glacier
6 現地メンバーのおすすめ
If you are unable to go trekking or mountain climbing in the Cordillera Blanca but still want to view a glacier up-close, a great alternative is the day trip to the Pastoruri Glacier. Located south of Huaraz, it is the only glacier accessible by road. The glacier has receded dramatically over the years and is therefore the best place to learn about the effects of global warming. Another highlight of this tour is a stop along the way to see the gigantic and rare Puya Raimondi. The plant can reach up to 12 m in height, making it the world’s largest bromeliad - a member of the pineapple family. It is in full bloom only once in its 100-year lifetime when several species of hummingbirds can be seen feeding on the nectar of its white flowers, and dies shortly afterwards. Even when not in bloom, these giant plants stand out on Peru’s high-altitude grasslands and are worth seeing.
Lake Rajucolta, sometimes also referred to as Lake Tambillo, is one of the Cordillera Blanca’s largest glacial lakes and is located 24km southeast of Huaraz beyond the village of Macashca in the Rajucolta valley. This stunning deep blue glacier lake is backed by the imposing Mount Huantsan, the third highest peak in the range at 6395m that is also known as the “K2 of the Andes” due to the treacherous route to its summit. Surrounded by purple and yellow flowers and with the glacier ice touching the lake’s splendid waters, Lake Rajucolta’s beauty can rival that of any lakes in the region, but is surprisingly little-known despite its convenient proximity to Huaraz and easy trail to reach it. The hike starts from the gateway to the Rajucolta valley and goes along a gently sloping old dirt road, through meadows overshadowed by towering granite cliffs and surrounded by waterfalls, the whole time dominated by the majestic Mount Huantsan, which makes the hike so enjoyable. You are likely to come across large herds of cows, but not much else, as tourists rarely venture here. Peculiarly the colour of the lake can change from azure to emerald depending on the balance of minerals in the water.
Laguna Rajucolta
Lake Rajucolta, sometimes also referred to as Lake Tambillo, is one of the Cordillera Blanca’s largest glacial lakes and is located 24km southeast of Huaraz beyond the village of Macashca in the Rajucolta valley. This stunning deep blue glacier lake is backed by the imposing Mount Huantsan, the third highest peak in the range at 6395m that is also known as the “K2 of the Andes” due to the treacherous route to its summit. Surrounded by purple and yellow flowers and with the glacier ice touching the lake’s splendid waters, Lake Rajucolta’s beauty can rival that of any lakes in the region, but is surprisingly little-known despite its convenient proximity to Huaraz and easy trail to reach it. The hike starts from the gateway to the Rajucolta valley and goes along a gently sloping old dirt road, through meadows overshadowed by towering granite cliffs and surrounded by waterfalls, the whole time dominated by the majestic Mount Huantsan, which makes the hike so enjoyable. You are likely to come across large herds of cows, but not much else, as tourists rarely venture here. Peculiarly the colour of the lake can change from azure to emerald depending on the balance of minerals in the water.
Lake Shallap is a beautiful, peculiarly bright green glacial lake located at 4250m at the foot of snow-capped Mount San Juan (5843m). It is one of the closest lakes to Huaraz, yet very few people make it to the lake, as the trailhead can only be reached by private transport. This is what makes the hike so tranquil and worthwhile for those looking for complete wilderness. The lake boasts unique, splendid, vivid green coloured waters surrounded by orange coloured rocks, making a fantastic contrast of colours. The hike to Lake Shallap is perfect for acclimatization, and although a bit longer, it is much easier than the more trodden hikes to Lake Churup and Lake 69, because it presents very little vertical ascent. If you are looking for spectacular views in a peaceful setting, Lake Shallap will not disappoint.
Laguna Shallap
Lake Shallap is a beautiful, peculiarly bright green glacial lake located at 4250m at the foot of snow-capped Mount San Juan (5843m). It is one of the closest lakes to Huaraz, yet very few people make it to the lake, as the trailhead can only be reached by private transport. This is what makes the hike so tranquil and worthwhile for those looking for complete wilderness. The lake boasts unique, splendid, vivid green coloured waters surrounded by orange coloured rocks, making a fantastic contrast of colours. The hike to Lake Shallap is perfect for acclimatization, and although a bit longer, it is much easier than the more trodden hikes to Lake Churup and Lake 69, because it presents very little vertical ascent. If you are looking for spectacular views in a peaceful setting, Lake Shallap will not disappoint.
The secluded Queshque Valley is located in the southern section of the Huascaran National Park, some 50km east of the village of Catac. Superb mountain vistas of the Cordillera Blanca’s jagged summits, including those of Mount Cashan (5716m), Shaqsha (5703m), Huantsan (6395m) and Uruashraju (5722m), can be enjoyed on the drive up, and most of the time herds of vicuñas can be spotted grazing on the vast expanses of grass in the wide valleys of this part of the range. The Queshque valley is home to extraordinary vegetation - the Puya Raimondi, a rare plant that can reach up to 12m in height and is only found in a few isolated valleys of the Andes - as well as a great variety of birds, such as mountain caracara, variable hawk, Andean goose, puna ibis and even flamingos, making it the perfect place for bird-watching. This easy hike gives hikers the rare opportunity to visit some of the Cordillera Blanca’s most pristine and seldom visited valleys.
Queshque
The secluded Queshque Valley is located in the southern section of the Huascaran National Park, some 50km east of the village of Catac. Superb mountain vistas of the Cordillera Blanca’s jagged summits, including those of Mount Cashan (5716m), Shaqsha (5703m), Huantsan (6395m) and Uruashraju (5722m), can be enjoyed on the drive up, and most of the time herds of vicuñas can be spotted grazing on the vast expanses of grass in the wide valleys of this part of the range. The Queshque valley is home to extraordinary vegetation - the Puya Raimondi, a rare plant that can reach up to 12m in height and is only found in a few isolated valleys of the Andes - as well as a great variety of birds, such as mountain caracara, variable hawk, Andean goose, puna ibis and even flamingos, making it the perfect place for bird-watching. This easy hike gives hikers the rare opportunity to visit some of the Cordillera Blanca’s most pristine and seldom visited valleys.