Table of Content
Basic information
Huascarán National Park is located in Áncash, 400 km north of Lima. It protects the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the world, covering 340,000 hectares. It has been a Natural World Heritage Site since 1985.
What to see?
Nevado Huascarán: The highest mountain in Peru (6,768 m) with spectacular glaciers.
Must-see lagoons:
- Laguna 69: The most photographed, with turquoise waters
- Lagunas de Llanganuco: Two lagoons connected in a glacial valley
- Laguna Parón: The largest in the Cordillera Blanca
Puya Raimondi: The largest bromeliad in the world, which blooms once every 100 years.
Main activities
- Trekking: Routes ranging from 1 to 15 days
- Mountaineering: For experienced climbers
- Walks to lagoons: From 2 hours to a full day
- Landscape photography: Glaciers, mountains, and wildlife
- Wildlife observation: Condors, spectacled bears, vicuñas
Popular routes
For beginners:
- Laguna Churup (1 day)
- Lagunas de Llanganuco (half day)
For experienced:
- Santa Cruz Trek (4 days)
- Huayhuash Circuit (10-12 days)
- Laguna 69 (1 day, moderate difficulty)
Practical information
Best time: May to September (dry season)
Entry fee: S/30 soles for Peruvians, S/65 for foreigners (valid for 3 days)
Main base: Huaraz (3,052 m), a city with hotels, restaurants, and tour agencies
Altitude: Between 2,500 and 6,768 meters – important to acclimatize
What to bring
- Warm and waterproof clothing
- Sunblock and sunglasses
- Water and energy snacks
- Medications for altitude sickness
- Camera
- Trekking shoes
Transportation
From Lima: Bus to Huaraz (8 hours) or flight to Anta + bus (1 hour)
In Huaraz: Organized tours or private transport to attractions
Accommodation
Huaraz: Hotels ranging from S/50 to S/400 per night
Camping: Allowed in authorized areas of the park
Refuges: Available on some trekking routes
Important recommendations
- Arrive 2-3 days early to acclimatize to the altitude
- Hire certified local guides for long treks
- Respect park rules and do not leave trash
- Check the weather before heading out
- Inform your itinerary at park offices
Services in Huaraz
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Mountain equipment rental
- Specialized tour agencies
- Restaurants with local and international cuisine
- Internet access and ATMs
Wildlife you might see
- Andean condor: In morning flights over ravines
- Vicuñas: In high Andean areas
- Vizcachas: On rocks near lagoons
- Torrent duck: In rivers and lagoons
Precautions
- Altitude sickness is common above 3,500 meters
- The weather changes rapidly in the mountains
- Always travel in groups on remote routes
- Bring basic medications and first aid supplies
Impact of tourism
Visit responsibly:
- Stay on marked trails
- Do not feed the animals
- Take all your trash with you
- Respect the flora and do not pick plants
- Hire local services to support communities
Interesting facts
- It has 27 mountains over 6,000 meters
- Its glaciers provide water to millions of Peruvians
- It is home to the spectacled bear, the only South American bear
- The Puya Raimondi can reach 12 meters in height
- The glaciers are over 18,000 years old
