Whether you’re looking for an easy hike to get acclimatised before setting off on the Santa Cruz trek, or a one-day adventure into Cordillera Blanca, this guide has you covered, with all the best day trip Huaraz hikes.

Confronted by what is geographically a huge country, we’re often asked by those planning their trip to Peru where to visit, and which bits of the country to miss out. And whilst our answer will depend a lot upon their personal interests and passions, for those with a genuine love of the outdoors, there is one place that always features in our recommendations - Huaraz.

Huaraz, the bustling capital of the Ancash region, is as ‘authentic’ as it comes, but for most tourists its main attraction lies beyond the city limits, in the snow-capped peaks and aquamarine lakes of the Cordillera Blanca.

Famous amongst backpackers for the stunning Laguna 69 (and hiking types for the Santa Cruz trek), what you may not have realised - indeed, what we didn’t realise the first time we visited Northern Peru - is that in addition to the many incredible multi-day treks on offer in the region, there are also several excellent short hikes across the Huascarán National Park (the national park that contains the Cordillera Blanca, and the less famous Cordillera Negra) that can be completed within a day.

This is excellent news not just for those looking for an acclimatisation hike, but also for travellers less inclined to spend a night in a tent, or for those visiting Huaraz during the rainy season (when getting back to a cozy warm by mid-afternoon is a little more imperative!).

Having visited Huaraz twice now, we wanted to put together a short guide on the best day hikes from Huaraz, including some of our top tips for getting out and doing them independently - or where to find a tour when you can’t.

Here are five excellent Huaraz hikes that can be done in a day.

A Note About Altitude Sickness and Acclimatisation

Throbbing headache, loss of appetite, nausea, lethargy, altered sleep patterns, shortness of breath.

Also known as altitude sickness, the above are a set of symptoms that the human body can experience once passing beyond 2,500m. This is when the the air gets thinner, oxygen levels decrease and - for those not used to being at higher altitudes - your body tries to tell you that it’s not okay with that.

Usually not something many of us need to worry about, but in South America, a part of the world where there are countless mountains, lakes and even cities at heights that dwarf many of Europe’s highest peaks, higher altitudes and the potential effects of being at them are something that you will need to not only be aware of, but prepare for - in a process called ‘acclimatisation’.

And that’s exactly why when arriving in Huaraz from near sea-level (i.e. from Lima), you will need at least one full day of just hanging out in the city before attempting to negotiate any sort of exhaustive hike like the ones mentioned below. You body needs to get used to simply functioning on less oxygen, before you ask it to do anything crazy like go on a 14km hike.

Trust us, we’ve seen people attempt high-altitude hikes within a day of arriving into Peru. It’s not pretty, they rarely make it to the end, and they feel crappy for another few days.

Additionally, you’ll note that we actually refer to a number of these hikes as ‘acclimatisation hikes’ that is hikes that are either easy-ish or at progressively higher altitudes in preparation for a multi-day trek like the Santa Cruz trail or simply somewhere like the Pastouri Glacier which clocks in at a crazy 5,000m.

Huaraz Hikes | 5 Excellent Acclimatisation Hikes and Day Trips From Huaraz

Laguna Paron

The largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca, the impossibly beautiful Laguna Paron won us over in a single photo. Indeed, upon spotting her perfect aquamarine waters beneath snow-capped peaks whilst scrolling through our feed, the question of whether or not to return to Huaraz during our second trip to Peru become somewhat moot.

And whilst getting there from Huaraz requires a little more bum-on-seat time that we’d usually enjoy, we’d do it again in a heart beat.

We’ve written an entire guide on how to visit this spectacular lake on a day trip from Huaraz, so hop on over to this post for more information

The basics

Altitude | The lake sits at 4,200m, which makes it a great option for those looking to acclimatise, but do note that we wouldn’t recommend doing this on the first day your arrive in Huaraz. Instead, leave it a day and take it slow - getting out of breath at this height is completely normal.

Distance | If you arrive by public transport and hike from the trailhead entry, it’s a approx 20km round trip. Opt for the tour however and you’ll be dropped off at the lake entrance where it’s only a short walk (45 min round trip) to the mirador.

Time | This is a long day trip from Huaraz, requiring a start at either 5 a.m. or 8 a.m. if you take the tour, and usually back by 6 pm. Should you use public transport to and from Huaraz, you can expect it to be an even longer day.

Entry Fee | S/. 5 per person

How to Get There With a Tour

Tours cost approx. S/. 50 per person (transport, Spanish speaking guide and two stops in small towns), and can usually be arranged in your accommodation the night before. Alternatively, if you are short on time and would prefer to book your trip in advance, this tour is a possibility.

How to Get There With Public Tranpsort

Whilst this is theoretically possible, it is certainly not easy.

(you need to go early in the morning to catch a colectivo from Huaraz to Caraz and from Caraz to Pueblo Paron, or you can take a taxi from Caraz)

We have provided bare-bones instructions in our guide to Laguna Paron (take a colectivo from Huaraz to Caraz, and from Caraz to Pueblo Paron, or a taxi from Caraz), but if you’ve done it yourself we’d love to hear from you!

As we note above, doing this independently means you will also have to hike 20km round trip from the trailhead, so this should only be attempted by those properly acclimatised and in good health.

Pastoruri Glacier

If you know anyone who has doubts about climate change; tell them about Pastouri Glacier.

One of the last remaining glaciers in this part of South America, in another decade, it will unlikely exist at all. No longer gaining mass in the winter months, this giant block is resigned to simply shrinking, year on year, drip by drip.

So often we tell ourselves, ‘oh, we’ll do it next time’. Well, for Pastori, that next time may never come.

Located at 5000m, a visit here is no easy feat. You will get lashed with sleet and snow, lose feeling in your hands and struggle to breathe, but few who visit ever regret making the effort.

The Basics

Altitude | The glacier is located above 5000m (5250m to be precise), so a visit here should absolutely not be undertaken unless you have acclimatised. In fact, we’d recommend leaving it to the final day of your time in Huaraz.

Distance | A short 40 - 60 minute walk along a paved road from the carpark to the glacier.

Time | When visited as part of tour, this will usually take most of the day.

Entry Fee | Part of the Huascarán National Park, so if you don’t already have the multi-entry ticket, you will need to pay S/. 30 to enter.

How to Visit With a tour

Daily tours are easy to source locally, cost around S/. 30 per person (transport and guide only) and include stops at Pumashimin Lake and lunch in Ticapampa or Catac for an additional cost. If you would prefer to book your trip to the glacier in advance, this tour is a good option.

How to Visit With public transport

Unfortunately, it is unfortunately no longer possible to visit Pastouri with public transport.

The National Park Ticket

If you’re keen to hike a few of the accessible trails within the Huascarán National Park, it’s worth considering purchasing a multi-day entry pass to save money.

These can be bought at any ticket office, as you would a single-entry, and the prices can be found below:

1 day S/. 30.00 (USD 9.40)
2 to 3 days S/. 60.00 (USD 18.80)
4 to 30 days S/. 150.00 (USD 47.00)

Laguna Churup

The most enjoyable little Huaraz hike we did - and possibly our favourite in Peru.

Short enough to mean you’re back in your hostel by 2 p.m (a novelty, trust us), and with plenty of challenging aspects to keep you entertained. Not to mention the reason you’ve strapped on the boots in the first place, Laguna Churup.

For more information on how to do this day trip from Huaraz independently, check out our complete guide to Laguna Churup.

The Basics

Altitude | 4,600m at the lake’s edge. Again, this is an excellent acclimatisation hike, but avoid doing it immediately upon arriving from sea-level.

Distance | 8km round trip from the main trail start

Time | We left on a colectivo from Huaraz at 7.40 a.m. and were back in the city by 2.20 p.m. The hike itself took four hours in total (2 hours up, under 2 hours down) which included plenty photo stops.

Entry Fee | Part of the Huscaran National Park, so if you don’t have a multi-entry ticket, you will need to pay S/. 30 (unless the guard has decided to take the day off, like when we visited)

How to Visit With a tour

Daily tours are easy to source locally in Huaraz, and cost around S/. 30 - 35 per person (transport and Spanish speaking guide only). However, we would strongly recommend against joining a tour for this hike as it simply isn’t necessary.

How to Visit Without A Tour

Visiting Laguna Churup without a tour is very straightforward, involving a colectivo from Huaraz directly to the trailhead at Pitek. The van then collects you at an agreed time once you’ve finished the hike. The colectivo costs S/. 10 each way, but more details on how to reach Laguna Churup from Huaraz can be found in our guide.

Laguna 69

As we said in our intro, if you’re looking into visiting Huaraz, then chances are that you’ve already heard of Laguna 69 - and for bloody good reason. Sitting at the end of a 7 km hiking trail is perhaps the most famous of Peru’s many beautiful glacier lakes. Edged by snow-capped peaks, and increasingly popular amongst tourists, it is still more than worth the relatively challenging high-altitude hike required to reach it.

Laguna 69 has a reputation as being a bit of a ‘gringo-killer’. However, whilst it’s certainly not a walk in the park, with the right mindset and preparation, the vast majority of visitors to Huaraz should be able to enjoy this spectacular hike without too many issues.

For more information, check out our complete guide to Laguna 69 - or take a look at these drool-worthy photos.

The Basics

Altitude | The lake itself sits at 4,600m, with the hike beginning at around 3,800m. Having spoken with many backpackers who have complete this trek, if it’s an option, we would recommend slotting Laguna 69 in after at least one other in the area. Alternatively, be sure to have had at least a day in Huaraz before taking it on.

Distance | 14 km round trip

Time | This is a long day trip from Huaraz, with most tours departing around 5 a.m. and not returning until 6 p.m.

Difficulty | Moderate. Laguna 69 has a reputation as being a bit of a ‘gringo-killer’. However, whilst it’s certainly not a walk in the park, with the right mindset and preparation, the vast majority of visitors to Huaraz should be able to enjoy this spectacular hike without too many issues.

Entry Fee | Part of the Huscaran National Park, so if you don’t have a multi-entry ticket, you will need to pay S/. 30.

How to Visit With a Tour

Daily tours are very easy to source in Huaraz, and cost between S/. 30 - S/.35 per person.

Please note however that the tours are essentially just providing transport to/from the entrance and a guide to try to keep everyone to the schedule. If looking to book a tour to Laguna 69 in advance, this is a good option.

How to Visit With public transport

We visited Laguna 69 independently in 2016, but a tour is now actually cheaper and easier to reach the lake, so we don’t recommend doing it independently.

Laguna Llanganuco

Situated in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca, between the towering peaks of Huascaran and Huandoy, are the spectacular Llanganuco lakes. For us, this is the day trip that got away, and if we’d been able to spend just one day longer in Huaraz, it is here that we would have roamed.

The Lagunas Llanganuco is a popular day trip from Huaraz (from around S60) and can get relatively crowded. Bear in mind that this tour is primarily tailored around sightseeing nothiking, with a fair degree of shopping stops included along the way. You'll be able to stop briefly by the lakes on the more hiking-orientated Laguna 69 trip.

The lakes can also be reached by colectivo (shared transportation) or taxi from Yungay. Round-trip colectivos leave from Yungay’s small terminal on the main highway (S30), allowing about two hours in the lake area. A national-park admission fee of S30 is charged. Alternatively you can take a combi heading to Yanama, but it costs the same and you may have difficulty getting back to town. A private round-trip taxi from Yungay will cost around S100 to S120. Go in the early morning for the clearest views, especially in the low season.

The Basics

Altitude | The lakes sit at an altitude of

Time | The vast majority of tours will take around 5 - 6 hours, including transport and time at the lake.

Entry Fee | Part of the Huscaran National Park, so if you don’t have a multi-entry ticket, you will need to pay S/. 30.

How to Get there With a tour

Daily tours are easy to source in Huaraz, and cost around S/. 30 - 35 per person (transport and Spanish speaking guide only). If you would prefer a longer tour, or one that allows time to experience other interest points in the area, we can recommend this one.

How to get there With public transport

Whilst we have no personal experience of doing this, we believe it’s possible to reach the lakes with public transport. First of all you’ll need to take a colectivo from Huaraz to Yungay, and then pay for a round-trip journey with another colectivo from there to the lake (S/.30) which allows you two hours at the lake.

What to Pack

As with any hike, anywhere in the world, it’s imperative that you embark upon it prepared for - almost - any eventuality, and with the right type of kit.

Of course, you don’t need the fanciest of clothing or the most expensive boots, but there are some items that every smart hiker will have in their kit.

// Good hiking shoes. Mud, snow, rocks, uneven terrain and the odd unexpected hole in the ground means that good hiking shoes (ideally boots like these) are absolutely essential for the majority of these hikes. We both had trekking shoes during our first visit to Peru and often felt a little unstable - second time round we had proper boots and our ankles felt much more secure.

// Charged Phone. These are popular hikes, and even if you’re not undertaking them as part of a tour, there will usually a few people around. However, things can, and do happen, and should you get unlucky, stranded, or injured, having the ability to call for help is very important - you may not always have signal, but we often had the odd bar of reception on various sections. If you phone battery can’t be relied upon, consider investing in a portable charger - we use this one.

Additionally, it’s useful to have an offline version of a map of the area, hopefully with the route on. If you’re not sure how to do this, see our helpful guide.

// Layers. Even if you’re visiting during the drier months of the year, the weather in here can be a tad unpredictable - and layers will be your friend. We usually began the day rugged up with countless layers, needing to strip back a little as we - and the weather - warmed up. Oh, and we really appreciated our Merino wool under layers for extra protection from the cold.

// Waterproof Jacket. Our NorthFace waterproof jackets come every where with us. Breathable, lightweight, and bright enough that even in a rain storm we could usually spot one another (which during our hike to Laguna Chrurup was definitely a concern!)

// Hiking Poles. We actually did all these hikes without a pair of poles, but if you have bad knees or would prefer a little support on the challenging ascents and descents, then it’s sensible to bring a set. We did however use these lightweight, collapsible set of travel hiking poles elsewhere in South America, including on several hikes in Peru.

// Snacks + Water. Whilst you could feasibly track down food on the way to/from the hikes (there’s always a shop where you least expect it in Latin America), we always set off on our hikes with plenty of snacks, sandwiches and the odd treat to keep us going - and we recommend you doing the same. Oh, and please do your bit in not adding to the plastic pollution problem in this part of the world and use a water bottle with an in-built filter.

// A Head Torch. Should everything go to plan, this should never need to be used. If on the other hand you get a little lost or take a little longer and the sun begins to go down, you’ll be glad to have a light source to guide the way.

// A Small First Aid Kit. Again, hopefully you’ll never need it, but having a few supplies in case something bad happens is always a good idea. Ours certainly came in handy when Emily got bit by a stray dog 25km into a 30km hike.

// Leave No Footprints. Remember to respect the location, and discard of any litter appropriately.

// A Camera. Honestly, this is a stunning part of the world, and you’re going to want to photograph ALL of it! Find out what’s in our camera bag.

// Travel Insurance. Most travel insurance policies exclude cover for activities at high altitude. Make sure that yours is up to scratch for your South America trip - both True Traveller and World Nomads offer coverage options for high altitude hikes.