Huaraz and Cordillera Blanca Classic Day Hikes and Excursions

A huge number of hiking and walking options allow visitors to explore mixed terrain and outstanding vistas of the valleys, lakes and mountains. A visit to the Street markets, Hot springs allow access to a unique Huaraz, Peru Culture experience.

We only guide private day hikes & tours and your knowledgeable local guide, Rodolfo Oropeza can unlock the secrets of the region to you.   

Classic Day Hikes and Tours

Llaca Valley & Lake Hike
Length: Full Day Tour with 2 hours walk
Grade: Easy, ideal for your first walk in Huaraz as you acclimatize.
Departs: All year around / upon request
Maximum altitude: 4450m

Our Llaca Valley tour includes an easy 2 hours hike following a beautiful river up the valley. First we drive through some Andean villages having the opportunity to see local shepherds and farmers working on the fields using traditional methods before we enter the Huascaran National Park. From the road, we hike up the valley facing a glacier coming from the face of the enormous mountain Ranrapalca 6162m. It is a narrow valley with impressive granite rock walls and this is where we run our rock climbing courses and on the way we can see some of the rock climbing routes. The last 30 minutes, we hike up an old moraine to discover Llaca Lake hiding behind the natural moraine. After enjoying lovely views, we walk easily down to the end of the road to take the car back to Huaraz.

Rajucolta Valley & Lake Hike
Length: Full Day Walk
Grade: Easy, ideal for your first walk in Huaraz as you acclimatize.
Departs: All year around / upon request
Maximum altitude: 4270m

Our Quebrada Rajucolta valley and lake is an easy and relaxing walk. First we drive through some Andean villages having the opportunity to see local shepherds and farmers working on the fields using traditional methods before we enter the Huascaran National Park. From the end of the road, we take a very flat trail along the valley; there are great views of Nevado Huantsan Mountain that dominates the skyline. The valley also provides excellent opportunities for watching wild birdlife. The beautiful Laguna Rajucolta Lake is nestled at the end of the valley, just at the foot of mount Huantsan. 1 hour drive each way & 6 hours return walk

Wilcacocha Viewpoint Walk
Length: Half Day Hike
Grade: Easy, ideal for your first walk in Huaraz as you acclimatize.
Departs: All year around / upon request 
Maximum altitude: 3750m

This is one of our favourite walks on the Cordillera Negra mountain range which is located opposite the Cordillera Blanca mountain range offering amazing views of mountains and deep valleys. First we take a short ride to a little village just few minutes outside of Huaraz. From there we start our spectacular walk up the beautiful viewpoint of Wilcacocha. We follow a little steep rural path; we will meet Andean villagers and we will have the opportunity to see local shepherds and farmers working on the fields using traditional methods. As we hike up, stunning views of the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca and the Callejon de Huaylas Valley come into view. 4 hours return hike.

Llanganuco Lakes and Yanapaccha Viewpoint Tour
Length: Full day tour by car 
Grade: Easy, ideal for a day out.
Departs: All year around / upon request 
Maximum Altitude: 4700m

If you do not want to walk but would like to get high and enjoy mountain views then this is the best option for you. We make a tour in our private car to the beautiful Llanguanco Valley and Lakes and keep driving up to Yanapaccha Viewpoint at 4700m from where there are stunning views of all the surrounding mountains such as Chopicalqui, Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju. On the way back, we stop at the lakes for photos and we can also take a short walk through a quenual forest.

Laguna Paron Lake Tour and Short Walk
Length: Full day tour and easy walk
Grade: Easy, ideal for your first hike in Huaraz as you acclimatize.
Departs: All year around / upon request
Maximum Altitude: 4200m

Laguna Paron Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range and it is easy to reach by car. The lake is surrounded by spectacular snowcapped peaks such as mount Piramide 5885m located directly at the head of the lake, Chacraraju, Huandoy, Caraz and Paron Mountains. First we drive through some Andean villages having the opportunity to see local shepherds and farmers working on the fields using traditional methods before we enter the Huascaran National Park. We take a short hike up to a viewpoint to admire mountain views. 

Puya Raymondi Plants and Pastoruri Glacier Tour
Length: Full day tour and short walk
Grade: Moderate
Departs: All year around / upon request 
Maximum Altitude: 5000m

Puya Raymondi is a plant that grows in the higher places of Peru and Bolivia only. It is of the Bromeliaceous family and it is a very interesting plant because it flowers just once in its life and it might have at least 20,000 flowers. The Puya raymondi is pollinated by hummingbirds.
Pastoruri is a mountain of 5250m altitude with a large glacier where people used to walk on or practise climbing techniques but nowadays visitors are no longer allowed to walk on the glacier, however you’re still allowed to take a bite out of it (literally). It is very beautiful and popular, visited by both Peruvian and foreign tourists. There is a nice trail that goes up to the glacier and just at the bottom of the glacier there is nice glacial lake.

First, we drive through some Andean villages having the opportunity to see local shepherds and farmers working on the fields using traditional methods before we enter the Huascaran National Park. We take a short hike up to the glacier from 47500m to 5000m (2 hours return hike).

Laguna Churup Hike
Length: Full Day Walk
Grade: Hard
Departs: All year around / upon request 
Maximum altitude: 4500m

Laguna Churup Lake is a good acclimatisation walk before attempting multiday treks. First we drive through some Andean villages having the opportunity to see local shepherds and farmers working on the fields using traditional methods before we enter the Huascaran National Park. From Pitec (3850m) there is a steady climb on a good path to the hidden Laguna Churup (4500m), a beautiful turquoise mountain lake below Nevado Churup (5450m). The final 100m to the lake is a steep rock scrambling which some people may find it to be difficult even do there is a cable to hold on yourself.

Laguna 69 Hike
Length: Full Day Walk 
Grade: Hard
Departs: All year around / upon request 
Maximum altitude: 4600m

Laguna 69 is a beautiful mountain glacial lake nestled under the mountains in the Demanda Valley. First we drive through some Andean villages having the opportunity to see local shepherds and farmers working on the fields using traditional methods before we enter the Huascaran National Park – Llanganuco Valley Sector to Cebollapampa 3900m . 2½ hours drive each way. We start the walk by following the valley for some 50 minutes, then climb on a zig zag track for about 2 hours to Laguna 69, a beautiful lake of the most brilliant blue colour located at 4600m. The lake hides below Chacrarju peaks. 

What to Bring: Lunch, water, camera, sunglasses, warm hat, and sunscreen. Dress in layers, gloves, waterproof jacket, walking boots and a 30L day backpack.

You can also check out our one day Nevado Mateo Mountain Climb

For more information and prices Contact Us.

4 day trips with Rodolfo leading small group. Very flexible guide with maximum attention to our needs and interests. Harold, USA