Huaraz, north of Lima, is the capital of Peru’s Ancash department and a great base for trekking the Andes Mountains.

Ancash has many peaks over 6,000 metres’ elevation including Peru’s tallest mountain, at 6,768 metres, Huascarán. In May 2017 I was keen on hiking and seeing amazing landscapes. I wasn’t getting too high though, after previously experiencing altitude sickness twice above 5,000 metres.

While visiting Huaraz I hiked Laguna Wicacocha and Laguna 69. For more serious trekkers, the region has many multi-day options including the classic Santa Cruz trek.

Following are my favourite photos of Huaraz and surrounds.

Laguna Wicacocha

South of Huaraz, the hike to 3,750 metre high Laguna Wicocha is a great half-day outing and altitude-acclimatiser. As a bonus, the views are fantastic.

Worker riding tricycle with trailer next to Laguna Wilcacocha and in front of snow-capped mountains

Getting to the trek start involved taking a local minibus (line 10 or E) from Jr. Hualcán, near Mercado to Puente Santa Cruz in the direction of Bedoya.

At the top, I bought a lovely hand-knitted woollen beanie from a lady for only 6 soles.

Leaping high at Laguna Wilcacocha

Duck at Laguna Wilcacocha

Cute puppy amongst the Laguna Wilcacocha wildflowers with distant snow-capped mountains in the background

Ornate metal cross with ribbons on roof of house in front of snowy mountain on hike down from Laguna Wilcacocha

Toilet with a grand view across the valley

Yellow, red, orange and brown corn cobs hanging on a line next to a mud brick house.

Laguna 69

Laguna 69 is a popular full-day trip from Huaraz and more substantive than Wilcacocha in both hike duration and altitude. At 4,600 metres high, I needed to stop and catch my breath multiple times prior to reaching the top. Located in Huascarán National Park, tour companies offer daily bus trips to the trailhead.

Waterfalls, lakes, streams and glacier- and snow-covered mountains create stunning scenery.

Stunning Lake Chinancocha, a stop on our way to the Laguna 69 hike

White-water stream at start of Laguna 69 trek

Beautiful waterfall on Laguna 69 trek

Cow staring at camera with glacial mountains in the background

4,600 metres high, doing a handstand at Laguna 69

Gorgeous yellow flower on hike back down from Laguna 69

Cows grazing next to meandering stream; hiking back to the pick-up spot from Laguna 69 trek

Huaraz

Outside of its main attraction as a mountaineering and trekking base, Huaraz has an interesting archaeological museum with a nice garden. Another Huaraz highlight was eating my spiciest meal in South America at the aptly-named Chilli Heaven restaurant.

Indigenous woman in traditional hat in central Huaraz

This Hot Chicken Vindaloo Curry from Huaraz restaurant Chilli Heaven really needed the mango lassi to counteract its fiery heat.