10 Best Huaraz Day Hikes And Hiking Tours In Peru’s Cordillera Blanca
Huaraz is Peru’s high-altitude hiking capital, a mountain-lover’s basecamp surrounded by three epic ranges: the Cordillera Blanca, Cordillera Negra and Cordillera Huayhuash.
While Cusco and the Vilcanota, Urubamba, and Vilcabamba ranges near the city are much better known, Huaraz offers even better hiking with far fewer crowds.
Whether you’re a seasoned trekker chasing glaciers or a casual hiker craving jaw-dropping views, there’s a hiking trail here with your name on it in this area.
The magic of hiking in Huaraz is the variety. You have everything from quick panoramic viewpoints above the town to multi-day expeditions past turquoise lakes and towering peaks. Just make sure to bring some altitude awareness and a sense of adventure.
This guide to day hikes and tours breaks down 10 of the best hikes around Huaraz, complete with price for the tours, difficulty, elevation detailed descriptions and trail maps if you want to go it alone so you can plan your perfect hiking adventure in Huaraz.
Quick Tips for Hikers Visiting Huaraz:
1. Acclimatization:
Spend a few days in Huaraz (3,050 m) before tackling high-altitude hikes and drink lots of coca tea to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Here are my recommendations for easier acclimatization hikes right in Huaraz: Pukaventana Canyon Mirador, Mirador de Rataquenua or Luguna Radian.
2. Best Season To Visit:
The Andean Summer from May to September offers the clearest skies and best trail conditions but you can also get good weather in April, October and November. Even in the rainy season, you can get blue sky days and there will be barely any people on the trails.
3. Booking A Hiking Tour:
While most of these hikes can be done independently, hiring a local hiking guide enhances safety and enriches the experience with local stories, history and culture. Prices for day hikes in Huaraz, Peru are some of the cheapest guided hikes you’ll find anywhere in the world.
Affiliate Disclosure: I get a small commission from some of the hiking tours we recommend. Buying through my links helps support helpful content like this. I have also included links for do-it-yourself hiking trails using AllTrails.
1. Laguna 69
- Duration: 5–6 hours round trip
- Elevation Gain: 814 m
- Max Altitude: 4,600 m
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Tours: $30–$40 USD (includes transport and guide)
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: Iconic turquoise lake, glacier views, and a popular acclimatization hike
Laguna 69 is the go-to day hike for first-timers in Huaraz. It kicks off from Cebolla Pampa and winds through a valley of waterfalls and grazing cows before the trail starts climbing steeply toward the lake. The reward you get? An unreal turquoise water framed by dramatic snow-covered peaks.
You’ll gain over 800 meters in altitude, so it’s not a walk in the park. The trail reaches 4,600 meters, so be sure to spend a few days acclimatizing in Huaraz before attempting it. Despite the challenge, it’s well-marked and highly trafficked, so it’s doable with basic fitness and good pacing.
Most tours include transport and a guide for around $30–$40 USD. You can also do Laguna 69 on a 2-3 day trek if you want a wilder adventure. This hike is a perfect intro to high-altitude hiking in the Cordillera Blanca and offers massive bang for your buck when it comes to views.
2. Laguna Churup
- Duration: 5–6 hours round trip
- Elevation Gain: 720 m
- Max Altitude: 4,450 m
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (includes some scrambling)
- Tours: $20–$30 USD
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: A beautiful glacial lake with fewer crowds
Laguna Churup is a favorite for acclimatization hikes. It’s close to town, high enough to get you ready for tougher hikes, and features an epic payoff at the lake. You’ll climb to 4,450 meters and scramble up some rocky sections with cables for support.
This hiking trail isn’t long, but it’s steep and offers a nice challenge for a day trip from Huaraz. The final climb before the lake is the most technical part, but totally doable with decent hiking shoes and a steady pace (bring some coca tea in a thermos if it’s your first acclimatization hike).
This hiking tour cost around $20–$30, or you can do it solo. Either way, it’s a beautiful introduction to the Cordillera Blanca’s alpine landscape without committing to a full-day slog.
3. Laguna Parón
- Duration: Full-day tour
- Max Altitude: 4,200 m
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Tours: $25–$35 USD
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: Peru’s largest lake with stunning turquoise waters and panoramic views
Laguna Parón is the biggest lake in the Cordillera Blanca, and the color of the water is ridiculously bright blue. It’s a chill hike because a shuttle bus takes you most of the way to the lake itself, and from there, you can walk around or scramble up to the nearby viewpoint.
This hike is more of a scenic outing than a workout, making it a good choice for a rest day or if you’re travelling with less-experienced hikers. That said, the drive up is bumpy and high, so you’ll still want to be acclimated (although it makes a good acclimatization day before attempting the big stuff).
It’s a relaxing day and you’ll get some jaw-dropping views of Artesonraju (aka the “Paramount Pictures” mountain).
4. Laguna Wilcacocha
- Duration: 3–4 hours round trip
- Elevation Gain: 600 m
- Max Altitude: 3,745 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tours: $10–$20 USD (includes transport and guide)
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: Great acclimatization hike with panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca
Laguna Wilcacocha is the perfect warm-up hike when you first arrive in Huaraz. It’s short, sweet, and gives you sweeping views of the entire Cordillera Blanca. The lake itself is modest, but the panoramic views from the ridge are the real draw here.
The hiking trail climbs steadily from the main road and reaches about 3,745 meters. Along the way, you will see local farmers, llamas and other animals giving it a peaceful, rural feel. This is a great hike for getting your lungs used to the altitude.
This is an easy hike to do self-guided with AllTrails, although some tours offer for a cheap price. If you want a solid half-day hike that punches above its weight in views then check out Laguna Wilcacocha when you arrive in Huaraz.
5. Nevado Mateo Summit
- Duration: 9 hours total (including 2-hour ascent)
- Elevation Gain: 400 m
- Max Altitude: 5,150 m
- Difficulty: Moderate (requires basic mountaineering skills)
- Price: $100–$150 USD
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: Beginner-friendly ice climb with rewarding summit views
If you’ve ever wanted to summit a snowy Andean peak without full-on mountaineering skills then Nevado Mateo is your shot. This guided glacier hike takes you up to over 5,100 meters with crampons, rope, and an ice axe, but it’s suitable for beginners.
This hikes starts early with a drive to Punta Olímpica Tunnel. From there, you hike 1–2 hours across the glacier. It’s steep and icy, but not technical and the summit views are wild. From the top, you will enjoy panoramic views of Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Ulta, and Contrahierbas.
Hiking tours go for around $50–$70 and include equipment. This is a fun, safe way to dip your toes into high-altitude mountaineering.
6. Llaca Valley Hike
- Duration: 4–5 hours round trip
- Max Altitude: 4,450 m
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Price: $20–$30 USD
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: Glacial valley with views of Ranrapalca and Ocshapalca peaks
Llaca Valley is an under-the-radar gem that makes a great half-day hike. You’ll start near Huaraz and head up toward a glacial lake surrounded by massive walls of granite and ice.
It’s not too strenuous, and the scenery is epic — especially if you’re into climbing or geology. The nearby glaciers of Ranrapalca and Ocshapalca are right in your face at the lake.
Tour costs hover around $20–$30. It’s a peaceful and photogenic hike that’s easy to add to your itinerary.
7. Pastoruri Glacier
- Duration: Half-day to full-day
- Max Altitude: 5,000 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- Price: $25–$35 USD
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: The best glacier you can easily visit from Huaraz
Pastoruri is more of a high-altitude excursion than a traditional hike. You’ll drive most of the way, then take a short, paved trail to a viewpoint of the retreating glacier. It’s one of the few places you can easily access ice at this altitude without technical gear.
The walk is only about 45 minutes, but it’s at 5,000 meters — so don’t take it lightly. The area is surreal: wide open spaces, bubbling mineral springs, and ancient Puya raimondii plants (they look like something out of Dr. Seuss).
This is a great “altitude tester” for folks who want to see snow and ice up close without doing a big hike. Good for families or rest days between harder treks.
8. Chavín de Huántar Hike
- Duration: Full-day
- Max Altitude: 3,200 m
- Difficulty: Easy or Intermediate
- Tours: $30–$40 USD
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: Visit Peru’s most ancient temple and hike in the hills above
This isn’t just a hike in the mountains, it’s a walk through ancient history. A day trip to Chavín de Huántar includes a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back over 3,000 years, plus a hike around the surrounding valley and hills.
While not a strenuous trek, the hiking tour includes scenic stops like the Cahuish Tunnel and highland vistas en route. The area is dotted with traditional villages and patchwork farmland with Andean backdrops.
Chavín de Huántar is a perfect mix of culture, nature, and acclimatization-friendly altitude. It is a great day trip for a recovery day or if you want a break from steep climbs.
9. Laguna Rocotuyoc
- Duration: 8–9 hours
- Max Altitude: 4,550 m
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Price: $20–$40 USD per person
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: Visit one of the most stunning glacial lakes in the Cordillera Blanca
Located within Huascarán National Park, Laguna Rocotuyoc is a tranquil glacial lake surrounded by towering peaks like Paccharaju and Copa. The journey begins with a scenic drive from Huaraz through the Callejón de Huaylas, passing by the farming community of Vicos and entering the park via the Paqcharuri gorge.
It is a relatively easy 1-hour hike to the turquoise waters of Laguna Rocotuyoc. From there, I recommend taking an additional 1-hour hike to the nearby Laguna Congelada, which is nestled at the base of Nevado Paccharaju. The trail offers panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and diverse native vegetation.
It’s advisable to acclimatize in Huaraz for a day or two before undertaking this hike due to the high altitude.
10. Laguna Llanganuco & María Josefa Trail
- Duration: 8-10 hours
- Max Altitude: 3,850 m
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Price: $40–$200 USD per person
- Trail Map: AllTrails
- Highlights: Visit one of the most beautiful lakes in Peru and experience local flora
This day hike typically starts with a scenic drive from Huaraz through the Callejón de Huaylas, passing picturesque towns like Carhuaz and Yungay. When you reach Laguna Llanganuco, you can enjoy optional activities such as boat rides on Chinancocha or leisurely walks along the lake shores.
For those interested in a short hike, the María Josefa Trail offers a 2-hour walk through a lush queñual forest, showcasing a diverse range of flora. This hiking trail, part of an ancient pre-Inca route, provides insights into the region’s rich biodiversity and cultural history, visiting Campo Santo de Yungay, which is a poignant reminder of the 1970 earthquake that devastated the area.
Including Laguna Llanganuco in your itinerary offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural significance and a relatively low-exertion adventure, which makes it suitable for travellers of all ages and fitness levels.
Booking A Huaraz Hiking Tour:
As you can see in the photos, Huaraz offers some of the most stunning and diverse hiking in all of South America.
Whether you’re visiting the Cordillera Blanca for a few days or a few weeks, you can line up an interesting mix of acclimatization hikes, glacier lake treks, and rugged multi-day circuits that will leave you speechless (and a little breathless).
Take your time adjusting to the altitude, start small with your hikes near Huaraz, and build up from there. The best way to enjoy these hiking trails is to pace yourself and mindfully soak in every view, every glacier, and every sunrise over the mountains.
If all these hikes have your boots itching to hit the trail, but you’re not sure where to start, I can help. Whether you want a one-day lake hike, a multi-day trek with mules and mountain meals, or a beginner-friendly summit experience, I’ll match you with the right local guide or tour company.
I’ve worked with trusted guides in Huaraz who know these trails like the back of their hand and prioritize safety, sustainability, and a good dose of local culture. You’ll get insider knowledge, solid gear, and logistics sorted… all without the guesswork.
I have been running mindful hiking retreats for the last 7 years that integrate mindful awareness, experiential learning and community building practices.
I have been an experiential learning designer for over a decade through my company DIY Genius, which helps creative people productize their expertise.
I love flying my drone and sharing my adventures on my Instagram.
