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Tread the Trails of Huascarán National Park, Peru
Published by Aaron JacksonCrabb
Country: Peru 
The Experience
Are you ready to be impressed by 340,000 hectares of mountainous terrain in Huascaran National Park? For over six decades people have been travelling to Peru’s northern mountain range to enjoy mountaineering, trekking, mountain-biking and mountain adventures. The best time to enjoy this region of Peru is in July when the summer sun is bright, warming the terrain by day. While in transit, take time to acquaint yourself with some of the rare animals of the region, including the spectacled bear and Andean condor.
Arriving in the Peruvian city of Huaraz, your first stop after securing a hotel in Huraz will be to speak with the local Peruvian Mountain Guide Association. One of many amazing trails you can choose to hike begins at Lake Llanganuco, an hour drive from Huaraz. If you plan on self-guiding any trails, the Peruvian Mountain Guide Association offers you the option of signing into their daily trail trekking logbook for all Huascaran National Park visitors, just in case you have any trouble along the trail. This is a failsafe program because, if you don’t sign out at the end of the day, the guides at the Peruvian Mountain Guide Association will send out a search party.
An easy trek to acclimatize to this region of Huascaran National Park is the 7-hour daytrip to Laguna 69. Travel to Lake Llanganuco to meet the trailhead beginning at Cebollapampa. The trail is obvious as you follow the Yanapaccha valley across an amazing landscape stretching out in patches of green shrubs. Four hours into the trek you will come upon your luncheon location resting before five waterfalls at the end of a golden pasture. Peace, tranquility and silence lingers around you, as does small mountain mammals and the possibility of catching sight of a spectacled bear at the local drinking hole. You will be smiling as your guide explains stories of an ancient people and their lives in this valley. After lunch you continue climbing three more kilometres to the lake. Lake Llanganuco offers spectacular views of jagged rock cliffs and alpine meadows—the perfect location for more photos.
Lucky for you, if you are not the sort to go hiking, there are a number of different activities you can enjoy within Huascaran National Park, such as whitewater rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, mountaineering, and four-wheel driving. Outfitters such as Huascaràn Adventure Travel Agency will assist you in receiving quality information about the local activities in the area, or they’ll help arrange special tours to locations seldom seen, and you can rent equipment such as cooks, mules, muleteers, guides, porters and transportation.
Arriving in the Peruvian city of Huaraz, your first stop after securing a hotel in Huraz will be to speak with the local Peruvian Mountain Guide Association. One of many amazing trails you can choose to hike begins at Lake Llanganuco, an hour drive from Huaraz. If you plan on self-guiding any trails, the Peruvian Mountain Guide Association offers you the option of signing into their daily trail trekking logbook for all Huascaran National Park visitors, just in case you have any trouble along the trail. This is a failsafe program because, if you don’t sign out at the end of the day, the guides at the Peruvian Mountain Guide Association will send out a search party.
An easy trek to acclimatize to this region of Huascaran National Park is the 7-hour daytrip to Laguna 69. Travel to Lake Llanganuco to meet the trailhead beginning at Cebollapampa. The trail is obvious as you follow the Yanapaccha valley across an amazing landscape stretching out in patches of green shrubs. Four hours into the trek you will come upon your luncheon location resting before five waterfalls at the end of a golden pasture. Peace, tranquility and silence lingers around you, as does small mountain mammals and the possibility of catching sight of a spectacled bear at the local drinking hole. You will be smiling as your guide explains stories of an ancient people and their lives in this valley. After lunch you continue climbing three more kilometres to the lake. Lake Llanganuco offers spectacular views of jagged rock cliffs and alpine meadows—the perfect location for more photos.
Lucky for you, if you are not the sort to go hiking, there are a number of different activities you can enjoy within Huascaran National Park, such as whitewater rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, mountaineering, and four-wheel driving. Outfitters such as Huascaràn Adventure Travel Agency will assist you in receiving quality information about the local activities in the area, or they’ll help arrange special tours to locations seldom seen, and you can rent equipment such as cooks, mules, muleteers, guides, porters and transportation.
When to Go to Huascaran National Park
Travel to Huaraz by bus takes 8 hours from Lima. Several bus companies offer routes into the area including: Movil Tours, CIAL, Cruz del Sur, and Ormeño.
For inexperienced climbers, the summer months are the best time to visit: June to August. The temperature is warmest in July, and a great time for trekking.
The Huascaran National Park experiences two main staging periods annually. Rain and high humidity come in December to March, and dry sunny days (25°C) but very cold nights (0°C ) from May to October.
Although many specific peaks attract serious climbers, it's best to hire a guide or travel with a trekking company to safely tour Huascaran National Park.
For inexperienced climbers, the summer months are the best time to visit: June to August. The temperature is warmest in July, and a great time for trekking.
The Huascaran National Park experiences two main staging periods annually. Rain and high humidity come in December to March, and dry sunny days (25°C) but very cold nights (0°C ) from May to October.
Although many specific peaks attract serious climbers, it's best to hire a guide or travel with a trekking company to safely tour Huascaran National Park.
Odds n' Ends
Established in 1977 as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Huascaran National Park was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1985. Elevation in the area rises from 3,500 to over 6,000 metres with Mount Huascaran: the tallest peak reaching 22,204 feet (6,768 meters).
Huascarán National Park is dominated by Cordillera Blanca and its abundant lakes, streams, waterfalls, and high altitude meadows. The entire region covers 340,000 hectares with an average rainfall of 120mm annually. The irregular geography has developed a wide variety of diverse plants, animals and scenic wonders.
As the Peruvian Mountain Guide Association states: “Don’t be ripped off by pseudo-guides who have no training or official backing. Don’t risk your life. Look for security.” Hundreds of trekking trails lead you through various nooks and crannies over rough patches of terrain or through easy alpine meadows. The choice of difficulty is up to you. Several treks can be accomplished on a single day, or you can choose a more strenuous adventure over a few weeks. Huascaran National Park is available year round, but it is best traversed during the dry summer months between June and September.
Huascarán National Park is dominated by Cordillera Blanca and its abundant lakes, streams, waterfalls, and high altitude meadows. The entire region covers 340,000 hectares with an average rainfall of 120mm annually. The irregular geography has developed a wide variety of diverse plants, animals and scenic wonders.
As the Peruvian Mountain Guide Association states: “Don’t be ripped off by pseudo-guides who have no training or official backing. Don’t risk your life. Look for security.” Hundreds of trekking trails lead you through various nooks and crannies over rough patches of terrain or through easy alpine meadows. The choice of difficulty is up to you. Several treks can be accomplished on a single day, or you can choose a more strenuous adventure over a few weeks. Huascaran National Park is available year round, but it is best traversed during the dry summer months between June and September.
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