Things to see and do White Mountain Range

100 km from Huaraz and 32 km from Caraz, this lake has the largest surface area in the Cordillera Blanca. Caught between Artesonraju, Pirámide de Garcilaso and Chacraraju, three nevados that approach 6,000 m, Parón is, at 4,185 m, in its wild setting with green waters, one of the main attractions of the Callejón. If you go by yourself, combis leave at 7am from the central market to Pueblo Parón. Normally 9 km and 4 hours of walking. On the way back there are very few cars and it is 19 km from Pueblo Parón to Caraz. It is possible to pitch a tent.

After a hundred kilometers from Huaraz, by a road in bad condition, one reaches, at 3,200 m, an archaeological complex that was, during the first millennium of our era, the most important ceremonial center of the Cordillera. It is possible to walk from a square to an esplanade and from a pyramid with underground galleries, originally decorated with bas-reliefs, to rooms where monoliths with strange figures were erected. The main building, the Castillo or Great Pyramid, 75 m long and 13 m high, is composed of three superimposed granite terraces. Underneath, galleries, corridors and underground chambers are connected by stairs and ramps. On the outside, a portico is formed by two cylindrical columns carved with bird figures. The cornice, also elaborately carved, bears eight stylised condors or falcons.

In front of it, the plaza where the Obelisco Tello stood has been cleared. The Templo del Lanzón, inside the Great Pyramid, is the oldest building in the complex, dating back to 1200 B.C. A 5-metre-high stone of strange raw beauty depicts a figure with a feline head and hair made of snakes.

A visit to the Museo Nacional de Chavín is also worthwhile, where you can find ceramics and tools, but above all the Obelisco Tello and an interesting collection of pututos, large shells used by blowing strongly into them to call out to others.

The Alpamayo culminates at 5,947 m. It is said that this white summit is the most perfect in the world because of its diamond shape. Unfortunately, it is invisible from the valley because it is hidden by higher peaks: Santa Cruz (6 260 m) and Quitaraju (6 035 m). To appreciate its perfection, it is necessary to go there on foot: take a combi, early in the morning, until Hualcayan, then walk 20 km. At this altitude and with the difference in altitude, it will take you about 12 hours to get there, and the same for the return. So count on 3 to 4 days to measure the dimension.

This-minute walk leads to the "witch où". This is a "Árbol Pati", one of the few remaining specimens of this endangered tree.

Take a polygon to Marcará and then a colectivo for the baths. You'll be able to dip in the waters the unpleasant smell of chlorine, but which flows into individual bathtubs at a temperature of about 70 ° C. Also natural saunas under caves (15 minutes). Again, it could be much improved. Tail in high season. For lovers of the genre. Massages are not recommended. Cleanliness is limited. Have good gossip!

This superb lake is spread out at the foot of the Ranrapalca and Oxhapalca nevados, in a wild setting, at an altitude of 4 000 m.

We start the hike surrounded by a spectacular landscape, in the direction of Nevado Vallunaraju (5,686 m), Ranrapalca (6,162 m) and Ocshapalca (5,881 m). Arrival at the Laguna Llaca with its turquoise water at about 4,474 meters above sea level. From here you can enjoy a splendid view of the snow-capped mountains. Most of the agencies that offer this hike do it with transport and private guide.

This "journalists park" is a nice little place, with fountain and restaurants on the terrace all around, just behind Avenida Luzuriaga (small passage between Nos. 629 and 635).

The Laguna Churup is the closest walk from Huaraz (30 km in 1h30). To go there, it is necessary to take a bus until Llupa (approximately S/ 3 for 40 minutes), then to count 4h30 of rather steep walk until the splendid turquoise lagoon located at 4 485 m and surrounded by snow-covered tops. A magnificent place. We advise you to leave around 7:30 am, not later. Be aware that there is a stone wall to climb. If you want to stay in the area, we recommend staying at the Churup Mountain Lodge, a very comfortable lodge in the middle of nature, which will also allow you to explore the area, as they have their own agency. Treks, mountain biking, but also yoga or massage (which we appreciate even more after the trek).

Note that a three day trek can be undertaken, including the Laguna Churup. After having reached it, we continue towards Pitec, located at 3 750 m of altitude, where we can camp. The next day, we continue in 4 hours up the Quebrada Quilcayhuanca valley to the Olivos camp (4250 m). A not very difficult day : 15 km of walking. We can take advantage of it to visit the Quebrada de Cayesh in the afternoon if we are still in shape. The third day is the most difficult. We visit the Laguna Tullpacocha (4 350 m), then we descend 44 km to Pitec, about 8 hours of walking. We then return to Llupa. Note that this three-day trek is not very difficult in itself and will be suitable even for beginners.

It is the farthest lake from Huaraz, but the most beautiful (medium difficulty). Take a bus to Yungay (1h30) then another one to Cebollapampa (another 1h30) and finally walk 3h30 in zigzag until the lagoon by crossing sometimes the torrents according to the season. Superb panoramic view on the snowy peaks of the surroundings (in particular Pisco), and especially splendid turquoise color of the water of the lake. We advise you to leave at 6:30 am to have a clear view. The hike itself will take you between 6 and 8 hours round trip depending on your pace.

This beautiful lake with green waters is wedged between three impressive nevados: Huandoy, Huascarán and Yanapaqcha. To get there from Huaraz, take a combi to Yungay, 1h trip, S/ 5. Another combi (all parked behind the Municipio) can do the 24 km drive. At the lake, the drivers wait 1h, which is enough time to go around. Llanganuco is a photogenic beauty but also very popular as it is accessible by road. Boats and food stalls on site. You can also do this trek on foot from Huamacchuco

50 km southwest of the Cordillera Blanca, the Huayhuash mountain range stretches 30 km from north to south. Its 7 peaks above 5,500 m and 7 others above 6,000 m are all as angular as each other. Its highest peak, Yerupajá, reaches 6,634 m, second only to Huascarán among Peruvian peaks. The landscape on which this mountain range stands out is very different from that of the White Mountain Range, characterized by its deep and narrow canyons. Here, we are in wide open spaces with, to the east, small rocky ridges 600 m high and overlooking the valley visited by herds of vicuñas. At the foot of the Cordillera peaks, there are beautiful turquoise lakes where you can stock up on trout. Huayhuash represents an excellent example of the ecosystem of the high Andes. The fauna and flora are similar to those of the Cordillera Blanca, although less disturbed, and therefore wilder, and concentrated in smaller areas. The lakes are home to many birds, both sedentary and migratory, and the forests in the western part are home to rare and endangered species. With a guide and donkeys, you can trek for a minimum of 9 days and, if your time is not too limited, cover the 160 to 190 km of the magnificent circuit around the Cordillera, all of which naturally requires a very good physical condition. This trek is considered by some, after the Himalayas, as the^second most beautiful in the world.

One of the most famous treks in the world.

Following the two narrow and deep valleys that split the Cordillera Blanca, this great classic is 50 km long and can be done in 3 or 4 days, with a guide (from S/ 600 per person with an agency including the bus trip at the departure and arrival, food and tent, be careful with the choice of the agency : low prices often hide something). The road (by car) passes the Laguna de Llanganuco, to go down by el Valle Morococha, to the hamlet of Colcabamba (3 300 m). It is from here that the walk begins: by the Huaripacapa valley, under the Taulliraju nevado (5,830 m). We then camp in the Quebrada de Paria, at 3 800 m, where it is not impossible to see, at dawn, vicuñas, deer or a spectacled bear. Once rested, we climb to the Punta Unión pass, at 4,750 m, from where we can observe the division of waters between the Pacific and the Atlantic and appreciate the immaculate whiteness of the nevados engulfed in clouds: Artesonraju (6,025 m), Quitaraju (6,035 m), Rinrijirca (5,800 m). A prehispanic path leads from here to the Santa Cruz valley; on the right stretches the Laguna Taullicocha, in the distance the Alpamayo, further down, at the confluence of the Santa Cruz and Arhuaycocha valleys, the campsite. The next day, after having passed by the Lagunas Hatuncocha and Ichipcocha, we arrive at the end of the journey at the village of Cashapampa, 18 km from Caraz and one of the only villages of the Callejón de Huaylas to have escaped the 1970 earthquake.