The capital of the region of Ancash, Huaraz is located at 3100m, 400km northeast of Lima.
Situated on the River Santa in the Huaylas valley, it boasts an inspiring backdrop of snow-peaked mountains of the Cordilleras Negra and Blanca, also home to Huascaran, Peru’s highest mountain. There are two main seasons, the wet season and dry with average temperatures ranging between 10°C – 16°C. Home to approximately 100,000, Huaraz is a newly-built town after the majority was destroyed in the 1970 earthquake in which 70,000 tragically lost their lives. Originally inhabited by pre-Inca and Inca tribes, today much of the population of Huaraz is made up from indigenous Andes groups whose native language is Quechua. Huaraz is a major center for trekking and climbing.

Local time
The local time is 6 hours behind GMT.

Language
Spanish is the official language of Peru. You will also be able to experience listening to Quechua, a Native American language widely spoken in the Andes. English is spoken in many tourist places.

Telecommunications
Internet centers are in abundance and there are several cafés that provide Wi-Fi. Several hostels also have Internet access. There are also plenty of ‘Locutorios’ where you can call overseas for approximately 0.50 Nuevo Soles a minute. The international code for Peru is 51 and for Huaraz, 043.

Pharmacies
There are several pharmacies in Huaraz. Basic toiletries, sun cream, lip balm, moist towelettes and women's sanitary needs are all readily available.

Restaurants, coffee shops and bars
there are numerous restaurants, coffee shops and bars to suit all tastes in Huaraz. Please ask us if you require more information.

Laundry
Many hostels include their own laundry service. There are also ‘Lavanderias’ in the city. The average price is 5 Nuevo Soles per kilo of laundry and most places provide fast service.

Drinking water
It is recommended to buy bottled water, which is available in 600ml or 2500ml bottles.

Supermarkets and markets
There are several small supermarkets in Huaraz where basic groceries are available. There is an indoor market for goods such as dried fruit and nuts, meat and fish as well as several outdoor markets for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Security
It is advisable to exercise the same caution as you would in any tourist location. When walking in the town and especially in the markets, keep cameras, wallets and any other valuables well hidden. Try to avoid displaying expensive jewelry or carrying unnecessary amounts of cash.