THE FIVE MAIN TOWNS IN WAYLAS VALLEY

Recuay (RIQWAY - 3400 m)

This is the Ancash regional province capital of the same name. It is a kind of town with its traditional Republican architecture of the last century (20^th). Here the houses are two-side red tile roofs, adobe walls, they for narrow streets. This is an important agricultural area and livestock production (sheep and cows). Catac (KATAQ – 3640 m) and Ticapampa (TIKAPAMPA – 3470 m) are its most important district close to the Santa River.

From Recuay is possible to get Aija (43 Km) province and Huari (Chavin de Huantar). Its interesting place are QUÑUQQUCHA, HATUN MACHAY, PASTURURI, ANTAQUCHA,…

Huaraz (WARAS – 3050 m)

This is the capital of the Ancash Region and the same name province. Being the main city in the WAYLAS Valley, this is the most important. More representative offices of the private and public institutions are here. WARAS is the base camp for expeditions to the large highest tropical mountain range (YURAQ HANKA) and second highest mountain trek (WAYWASH) in the world outside Himalaya. Here the travelers can find enough quality and quantity of tourist services. It is roughly 400 Km distance of Lima, about seven hours by bus to the north. It is an ideal location for acclimatizing, which “must be visited” for anyone interested of the climbing and trekking.

Huaraz is a new modern rebuilt city and different from other Andean towns. Nowadays the houses are built with reinforced concrete, wide and paved streets. Because, this town has a sad history. It was destroyed two times by devastating disaster in the last century. First, on December 13, in 1941, a flood from PALQAQUCHA (lake in QUHUP Valley) covered the northern half part of WARAS, killing about 5 000 citizens. The second time, on May 31 of 1970, a disastrous earthquake destroyed approximately 90% of WARAS town, killing 15 000 people. This earthquake measured 7.8 on the Ritcher scale, being the most tragic planet shaking in the history of the Western Hemisphere occurred then.

Carhuaz (QARWASH – 2650 m)

Carhuaz is the capital of the same name province. This is a friendly popular town and quite urban atmosphere. The socioeconomic activity is agriculture, a kind of small scale farming. It is famous producer of natural ice-cream with different flavors (fruits). The main square of the town is distinguished by its beautiful republican fountain and garden. From this place it is possible to get:

-      Ulta valley, which crosses the White Mountain Range via Punta Olimpica (4950 m) to QUNCHUKUS.

-      Several lakes AWKISQUCHA  (4319 m – 23 Km on bus and four hours walking), WALLQAQUCHA (27 Km on bus by Ulta and two hours walk), thermal  bath of “La Merced”, CHANKUS,..

Yungay (YUNQA 2500 m)

Politically is the capital of Yungay Province. The “New” Yungay is the rebuilt town to replace the “old” Yungay, which was destroyed by devastating disaster in 1970. Yungay´s history is memorable for this tragedy occurred on May 31: first, about 15:23 hours, a major earthquake happened with epicenter off the coast of Peru (Chimbote), destroying many towns in the WAYLAS Valley where Yungay is. Finally, the earthquake caused a large mass of rock and ice brook away, which fell down towards the west side valley of the north Peak of WASKARAN Mountain. On low area, it transformed into a huge avalanche of 50 – 100 million m³ of mud, rock, ice and organic material. Its velocity is estimated at an overage of 300 Km per hour. That buried completely the “Old” Yungay (covering 15 m or 50 feet depth); at the same time to other town like RANRAHIRKA. That event killed virtually about 18 000 inhabitants. From Graveyard (Old Yungay area) one can see the full majesty of Mt. Waskaran, the highest mountain in Peru.

From Yungay leads up a road to Llanganuco valley where the famous lakes are: CHINANQUCHA, WAWANQUCHA and URQUNQUCHA. Continuing one can get PISHQU, YANAPAQTSA, CHAWPIKALLKI, CHAKRAPISHQUQUCHA (Laguna 69), YANAMA,…

Caraz (QALASH – 2250 m)

Capital of Huaylas province. This is the last town in the northern part of WAYLAS Valley. Friendly place, warm town with its traditional urban characteristic. This is an interesting place because from here one can get: TUNSHUKAYKU (archaeological site), WINCHUS (Puya place in the Black Mountain Range and best view of White Mountain Range), WATA (religious village), Cañon del Pato (Duck Canyon), Paron lake, KASHAPAMPA, and other place.

MABA: Mountain – Adventure – Beach – Archaeology

This seven day program is the best recommended bus tours in Ancash Region (at the north of Lima) in mountain, adventure, archaeology and beach modality. During our trip, we visit the White Mountain Range (Cordillera Blanca), Waylas valley, Qunchuku´s zone and the pacific coast. Here include the most popular one day hiking to 69 lake. Going there, the travelers see the most beautiful views, snow-covered mountains, glacial lakes and typical life (flora and fauna).

1 Day: Lima – Quñuqqucha – Huaraz (museo)

The first day starts in Lima (hotel or airport) full day tour. On touristic transport, we go to the north of Lima until Pativilca (small city in the coast), where we turn to the east.  Our first pass is Quñuq qucha (4100 m.). Here we have a little stop to appreciate the Waywash and White Mountain ranges. When we get the most important town in Waylas valley (Huaraz at 3050 m.) we can go to the museum at the afternoon (if you have enough time).

2 Day: Huaraz – Qiruqucha – Chavin de Huantar – Chacas

Leaving Huaraz, we go up to the south until Catac (town at 3640 m.). After that, we turn to the east, to the White Mountain Range (Cordillera Blanca). Before to get the pass (Kawish 4450 m.), we see the Qiruqucha (lake at 3950 m.). Passing the tunnel, we look the south area of Qunchuku´s zone. Here is Chavin de Huantar. This is a so well-known archeological site as a first main culture in Peru and its importance as a big powerful peace place in the Andean human history. After that we continue to the north until Chacas.

3 Day: Chacas – Punta Olimpica – Carhuas – Warka (camping)

The trip continues to the North West. Before to reach the pass (Punta Olimpica – 4950 m.), we look at the nice mountains and two nice two lakes. Going down to Ulta valley, we see Chawpikallki (6354 m.) and Waskaran (6769 m.). And finally we get down until Carhuas (3650 m.), being in Waylas Valley, we continue to the north until Yungay (town at 25500 m.) where we turn again to east. Warka is the place where we sleep inside tens.

4 Day: Llanganuco – Portachuelo – Laguna 69 – Caraz

Very early we wake up and have our breakfast to go adventure day. First on bus, we go up to Llanganuco valley, where are two beautiful lakes (Chinanqucha at 3850 m. and Urqunqucha at 3950 m.) between to Wascaran (north peak 6650 m.). When we get the km. 42.5 km at Portachuelo (4650 m.), we get out ready to walk to 69 lake. This is the most beautiful lake in White Mountain Range. Finally we return by another flat trail and take our bus to Caraz (last town in Waylas valley).

5 Day: Caraz – Cañon del Pato – Trujillo (Huaca del Sol y la Luna)

Leaving Caraz we go down at the end of Waylas valley or Black and White Mountain Ranges join forming the Duck Canyon (Cañon del pato). At the afternoon, we get Trujillo. If we have enough time we can visit the Huaca del Sol y la Luna archaeological monument (Moche culture).

6 Day: Chanchan – Huanchaco

The next day in Trujillo, first we visit Chan Chan (archaeological monument of Chimu culture). After we go to Huanchaco beach, where we look at the Caballito de totora (the ancient typical Moche canoa).at the afternoon we go until Casma.

7 Day: Casma (Sechin) – Lima 

At morning we go to Sechin archaeological monument (2000 BC.). The site is interesting because the buildings are made of different material (curved stone and adobe). This place was a politic, religious and administrative center of the same culture. After that, we continue our trip to Lima, which we arrive at night.