The province of Ancash is located in the northwestern side of Peru. In its territory, it houses all the landscapes available in the world. On one side, it is “bathed” by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and on the other, the Andean Highlands are found. It has an area of 35.826 square kilometers and a population of 1'014, 218 inhabitants.
Its capital is the city of Huaraz, located 3.100 meters above sea level and 408 km Northeast of Lima. On the side of the coast is Chimbote, considered among the largest fishing ports and center of the world of steel of Peru. Due to the variety of its geography, its climate differs and may be warm on the coast and cooler in the mountains but the mornings are light and fresh all year round.
Tourist Attractions
Huascaran National Park
Huascaran National Park is an area of indirect use, destined to conserve and protect the largest tropical mountain range in the world: the Cordillera Blanca. It also possesses a great wealth in terms of flora, fauna and geological formations that give the area a unique beauty. It features 663 glaciers, more than 200 Snow Peaks, 296 lakes and 44 major rivers located throughout its territory, and a variety of animal and plant species, some of which are endangered, as is the case of 'Puya Raimondi' and the Spectacled Bear. This makes this area an important showcase of the natural biodiversity of Peru. Similarly, within this park, there are archaeological monuments of great historical and cultural value.
The region where the Huascaran National Park is located, has suffered various disasters associated with the fragility of the younger geological formations of the Cordillera Blanca, like the alluvion of 1936, which destroyed part of the city of Huaraz and the earthquake in 1970, which took the lives of more than 70 000 people. These events have marked the history of all the Callejón de Huaylas. On July 1st, in the year 1975, Supreme Decree 0622-75-AG established the creation of Huascaran National Park on an area of 340 000 hectares. Then, on 1 March 1977, UNESCO recognized it as a Biosphere Reserve, and in December 1985, declared it Natural Patrimony of Humanity.
Conococha Lagoon
It is found 4.100 meters above sea level. It is the starting point of the Callejon de Huaylas and where the River Santa is born.
Chavín de Huantar Archeological Complex
Located in the town of the same name, in the Callejón de Conchucos. It was one of the major religious-cultural centers in the western hemisphere. The Castle and its labyrinths are brilliant displays of stone architecture, just like its mysterious narrow lanes and a multitude of enigmatic figures carved in stone, like the "nailed heads " carved with fierce faces.
Pastoruri Snow Peak
It is located in the province of Ancash, Cordillera Blanca, Callejon de Huaylas and inside the Huascaran National Park in the “Carpa” sector. As it is a predominantly touristic place, one can take any of the tours departing from the city of Huaraz heading to the south to reach it. The route is 70 kilometers long, it takes 3 hours and goes through the villages of Recuay, Ticapampa and Catac.
When one gets to the point where all the tour cars must stop, that is when the climbing will start. This can be done in two ways: One can walk uphill for 2 kilometers until one has reached the snow-covered part of the Peak, or one can hire services to ride horseback for the first half of the way and then hire a carrier for the rest of the trip. The services listed here have a cost of 5 soles each.
Monterey Baths
The thermal baths of Monterrey, are located 7 km away from the city of Huaraz, at an altitude of 2.703 meters above sea level. Monterrey has a large swimming pool and comfortable individual pools. Its waters reach a temperature of 49ºC and are prescribed for relaxation, to fight rheumatic, nerve and paralysis disorders, among others.
