Peru - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 784

9 TOURS AND ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND HUARAZ

Most of the tour operators in Huaraz can be found along Avenida Luzuriaga, or the two
small squares that join it to the Plaza de Armas, and are open from 7am until late, closing
between 1pm and 4pm. Most specialize in hiking and mountaineering. Popular excursions
include the 8hr Llanganuco Lakes (see p.790), the 9-11hr Chavín de Huantar (see
p.789) and the edge of the Pastoruri Glacier at 5240m (8hr). Most operators can also
arrange trips to the Monterrey thermal baths (2hr) and some offer adventure activities
in the area. Costs usually exclude entrance fees and food; make sure your guide can
speak English if you need them to. If you're hiring your own guide, always check for
certification and that they're registered at the Casa de Guías (see below). iPerú can help
with any complaints.
TREKKING
If you're organizing your own trek in Huascarán National Park, register beforehand with the
Park O ce (see below), where you should buy your permit (S65; valid for six days) to enter the
park; if you're trekking with an agency then they should sort all of this for you. In theory you're
not meant to enter the park without one of these agencies - unless you're a professional. Also
visit the Casa de Guías (Parque Ginebra 28-G T 043 421 811, W casadeguias.com.pe) for the
best information about local trails, current climatic conditions and advice on hiring guides,
equipment and mules - they also organize rock- and ice-climbing courses. They have a useful
noticeboard, worth checking to see if there are any groups about to leave on treks that you
might want to join, and they sell detailed trekking maps.
TOUR OPERATORS
Ì Andean Kingdom Parque Ginebre 120 T 043
425 555, W andeankingdom.com. Argentine-run tour
operator specializing in climbing and trekking. Has its
own centre out in the Cordillera Negra, where they
offer lodging and rock-climbing courses.
Galaxia Expeditions Parque del Periodista, Lote
36 T 043 425 355, W galaxia-expeditions.com. The
biggest and most popular tour o ce in town offers a
variety of treks, mountaineering trips and day tours as

well as horseriding, mountain biking and canyoning.
Also owns a guesthouse ( Aldo ; see Galaxia website).
Four-day Santa Cruz trail US$120 all-inclusive; a day
trek to Laguna 69 costs US$35-50. Open 6am-10pm.
Mountain Bike Adventures Jr. Lucar y Torre 530,
2nd floor (one block east of Av Luzuriaga) T 043 424
259, W chakinaniperu.com. Customizable guided bike
tours and hikes, with English-speaking guides. Also
rents bikes and sells local artesanía in the o ce. Good
reputation for safety.

Huascarán National Park o ce Jr. Federico Sal y
Rosas 555 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-1pm & 2.30-6pm, Sat 9am-
noon; T 043 422 086).
Tourist police Av Luzuriaga 724, at the Plaza de Armas
(daily 8am-8pm; T 043 421 351). Some English spoken.

owner Benq uelo Morales is the man to see. Dorms S10 ,
doubles S50
Churup Guest House Jr. Amadeo Figueroa 1257 T 043
424 200, W churup.com. A good base for trekkers, with
luggage storage as well as reference maps and a book
exchange. Although it's an uphill walk from the centre,
they'll pick you up from the bus station for free and the
views from the te rrace are great. Breakfast included.
Dorms S28 , doubles S99
Ì El Jacal Guest House Jr. José de Sucre 1044 T 043
424 612, W jacalhuaras.com. This place is amazing value,
with friendly owners and lots of extras like laundry, wi-fi,
kitchen use and cable TV. But above everything (liter ally)
there's a terrace with unbelievable 360-degree views. S40
Jo's Place Jr. Daniel Villaizan 276 T 043 425 505, W huaraz
.com/josplace. Although ramshackle and somewhat chaoti-
cally managed, Jo's Place is a die-hard backpacker joint,
with functional rooms and dorms, some with wonderful
views. It's always popular and there's internet, wi-fi, a
common room with TV and a terrace with hammocks. Full

ACCOMMODATION
Even in high season, around August, it's rarely di cult to
find accommodation at a reasonable price and except
during high season it's definitely worth bargaining.
B & B My House Av 27 de Noviembre 773 T 043 423 375,
W micasahuaraz.jimdo.com. A pleasant family-run B&B
with a flower-filled courtyard and bright dining room. S80
Ì Benkawasi Albergue Parque Santa Rosa 928
T 043 423 150, W huarazbenkawasi.com. This hostel is
run by a friendly Huaraz family who have done a lot for
the area - the owners built Huaraz's first hotel after the
1970 earthquake (now Andino Club Hotel ). The communal
areas are pleasant, with table tennis and games, and
there's a shared kitchen. If you're into adventure sports,