Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Next, head inland to the charming regional capital of
(6) Chachapoyas
. This friendly
highland hub is an excellent base for exploring the ancient cloud-forest citadel of
(7)
Kuélap
and visiting the highly unusual sarcophagi at
(8) Karajía
- incredible pre-
Columbian treasures that happen to be practically tourist-free.
Afterwards, return to Chiclayo and make immediately for the coast, where you can en-
joy some beach-itude on the palm-fringed sands of
(9) Máncora
- a popular spot for fresh
fish, good waves and hard-core relaxing.
HUARAZ TO THE CORDILLERAS
Mountain Majesty
in the Andes
Begin with a day of gentle acclimatization in
(1) Huaraz
. Stroll around the town cen ter
and pay a visit to the Museo Regional de Áncash, where you'll see mummies with tre-
panned skulls. You can use your second day in town to do a gentle hike in the area as a
way of conditioning your body to the altitude. A short two-hour walk will take you to the
Wari ruins at
(2) Wilkahuaín
, but if you'd like to get a full day of walking in, a longer
hike (six hours) will take you all the way to
(3) Laguna Ahuac
, a lovely lake. On the
third day, organize a day trip to the ancient temple site of
(4) Chavín de Huántar
, one of
Peru's earliest ceremonial centers, known for an elaborate stele with fearsome carvings
called
El Lanzón
.
Once you are well acclimatized, head out to explore the majestic peaks of the
(5) Cor-
dillera Blanca
. This is best done with on a multiday trek (which run anywhere from
quick overnighters to 10-day mountaineering extravaganzas). Expect dizzying mountain
passes, beautiful lakes and towering walls of granite - an Andean landscape you will nev-
er forget.
