Huaraz & the Cordilleras - Peru - page 805

ers and contributing to their thaw. It's also an important agricultural and mining area for
the local population.
Although second fiddle to the big-mountain recreational offerings on the other side of
the Callejón de Huaylas, the Cordillera Negra has some great attractions, especially for
rock climbers, who will find excellent bolted climbs in Recuay and Hatun Machay ( Click
here ) . Mountain-bikers have access to seemingly unlimited kilometers of roads and trails
over the rugged landscape; bike-guiding companies ( Click here ) in Huaraz know these
old byways well.
Day hikers can also explore these routes. Hire a truck to take you to Punta Callan
(4225m) above Huaraz or to Curcuy (4520m) above Recuay and walk down to town.
Another suggested hike is a three-hour ascent to the ruins of Quitabamba near Jangas.
Take a colectivo towards Carhuaz, getting off at La Cruz de la Mina and look for signs to
the ruins.
The villages over here don't see a lot of tourists, and you'll be interacting with indigen-
ous people who in many cases live an untouched, traditional lifestyle.