Huaraz and Yungay

Huaraz

Huaraz is the capital of the department Ancash, and is situated at 3,091 m in the Callejón de Huaylas between the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra. The Santa river, born in Conocha lake, runs through the valley until the Cañon del Pato. Everywhere in Huaraz you can see the towering mountain chains of the Huascarán, and this is reason enough to visit the city, which is also called La Suiza Peruana, or Peruvian Switzerland. This is an understatement, since the Andes mountains are almost twice as high as the Swiss Alps.

Huaraz and Huascaran

Huaraz and the Huascaran chain. Image © Guillaume Dargaud

Huaraz is a modern city with a population of about 65,000. There are many points of interest in the city: the historial museum, the Rataquenua lookout, the Huallac ruins, the market, the gold Pierina mine, the historical street José Olaya, which survived the earthquake in 1970 that destroyed most of the old city. Still it is a friendly place with a pleasant climate. Even at this height you can see occasional palm trees, although it can be cold at night. From Huaraz you can make many excursions to the mountains and the National Huascarán Park and others like Pastoruri, Chavín ruins, Llanganuco lake, etc.

market

Market in Huaraz. Image © John O'Marra

Yungay

Yungay, 60 km north of Huaraz is a small city of 20,000 inhabitants, magnificently situated in the Callejón de Huaylas. On May 31, 1970, with the effect of the severe earthquake in Huaraz, the north face of the Huascarán mountain broke and many iceblocks came down to the valley, causing a giant water- and mud avalanche which buried the city completely. 20,000 people didn't survive. The city was rebuilt on a slightly different location. What is left of old Yungay, is now part of a memorial park.

Yungay

Yungay, Memorial Park for the 1970 avalanche. Image © Govert-Jan Mennen

Huaraz