ANCASH

GENERAL DATA

Location: The department of Ancash is located north of Lima between the Pacific Ocean and the Marañón River.
Area: 35 459 km2
Capital: Huaraz (3 091 masl)
Altitude: 4 masl (Chimbote) Lowest town.
3 910 masl (Shilla) highest town.
Average annual temperature: It varies depending on the zone: 17º C in the coastal zone and 7º C in the highlands. Rainy season: In the coastal zone rain is unusual; however, in the highlands is from November to March.

ACCESS ROUTES

By land: The most recommended is the Lima-Pativilca-Huaraz route (408 km) about 7 hours drive.
Other routes include:
Casma-Huaraz (149 km) about 6 h 30 minutes drive.
Santa-Huallanca-Huaraz (277 km) about 5 h 30 minutes drive.

By air: Non-regular flight services to Anta airport (Carhuaz). Flight takes approximately 35 minutes.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

A region with a rich historical past, it was the cradle of Chavín culture (about 1 700 years BC) which influenced other regions and later cultures. Recuay and Huaylas cultures developed on the first millenium of this era, leaving interesting traces of pottery and stone statues. The Incas conquered the region in the middle of the 15th century and attached it to their vast empire.
During the Spanish domination, the system imposed by the conquistadors was reflected in a total abandonment of the region’s material and cultural development, leading it to take an active role in the fight for National Independence.
Today, Ancash is one of the most important tourist centers in Peru due to its archaeological ruins and privileged geography, including glaciers and snow-capped peaks of over 6 000 meter high.
The department of Ancash consists mainly in two clearly defined regions: The Coast, where one can find commercial cities such as Chimbote and Casma, and the Highlands, where visitors can find towns full of traditions all over the Callejón de Huaylas.

ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF

Ancash Archaeological Museum

Av. Luzuriaga 762, Huaraz.
Phone: (044) 72-1819 / 72-1551.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-17:00, Sunday 9:00-14:00.
Collection of pieces from the Chavin, Recuay, Huaraz, Mochica, Chimú and Huari cultures. Textiles, ceramics and pre-Columbian lithic pieces.

Señor de La Soledad Sanctuary

Plazuela del Señor de la Soledad.
Phone: (044) 72-1073.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00.
Located in the Barrio de La Soledad. This is the Huaraz Patron’s Church.

Rataquenua Watchtower

Located 7 km from the city of Huaraz (east of the hill), where visitors can enjoy the city’s landscape.

OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY

Monterrey

Located 7 km north from Huaraz and about 5 minutes drive. Famous for its landscapes and hot springs for the treatment of rheumatic illnesses.

Callejón de Huaylas

Vast Andean valley spreading across 200 km, between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra (the White and Black Mountain Range). The Santa River that has its source at the Conococha Lagoon 4 100 masl, crosses the entire valley skirting the most picturesque cities and villages, the most important of which are Recuay, Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz.

Recuay

Located 3 394 masl and 25 km south of Huaraz. Its humble and hardworking people are engaged in agriculture and mining activities. Recuay is home to the Pueblo Viejo Archaeological Ruins.

Carhuaz

Located 2 645 masl and 34 km north of

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