Glaciers and Clay Pyramids: Huaraz and the North Coast

Peru's capital lies on the Pacific coast and is the first stop for most travelers. Francisco Pizarro founded it in 1535; as the seat of the Viceroyalty, it became Spanish South America's most important city. Its historic center, with its cathedral, monasteries, and wooden balconies, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.For travelers, three districts are particularly important: the Centro Histórico with Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco Monastery, Miraflores with the Malecón along the cliffs and the adobe pyramid Huaca Pucllana, and Barranco, the bohemian district with galleries, murals, and the Puente de los Suspiros. In the Pueblo Libre district, the Museo Larco displays one of the country's great collections of pre-Columbian art.

Arrival, Old Town and Barranco, side trip to Caral possible.

Huaraz is the capital of the Ancash region and the hub for hikers and mountaineers in the Cordillera Blanca. The city itself primarily serves as a base: Here you book tours, organize equipment, and acclimatize before heading into Huascarán National Park.From Lima, you can reach Huaraz by overnight bus in approximately eight hours or by flight. Note that travel advisories caution against overnight intercity bus journeys.Two to three days of acclimatization in Huaraz are recommended before longer high-altitude tours.Mountaineers can register in advance with the Peruvian Mountain Rescue service.

First Laguna Churup to acclimatize, then Laguna 69 and the Llanganuco Lakes.

Huascarán National Park encompasses almost the entire Cordillera Blanca: glaciers, hundreds of high-altitude lakes, and Huascarán, Peru's highest mountain at 6,768 meters. The park was founded in 1975, has been a biosphere reserve since 1977, and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.Laguna 69: the most famous day hike, a turquoise glacial lake at around 4,600 meters. The starting point is Cebollapampa, and the round trip takes about six to seven hours.Lagunas de Llanganuco: two lakes at around 3,850 meters on the way to Laguna 69, also a stop for day trips from Huaraz.Laguna Churup above Huaraz is suitable as an acclimatization hike.You need a ticket for the park, available as a day, three-day, or month pass. Camping is not allowed at Laguna 69.

Optional: Overnight stay in a tent or in a village in the Callejón de Huaylas.

Trujillo, the capital of the La Libertad region, was founded in 1534 and named after Francisco Pizarro's hometown in Extremadura. The city center features a grid of streets with colorful colonial houses and wrought-iron window grilles surrounding the Plaza de Armas with its cathedral.Most visitors come for the archaeological sites on the outskirts of the city: Chan Chan, the Chimú capital, and the temple pyramids Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna of the Moche. In the nearby seaside town of Huanchaco, fishermen still go out to sea in traditional reed boats, the Caballitos de Totora, while the waves attract surfers.The Federal Foreign Office reports a current state of emergency in Trujillo. Check the current situation there before traveling.

Chan Chan, the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna and surfing in Huanchaco.

Peru's capital lies on the Pacific coast and is the first stop for most travelers. Francisco Pizarro founded it in 1535; as the seat of the Viceroyalty, it became Spanish South America's most important city. Its historic center, with its cathedral, monasteries, and wooden balconies, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.For travelers, three districts are particularly important: the Centro Histórico with Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco Monastery, Miraflores with the Malecón along the cliffs and the adobe pyramid Huaca Pucllana, and Barranco, the bohemian district with galleries, murals, and the Puente de los Suspiros. In the Pueblo Libre district, the Museo Larco displays one of the country's great collections of pre-Columbian art.

Return flight to Lima, last evening in Miraflores.