Huaraz is a great place for outdoor adventure-seekers, sandwiched in a valley in the Andes with the bare Cordillera Negra to the west and the snow-peaked Cordillera Blanca to the east. Huaraz has a really strong tourism infrastructure in place meaning aside from numerous multi-day mountain-hikes, there are a lot of full-day tours packed with activity. We had just come from the coast, and at nearly 3100 meters (10,200 feet) above sea level it took a day or so to acclimatize. That first day we happily walked all over town with blue skies and very comfortable temperatures.

Plaza de Armas from our lunch spot

Tall-hatted ladies of Huaraz

Rocking the arm-less sunglasses one last day

Plaza de Belen, the Cordillera Blanca in the background

Iglesia La Soledad

On May 31, 1970 an 8.0 earthquake devastated much of central Peru. About half of Huaraz’s 30,000 inhabitants survived, only 10% of the city left standing. This street, Jirón José Olaya is one of the only streets left untouched.

Looking out over Huaraz, the Cordillera Negra in the background

Sunset from our hotel rooftop /// Coucher de soleil depuis le toit de notre hôtel