The department of Ancash starts on a slightly hilly coastal strip and climbs up to the highest snow-capped mountains in Peru. Spread out along the Callejon de Huaylas, a dazzling valley stuck between two mountain ranges, the Blanca and Negra Cordilleras, you will find picturesque and pleasant cities like Recuay, Carhuas, Yungay, and Caras, while the urban and commercial center of the area is the capital of Ancash, the energetic city of Huarás,.

It was between the years 1200 B.C. and 200 B.C. that the Chavín lived in the region, the same that left as their legacy the impressive archeological complex of Chavin de Huantar, which, in 1985, UNESCO placed on the World Cultural Heritage List.
Throughout the entire department, you can see the most spectacular snow covered mountains, among them Mount Huascaran (6,768 m.a.s.l./ 22199 feet a.s.l), the tallest peak in Peru. In addition, there are hot springs and spectacular lakes as those of Llanganuco; in all, it is an area perfect for adventure sports like white water rafting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, and trekking.

The Huascaran National Park, placed on the World Natural Heritage List by UNESCO, guards wildlife species in its beautiful surroundings like condors, vicuñas, deer, pumas, Andean foxes, and viscachas.

Tourist interests

The Cordillera Blanca. This White Mountain Range is known as one of biggest of the world. It is located eight hours north of Lima. Traveling from the capital city to the Huaraz will take you through many wonderful sites. The first mountain pass is called Conococha at el. 4100 m.a.s.l / 13448 feet a.s.l. From this vista you will see the wonderful peaks along the Cordillera Blanca including Mount Huascaran at el. 6768 m.a.s.l / 22199 feet a.s.l.

Huayhuash Cordillera or “Cordillera Negra”. The cordillera is approximately 30 km / 19 miles long and constitutes the border of the Departments of Huanuco, Ancash, and Lima. It is also considered one of the most spectacular mountain ranges of the Andes. Six of its many peaks reach heights of more than six thousand meters (19.680 feet). Mountain climbing is a popular activity in its many snowcapped mountains.

Churup Lake. The lake is surrounded by queñual trees, quishuar trees, and ichu grass. In this area, typical Andean animal species like viscachas, bobcats, and different species of birds like wild ducks can be seen.

Chavin de Huantar Archeological Complex. . It was built around 1200 B.C. and discovered by Julio C. Tello in 1919. UNESCO placed it on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1985.