General Data
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 ma.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
ALTITUDE
Capital: Huarás (3091 masl / 10.138 fasl)
Lowest point: 4 masl / 13 fasl (Chimbote)
Highest point: 3910 masl / 12.824 fasl (Shilla)
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CLIMATE
The city of Huarás has dry and moderate weather with an average maximum temperature of 24ºC (75ºF) and minimum of 7ºC (44ºF). The rainy season starts in October and ends in March.
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ACCESS ROUTES
By land: Lima – Pativilca – Huarás: 400 km (249 miles) / 6 hours by car on an asphalt road
By air: Flights are available to the Anta Airport (Carhuaz) but not on a regular basis, (35 minutes).
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DISTANCES FROM THE CITY OF HUARÁS
Aija (Province of Aija) 68 km (42 miles) / 2 hours
Llamellín (Province of Antonio Raimondi) 223 km (138 miles) / 8 hours
Chacas (Province of Asunción) 118 km (73 miles) / 4 hours
Chiquián (Province of Bolognesi) 111 km (69 miles) / 2 hours and 30 minutes
Carhuaz (Province of Carhuaz) 35 km (22 miles) / 30 minutes
San Luis (Province of Carlos Fermin Fitzcarrald) 223 km (139 miles) / 6 hours
Casma (Province of Casma) 149 km (93 miles) / 5 hours
Corongo (Province of Corongo) 180 km (112 miles) / 6 hours
Huari (Province of Huari) 152 km (94 miles) / 4 hours
Huarmey (Province of Huarmey) 140 km (87 miles) / 5 hours
Caraz (Province of Huaylas) 69 km (43 miles) / 1 hour and 30 minutes
Piscobamba (Province of Mariscal Luzuriaga) 193 km (120 miles) / 7 hours
Ocros (Province de Ocros) 128 km (80 miles) / 4 hours
Cabana (Province of Pallasca) 234 km (145 miles) / 8 hours
Pomabamba (Province of Pomabamba) 298 km (185 miles) / 8 hours
Recuay (Province of Recuay) 25 km (16 miles) / 30 minutes
Chimbote (Province of Santa) 210 km (130 miles) / 6 hours
Sihuas (Province of Sihuas) 228 km (142 miles) / 8 hours
Yungay (Province of Yungay) 58 km (36 miles) / 45 minutes
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DIRECTORY
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AIRPORT
Aeropuerto Tte. FAP Jaime de Montreuil. Panamericana Norte km 421, Chimbote. Tel. (043) 31-1844 / 31-1062.
Aeropuerto Comandante FAP Germán Arias Grazziani. Anta, km 23 Carretera Huaraz – Caraz. Tel. (043) 74-3095.
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OVERLAND TRANSPORT
Chimbador Bus station Urbanización 27 de Octubre, Pan-American Highway North, Chimbote.
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HEALTH CENTERS
Chimbote: ChimboteRegionalHospital.
Avenida Anchoveta. Telephone: (043) 31-1280
Huaraz: Victor Ramos Guardia Huaraz Support Hospital.
Avenida Luzuriaga. Telephone: (043) 42-4146
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LOCAL POLICE
Chimbote. Jiron Leoncio Prado 401. Telephone: (043) 32-1651. Attention: 24 hours
Huaraz. Huaraz Police Station. Jiron Jose de Sucre, block 2. Telephone: (043) 42-1330. Attention: 24 hours
Yungay. National Police of Peru. Telephone: (043) 39-3300. Attention: 24 hours
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YUNGAY HIGH-MOUNTAIN RESCUE SQUAD (Unidad de Salvamento de Alta Montaña USAM)
General Ines de Salas and Jaime Gonzales. Telephone: (043) 39-3333. Attention: 24 hours. E-mail: usam@pnp.gob.pe
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CRAFT MARKETS
Callejon de HuaylasHandicraftCenter. SerpostBuilding, Main Square, Huaraz
Main Square Craft Fair. Plaza de Armas, Huaraz
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POSTAL SERVICES
Chimbote. Avenida Pardo 294. Telephone: (043) 32-4073 / 34-6299
Huaraz. Avenida Luzuriaga 702. Telephone: (043) 42-1030 / 42-1031
Caraz. Jiron San Martin 909. Telephone: (043) 39-1094
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ASSOCIATION of HIGH-MOUNTAIN GUIDES
Parque Ginebra 28-G. Telephone: (043) 42-1811. E-mail: agmp@terra.com.pe
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NATIONAL TOURISM CHAMBER
www.canaturperu.org
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REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF ANCASH
www.regionancash.gob.pe
