HUARAZ
THE CORDILLERA BLANCA AND CHAVIN SHRINE

      This area is known as the "Peruvian Switzerland" because of its glacial lakes and many snow-capped peaks, including the Huascaran, the highest tropical mountain in the world (6,800 metres / 22,400 feet). The spectacular scenery of the Huascaran National Park makes the area particularly attractive for climbers and hikers at every level of proficiency. From here you can visit the ruins of the magnificent stone temple built in around 600 BC by the people of Chavin, the oldest known pre-Columbian civilisation.

Altitude : 3,000 metres/10,000 feet above sea level
Population : 69,000 approx.
Climate : Warm during the day, cold at night, with rains from
December to April (80° - 35ºF/26º-1ºC).
Season : April to October.