Yungay and the Callejon de Huaylas

The Callejon de Huaylas is the long valley that runs between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra, with Huaraz at its southern heart and a string of towns along the Santa River. A full-day tour through the valley links landscape and history in a way that few other excursions do. The main stop is Yungay, a town that was destroyed on 31 May 1970 when a massive earthquake off the Peruvian coast shook loose a block of ice and rock from Huascaran, sending an avalanche down the valley that buried the old town and killed thousands of residents. Today the original site is a memorial park, marked by the tops of palm trees, a cemetery covered in flowers and a statue of Christ on a hillock where survivors sheltered. The new town was rebuilt a short distance away. The tour often continues to Caraz, a charming small town with a plaza, a market and views of Huandoy, and then up to the lakes of Llanganuco. For visitors interested in more than scenery, the day offers a thoughtful look at how mountain communities live with risk, and it provides a sobering context for the beautiful landscape around Huaraz.

The old Yungay memorial, known as Campo Santo, is a quiet and powerful place. The site has paths, small chapels and monuments, and relatives still leave flowers and photographs. Please be respectful: avoid loud behaviour and ask before photographing people. A guide can explain the sequence of events, the survivors' stories and the way rescue and rebuilding unfolded, and the scale of the disaster becomes clear when you stand on the old streets now covered by a grassy field.

Nearby you can see the remains of the cathedral and the tops of buildings poking through the soil.

The experience is solemn rather than touristy, and it leaves a lasting impression.The rest of the day is more relaxed. The road passes through villages known for pottery, weaving and festivals, with small shops selling local handicrafts and snacks. Caraz is a good place for lunch, with cafes serving trout and local sweets such as manjar blanco. The town sits at a lower altitude than Huaraz, so it is warmer, and on clear days the surrounding peaks fill the horizon.

Depending on the tour, you may stop at viewpoints along the Santa River, visit small towns such as Carhuaz or Mancos or continue to the Llanganuco Lakes. Check the itinerary carefully, because options vary between operators.Practical tips are simple. Start early, wear layers and carry sun protection, as mornings can be cool and afternoons bright.

The route is mostly paved and offers frequent rest stops, which makes it easier than a high-altitude trek and suitable for most ages. It is a good day for a rest after a hard hike, and it complements the scenic lakes by giving the human side of the story.

Choose a small group if you can, so that the guide can give more detail and you have time to linger at the memorial. You can also extend the tour to include Paron or Llanganuco, or choose a private departure if you want a personal pace. However you go, leave time to think, because this day offers something different from the usual list of lakes and summits.