A region with a rich historical past, it was the cradle of Chavín culture (about 1 700 years BC) which influenced other regions and later cultures. Recuay and Huaylas cultures developed on the first millenium of this era, leaving interesting traces of pottery and stone statues. The Incas conquered the region in the middle of the 15th century and attached it to their vast empire.
During the Spanish domination, the system imposed by the conquistadors was reflected in a total abandonment of the region’s material and cultural development, leading it to take an active role in the fight for National Independence.
Today, Ancash is one of the most important tourist centers in Peru due to its archaeological ruins and privileged geography, including glaciers and snow-capped peaks of over 6 000 meter high.
The department of Ancash consists mainly in two clearly defined regions: The Coast, where one can find commercial cities such as Chimbote and Casma, and the Highlands, where visitors can find towns full of traditions all over the Callejón de Huaylas.

Ancash Archaeological Museum
Av. Luzuriaga 762, Huaraz.
Phone: (044) 72-1819 / 72-1551.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-17:00, Sunday 9:00-14:00.
Collection of pieces from the Chavin, Recuay, Huaraz, Mochica, Chimú and Huari cultures. Textiles, ceramics and pre-Columbian lithic pieces.

Santuario del Señor de La Soledad
Plazuela del Señor de la Soledad.
Phone: (044) 72-1073.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00
Located in the Barrio de La Soledad. This is the Huaraz Patron's Church.

Mirador de Rataquenua
Located 7 km from the city of Huaraz (east of the hill), where visitors can enjoy the city's landscape.

Monterrey
Located 7 km north from Huaraz and about 5 minutes drive. Famous for its landscapes and hot springs for the treatment of rheumatic illnesses.

Callejón de Huaylas
Vast Andean valley spreading across 200 km, between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra (the White and Black Mountain Range). The Santa River that has its source at the Conococha Lagoon 4 100 masl, crosses the entire valley skirting the most picturesque cities and villages, the most important of which are Recuay, Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz.

Recuay
Located 3 394 masl and 25 km south of Huaraz. Its humble and hardworking people are engaged in agriculture and mining activities. Recuay is home to the Pueblo Viejo Archaeological Ruins.

Carhuaz
Located 2 645 masl and 34 km north of Huaraz. Traditional city built in the mestizo style. Its large Main Square features modern buildings such as the Civic Center and the Virgen de las Mercedes Sanctuary, whose feast is celebrated on September 24TH.

Yungay
Located 2 548 masl and 55 km north of Huaraz, this city lies at the foot of the famous snow-capped Mount Huascarán. The name of this city comes from the Quechua word Yunga that means "warm lands". The old city was buried by an alluvion in 1 979, however it was rebuilt 1,5 km away from its original location. It is from here that the road leading to the Llanganuco lagoons starts.

Caraz
Located 2 256 masl and 67 km north of Huaraz. This picturesque city preserves all the beauty of the ancient highland villages. Its countryside has a fascinating beauty and exhibits a variety of carnation cultures. The magnificent Mount Alpamayo (5 947 masl), was declared the "World's Most Beautiful Mountain" in the World Competition of Scenic Beauty held in Munich, Germany in 1 966.

Museo Amauta de Arte Ancashino
(Ancash Art Museum)
Av. Noe Bazán Peralta cdra. 2, Caraz.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-12:00 and 15:00-17:00.
Unique exhibition of typical outfits from several villages of Callejón de Huaylas and Callejón de Conchucos, which are more than 100 years old.

Huascarán National Park
Control stations:
Carpa Sector: At the entrance to Mount Pastoruri.
Llanganuco Sector: At the entrance to Llanganuco lagoon.
Located about 2 hours drive from Huaraz. It spreads across an area of 340 thousand ha of the Cordillera Blanca (the world's highest tropical mountain range), where the snow-capped Mount Huascarán (6 768 masl) stands out. Huascarán is the highest peak of Peru. It was declared National Park by the Peruvian Government and World Natural Heritage Site in 1 987. Its natural attractions include its exotic flora and fauna, its lagoons, snow-capped mountains, gasified water sources and hot springs.

Chavín Archaeological Complex
Located in the Province of Huari, 110 km west of Huaraz, about 3 h 30 minutes drive. It was discovered by Julio César Tello en 1 919, and declared World Cultural Heritage Site in 1 985.
The temple, with a truncated pyramidal base, was built with huge symmetrical stone blocks, fastened by stone wedges and stone mortar.
Inside the Old Temple, at the center, there is a gallery known as Lanzón, that contains a 4,6 m high stone shaped in the form of a gigantic spear point, representing a personage with feline, bird and snake features.
The inner galleries are formed by stone walls. It seems that they were originally mud plastered and painted. The roof is made of big slabs that not only served their architectural function but were also decorated with religious motifs
There are other galleries contemporary to the Old Temple such as the ones of the camp, the offerings, the stairs, the larders, the labyrinths of the bat and the captives and the double corbel.
There is no certainty as to Chavín's age, but its origins date from 1 200 BC.

Sechín
Located 5 km southeast of the city of Casma.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-17:00.
This archaeological complex consists of a stone and mud temple-palace. Its main attractions include its lithic sculptures, the only ones in the Peruvian coast, representing beheaded and mutilated warriors.

Willcahuain
Paraje Paria, 7 km northeast of Huaraz.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-17:00 and Sun: 9:00-14:00.
This entirely stone-made temple with superposed platforms is located some 35 minutes drive, about 3 h walk from Huaraz. There is a series of galleries inside it. This temple dates from the year 900 AD and is a clear evidence of the Wari influence on the region.

Waullac
2 km from Huaraz.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00.
Located 5 minutes drive, about 20 minutes walk from Huaraz, the origins of the archaeological remains of Waullac are probably Wari. The remains comprise stone structures with 5 elevated chambers.

Tumshukaico
2 km from the city of Caraz.
Located 5 minutes drive, about 20 minutes walk, these are the archaeological remains of a big temple featuring carved stone sculptures.

Rutas de Trekking:
- Llanganuco - Santa Cruz:
Duration: 4-5 days.
Distance: 50 km.
Difficulty: Moderate and difficult near Punta Unión (4 750 m).
- Santa Cruz - Yaino:
Duration: 6 days.
Distance: 55 km.
Difficulty: Moderate and difficult near Punta Unión (4 750 m) and Alto Pucaraju (4 650 m).
- Honda - Ulta:
Duration: 8-9 days.
Distance: 91 km.
Difficulty: Moderate and difficult near Honda (4 750 m) and Punta Yanayacu (4 850 m.).
- Los Cedros - Alpamayo:
Duration: 8-9 days.
Distance: 92 km.
Difficulty: Difficult.
- Jahuacocha Lagoon:
Duration: 5 days.
Distance: 68 km.
Difficulty: Easy and moderate near Pampa Llamac (4 300 m).

Typical folklore expressions include the Ancash Chuscada which is cheerful and danceable, and is a mix of Pasacalle, Marinera and Triste. Many dances express the Inca and Colonial life; others represent war and conquest. The most popular are: Shacshas, Huanquillas, Antihuanquillas, Capitanes, Pallas and Negritos.

The making of traditional costumes and embroidered polleras (skirts) is a widespread craft. There are also experts who make wax candles for processions. Handicrafts such as Chavín wool blankets, Taricá pottery, forged iron, repoussé leather works and basketry are popular.

Typical dishes:
- Picante de cuy (spicy guinea pig stew with peanut sauce and panca chili).
- Cuchicanca (tender pork marinated in vinegar and roasted, served with boiled potatoes and mature corn).
- Tamales (steamed corn dough stuffed with meat, wrapped in banana leaves).
- Charqui (cured llama meat).
- Llunca kashki con gallina (boiled chicken with wheat and black mint).
- Pecan caldo (broth based on lamb head, tripe or innards, legs and mint).
- Pachamanca (assorted types of meats, potatoes and tender corn or maize cooked underground amid hot stones and aromatic herbs, pre-Hispanic style).
- Humitas (steamed sweet corn dough stuffed with cinnamon and raisins, wrapped in maize leaves).
- Cebiche de Pato Casmeño (duck marinated in orange and lemon juice).

Other products include: buttery cheese, quesillo, ham, butter, honey, milk jam, cider dessert, and a large variety of fruits such as capulí, quince, eggfruit, granadilla, custard apple, guava, prickly pear, etc.

The traditional drinks are: Chicha de jora, Chicha de maní (fermented peanut drink).

The Week of Mountaineering (May / June)
Competitions in several adventure tourism sports, cultural and social activities.

Carnival in Callejón de Huaylas (February)
May Festival or Feast of the Patron the Lord of La Soledad (May).
The Virgen del Carmen Tourist Festivity, in Chavín de Huántar (July).
The Virgen de las Mercedes Tourist Festivity (September).
The Lord of Burgos Tourist Festivity (September).