Details for Organizing the HikeAccommodation in Huaraz (3091m) Huaraz, Peru (pop. 79,000) is arguably the best hiking destination in South America. Check a general travel guidebook for up-to-date accommodation recommendation & prices. E-mail a few days ahead to reserve a bed in one of the more popular hostels, especially during high season. We stayed at the most popular gringo economy hostel for over a month, Albergue Churup (single room US$10, dorm bed US$5). Peruvian owned, very friendly. Hikers like Churup for the very secure lock-up of luggage, passport & valuables while they are gone on the trail. But there are many other good places to stay. At 3070m, you may need a few days to acclimatize to altitude.
Accommodation in Caraz (2270m)
You need not stay in Caraz, especially if you are still acclimatizing & want to sleep high. If you leave Huaraz very early in the morning you can still start hiking Santa Cruz the same day. But Caraz (pop. 22,000) is a lovely mellow town 68km from Huaraz. Our second trip to Peru we stayed in Caraz instead of Huaraz. It has a good adventure tour company, internet, decent restaurants, a good market & basic shops sufficient for outfitting you for Santa Cruz or Alpamayo. (Get your fuel in Huaraz, just in case there is none here.) The best 2 supermercados are just uphill from the plaza. (No peanut butter. Get that in Huaraz too.) Our advice is that you stop in Caraz, even for lunch en route to the trailhead, to check in with Alberto Cafferata at Pony’s Expeditions just off the main plaza. They have a restaurant upstairs, Café de Rat. Pony’s are experts on this section of the mountains. Up-to-date advice on where, what and when. English & French are spoken. Information is free. Pony’s can organize guides, arriero, animals. Rent you any equipment you might need, last minute. (A cook tent, for example.) Don’t worry if the door is locked. Ring the bell. There are many good options for accommodation in Caraz. Perfect for us was the Grand Hostal Caraz Dulzura though it is 10 blocks uphill from the plaza. The owner Carlos is a classy guy. Check an up-to-date guide book for other options and costs. In 2005 there was still no bank machine foreigners could use though Pony’s can get you a cash advance on credit card.
If you stay over in Caraz there are a number of nearby attractions, the best at the top of the list:
You can rent bikes from Pony’s for US$15 / day or from hotels for about US$10 / day. Pony’s will arrange transportation for you or you can put your bike on a bus roof for less than US$2.
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