Yungay
Yungay, Peru at a Glance
Costs: USD 25-50 per day - cheap local eateries and hostels; expect extra for guided treks.
Safety: Generally safe with natural risks - safe for visitors but mountain travel and roads can be hazardous.
Best Time: May-September - dry season offers clear mountain views and safer roads.
Why Visit Yungay, Peru?
Set in the Callejón de Huaylas beneath the Cordillera Blanca, this mountain town attracts trekkers and history-minded travelers as a jumping-off point for Huascarán National Park. The surrounding snow-capped peaks and glacial valleys make it popular with mountaineers and day-hikers, while a solemn memorial and cemetery recall the town’s recent past and draw those seeking reflection. Local markets, Andean cuisine and access to high-altitude lakes complete the visit.
Best Things to Do in Yungay, Peru
Park
Huascarán National Park
Andean park containing Peru's highest peak, glaciers
Trail
Santa Cruz Trek
Mountain
Huascarán
Peru's highest tropical mountain, glaciated summit
Mountains
Cordillera Blanca
High Peruvian Andes range with extensive tropical glaciers
Mountain
Alpamayo
Iconic steep Andean peak prized by mountaineers
Mountains
Cordillera Negra
Peruvian coastal range without glaciers, west of Ancash
Cave
Guitarrero Cave
Highland cave in Ancash with early human remains
Mountain
Copa (mountain)
Glaciated peak in Cordillera Blanca, mountaineering destination
Yungay, Peru Bucket List
Don't Miss
Cementerio de Yungay (Plaza de los Héroes) - Memorial cemetery preserving the memory of the 1970 earthquake victims.
Huascarán National Park Visitor Center - Informative center and base for hikes toward glaciers, high passes and mountain lakes.
Mirador de la Cruz - Hilltop viewpoint overlooking the town and memorial cemetery with sweeping glacier views.
Hidden Gems
Local trout farms - Small trout farms offering fresh fish lunches and insight into Andean aquaculture.
Lesser-used Llanganuco trails - Short lesser-used trails around the turquoise highland lakes for quiet reflection.
Nearby village markets - Traditional markets in surrounding villages selling cheese, textiles and seasonal produce.
Day Trips
Laguna Llanganuco - Pair of turquoise glacial lakes, hiking trails and mountain vistas inside Huascarán Park.
Huaraz - Regional hub for trekking, with gear shops, guides and lively mountain-oriented cuisine.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Yungay, Peru
Yungay’s best weather runs through the dry austral winter when trails stay firm and skies clear for mountain views. The wet season brings heavy rain and unstable trail conditions - plan accordingly.
Dry Season
Clear skies, cool nights and sunny days make this the best time for trekking and high‑altitude exploration without mud or storms.
Wet Season
Frequent afternoon rains, cloud cover and slippery trails - dramatic mountain vistas appear between storms but travel is less predictable.
Transitional Months
Brief windows of stable weather with fewer crowds - excellent for summit approaches, but expect quick changes and occasional showers.
Yungay's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 8°C to 24°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 10° - 23° | 16° | 67 mm | overcast | 74% | 2.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.5h |
| February | Very Good | 11° - 22° | 17° | 77 mm | overcast | 75% | 2.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.3h |
| March | Very Good | 10° - 22° | 16° | 86 mm | overcast | 77% | 2.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Excellent | 10° - 23° | 16° | 37 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.8h |
| May | Ideal | 10° - 23° | 17° | 9 mm | some cloud | 74% | 2.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.6h |
| June | Ideal | 9° - 24° | 16° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 72% | 3.0 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.5h |
| July | Ideal | 8° - 24° | 16° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 3.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.5h |
| August | Ideal | 9° - 24° | 16° | 4 mm | mostly sunny | 68% | 3.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.7h |
| September | Ideal | 9° - 23° | 16° | 16 mm | some cloud | 68% | 3.4 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Excellent | 10° - 24° | 17° | 35 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 3.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.2h |
| November | Excellent | 10° - 23° | 17° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 3.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.4h |
| December | Very Good | 10° - 22° | 16° | 42 mm | overcast | 72% | 3.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.5h |
How to Get to Yungay, Peru
Yungay is reached overland from Huaraz or Lima; there is no direct airport in town. The standard approach is to travel by bus from Lima to Huaraz, then take a short local bus or taxi to Yungay.
Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport (ATA) / Huaraz area: There is no major airport in Yungay itself; the nearest air access for the Ancash region is via regional flights to Anta (ATA) serving Huaraz or via larger airports in Lima with onward roads. Most visitors fly into Lima (LIM) and then take land transport to Huaraz; total overland travel Lima-Yungay is around 7-8 hours by bus/car.
Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport, LIM): The common international entry point is Lima. From Lima, overnight/express buses to Huaraz are frequent (6.5-8 hours), then a short local bus or taxi (~30-45 minutes) from Huaraz to Yungay in the Callejón de Huaylas valley.
Train: There is no regular passenger rail service to Yungay; long-distance travel in this region is done by road.
Bus: Long-distance coach services (including Cruz del Sur and other operators) run from Lima to Huaraz; travel time is around 6-8 hours depending on service and road conditions. From Huaraz, local buses and colectivo taxis run frequently to Yungay (about 30-45 minutes). Regional bus fares vary by operator and service class; booking in advance is recommended for comfort and safety.
How to Get Around Yungay, Peru
Yungay lacks an airport and is most commonly reached by coach from Lima to Huaraz, then a short local bus or taxi. Local minibuses and taxis are the main modes for getting around; hiking and organised tours are the ways to access surrounding mountains.
- Long-distance bus (Lima-Huaraz) (PEN 40-120) - Companies like Cruz del Sur and other Peruvian coach operators run comfortable overnight and daytime services between Lima and Huaraz. Buses are a practical choice for reaching the Ancash region; travel time is around 6-8 hours depending on traffic and road works.
- Local bus / Colectivo (Huaraz-Yungay) (PEN 3-10) - Frequent minibuses and colectivos link Huaraz with Yungay and surrounding valley towns. The trip is short (30-45 minutes); services run throughout the day but mornings/afternoons are busiest. Pay on board in cash.
- Taxi / Private transfer (PEN 30-80) - Taxis and private transfers from Huaraz to Yungay are faster and convenient for early starts or carrying gear for treks. Agree a fare before departure and use registered taxis where possible.
- Organised tour / Trek operator - For access to nearby highland treks and national parks, organised tours provide transport, guides and equipment. These operators handle permits and logistics and are recommended for less experienced trekkers.
- Walking / Hiking - Yungay is a base for treks and trailheads; many local attractions and viewpoints are best accessed on foot. Prepare for altitude and variable weather when hiking in the Ancash highlands.
- Walking - The town itself is small and walkable; walking is the easiest way to get around the centre and access local services before heading out on hikes.
Where to Stay in Yungay, Peru
Budget
Town centre - PEN 30-80/night
Yungay has simple family-run hostales and guesthouses; budget travellers will find basic rooms and local hospitality.
Yungay guesthouses (Booking) - Local hostales and family stays listed
Yungay budget listings (Tripadvisor) - User-reviewed basic options
Mid-Range
Near Plaza / Park entrance - PEN 80-180/night
A few mid-range hotels cater to climbers and park visitors; services are practical and located near the main plaza.
Yungay mid-range listings (Booking) - Comfortable local hotels listed
Nearby Huascarán area stays (Tripadvisor) - Options around the national park entrance
Luxury
Huaraz (drive) - PEN 200+/night
Yungay has no large luxury hotels; travelers seeking upscale amenities should stay in Huaraz and visit Yungay on day trips.
Huaraz luxury & boutique hotels (Booking) - Nearest high-end options in Huaraz
Huaraz top hotels (Tripadvisor) - Full-service hotels in regional capital
Where to Eat in Yungay, Peru
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Yungay, Peru’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Yungay, Peru
Evening life is modest with a handful of bars and family-run restaurants catering to locals and visitors. For a wider nightlife selection, travel to Huaraz where there are more bars and late-night venues.
Shopping in Yungay, Peru
Local markets in Yungay sell Andean textiles, handicrafts and regional food products; small shops around the main square offer souvenirs and practical goods. For a larger selection of crafts and outdoor gear, Huaraz has more options.