Carhuaz: Waterfalls, Thermal Baths and Chullpas

When planning a trip to Carhuaz, you can explore a range of different options: a highland plain by the river, a waterfall with a walking path, thermal baths and archaeological structures. The activities you choose will depend on whether you want to focus on landscapes, water experiences or culture. Before searching for a hotel, it is worth deciding which of these interests matters most and taking the journeys to individual destinations into account.

Highland Landscapes and Protected Areas

Pampas de Shonquilpampa is a highland plain of about 2.26 square kilometers, crossed by the Río Chucchún. The plain and the river offer a specific nature-focused theme for your stay. An area for camping with safe sites and water sources has been set up between Shonquilpampa and Quebrada Hualcán. If you are considering camping, you can include this area in your plans; check the current conditions on site in advance.

Parque Nacional Huascarán is also a regional landmark: it extends into the province of Carhuaz. Laguna Auquiscocha is located within the national park. UNESCO declared the park a biosphere reserve in 1977 and a World Natural Heritage Site in 1985. This connects the nature-focused perspective with a clear description of the protected area, while the highland plain and camping area provide their own points of reference for planning.

Waterfall or Thermal Baths

A paved path leads to Cascada Bruja Armanan from the Carhuaz–Caraz road; the path is suitable for walks. The waterfall’s name comes from a local story: a woman is said to have used it for healing and cleansing rituals in the 1930s. This destination therefore combines a specific walk with a traditional explanation of its name.

Baños Termales de Chancos offer a different focus. There are two pools, one large and one small, as well as individual and family pools. There are also steam baths in caves dug into the hillside. While the walking path to the waterfall is the main attraction at Cascada, Chancos is all about the pools and steam baths. Which kind of water experience better suits your stay therefore depends on whether you are looking for a walk or the bathing options described here.

A three-kilometer paved road leads from Marcará to Baños Termales de Chancos; the drive by private car takes about six minutes. If Chancos is on your itinerary, you can factor this approximate travel time into your schedule. Road conditions can change, so it is a good idea to check the route before setting off. The thermal baths’ facilities can also change: check what is currently available before your visit.

Archaeology and Community Experiences

The archaeological site Sitio Arqueológico de Honcopampa has three multi-chambered structures known as chullpas. In his 1991 work, William Isbell classified Honcopampa as a provincial Wari center in the Callejón de Huaylas. The chullpas give the site a specific archaeological dimension; the Wari classification adds a historical interpretation.

In Vicos, the community tourism association Cuyaqui Wayi provides tourist information about lagoons and glaciers in Parque Nacional Huascarán. Contact arrangements can change, so confirm them in advance. Also in Vicos, visitors can share traditional meals with local farming families during their stay. This experience differs from the guidance on nature destinations: here, the focus is on sharing a meal with local families. Make the necessary arrangements before your stay.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

If you want to visit Chancos, you can plan around the specific route from Marcará and the approximate driving time by private car. If landscapes are your main interest, you can explore the highland plain, the Río Chucchún or the camping area. For those interested in culture, Honcopampa’s chullpas and its classification as a Wari center are options; in Vicos, you can also get information about lagoons and glaciers and share a meal with farming families.

These differences can help you organize your trip around your own interests without treating the destinations as interchangeable: walking paths and waterfalls, thermal pools, archaeological structures and community experiences each appeal to different plans. Choose a hotel as a base for your stay, and when planning, allow for the journey to Chancos and the arrangements required for experiences in Vicos.

Discover more destinations: Marcará District, Huaraz, Bolognesi Province, Provincia de Casma and Huaraz.

See the broader travel overview: Ancash.