Located at in the foothills of the San Juan range in Ancash, at an altitude of 2,250 meters (7,382 ft), the city of Caraz is also known as Caraz Dulzura, or Sweet Caraz, perhaps because sugar cane was once a popular crop, which in turn might have led to the community’s love of ice cream and pastries (most notably the milk-and-sugar confection, manjar blanco) manifested in its many pastry shops.
Unlike the other cities in the Ancash region, Caraz suffered little structural damage during the 8.0, 1970 earthquake that devastated so much of Peru. Thus it offers more neocolonial and 19th century architecture than Carhuaz, and is free of the prevalent eyesore of the exposed skeletal construction of buildings abandoned in mid-repair found in Huaraz. Historically, Caraz served as the last outpost for Simón Bolívar and his regimen in the decisive battles at Ayacucho and Junín that saw the end of Spanish rule in South America.
With its year-round temperate climate, Caraz is a rich source of agricultural produce. Besides the aforementioned sugar, the area also produces rice, cotton, potatoes and corn. Additionally, Caraz raises cattle, llamas, alpaca, vicuñas and sheep; the latter three providing the wool used in the many colorful and folkloric ponchos, scarves and caps sold in the area.
Caraz’s main festival is in January, the celebration of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, featuring processions, costumes, dancing, even bull fights, and of course, a lot of drinking. Apart from the modest cultural charms of the city itself, the main attraction is the access it provides to breathtaking scenery and adventure.
From Caraz, tour guides will take you to snow-capped Alpamayo at an altitude of nearly 6,000 meters (19,685 ft) and which as been referred to as the “most beautiful mountain in the world.” Other natural wonders include the sparkling Parón Lake, and Pato (Duck) Canyon, popular with mountain bikers (but alas, you will not find many ducks within). The nearby Río Santa attracts many eager kayakers, canoeing and rafting enthusiasts.