Tucked away in the Cordillera Huayhuash—111 kilometers from Huaraz—Chiquián is a hidden gem, forgotten by the tourist circuit, which has been rerouted onto a new highway.
Chiquián is a perfect base for trekking the mountains nearby, exploring the Jahuacoa Lagoon and visiting the Huanoca Pampa ruins. The inhabitants of this traditional cheese-making village bemoan the loss of tourists coming to Chiquián. For the odd traveler however, Chiquián’s new-found tranquility is an attraction unto itself. Ask anyone in town and they will tell you why it’s best to live here; in Chiquián you are 3,500 metros más cerca de las estrellas—3,500 meters closer to the stars.
Most come to Chiquián to stray off the beaten path and trek the 165-kilometer network of paths around Huayhuash, taking in its natural riches. For day-trippers, there are waterfalls close to the pueblo, as well as trails affording views of the imposing Yerupajá, or El Carnicero (the Butcher), summit, which looms at 21,766 feet, making it the second highest mountain peak in Peru.