The valleys around Huaraz are packed with day trip options, from glacial lagoons to pre-Inca ruins. Most can be arranged through agencies in town or done independently by colectivo.
Pastoruri Glacier — Pastoruri is one of the smaller peaks at 5,240 metres but one of the most popular day trips from Huaraz. You do not need climbing experience or specialist equipment to reach the glacier, though the altitude is no joke. Horses are available to take you up the first half of the trail from the base camp, where stalls sell mate de coca to help with the effects of the altitude. Note that the glacier has been retreating rapidly and is a fraction of what it once was.
Chavin de Huantar — The Chavin were a pre-Inca civilisation that flourished in central Peru around 3,000 years ago, the most ancient of the major cultures known in South America. The archaeological site at Chavin de Huantar features large ceremonial buildings, underground galleries, and a perfectly square ritual pool. The bus ride takes about three to four hours each way through spectacular mountain scenery.
Lagunas de Llanganuco — These are the famous glacial lagoons you will see on every postcard of the region. The pale turquoise water, hemmed in by steep valleys and towering peaks, is stunning. A bus from Huaraz takes a few hours and the trip is often combined with stops at Yungay, Carhuaz, and Caraz.
Yungay — In 1970, an earthquake triggered a catastrophic landslide from Huascaran that buried the entire town of Yungay under rock, ice, and mud, killing around 20,000 people. The site is now a memorial and graveyard, still towered over by the biggest mountain in Peru. It is a sobering and moving visit.