Picarones Rica Miel
Monday, February 5
We left Lima in the evening and took a night bus to the next city on our trip: Huaraz. Although the city of Huaraz is only about 300 km (as the crow flies) from Lima, the bus journey takes eight to ten hours, as Huaraz is located in the Andes at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
The journey to the mountains with Peru's best bus company, “Cruz del Sur”, was very comfortable, and we were able to sleep surprisingly well and comfortably on the bus. We arrived at the bus terminal in Huaraz early in the morning and went straight to our Airbnb, which we had rented for the next few weeks. We spent the next few hours unpacking our suitcases and strolling through the city.
Since Lima is located near the sea and thus practically at sea level, with our bus journey from Lima to Huaraz we covered 3,000 meters in altitude in just a few hours which is why we first had to get used to the altitude when we arrived in Huaraz. Doing such an ascent, it's normal to experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches or mild nausea. Fortunately we didn’t really suffer from altitude sickness that much when arriving to Huaraz. We drank a lot of coca tea, which helps acclimatize to the altitude, and took short walks through the city.
The reason we had traveled to Huaraz in the first place was the nearby Huascarán National Park, where we wanted to go hiking. The city of Huaraz was a base for us to acclimatize to the extreme altitude for a few days before setting off on our hike that weekend. The altitude of the Peruvian Andes should not be underestimated — altitude sickness can be fatal. Therefore, before a strenuous hike in the Andes, you need to acclimatize to the altitude for as long as possible. Huaraz itself is a fairly humble small town in the Andes and is not one of the most beautiful cities in the country. A visit just for the city is probably not worth it.
We spent our first week in Huaraz working during the day and strolling through the city in the evenings. Due to the altitude, it was very cold in the mornings and afternoons, so we were happy to discover the “Rica Miel” café. The café specialized in one dish, and so the menu only offered one item: “Picarones.” Picarones are sweet Peruvian doughnuts made from yeast dough and pumpkin, which are first fried and then served on a plate, covered in syrup. These Peruvian doughnuts are delicious anytime and anywhere, but they are especially delicious on a cold evening in the Andes at an altitude of 3,000 meters!
