Peru: Yungay

Yungay sits in a picturesque valley at about 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea level with the stunning snow-capped peaks of Huascaran (the highest mountain in Peru at 6,768 m) as its backdrop. The current city is actually new, build to the north of the old Yungay that was debated by an avalanche in 1970. In the center of the town is the Plaza de Armas de Yungay, the main square featuring the colorful Catedral de Yungay. You can drive up crazy steep roads for panoramic views of the town from above (which we did – it’s a steep steep track). The town has a very authentic feel to it with lots of colorfully-dressed women in hats.