Plan exploreInca Trail to Machu Picchu
Lakes un Huaraz
a description of lakes in huaraz and how to reachThe mountains surrounding Huaraz are home to countless turquoise lagoons, many of which can only be reached on foot via a lengthy day hike or multi-day trek. Fortunately, that’s exactly what most travelers in Huaraz are after anyway. Here’s a look at 11 of the most hike-worthy lakes in Huaraz and the trails that will lead you straight to them.
Laguna 69
The Hike: Laguna 69 Hike
This glacier-fed lake in Huascaran National Park sits at the foot of the Chacraraju Mountain at an altitude of 4,609 meters above sea level (15,121 ft.). The hike to Laguna 69 goes by the same name as the lake and takes about 10 hours roundtrip from Huaraz to complete, with about 6 to 7 total hours of hiking. An absolutely stunning lake in Huaraz.
LAKE Paron
The Hike: Laguna Paron Hike
This strikingly turquoise-blue lake in Huaraz is set amidst the rock faces beloved by climbers. Laguna Paron is the scenic starting point for the Laguna Paron day hike, an 8-hour roundtrip affair from Huaraz that involves about 1.5 to 2 hours of hiking. You’ll glimpse several mountains en route, including Artesonraju, Pyramid, Chacraraju, Huandoy, Caraz, and Sphinx.
LAKE Chinancocha
The Hike: Maria Josefa Trail
This glassy lake rests at the trailhead for the Maria Josefa Trail, an easy 1 to 1.5-hour hike through Queñual forest and past ancient ruins. The lake and the hike that pairs so nicely with it are on nearly every list of must-do Huaraz hikes, and for good reason. The scenery is breathtaking and the trail is nearly entirely downhill. The easy hike to this lake in Huaraz makes for a relatively relaxing day.
LAKE Auquiscocha
The Hike: Auquiscocha Lake Hike
Nestled alongside granite cliffs and surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks that scrape the heavens, the lake in Huaraz known as Laguna Auquiscocha can only be reached via the Catay Valley trails. You’ll meander through grassy meadows and native forest, ever with the nearby 4,000-meter+ peaks within view.
LAKE Llaca
The Hike: Vallunaraju Climb
To visit this high altitude lake in Huaraz, you’ll have to climb Mt. Vallunaraju, a 5,686-meter peak, or at least get yourself to its base camp at 4,447 m.a.s.l. Laguna Llaca is just one of the many spectacular views you’ll snag while ascending and descending this gnarly mountain’ summit over the course of three days.
LAKE Churup
The Hike: Churup Lake Hike
Deep blue and reflecting the icy peak of Churup Mountain, Laguna Churup is a sight to see at 4,450 m.a.s.l. (14,600 ft.). The hike to reach this pristine lake in Huaraz is moderately strenuous, but perfect for acclimatizing for those longer treks through the Cordillera Blanca.
LAKE Rajucolta
The Hike: Rajucolta Lake Hike
Snow-capped peaks and native flora greet you on the approach to this beautiful lake in Huascaran National Park. The hike isn’t so much a hike as it is a chance to immerse yourself in the spectacular mountain setting and dizzying heights of 4,050 m.a.s.l.
LAKE Ahuac
The Hike: Wilcawain & Lake Ahuac Hike
Ahuac Lake sits at the end of a two-hour hike through fields tended by farmers and remote villages dotted with adobe homes. The trailhead itself is a pre-Inca archaeological site called Wilcawain. To call a visit to this turquoise lake in Huaraz an adventure would be an understatement, as this mystically beautiful region will delight all of your senses.
LAKE Willcacocha
The Hike: Willcacocha Lake Hike
The most unique aspect of Willcacocha Lake, as compared to every other lake in Huaraz featured on this list, is its location in the Cordillera Negra with views that look out over the paralleling Cordillera Blanca. The hike to it takes about four hours and passes through wildflower-laced countryside and adobe villages full of friendly Quechua-speaking locals.
LAKE Jahuacocha
The Hike: The Best of Cordillera Huayhuash Trek
The 6-day trek through the Cordillera Huayhuash culminates with a visit to this stunning mountain lake in Huaraz. After five days of traversing mountain pass after mountain pass, the serene Jahuacocha Lake is the ultimate finish line and the perfect setting to reflect on all that you’ve seen in the Huayhuash since Day 1.
LAKE Cullicocha
The Hike: Alpamayo Trek
If you’re prepared to tackle 10 days of trekking through the Cordillera Blanca, your reward will be the postcard views of Cullicocha Lake, an azure blue lagoon framed by the three peaks of Santa Cruz. This lake still contains a pre-Inca aqueduct that local farmers annually repair in a grand festival as its life-giving waters still hydrate the farms of the valley below it.
Plan exploreDestino Cusco
this season featured experiences
HIKING & TREKKING
inca trail to machu picchuThis 5-day journey begins at Km 82, the marker that signifies the start of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Our highly trained guides, who are deeply familiar with these ancient Inca footpaths, will expertly lead us through the magnificent Andean terrain. Along the way, we’ll traverse breathtaking high alpine passes, lush valleys, dense cloud forests, and rushing rivers. We’ll pass through ancient Inca remains of Andean settlements, ultimately arriving at Machu Picchu via Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). Each night, our team of porters and skilled cooks will have a delicious hot meal and a comfortable camp already set up for your convenience. Since we highly value sustainable tourism, we’ll have very little impact on the land, communities, and environment we encounter along the trail, and we will also take steps to enjoy a tranquil hike, avoiding crowds of fellow trekkers. On the final day, a guided tour of the citadel will bring Machu Picchu to life, as we explore and immerse ourselves in the magic and beauty of this ancient, mystical site. Our version of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu trek is truly an unforgettable experience you’ll reminisce about for years to come.
March - December
5 days / 4 nights
From
$ 1290
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
huayhuash trekThe Huayhuash Trek is an amazing journey to the very heart of the Cordillera Huayhuash, the second highest tropical mountain range in the world. A trekker's paradise, this terrain is remote, wild, and stunningly beautiful. The film Touching the Void, the tale of climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, was made about their harrowing experience as the first mountaineers to scale Siula Grande, which is part of this mountain range. This version of the Huayhuash trek crosses six high passes over 4500 m (14,763 ft) and two that are higher than 5000 m (16,404 ft)! Throughout the 12 days of the trek, we camp next to stunningly beautiful alpine lakes and in broad, grassy valleys replete with wildflowers and rushing alpine creeks, while basking in the imposing presence of the White Mountains looming over us, with peaks at elevations above 5000 m (16,404 ft) and 6000 m (19,685 ft). At least three days of acclimatization hikes in the area are strongly recommended to be able to enjoy the trek.
April - October
12 days / 11 nights
From
$ 1750
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
the hidden valleys of salkantayStarting from a little-known valley near Limatambo, we ascend gradually over two days past ancient forests and varied Andean landscapes toward the Cruzjasa Pass at 4,550 meters / 14,927 feet above sea level. Here we will experience the best views of the south and east faces Mount Salkantay, away from the crowds. We descend along a gradual decline toward Mirador Pampaccahuana, accompanied by views of Mount Salkantay and its moraine until we reach Cusichaca Valley, which marks the eastern boundary of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. As we approach the Sacred Valley, we will begin to see trekkers embarking on the first stretch of famous Inca Trail as we continue our hike downhill toward our private campsite at Chamana. Before finally reaching the Valley floor, we will take a detour to explore Wayna Q’ente and Machu Q’ente, two majestic Inca sites recently restored by the Ministry of Culture which showcase some of the finest Inca terracing and landscaping in the region. Our hike ends at the valley floor where we will be picked up and transported to Ollantaytambo in time to catch the afternoon train to Machu Picchu.
April - December
5 days / 4 nights
From
$ 1290
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
llama trekking on the north great inca trail
Embark on a journey through time as you explore one of the best-preserved portions of the Great Inca trail that connected Cusco, the ancient ceremonial capital of the Inca Empire, with Tomebamba, her northern sister city that is modern-day Cuenca, Ecuador. Explore over 70 km. of the main artery of the greatest road network in Pre-Columbian Latin America, speckled with archaeological sites in the remote landscapes of Northern Peru’s Central Andes. We’ll begin with a visit to Chavín de Huantar, a mysterious temple where ancient religious ceremonies took place over 3,000 years ago. We will immerse in diverse natural landscapes, crossing the Continental Divide and trek across two departments: Ancash and Huánuco, experiencing amazing vistas along the journey. On our last day we’ll arrive at Huánuco Pampa, the largest Inca administrative center outside the department of Cusco where we’ll marvel at feats of engineering achieved by a civilization whose abilities with stonecutting and placement remain unmatched to this day. This amazing trek will challenge, delight, and inspire you.
April - October
6 days / 5 nights
From
$ 1700
/ Per Person