1Day
Huaraz
Up to 16 people
Adventure Hike
Challenging
April to September
Laguna 69 (or Lake 69) has become a popular Peru hike as of late and it’s no surprise why! After an endorphin inducing hike, you’re rewarded with stunning views of glacial turquoise waters surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Huascaran National Park. This trek in Huaraz, Peru has put Northern Peru on the must-visit list for many travelers. Are you one of those wanderlusters?
Lets Go! Vamos!
We start our journey very early in the morning, we pick you up at 4:30am from your accommodation and begin our drive along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley. Today we are going to drive to the north of Huaraz passing the cities of Carhuaz and Yungay and then through some Andean farming villages and entering into the Huascaran National Park. It takes 3 hours to get to the trailhead at Cebollapampa at 3,900m/12,795ft. We have a good breakfast before starting our hike on a well formed path.
We have a gentle hike for one hour following Demanda Valley then climb on a zig zag track for about 40 minutes to Chaquicocha saddle which opens a big flat valley and from here we can see the moraine wall that holds Laguna 69.
We can feel the effects of the altitude at this point and we take advantage of the flat pampa to catch our breath. Then we continue to walk for 30 minutes to the bottom of the moraine wall before facing our final 40 minute climb up a steep zig zag path to our final destination: Laguna 69 Lake at 4604m/15,104ft. We take time to explore this beautiful lake of the most brilliant blue colour and take plenty of memorable photos.
The lake is surrounded by the mountains Chacrarju and Pisco which leave marvelous reflections on the blue lake water. On the return walk we look directly towards the mountains Huascaran being the highest tropical mountain in the world, Chopicalqui and Yanapaccha.
14,927 feet (4,550 meters) above sea level. Huaraz, Peru altitude: 10,013 feet (3,052 meters) above sea level.
This depends on your hiking experience, especially in high altitude. While the trail is moderate, there are steep inclines that ascend you to just shy of 15,000 feet. (4,550 meters) above sea level. Altitude makes this trek difficult. To put it into perspective, the northern Everest Basecamp sits at 16,900 feet (5,150 meters).
Expert Peruvian guide & Travel Advisor; Saul Alvarez Montalvo from SAM Corporation says: “I would recommend at least two or three days to acclimate prior to starting the Laguna 69 hike. Laguna 69 is at 15,000ft and requires proper acclimitization to avoid altitude sickness.”
6-7 hours roundtrip depending on your pace and frequency for taking breaks.
You’ll be in a bus for a total amount of 6-7 hours roundtrip. Each way is about 3-4 hours with a short stop.
A gorgeous turquoise blue glacier-fed lake that lies at the bottom of incredibly huge snow-capped mountains.
A lot! Huaraz has its own rich culture and history worth exploring. Museums, ancient ruins, impressive flora and fauna, and breathtaking views can certainly be seen with minimal effort.
Dry season falls between the months of May to September. July is the driest month. However, weather changes quickly in this mountain region and even the dry season has its showers. With consistently inconsistent weather almost year-round there isn’t a bad time to visit Huaraz and trek to Laguna 69.
Wet season is from October to April. The same as wet season conditions if you’re also planning to hike the Inca Trail. The trail to Lake 69 is open to hikers during all seasons but during these months be sure to come extra prepared for periods of wet weather.
Explore the sites that you will actually see along your tours.
Huaraz
The Callejon de Huaylas Valley
National park huascaran
Sam Corporations has flexible departure dates, willing to accommodate your needs and travel requirements as far as possible. We guarantee exclusive luxurious tours of the hidden gems of Peru, whilst providing the best quality and personalized service.
You can book confidently knowing we offer the best value for your money
Sam Corporations
Our company is 100% locally owned. We directly contribute to economic development and environmental sustainability in Peru.
The quality of our service is one of our most important values which demands all our effort, determination, and courage to be successful in what we are doing and the services we provide
We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit. Through our training sessions and social projects, we empower women, indigenous communities and children
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you a personalized tour in our small comfortable vans
Interested in visiting only specific destinations? No problem, all our packages can be fully customized to suit your budget and schedule. Contact our travel advisors to plan the most comprehensive trip of a lifetime.
We commit socially and culturally to the community and adapt our business strategies to the preservation of the environment
Are you an experienced hiker looking for an adventurous challenge? Climb Vallunaraju, one of the few peaks in the Cordillera Blanca that can be climbed from Huaraz in only two days. This challenging trek is filled with beautiful trails, climbing up gorgeous glaciers, and surrounding scenery that will leave you in awe. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to conquer this mountain and feel a sense of accomplishment like never before. Book your trip today and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
The Santa Cruz trek departs from beautiful Mecca to the famous Huaraz. This region is consistently overshadowed by Cusco & Machu Picchu, but thats what makes this place so magical – with towering snowcapped peaks, and no crowds. This trek takes you through fertile valleys, has views of magnificent, spiraling high glaciated peaks, flower-filled meadows and glacier-fed turquoise lakes. This world-famous circuit crosses from one side of the Cordillera Blanca range to the other through ascending the Punta Union Pass reaching an elevation of 4750m/15,583ft. It is a trek that will give you memories that last a lifetime.
If you’re planning on visiting Huaraz you absolutely need to visit Laguna Paron. The largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca, it’s also one of the most beautiful. This guided tour is sure to leave you speechless and will give you memories that last a lifetime. Here are some things you can expect on your adventure to Laguna Paron:
Altitude: The mirador over the lake sits at 4,200m/13,779ft. This is the highest you will trek as the lake itself is a little lower than this.
Distance: If you choose to hike from the trailhead entry, the total distance is approximately a 20km round trip. Should you take a tour that goes all the way to the lake entrance, you need only do a short walk (45 minutes there and back) up to the mirador.
Time: This is a long day trip from Huaraz, requiring a start at either 5 a.m. or 8 a.m. dependent upon the type of tour you take. Tours are usually back in Huaraz by about 6 p.m.