If you like treks, being in contact with nature and amazing landscapes, you have to visit the city of Huaraz and do a tour of Laguna 69 from there. It’s one of the most recommended experiences for all travelers visiting Perú.
Of the 400 lagoons that you can find in the Huascaran National Park, Laguna 69 is one of the most special ones. The easy access and the possibility to reach this lagoon in just a day attract thousands of travelers every year.
If you plan to do the trek to Laguna 69, be prepared to be one of the most beautiful places you probably have ever been. The park where is located it’s considered by UNESCO a biosphere reserve and part of the natural heritage of humanity.
You will be in the middle of the Peruvian Andes, surrounded by snowy peaks and glaciers, waterfalls, the sound of birds, and fantastic views no matter where you look all the way up to Laguna 69.
If you are planning your trek to this glacial lake, keep in mind that it's located at an altitude of 4600 m.a.s.l, so you need to prepare your body for around one day or two to be properly acclimatized, to avoid altitude sickness. Grab some coca leaves and chew them during the whole trek, which will help you a lot.
The trek has a distance of 6 Km approx and will take you around 3 or 4 hours to get to the top. It has medium difficulty and some travelers find themselves struggling with the trek more than others, but remember that you can do it at your own pace and when you start to reach the top and finally get to the lagoon you feel that all the hard work will be totally worth it.
When you arrive at Lagoon 69 you have the chance to be there for around an hour to rest, maybe have some snacks, and of course, be amazed by the beauty of this turquoise glacial lake. Don’t forget to get some pictures to remember this one-in-a-lifetime experience.
The first thing you have to keep in mind is that no matter in which part of Peru you are, you need to get to Huaraz. This city is the starting point for many treks and tours to the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, and of course to Laguna 69.
If you are in Lima, the easiest way to get to Huaraz is by taking a public bus, and if it’s during the night even better because you can take advantage of your time when you arrive early in the morning.
The bus ride from Lima to Huaraz is approx 8 hours. Maybe it’s not so much but still, it is recommended to take a bus company with comfortable seats. Some recommendations can be Cruz del Sur, Movil Tours, or Civa.
There are many companies so feel free to choose the one that best suits your needs. You can find their itineraries and book tickets through each company’s website.
When you get to Huaraz, the first thing you should do is find accommodation to spend the night before the tour to Laguna 69. Then you can walk around the area, grab something to eat, and on the way, you will see different travel agencies advertising the different tours that you can do from Huaraz.
The Laguna 69 trek has to be the first one on your list, but if you have more time you can consider staying a few nights, visiting some other lagoons, or doing any of the different tours and activities that this city and its beautiful surroundings have to offer.
It’s recommended to do a comparison of different websites for tours to the Laguna 69. Just make sure that they charge you according to the regular prices, and choose a safe and responsible operator.
Since Laguna Paron is located at a high elevation, it is usual to see travelers experiencing dizziness, tiredness, headaches, and shortness of breath upon arrival, particularly if coming from low-altitude destinations. Make sure to follow these recommendations that will surely help you avoid and deal with altitude sickness:
- Keep yourself hydrated. Water is the best ally to fight and prevent this condition.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking at all costs. Alcohol is dehydrating, and smoking can worsen or cause shortness of breath.
- Eat a light but high-calorie diet. High altitude increases the need for fuel since you get dehydrated and burn carbs faster.
- Drink Coca tea or chew Coca leaves. This is a medicinal plant of the Andes, known for helping to ease any altitude sickness symptoms and improving acclimatization.
- Take it easy. Don’t commit to a physically demanding activity on the first 2-3 days upon arrival.
Some medicines that can help with any altitude sickness symptoms are Diamox or Soroche Pills. You can get them in almost any drugstore in Peru, nonetheless, we highly recommend consulting with a doctor before taking any of these medications.
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