Trekking to Laguna 69 Huaraz Peru

I was excited about my Laguna 69 trek from Huaraz Peru.  Laguna 69 may seem like an odd name but there are so many lakes and lagoons around Huaraz that they ran out of names and resorted to numbers instead.  The name Laguna 69 may raise an eyebrow among the smutty minded, but this stunning lake is worth the smirks!  Read on to see more about trekking Laguna 69 Huaraz and how to get to this beautiful lagoon in Peru.

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Trekking Laguna 69 Huaraz, Peru

One of the most beautiful treks in Huaraz, Laguna 69 is probably the most popular trek too, so expect to be hiking with several groups.  It is possible to hike to Laguna 69 independently, but most people book with a trekking company.

Approaching Laguna 69 Huaraz Peru
Approaching Laguna 69 Huaraz Peru

A Note on My Laguna 69 Experience

The day before I was supposed to take my Laguna 69 tour, I must have eaten something dodgy, and spent the whole night in the bathroom with food poisoning.  Needless to say, I had to cancel the tour as I couldn’t be away from the bathroom for longer than 5 minutes!  I spent the next day in bed, and the kind people in the hostel brought me chamomile and herb tea to soothe my stomach. 

I spent a few days recovering but was due to leave Huaraz at the end of the week, and with only one day left in Huaraz, I knew that it was now or never!  I do not recommend doing any kind of trek while recovering from food poisoning, but it is possible!!

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Getting to Laguna 69

You can take a Laguna 69 tour with any of the trekking companies in Huaraz, I booked mine with Akilpo where I was staying. The route to get to Laguna 69 drives through part of the UNESCO listed Huascaran National Park, where you might spot some vicuña, dainty animals in the same family as llama and alpaca which were once close to extinction.

It is an early start to get to Laguna 69, we left the hostel at 5am to begin the 3-hour drive from Huaraz to reach the start of the trail, stopping at the beautiful Chinancocha lake for breakfast.

Lake Chinancocha on the way to Laguna 69 Peru
Lake Chinancocha on the way to Laguna 69 Peru

After breakfast of avocado and tomato sandwiches we got back in the mini-bus and continued the drive along the dirt track to Cebollapampa where the trailhead for Laguna 69 begins.  You’ll notice the altitude here even before hiking, as the elevation is a breath-taking 3900 m above sea-level, so make sure you are properly acclimatised to the altitude

I don’t recommend attempting the hike while recovering from a bout of food poisoning, speaking from personal experience it was not pleasant, but still totally worth it (despite having to pop behind a bush a couple of times!).

If you take a Laguna 69 tour like this, the entry fee to the Huascaran National Park is included in the price, otherwise, you’ll need to pay 30 soles at the park entrance.  See the section below on hiking Laguna 69 independently if you are thinking about this option.

The Laguna 69 Trek Route in in the Cordillera Blanca Peru
The Laguna 69 Trek Route in in the Cordillera Blanca Peru

The Laguna 69 Trek

At the beginning of the trail, we walked through a forest, with beautiful red bark trees, before coming to a wide-open plain which we would walk across.  In the distance we could see a mountain where the trail would lead.

The hike itself isn’t difficult, but the altitude here makes it challenging.  As we walked across the plain, I was already lagging behind thanks to my food poisoning, but kept plugging ahead. 

The path then led upwards into the mountains.  I was struggling, but I pushed on, I knew that the group would be coming back the same path, and we had to leave the lake at a certain time to make sure we got back to the bus.  I passed a couple from our group who decided to stop, they couldn’t cope with the altitude, having only arrived in Huaraz the day before.

As I climbed up the path, some people were coming down on their way back along the trail.  They offered words of encouragement which helped me carry on.  Just as I was about to give up, the path levelled out, and I knew I was close.  I couldn’t quite believe what I saw.

Laguna 69 Huaraz Peru
The incredible Laguna 69 Huaraz Peru

The lake is absolutely stunning.  The colour of the water was like nothing I’d ever seen before, it was so beautiful, and I was so happy to have made it I burst into tears.  The rest of the group was about to head back along the trail just as I arrived, but the guide took pity on me and let me stay for a while so I could rest and take in the incredible view.

The blue sky above the snowy mountains was clear and bright, the fluffy white clouds contrasting beautifully against the sky.  Then that water.  A narrow waterfall flowed down the mountain into the cool water, and I was tempted to take a dip but remembered how cold the water would be!  All too soon my time was up and I had to head back.  

The return trek got easier with every step as we descended although I was exhausted and feeling the effects of the altitude and my food poisoning.   When we finally boarded the bus to go back to Huaraz I fell asleep straight away and didn’t wake until we got back to town!

Choosing a Laguna 69 Tour

Most people choose to hike to Laguna 69 with a tour from Huaraz.  Laguna 69 tours are good value at around $40 USD and offer the convenience and reassurance of a confirmed ride back to Huaraz.

All of the Huaraz trekking companies offer the Laguna 69 tour, which typically includes mini-bus transport to the start of the hike, entrance to the Huascaran National Park (30 soles), breakfast, lunch, snacks and hot drinks, and a guide with first aid kit, radio and oxygen.  

I chose to book my Laguna 69 tour with Akilpo, as I was staying at their hostel and they get great reviews.  I was not disappointed.  The food was good, bus ride relatively comfortable (considering a lot of it is on a bumpy dirt track) and the guide was great.

I finally made it to Laguna 69!
I finally made it to Laguna 69 Huaraz!

Before you book any Huaraz trekking tour, check the recent reviews on TripAdvisor carefully.  Safety is not something you want to mess with out there.  Make sure you also have adequate travel insurance which will cover you for high-altitude trekking.  

Trekking Laguna 69 Independently

It is possible to get to Laguna 69 by public transport, using the collectivos which run from Huaraz to Yungay then taking another taxi or collectivo to the beginning of the Laguna 69 trek. 

However, having read other people’s accounts and knowing from previous experience that collectivos aren’t the most reliable way to get back (after hitchhiking back from the Gocta Waterfall in Chachapoyas).  You could ask your hostel to arrange a private taxi or just stick with a Laguna 69 tour, which is much easier, if less adventurous!

Other Things to do in Huaraz

There are lots of different treks you can do from Huaraz, including day hikes to help acclimatise to the altitude, and multi-day trekking routes for more advanced hikers.  You can also arrange day trips to the ruins of one of the oldest civilisations in Peru at Chavin (also UNESCO listed), to the incredible Pastoruri glacier, and go horse riding and mountain biking here too.

Horse Riding in Huaraz Peru
Horse Riding in Huaraz Peru

How to Get to Huaraz

If you are coming to Huaraz from Lima, Cruz del Sur buses run regular journeys from Lima to Huaraz, which take around 7-8 hours.  Other bus companies, such as Movil Tours, Linea and Oltursa, also run the route, but Cruz del Sur have the best safety record and was my favourite bus company to use.

From the north of Peru, Movil Tours and Linea go from Trujillo to Huaraz.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Bus Travel in South America

Where to Stay in Huaraz

There are several options for accommodation in Huaraz, although don’t expect anything too fancy, you can find some excellent value hostels and hotels in Huaraz.

The Best Hostels in Huaraz

La Casa de Maruja

La Casa de Maruja is very highly rated but is further out of town than the others.  A cheap collectivo taxi ride will get you to the centre of town in less than 10 minutes.  A free hot breakfast is included, and the terrace has incredible views of the mountains.  Family run, and with private rooms and dorms to choose from this is a great option if you want to get away from it all.  BOOK NOW>>

You can check all the options for hostels in Huaraz on Hostelworld here.

BROWSE HOSTELS IN HUARAZ

Hotels in Huaraz

Akilpo Home

I stayed at Hostel Akilpo, which has now changed from a hostel to a boutique hotel.  They still get excellent reviews for the lovely rooms, friendly hosts and for helping people book their tours, so if you’re looking for a hotel in Huaraz it looks fabulous!   BOOK NOW>>

BROWSE HOTELS IN HUARAZ

Airbnb in Huaraz

Alternatively, you can check the options for Airbnb in Huaraz where you can find some beautiful bedrooms and apartments like this one.

Have you hiked to Laguna 69 from Huaraz?  I’d love to know what you thought, and if you have any tips I’ve missed – please share your comments below.

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Laguna 69 is a challenging hike near Huaraz Peru. Read on to see more about trekking Laguna 69 Huaraz and how to get to this beautiful lagoon in Peru. #Laguna69 #Huaraz #Peru #SouthAmerica #HikinginPeru #Hiking #Trekking   Laguna 69 is a challenging hike near Huaraz Peru. Read on to see more about trekking Laguna 69 Huaraz and how to get to this beautiful lagoon in Peru. #Laguna69 #Huaraz #Peru #SouthAmerica #HikinginPeru #Hiking #Trekking #mountains

 

11 thoughts on “Trekking to Laguna 69 Huaraz Peru

  1. Claire says:

    Haha it isn’t photoshop I promise! I think the water comes straight from a glacier in the Andes so it is really clear, maybe with some minerals to give it the blue colour 🙂

  2. nabin Baniya says:

    wonderful blog s about trekking. The water is so blue.is it natural or what makes it so blue. Is that photoshop.

  3. sherianne says:

    The bright turquoise water against the rock is gorgeous. And that waterfall! Good to know it isn’t a difficult hike. Sounds like it was quite a challenging day for you with a huge payoff!

  4. Carissa says:

    The color of the water is so blue! I’m so glad you didn’t give up and continue the climb despite of being sick. Just look at the reward, so stunning wow!

  5. Rhonda Albom says:

    Laguna 69 looks beautiful – I can see why fighting through the end of the food poisoning would be worth it. $40 for a tour seems like good value too. I had never heard of this before but it looks like a gorgeous spot.

  6. Linda says:

    I can see why the Laguna 69 trek is the most popular. But I bet many people will be challenged with a very early start. Thanks for the tip about being a bit altitude acclimatized before trying this hike. Even if the trek is not that difficult. But well worth the hike for that view of the lake. So sorry to hear that you were sick for this hike.

  7. Sab says:

    What an adventure, amazing getting rewarded with such views.. I’m not really into hiking and trekking, but your photos makes it really tempting 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  8. Fairuz says:

    Wow! I love trekking and hiking, and Laguna 69 trek sounds incredible. Spotting vicuña in the UNESCO listed Huascaran National Park also sounds exciting. $40 USD for a tour is great value. I will certainly check out Akilpo’s tour.

  9. Fiona Maclean says:

    so you are clearly totally addicted to travel! I can totally see why it was worth it though – Laguna 69 looks stunning. I suspect I’d need a real beginners trek though – do you know if they cater for the ‘not very fit’?

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