Holy Week brought an unexpected twist: with Machu Picchu tickets sold out, we spontaneously decided to embark on a hiking adventure in Huallanca, often referred to as the “Little Patagonia of Peru.” This nickname is well-deserved, as we soon discovered.
Our journey began at 7:00 am on Friday, with a short one-hour flight landing us in the heart of Huallanca. We wasted no time and rented a local car that whisked us away to the stunning Lake Parón. Along the way, we had the delightful company of a friendly local family of three. Together, we explored the serene beauty of Lake Parón and even enjoyed a leisurely boat ride 🛀.
The next morning, our alarm clocks buzzed at 5:00 am, and a tour bus arrived promptly to take us to the renowned 69 Lake. Our hike commenced at 9:00 am, and after a challenging 3-hour ascent, we reached the summit at an altitude of 4600m. The descent took us 2.5 hours, but every step was worth it. The trail was a visual feast, with gushing streams, cascading waterfalls, lush grasslands, shimmering lakes, and distant snow-capped peaks 🏔. Though I’ve never been to Patagonia, the breathtaking scenery made me feel like I was standing before the majestic Moreno Glacier.
A word of caution for those planning to stay in town: avoid booking a hotel near the church square. During our stay, a group of bands played music at full volume until 4:00 am, completely disregarding the need for rest. I found myself chuckling through my exhaustion, as I barely managed a wink of sleep [Crying with Laughter Emoji].
