Holy Week began with a last-minute decision to explore the hiking trails of Huaraz, after failing to secure tickets to Machu Picchu. Known as Peru’s “Little Patagonia,” this region truly deserves its reputation.
Our adventure kicked off with an early morning flight on Friday at 7:00 AM, arriving in Huaraz just one hour later. From there, we rented a local car and headed straight for Lake Parón. Along the way, we had the pleasure of meeting a delightful family of three locals who joined us in exploring the lake. Together, we enjoyed rowing on the serene waters and soaking in the breathtaking views.
Saturday morning arrived bright and early, with a tour bus picking us up at 5:00 AM to take us to the iconic Lago 69. At 9:00 AM, our hike began, leading us through stunning landscapes of streams, cascading waterfalls, lush grasslands, crystal-clear lakes, and majestic snow-capped peaks 🏔. After three hours of climbing, we reached the summit at an altitude of 4,600 meters, where we were rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas.
The descent took about 2.5 hours, but every step was worth it. Although I’ve never visited Patagonia, I’d say the scenery here rivals even the Moreno Glacier.
A word of caution for travelers planning to stay in town: avoid hotels near the church square. During our visit, likely due to the holiday, a group of lively bands played well into the night, not stopping until 4:00 AM. Their enthusiasm left little room for sleep, much to my dismay [Crying with laughter]. Despite the exhaustion, the memories of Huaraz will linger long after the tunes have faded.
