Peru: Hiking to Laguna Paron (from Caraz)

After two separate recommendations that we should visit Laguna Paron, we decided that we had to see it for ourselves! It was the perfect warm up for our multi-day hike to Laguna 69 and the Santa Cruz Trek.

Laguna Paron is the largest lake in the Cordillera Blancas and is located at 4200m. Surrounded by snowy glaciated mountains, the brilliant turquoise lake is simply stunning! Although it was a Saturday, we had it completely to ourselves until just before we were planning to leave. We have visited Lake Louise and some of the other turquoise lakes in Canada and in our opinion, Laguna Paron is just as beautiful (if not more so) – with the added bonus of no crowds and no five star resorts nearby.

We caught the 7am colectivo to the town of Paron, which left from near the market in Caraz. We paid 3.50 soles each for the ride – a bargain in comparison to the prices charged for transport to Laguna 69 and the Santa Cruz Trek. We were the only foreigners in the van and the last to get out. The driver dropped us off on the road to the laguna, just north of the town of Paron. We understand that there are few colectivos in the afternoon back to Caraz and there is a risk that they will be full. The colectivo driver tried to negotiate a return fare for 40 soles, but we decided to risk it.

After walking for about 1 km, we came to the control point, where we were required to register and pay our entrance fee (5 soles per person). We were informed at the control point that the colectivo back to Caraz leaves Paron at 6pm, so we had plenty of time to get up and down the mountain.

We hadn’t hiked since Guatemala, but thankfully we only had little backpacks on this day. It took us about 3 hours to hike up to the lake and 3 hours to hike back down. Laguna Paron is also accessible by road (I believe a taxi from Caraz costs approximately 150 soles return). The hike essentially follows a river through the Paron Valley, which is bordered by steep mountains (with some lovely waterfalls), up to the lake. The hiking trail at times follows the dirt road leading up to the lake, and at other times takes steep short cuts between the switchbacks. On the way back down, we sometimes opted to follow the road, as the path can be quite slippery.

We spent about 2 hours around the lake, enjoying a picnic and walking part way around it. When we arrived the sun was shining and the colour of the laguna was simply mind boggling. While we were eating lunch, the sky became cloudy and the colour wasn’t as intense anymore. But, even cloud covered, Laguna Paron is impressive. There is a lookout, which you can climb up to, but we had been told that the walk around the lake is more spectacular. It is also possible to camp at the lake, which must be a magic experience.

Unfortunately, we can’t comment on the ease of getting a colectivo back to Caraz at the end of the hike. On the way down from the laguna, a family from Caraz passed us and offered us a lift back to Caraz! Woo hoo! As always, we are so thankful for the kindness of strangers on this trip! We gave them 10 soles for petrol, which they were very happy about.

Total cost per person: 13.50 soles

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