Jo at the start of the hike up to Laguna Paron
In total we climbed about 800m, as Laguna Paron is at 4200m
David on the way to Laguna Paron
Jo taking a break on the steep climb up to Laguna Paron
The hike to the laguna essentially follows this river
Butterfly!
River crossing!
What a beauty – Laguna Paron!
The stunning Laguna Paron
Laguna Paron – we had it all to ourselves
Views of Laguna Paron
Stunning lake and mountain views at Laguna Paron
Beautiful Laguna Paron
We walked part way around the laguna
Laguna Paron selfie!
Jo at Laguna Paron – it was chilly when we weren’t hiking
David at Laguna Paron
Beautiful Laguna Paron
Beautiful Laguna Paron
Stunning Laguna Paron – quite possibly my favourite lake ever!
Views on the descent from Laguna Paron
Ready to begin our hike to Laguna 69!
Ready to begin our hike to Laguna 69!
The hike started gently with a nice stroll across the valley floor
David at the beginning of our hike to Laguna 69
We hadn’t walked very far when we decided to have lunch! We were joined by Javier, a cool cyclist from Spain
Views of the mountains from our lunch stop
After lunch we started to climb a series of switchbacks. The views of the surrounding mountains and waterfalls were impressive!
This gorgeous mountain towers over Laguna 69
Views of the valley while climbing up the switchbacks to Laguna 69
One of the waterfalls on the way to Laguna 69
After the first series of switchbacks, we came to another high plain
We hiked up to Laguna 69 with Javier – an awesome cycle tourer from Spain!
It started to hail when we arrived at the laguna – we have never put up our tent so fast!
Hail!
Laguna 69 with hail!
Campsites don’t get much better than this!
David making our brekkie at Laguna 69
Jo enjoying brekkie and coffee with a view
Jo enjoying brekkie and coffee with a view
Wild flowers, Laguna 69
Wild flowers, Laguna 69
Campsites don’t get much better than this!
Stunning Laguna 69 on the following morning
Stunning Laguna 69 on the following morning
Stunning Laguna 69 on the following morning
David on the descent to the high plain the following morning
We caught glimpses of other lakes on the descent from Laguna 69
Views on the descent to the high plain the following morning
Jo at the river crossing on the high plain
Our colectivo had an accident on the way to Vaqueria …
We didn’t start hiking until 5pm and it took us a good 1.5 hours to pass through the initial villages
The campsite that we found in the dark on Day 1 of our Santa Cruz Trek
The view from our campsite
The refugio where we registered for the Santa Cruz Trek. You can camp here
The refugio where we registered for the Santa Cruz Trek. You can camp here
Misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek
Misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek
Jo on Day 2 of the Santa Cruz Trek
More misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek
We passed this laguna early on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek
Campground Paria – the first official campsite that we passed
Hmmm … not very inviting. This is the toilet at Campground Paria …
Hmmm … not very inviting. This is the toilet at Campground Paria …
Jo on Day 2 of the Santa Cruz Trek
Our backpacks – we were happy to take them off whenever possible
David taking a break on Day 2 of the Santa Cruz Trek
My backpack was so heavy, David had to help me stand up!
David collecting water from a mountain stream
More misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek
More misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek
The Santa Cruz Trek is often like this – a wide hiking highway!
We passed a number of dried up lagoons on the way to Punta Union
This was the view of the mountain ranges that we had for most of Day 2
As we neared the pass at Punta Union, some of the fog cleared and we caught glimpses of the mountain ranges that we had been hiking past all day
It was all uphill from here to Punta Union
We stopped beside this laguna before tackling the ascent up to Punta Union
The view on the way up to Punta Union – pretty miserable weather
We passed this lovely lake on the way to Punta Union. It must be beautiful when the sun is shining!
We passed this lovely lake on the way to Punta Union. It must be beautiful when the sun is shining!
The view on the way up to Punta Union – pretty miserable weather
Jo hiking up to Punta Union on Day 2
Jo hiking up to Punta Union on Day 2
Jo hiking up to Punta Union on Day 2
By this point we could see the gap in the rock that we were heading for – Punta Union – AND then it started to snow!
The view on the way up to Punta Union – pretty miserable weather
David making the last push up to Punta Union
Punta Union – reached by a stone staircase
Jo climbing the stone staircase to Punta Union
Meters away from the summit at Punta Union
Misty views from Punta Union on Day 2
Punta Union!!!
Reaching Punta Union on Day 2 in the snow!!!
Jo on the descent from Punta Union
Jo on the descent from Punta Union
Although generally sure footed, the trail must be a little hazardous at times for donkeys … poor thing
Laguna Taullicocha was a magical sight – even in the rain!
Laguna Taullicocha was a magical sight – even in the rain!
Cloudy views of the valley on our descent from Punta Union on Day 2
Chilly sunset on Day 2
By the time we made it to our campsite it was getting dark. We found a well used “unofficial” campsite with access to a stream
Our campsite with Mount Taulliraju in the background covered in clouds
David made us a yummy pasta dinner!
Dinner would have been perfect if my teeth weren’t chattering while eating it! It was freezing at this altitude
Our tent was covered with ice the following morning!
View of Mount Taulliraju from our campsite on Day 3
Jo hiked back up to Punta Union on the morning of Day 3 to take pictures of the pass in the sunshine. This is the view from Punta Union of Paria Valley that we should have had the day before. So much nicer in sunshine!
Jo hiked back up to Punta Union on the morning of Day 3 to take pictures of the pass in the sunshine. This is the view from Punta Union of Paria Valley that we should have had the day before. So much nicer in sunshine!
The highest point of our trek – the Punta Union Pass at 4750m, with views of stunning Laguna Taullicocha
The highest point of our trek – the Punta Union Pass at 4750m, with views of stunning Laguna Taullicocha
Lovely Laguna Taullicocha in sunshine
Mount Taulliraju and Laguna Taullicocha – simply gorgeous in the sunshine!
Mount Taulliraju and Laguna Taullicocha – simply gorgeous in the sunshine!
The puddles of water froze overnight!
Views on the descent from Punta Union – pretty spectacular!
Laguna Taullicocha – simply gorgeous in the sunshine!
Views on the descent from Punta Union – pretty spectacular!
Possible campsite overlooking Mount Taulliraju and Laguna Taullicocha
The magnificent Mount Taulliraju
You have to watch where you step!
Sunny views on the descent from Punta Union on Day 3
Sunny views on the descent from Punta Union on Day 3 – our campsite is visible in the distance
Sunny views on the descent from Punta Union on Day 3 – our campsite is visible in the distance
Our spectacular campsite with views of Mount Taulliraju – it doesn’t get much better than this!
Mount Taulliraju
Mount Taulliraju
Mount Taulliraju
Day 3 of our trek brought sunshine and some gorgeous mountain vistas!
Day 3 of our trek brought sunshine and some gorgeous mountain vistas!
The official campsite, a 2 hour hike from Punta Union
As always, the toilet facilities were in a terrible state
Day 3 of our trek brought sunshine and some gorgeous mountain and river vistas!
Enjoying the sunshine and lovely views on Day 3
Enjoying the sunshine and lovely views on Day 3
The official campsite 2 hours from Punta Union was home to an array of horses and cows
The official campsite 2 hours from Punta Union was home to an array of horses and cows
There appeared to have been a landslide in this area, possibly caused by one of the lagunas higher up
All morning we hiked towards the lovely Laguna Jatuncocha
We stopped to watch these heavily laden donkeys make their way up the path
We stopped to watch these heavily laden donkeys make their way up the path
David’s backpack was so heavy, he felt like a donkey!
Stunning views on Day 3 of our Santa Cruz Trek
On Day 3 we met this cute trail dog, which was following one of the tour groups
On our way to Laguna Jatuncocha
Bromeliads decorated the mountain side
On our way to Laguna Jatuncocha
Lovely waterfall on the way to Laguna Jatuncocha
On our way to Laguna Jatuncocha
We stopped for lunch at Laguna Jatuncocha
We stopped for lunch at Laguna Jatuncocha
We stopped for lunch at Laguna Jatuncocha
After lunch, we passed into a wetlands area, favoured by the local donkeys and cows
On the way to the wetlands
This little guy was very curious and super cute!
This little guy was very curious and super cute!
What a cutie!
What a cutie!
After the wetlands, we eventually arrived at the Llamacorral Campsite.
Cacti on the way to Cashapampa
Cacti on the way to Cashapampa
David taking a well-deserved break!
Our campsite by the river on Day 3
Our campsite on Day 3
Our campsite by the river on Day 3
We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3!
We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3!
We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3!
We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3!
We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3!
We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3!
The lovely river beside our campsite
The awesome sunset on Day 3!
The awesome sunset on Day 3!
The moon was still visible above our campsite while we were having brekkie on Day 4
The moon was still visible above our campsite while we were having brekkie on Day 4
Jo ready to start hiking on Day 4 – only 7kms to go!
On our way to Cashapampa
Little bridge on our way to Cashapampa
On our way to Cashapampa
Views on our way to Cashapampa
On our way to Cashapampa
David and the huge door that we passed through towards the end of the trek
This lovely shrine marked the end of the trek
This lovely shrine marked the end of the trek
Almost at Cashapampa!
Some enterprising Peruvians have set up a pub at the end of the trek, but it was a bit early for a beer!
