Huaraz is where hiking enthusiasts gather, I’m sure there should be some kind of secret hikers community there as well! But for people like me, not so physically fit, Huaraz is still a great place to challenge yourself.
I’ve boarded an overnight 9PM bus from Lima and arrived to Huaraz as early as 4:30am, took moto taxi to Carolinas lodging and awkwardly rang the bell. I’m sure I’ve woken up the receptionist at this time of the night but being super professional she still pretended to be fully awake.
“So I don’t want to stay in your hostel, but I want to go on Laguna 69 tour this morning”, OK she looked at me confused, but still made a few calls and confirmed my place, yes, my plan worked! Tour cost 40soles (including breakfast), plus 10soles for the park entrance.
An hour later, minibus picked the group from hostel and I was on the way to hardest trek in my life, however I didn’t know that yet. Bus ride took 2h and around 8am we stopped for breakfast, which was avocado/egg sandwich with tea/coffee/coca. After that, trekking began. Our guide explained it’s going to be around 7km one way and includes flat walking plus zig zag climbing, should take around 3/3.5 hours to reach the top. OK now I’m a bit nervous… lets see how it goes.
Scenery is amazing! But after every turn your see even higher mountain, and it seems that I’ll never gonna be able to reach the top. But to cut long story short, after about 3.5 hours and something near 69 stops I spotted a blue dot in the far away. It was the lagoon! It’s one of the most beautiful glacier colored lakes that I’ve seen! On a clear day you can look straight through its waters to the rocks below and the sunlight dances on the water with all types of blues, greens and aquamarines. This lake is located at about 4650 meters, no wonder why you can see many people chewing on coca leafs:)
During this trek I had altitude problems for the first time, but I’m blaming the lack of sleep. As soon as I got back on a bus, I was out. Came back to hostel just to find that there are no tickets back to Lima the same night. Had to stay overnight in Carolinas, which was not a bad idea at all. For S.15 you get breakfast and a cosy bed. Taking the opportunity of overstaying in Huaraz, I also went to Chancos Hot springs. Here is how you get there:
go to the main bus/collectivo station and take a collectivo to the small town of Marcar, which cost 3soles. From Marcara it’s about 3km, you can either walk or take a taxi, but pay no more then no more than 1 sole per person.
Once you arrive at Chancos Hot Springs you have to initially buy your ticket for one of the Steam Caves, there are 8 in total with a different temperature ranging from 35C to 54C and cost 5soles. Don’t expect fancy hot springs – they are somewhat primitive looking but with a fantastic steam room effect and 100% natural! There is also a public outside pool, which cost extra 1sole and gives you extra time in a heat.
I used Rapido bus company to go back to Lima, which had by way cheapest night bus tickets, 1st class cost 40soles, 2nd class 30soles. Buses leave at 10:30pm on the corner of 28 de Julio and Longitudinal de la Sierra Norte.
All in all it was a great adventure and enormous challenge, which helped to discover my physical and mental super abilities. Yay, always happy to improve;)
Recent Comments