3 Best Sights in Lagunas de Llanganuco, The North Coast and Northern Highlands

Regularly cited among the "most beautiful lakes in the world," this small but stunning glacial lake in Parque Nacional Huascarán merits every bit of the hype it's garnered, due to its singular beauty and the spectacularly scenic hike leading up to it. This trek will take your breath away, figuratively and literally: the site's 4,600-meter (15,092-foot) elevation is ear-popping.

Smart visitors will come prepared—treat your outing to Laguna 69 like a high-altitude hike, not merely a photo op. Remind yourself that you'll be just 2,000 feet below the level of the base camp at Mount Everest, and train, pack, and allot yourself acclimatization time accordingly. It’s possible to get to Laguna 69 and do the hike solo, but it's cheaper (and safer) to take a tour. If you're an experienced high-altitude hiker, you can beat the crowds by staying at a campsite near the trek's trailhead and setting out before the tour buses arrive.

Make sure your phone is fully charged when you visit these ravishing lakes, which are some of the most photogenic gems of the Peruvian sierra. Seen in sunlight, their crystalline waters shine a luminescent turquoise—an explosion of color against the gray of the encircling ice caps. Access to the area is via a giant gorge formed millions of years ago by a retreating glacier. If you look closely, you can see waterfalls of glacial melt snaking their way down the gorge's flanks, falling silently into the lake.

There are also many quenual (paper-bark) trees on the encircling slopes, while high above are visible treeless alpine meadows and the hanging glaciers of the looming mountains. At the lower lake, called Lago Chinancocha, you can hire a rowboat (S/5 per person) to take you to the center. A few trailside signs give info about local flora and fauna.

The easiest way to get here is with a group tour from Huaraz (about S/40 plus the entrance fee), though if you're going on the Santa Cruz trek the lake will probably be your starting point. Tours stop here and at many other spots on the Callejón de Huaylas, finishing in Caraz. All visitors must pay the Huascarán National Park fee.

The Lagunas de Llanganuco are just one of the gateways to Parque Nacional Huascarán, which covers 3,400 square km (1,300 square miles) and was created in 1975 to protect flora and fauna in the Cordillera Blanca.This incredible mountain range has a total of 663 glaciers and includes the highest peaks in the Peruvian Andes.

Huascarán, which soars to 6,768 meters (22,205 feet), is the highest in Peru. The smaller Alpamayo, 5,947 meters (19,511 feet), is said by many to be the most beautiful mountain in the world; its majestic flanks inspire awe and wonder in those lucky enough to get a glimpse. Not far away, the monstrous Chopicalqui and Chacraraju rise above 6,000 meters (19,700 feet).

Within the park's boundaries you'll also find more than 770 plant species. Sadly, there's a scarcity of wildlife in the park: many animals have been decimated by hunting and the loss of natural habitats. Among the 120 avian species and 10 species of mammals, you're most likely to see wild ducks and condors. With a good bit of patience—and an equal amount of luck—you may also glimpse foxes, deer, pumas, and vizcachas.

The giant national park attracts a plethora of nature lovers, including campers, hikers, and mountain climbers. Myriad treks weave through the region, ranging from fairly easy one-day hikes to 20-day marathons. Within the park, you can head out on the popular Llanganuco–Santa Cruz loop, a three- to five-day trek through mountain valleys, past crystalline lakes, and over a 4,750-meter-high (15,584-foot-high) pass. Other popular hikes include the one-day Lake Churup trek, the two-day Quilcayhuanca-Cayesh trek, and the two-day Ishinca trek. Check with agencies in Huaraz for maps, trail information, and insider advice before heading out.

If possible, plan on visiting Laguna 69, one of the park's high points; it's frequently included in hikes and day trips from Huaraz. Although experienced hikers who know how to survive in harsh mountain conditions may decide to head out on their own, it's always safer to arrange for a guide in Huaraz. You can opt to have donkeys or llamas carry the heavy stuff, leaving you with just a day pack. The most common ailments on these treks are sore feet and altitude sickness. Wear comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes, and take precautions to avoid feeling the elevation (drink lots of water, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and allow yourself time to acclimatize before you head out). The best time to go trekking is during the dry season, from May through September. July and August are the driest months—though dry season doesn't mean an absence of rain or even snow, so dress appropriately.

Some hikers decide to enter the park at night to avoid paying the cost of a multiday pass, but the money from these fees goes to protect the Andean habitat; consider this before you slip in after hours (nighttime safety is also a concern). You can purchase a pass at the Huaraz office of Parque Nacional Huascarán, as well as at the Lagunas de Llanganuco. Be sure to carry a copy of your passport with you.