Trip Date: August 22, 2019
2019 PERU ADVENTURE VACATION
Lake Paron Viewpoint Loop & Huandoy Glacier Moraine
Lake Paron
Huandoy Glacier Moraine
Trip Report Summary
Region: Peru
Sub-Region: Northern Peruvian Andes
Sub-Sub-Region: Cordillera Blanca
Area: Huascaran National Park
Starting & Ending Point: Mirador Trailhead at Lake Paron Campground on Lake Paron Road (Elev. 13,700 feet / 4180 meters)
Way Points: Huandoy Glacier Moraine & Lake Paron Viewpoint & Lake Paron shoreline (trail hike & rock scramble)
High Point: Lake Paron Viewpoint (Elev. 14,600 feet / 4450 meters)
Guide Service & Guide: Akilpo Adventure Travel Agency / Leonardo
Approximate Stats: 1.65 miles / 2.65 kilometers traveled; 900 feet / 275 meters gained & lost.
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Full Trip Report
During our Peruvian adventure trip, Brooke and I did a nice day hike in the Cordillera Blanca, about 40 miles north of Huaraz. This hike provided a wonderful view of Lake Paron, which is widely considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Peru. We signed on with Akilpo Adventure Travel Agency to handle our transportation to and from the trailhead, and to show us the best viewpoints.
Our guide, Leonardo, was a native Peruvian with 9 years of local experience. As with all of the guides we met in Peru, he spoke Quechua (“KETCH-wah”) as his first language, Spanish as his second language, and English as his third. Although Brooke and I would not normally need a guide for a day hike, our trip was thoroughly enriched by Leonardo’s boyish enthusiasm and broad knowledge regarding the surrounding mountains and climbing history. In the end, we were delighted with both Akilpo and Leonardo.
Leonardo and his driver picked us up at our hotel in Huaraz at 6:00am and drove us into the mountains on a combination of paved and rough dirt roads. Around 9:00am, we pulled into a campground and shelter situated near the shore of Lake Paron. Leonardo surprised us by setting up a table and chairs in the parking lot and serving up a tasty breakfast. Akilpo started earning brownie points right away!
After breakfast, we headed out on a nearby trail that switch-backed steeply up a glacial moraine. Views of the gorgeous turquoise lake improved with every step.
When the trail faded out, Leonardo led us upward on a Class 2-3 scramble over big boulders. Nevado Huandoy, the fourth highest mountain in Peru, sat directly in front of us.
We stopped at a viewpoint high on the moraine crest to soak in the views. Leonardo earned some more brownie points by whipping out snack bags for us.
When it was time to leave, we descended via a very steep alternative path until just above the lake level, then we scrambled atop a large rock. Leonardo surprised us once again by pulling out plates, forks, a carafe of Peruvio-Indian goulash, and a thermos of tea. The brownie points were really piling up!
During our lunch break, Leonardo entertained us with historical facts about climbing in the Cordillera Blanca and nearby ranges. We then finished off our delightful day with a short hike back to the campground.
Route Map & Profile
Photo Gallery
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