Laguna Paron in Peru: Ultimate Guide to Going Solo or With a Tour
What if I told you there was a lake bluer than Laguna 69 and was cheaper to get to with a far smaller crowd? Laguna Paron is still somewhat of a hidden gem, even as thousands of travelers flock to Huaraz annually.
This lake is located in the Huascaran National Park and is surrounded by the famous Cordillera Blanca mountain range. The beauty of this hike is it can be done either with a tour or completely on your own.
If you’re like me and don’t particularly care about tours, you’ll want to stay in Caraz. This amazing town is two hours north of Huaraz!
Don’t want to leave Huaraz? Then a tour is the right choice if you’re keen on seeing some of the bluest water in the world at Laguna Paron!
Where is Laguna Paron Located?
45 minutes from the town of Caraz lies the largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca. Many colectivos and tours go up the mountain to the park daily.
If you’ve done other hikes in Huaraz already like Laguna Ahuac, then this hike won’t be hard for you.
How to Get to the Laguna Paron Trailhead
If you’re planning on visiting this lake, you will stay in two main towns. Caraz is a smaller town two hours north of the larger Huaraz. Most of the tours will come from Huaraz, but Caraz is the closest town to the actual lake. Below, I will go over how to get to the trailhead solo from each town.
Huaraz to Laguna Paron Trailhead
The cheapest alternative to get anywhere in Peru is taking a collectivo. These are shared buses that make multiple stops along your journey but it’s extremely cost-effective. I love these because they are extremely reliable as long as you’re not in a rush.
I highly suggest downloading Mapsme to use their offline maps. Here you will find all the trails as well as the bus stops.
Go to the spot on the map that says collectivo a Caraz. This should only cost 10 Soles ($2.50) and will take around 2 hours.
Once in Caraz, you will want to head to the Mercado. Look on mapsme again to see the area that says Paron.
Caraz to Laguna Paron Trailhead
Basically, you will want to follow the last step of the Huaraz to Laguna Paron above. This collectivo is supposed to only take you to Pueblo Paron, a 15-minute walk from the gate.
In our case, he drove us straight to the gate, but when you head back down, you will want to get to Paron on Mapsme.
The cost of entering the park is only 5 Soles, which is a lot cheaper than in other areas.
We did have trouble coming back as we showed up around 4pm. I thought we would get stuck up there but there will be rides up until sundown.
We were close to hitching a ride with a tour group but the colectivo showed up around 4:30 PM. Just needed to be patient.
Things to Know
Some things are different when hiking here compared to other hikes in Huaraz. Even though it’s far away, I think it should be added to anyone’s Peru itinerary.
Where Should You Base Yourself?
Huaraz is the most popular town to stay and for a good reason. Many hikes are easy to get to from there, and most of the tour companies are there.
But if you’re planning on doing the Laguna Paron hike independently, then I would suggest staying in Caraz. You can experience both towns quite easily since the cost of travel in Peru is affordable.
Huaraz is around 90 minutes away from Caraz, but if you take public transport, this can easily turn into 2+ hours. Plus, it takes time to get a separate transport to the entrance.
We stayed at the Hotel Cordillera Blanca which I highly recommend as it is right next to the market and colectivo for Laguna Paron!
Laguna Paron Hike Details
Entrance Fee for Laguna Paron
Another reason to visit Laguna Paron is its cheap entry cost compared to hikes around Huaraz. The cost to enter Laguna Paron is only five Soles.
Other hikes in Huascaran National Park cost 30 Soles to enter. Laguna Paron’s entrance fee goes to the local communities.
Our colectivo took us right to the gate, where we signed a paper and began our hike.
If you took a tour, there is a chance that it will already include the payment for the entrance fee. Make sure to double check, as this could be another reason to go independently!
Other Hikes in Peru You’d Love:
Tour vs Independently
Personally, I love taking the road less traveled. Often, that means taking public transportation and figuring everything out on my own. I especially dislike hiking in large groups.
My goal for most of the popular hikes in Peru is to arrive before the tours do.
If you are basing yourself in Huaraz, then taking the Laguna Paron tour might be the better option. I suggest going around town in Huaraz to the different tour agencies. This is how you find the cheapest price.
When suggesting this hike to others, I always recommend staying in Caraz for a few nights and going independently. The only issue is getting a colectivo on the way down.
If you get a late start or are a slow hiker, then there’s a chance you might not have a ride.
Everyone gave different information on the last colectivo, but we were at the stop around 3 – 4 PM and were fine.
Where to Stay in Huaraz
- Alpes Huaraz: This is where I stayed during my time in Huaraz and it was amazing. The area is set up like a mini-hotel and the kitchen is huge. Dorms are very cheap at $7-$9.
- Krusty Hostel: With great prices for private rooms and growing in popularity, there isn’t much to hate about this hostel. Centrally located just a few blocks from the main square.
- Vacahouse Huaraz B&B: This is a great hostel if you’re traveling as a couple. The private rooms are very nice and for a good price.
My Experience
The morning started at 5:45 AM. This was our first hike in this area and at this altitude. We wanted to make sure we had enough time in case we were having trouble with the altitude. We headed to the area for the collectivo and started our adventure in the car around 6:45 AM.
Collectivo to the Entrance
The collectivo to the Laguna Paron trailhead was a little different than most that you see in Huaraz. It was an actual smaller car instead of a bus. This was my first collectivo, so I wasn’t sure what to think. In the end, it was great.
The earliest collectivo leaves at 6:30 am to the small Pueblo Paron, which is 15 minutes below the gate entrance. We were lucky as the driver took us all the way to the entrance.
From here we signed the papers, paid 5 soles each, and were on our way.
The schedule can be a little bit weird with these collectivos but the last one will be around 5 or 6 PM.
Trail Through the Valley
This is a unique trail for many reasons. If you truly wanted to, you could follow the road all the way to the lake. This wouldn’t be as fun though, right?
The trail cuts between the winding road and is well marked on mapsme as well as with signs (sometimes) on the road. There are some pretty steep parts but there’s a good break between each section.
The trail opens up into an insane valley that feels like a Peruvian Yosemite.
After a couple of miles along the trail, we had to walk on the road for a bit. After this section, the trail starts again and will go until you reach the lake.
Arrive at Paron Lake
Be careful, because once you arrive at the lake your breath will be taken away. The color of the lake and the surrounding area seemed fake. I couldn’t believe how beautiful this area was.
When arriving, you will see a refugio on your left. This is where you can stay the night and where many people set off for further hikes. The cost is 10 Soles, I believe.
The tour groups start to arrive around 12:30 – 1:00 PM, so it is best to get there before then. When we were there, around 40 people came at once from Huaraz.
Activities to Do at Laguna Paron
There aren’t a lot of things to do when arriving at to the lake, besides gazing at one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
But for those that are more adventurous, below are some extra activities you can add on if you have time.
Mirador Laguna Paron
When you arrive at the lake there will be a sign stating “Mirador”. This is an extra 200 meters of elevation gain that will get you to the best view of the lake.
Once you make your way to the top you will then have to climb over a bunch of medium to big boulders until you get to the end.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make the extra trek up to the Mirador but it is totally worth it. You’ll want to start this before the tour groups come because then it’ll be difficult to get the picture that you want.
Kayak
I personally did not do this activity but it may be fun for some! If you’re not keen on hiking up to the mirador then this might be your next best option if you’re looking for more adventure.
There are single kayaks, double kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for rent. One issue is the lake can be very windy, which will make these activities one hell of a workout!
If you’re still interested in doing these then check out the prices below:
- Single Kayak: 20 soles per hour
- Double Kayak: 30 soles per hour
- Canoe: 40 soles per hour
- Paddleboard: 30 soles per hour
Camping
If you want to get as much time as possible alone at Paron Lake, then I’d suggest either camping or spending the night in the refugio.
The cost to camp is technically free but bringing your own equipment can be pricey, especially if you have to rent it.
You can also pay 10 soles per night to sleep in the Refugio by the lake. If possible, I suggest bringing your own sleeping bag or blanket because it can get cold.
At the Refugio, they do offer snacks and drinks like coca tea!
Walk Along the Edge
It’s possible to walk along the left side of Laguna Paron to get different views of the lake. This trail is flat and a great option for those not looking to reach the higher altitude at the mirador.
For those looking for even more adventure, then you can keep hiking to reach Laguna Artesoncocha and Laguna Congelada.
Going this far is only suggested for those with experience and who aren’t on a tour. You don’t have time to reach these other lakes if you’re on a tour.
It is highly recommended to spend the night at the refugio if it is your mission to reach these alternative lakes. You can check one of the routes to Laguna Artesoncocha on Alltrails.
Final Thoughts
Even though it is around 10 miles and climbs to 4200+ meters, I believe Paron Lake is a great hike to get acclimatized. The valley was one of my favorite parts. It was so peaceful in the early morning that I will definitely be doing this again. With that being said, I highly suggest doing this hike instead of the tour. You will get to see the small town of Caraz and it will also help to avoid the crowds.
