Spectacular views, demanding hikes and a unique natural spectacle. This is how the journey to the beautiful lakes found in the mountains and jungle of Peru could be summarized. Without a doubt, an experience that you should remove from your to-do list on your next vacation.
In Áncash, Cusco and Amazonas are the most beautiful lagoons in Peru. Find out how to get there and what sports you can practice at these tourist attractions.
If you have to choose one of the best destinations to appreciate magical lagoons in the country, this is the Ancash region. Here, the turquoise waters of its lagoons will attract all your attention and will give you the feeling of peace and tranquility that you long for.
Check our Luxury Packages to Perú and visit the 10 most impressive lakes in Peru.
How many lakes are in Perú?
If you are planning to visit Perú and love the nature, probably you are asking How many lakes are in Perú?
Well, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, there are a total of 12,202 lagoons in the country, the majority (61%) are on the Atlantic slope, followed by the Pacific slope (32%) and the Titicaca (7%) ). The potential for using the lagoons is immense in the country, since less than 2% of the total of lagoons is used by Peruvians, with a total capacity of more than 3 billion m3. More than 340 lagoons are found and are under study, with a capacity close to 4000 million m3.
10 most impressive lakes in Perú
If we talk about countries with natural scenic wealth, Peru has much to contribute at the Latin American level. Machu Picchu, the Amazon, the northern beaches and Lake Titicaca could be defined as the most beautiful landscape icons in the country, but between the coast, mountains and jungle there is still much to discover.
Little by little new tourist attractions have been opened and the lagoons are taking the lead of the places that must be known in Peru this 2020. For this reason, in Let’s Visit Peru we collect the most beautiful throughout the country, so that you are encouraged to visit them this year.
In shades of emerald and turquoise, and many of them immersed in beautiful snow-capped mountains, these are just the five most amazing in the country. Do you dare to discover them?
1. Laguna 69- Áncash
In the Huascarán National Park is the 69 lagoon. Why that curious name? Basically, because it is the number that corresponds to it in the list of the lagoons of the Cordillera Blanca, a mountain range immersed in the Peruvian Andes.
It is located in the northern part of the Cordillera Blanca. The best season to visit this lagoon is in the dry season, between the months of May and October, the “Andean summer” season.
Known for its shimmering light blue color and the surrounding snow. It is located at 4,600 meters above sea level (masl) and there are tourism agencies that can help you get to this place. It is recommended to go between May and October, since the climate is warmer.
Any trekking to this dream place usually begins in the city of Huaraz. From there you will go to the Llanganuco lagoon, making some stops along the way to acclimatize to the altitude, which will exceed 4,000 meters at the end of the route. You will get there after a three-hour trek to this turquoise lagoon, which contrasts with the gray tones of the surrounding mountains and, above all, with the white of the snow-capped peaks.
Tours usually leave from 5 in the morning and return at 7 at night. During the amazing journey you will visit places like Cebolla Pampa and you will have an impressive view of the snowy Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Yanapaccha, Pisco and Chacraraji.
2. Uspaccocha Lake – Apurímac
The Ampay National Sanctuary, where the lake is, is well known for its beautiful landscape, flora, fauna and easy access from the city -40 minutes from Abancay-. The lagoon has the appearance of a giant crater, so it is quite photogenic.
3. Morón Lake – Ica
La Huacachina is not the only oasis in the Ica desert, this beautiful place is located further north. It has the shape of the map of Peru and is still a hidden destination, as it is not so used by tourists. Take a ride and swim in its warm and clean waters.
4. Yarinacocha Lake – Ucayali
It is an indispensable destination for those who love the jungle. It is in the district of the same name and has a river port where you can get tours to see its entire territory. The view of the trees and the ethnic communities will show you a new version of Peru.
5. Llanganuco Lakes– Áncash
It is located in the Huascarán National Park and is famous for its crystal clear waters surrounded by trees.
84 kilometers northeast of Huaraz are the Llanganuco lagoons. The tour consists of approximately 2 and a half hours by vehicle.
In this nature reserve there are two lagoons with turquoise waters:
Chinancocha or “female lagoon”, where you will be surrounded by queñual trees and cattails and, in addition, you will be able to appreciate wild ducks in the area. The locals offer services of horseback riding, boating, windsurfing, camping, among other activities that will help further enhance your tourist experience.
Orconcocha or “male lagoon”, which is at the end of the valley and turns out to be the smallest. In this place, the environment is conducive to filling you with the purity of nature and capturing in a photograph the diversity of flora and fauna that abounds in the area.
If you wish, you can rent a boat to see all its expansion and take good pictures.
6. Salinas Lake – Arequipa
It is a salt flat located in southern Peru, surrounded by the Pichu Pichu and Ubinas volcanoes. It is an almost unique place, the water has layers of salt and in the heat it turns into water. It is recommended to go from April to November to avoid the rains.
7. Sandoval Lake – Madre de Dios
You locate it in the Tambopata National Reserve and it is surrounded by flora and fauna characteristic of the jungle. If you are one of those who does not like the large number of tourists, this place is for you, which is why they consider it the most beautiful in the jungle.
8. Churup Lake – Áncash
In our country there is the mountain seven colors of Cusco and also the “lagoon seven colors” of Áncash. To visit it, you must get to Huaraz and from there you can contact tourism agencies that take you to this destination.
9. Lost lake of the Inca – Lambayeque
A place that mixes history and natural beauty. It is known that they discovered it in 2003 and gave it this name because it was close to the Inca Trail, which is why the inhabitants used it as a resting place.
10. Humantay lake – Cusco.
Located just two hours from the city is the trekking route that will take you to the Humantay lagoon, a paradise of turquoise waters from the melting of the mountains that form the backdrop to this natural spectacle.
The Humantay lake has turquoise water lagoon, an imposing snow-capped mountain, magic and mysticism is what awaits you when visiting the impressive Humantay lagoon, located three hours from the Imperial City.
This medium intensity hike usually begins in the town of Soraypampa towards your camp, located at 3,900 meters above sea level. From there you will take a route lasting between one and two hours, to ascend the 200 meters that separate you from the Humantay lake. Upon arrival you will be able to rest and enjoy the impressive views of the place, guarded by the Humantay and Salkantay mountains.
Visit this amazing lake in the Cusco Perú vacation packages.
Other lagoons you should know in Peru
Blue Lake in San Martín.
This lagoon is somewhat hidden, located in El Sauce -a 1 hour drive from Tarapoto-. Almost all the way is trail, you must also cross a deep river on a boat that takes the cars from one shore to another, despite all this hard journey, the destination is worth it: a quiet and beautiful lagoon, with dark waters… wait… it wasn’t the blue lagoon? What happens is that having dark waters and a wonderful bright celestial sky, this sky is reflected in the lagoon and looks blue.
Fact: Around the lagoon there are many hotels and resorts with all the comforts for rest, in addition there are many mystical activities, taking advantage of the destination.
Rajucolta Lake in Áncash.
It is reached in a 3-hour walk from the town of Macashca, located 2 hours by car from the city of Huaraz. Willows, walnut trees and a stream make up the path to this water mirror that is over 4,200 meters high and at the foot of the Huantsán mountain (6366 m.a.s.l.).
Tomatodo, dried fruit and cereal bars are essential to keep up with the walk. Do not forget to return with the waste to the lodging.
Huaypo Lake in Cusco.
A couple of hours from the Imperial City, between the provinces of Urubamba and Anta, is this lagoon, with blue skies and infinite silence. Take a deep breath, go kayaking so as not to pollute the tranquility and enjoy a luxury picnic on its shores. If you are inexperienced or if you are traveling with children, ask for a double boat to row with your guide. The plan is provided by Munaycha Experience.
Lake of the Condors in the Amazon.
It is the most incredible lagoon that I have known in Peru. To get there you have to leave from the town of Leymebamba – Amazonas, two hours from Chachapoyas. It is a hard and heavy walk, it is 35 km crossing several geological floors.
The route can take you between 10 and 12 hours approximately, but it is worth every step that is taken. Its two main attractions are the beautiful landscape that surrounds this black water lagoon and the mausoleums that are at the foot of it. Visiting the main mausoleum (and the only one explored) is an adventure on its own. Under the roof of this funerary construction of the Chachapoyas, more than 200 mummies were found, which today rest in the Leymebamba Museum.
It is amazing how the ancient Chachapoyas could build in such a wild place; the view of the lagoon from this point is impressive.
7 Colors Lake in Canta.
Here take your time to climb to the top and thus appreciate the lagoon in its splendor. People in the area say that in order for you to see the 7 colors, the lagoon must be totally still, without wind to move the waters. I was lucky enough to see the 7 colors, a little patience and you will enjoy that incredible landscape. It is located three hours from Lima.
Parón and Artesoncocha Lakes
Like Laguna 69, Paron and Artesoncocha are located within the Huascarán National Park. And although looking at both on a map they may seem very close, the road to the last two should start in the city of Caraz, which is less than two hours from Huaraz.
In total, the trek lasts three hours per section, as it is convenient to do it calmly given the height of the place. The road runs through a ravine from which you will see a lot of vegetation, giant mountains and waterfalls, until you reach Paron lagoon, located at 4,200 meters above sea level. Only 100 meters further you will see Artesoncocha, smaller but equally beautiful.
Lake Palcacocha in Huaraz
The Lake Palcacocha is located in the Huascarán National Park.
Lake Palcacocha is a glacial lake in the Andean Cordillera of South America, in northwestern Peru. The Lake Palcacocha is located at an elevation of 4,566 m, just below Palcaraju (6,274 m) and Pucaranca (6,156 m) peaks. The lake is one of several lakes that supply the town of Huaraz with water, 23 km to the southwest.