The Huascarán National Park, located in the Peruvian highlands (Áncash Region), is one of the most important protected natural areas, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1985. The park is home to the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range on the planet, where the Huascaran Snowy Peak is located, the highest peak in Peru at 6,768 meters above sea level.
The park's geography is known for holding nearly 663 glaciers and more than 400 lagoons of glacial origin, whose waters give rise to mighty rivers. This environment creates some of the most varied Peru landscapes, with unique biodiversity. Among its flora, the Puya Raimondi stands out, one of the largest inflorescences in the world, which grows at high altitudes within the park.
Huascaran National Park is the favorite destination for adventure vacations in Peru, offering high-mountain routes for hiking (trekking), mountaineering, and climbing. The park not only attracts with its physical challenges but also with its 33 archaeological sites.
The Huascaran National Park occupies part of the provinces of Huaylas, Yungay, Carhuaz, Huaraz, Recuay, Bolognesi, Huari, Asunción, Mariscal Luzuriaga and Pomabamba, in the Ancash region.
On your next trip, take into account these opening hours of the Huascaran National Park: Control posts: Monday to Sunday: from 7:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This park is a real nature treasure, home to an amazing variety of animals and plants:
Animals:
Plants:
The price of tickets for the Park varies according to the number of days you plan to spend in it:
01 day:
02 to 03 days:
04 to 30 days:
There are many activities that you can do in the Park such as trekking, mountain biking, climbing, experiential tourism, among others. Today we bring you our five favorite activities to encourage you to visit it.
Beginning the trek along the Santa Cruz Route is more than just a hike; it’s an experience that demands both physical preparation and mental resilience. Over the course of three or four days of trekking, you’ll encounter diverse landscapes: crystal-clear lakes, idyllic lagoons, and mountains soaring nearly 5,000 meters above sea level.
Naturally, good physical condition is essential, as the long days at high altitude can be physically demanding. Acclimatization is also crucial—spending a few days in Huaraz or taking day hikes to places like the famous Laguna 69 is ideal before starting the full route.
Additionally, having the right trekking gear is vital: a waterproof tent, a sleeping bag rated for low temperatures, a water bottle with a filter or purification tablets, among other essential items. All this preparation is absolutely worth it, as every step along the route rewards you with breathtaking scenery.
The Huascaran National Park is well known for its lagoons with crystal clear turquoise, blue and light blue waters. The beautiful Llanganuco lagoons are located 25 km east of the city of Yungay. The Chinancocha, also known as the Laguna Hembra, is at the foot of the highest snow-capped peak in the country, the Huascaran, and is popular for its turquoise color and the queñual forests that surround it. While the Orconcocha Lagoon, or Laguna Macho, also has a striking light blue color and is located in the final part of the valley. Not only can you take a photo from the tree-lined shore, but you can also take a boat ride in the Chinancocha Lagoon for a closer look at the surrounding mountains. A unique experience!
The Churup Lagoon, better known as the Lagoon of the 7 colors, is a beautiful lagoon, whose waters change color according to the rotation of the sun, located on the slopes of the snow-capped mountain of the same name, at 4,450 meters above sea level. Its waters are icy, but, as in the previous lagoons, they are crystal clear and have a great variety of turquoise and green tones, which gives it a very peculiar sight. To get to it on foot, you must take into account that it lasts at least one day (it depends on what the travel agencies can recommend), but wow, it is worth it! because along the way you can appreciate a variety of landscapes that will take your breath away. This trekking is one of the favorites in the area, so we recommend you take it taking all the necessary precautions and preparation.
The famous snow-capped Pastoruri is located 70 km south of Huaraz, at more than 5,240 meters above sea level. The visit can be made with a travel agency, taxi or private car. Although it is known for being one of the snow peaks most affected by climate change and for not having much snow in its geology, you can still visit the base of this snow peak, and since it is a relatively easy hike it is a good option for those people who do not have much experience in mountaineering. On the way to Pastoruri, you can see the Patococha Lagoon, cave paintings, sparkling waters, the Andean puya Raimondi and the Pumapashimin spring. It is a classic attraction of Ancashino tourism that you cannot miss on your trip!
This is the closest lagoon to the city of Huari, making it its most important tourist attraction. You can find trout in its crystalline waters and its extension is surrounded by vegetation typical of the area: shrubs, blackberries, queñuales, alders and the huagancu flower (orchid), which makes it a lagoon with a lot of green around it. In this place, you can camp, in addition to having a picnic area. Here you can also take boat tours and walk around the lagoon to take photos and better appreciate the nature that surrounds it.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
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Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru 
info@salkantaytrekmachu.com
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