Laguna Paron in Peru is the most incredible blue lake I have ever seen. There is nothing like it.
But it’s not the easiest to get to.
No, it doesn’t involve a long, strenuous hike.
And no, it’s not an expensive tour.
Instead, you’ll need to take an overnight bus from Lima to Huaraz. Then, another 3.5-hour bus from Huaraz to Laguna Paron.
I didn’t think it would be worth the long journey. But with a serious case of FOMO, I decided to hit the road and visit Laguna Paron.
Here’s absolutely everything you need to know (and whether I regret adding it to my Peru itinerary or not).
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Laguna Paron summary
- Time needed: Full day from Huaraz (8 am to 6:30 pm)
- Distance: 45-minute walk to the viewpoint
- Costs: S/50 tour + S/5 park entrance
- Altitude: 4,200 m | Viewpoint 4,500 m
- Difficulty: Easy
How to get to Laguna Paron
Laguna Paron is a 3.5-hour drive from the town of Huaraz, Peru.
There is no direct public transport from Huaraz to Laguna Paron, and the easiest and cheapest way to get there is with an organized tour, which will cost you S/50.
Arriving at laguna Paron
Unlike the other lakes in Huaraz, getting to Laguna Paron doesn’t involve a strenuous hike. In fact, it’s pretty easy!
After a 3.5 hour drive, our bus arrived at the car park, which is alongside the lake.
From there, you have a few options for exploring Laguna Paron.
You can either walk around the lake or rent a kayak.
For the best (and most popular) views, take the trail on the right and hike 30 minutes to the upper viewpoint. This offers the best views of Laguna Paron.
Laguna Paron viewpoint
This iconic viewpoint is what attracts people to Laguna Paron in the first place.
It’s a 30 to 45-minute hike from the parking to Mirador Paron. The hike is short, with a gradual incline. But don’t underestimate the effects of the high altitude.
There are also large rocks and boulders you need to scramble over near the final stretch to the top.
Most tours allow 2 hours at Laguna Paron.
How difficult is Laguna Paron hike
Getting to Laguna Paron is one of the easiest hikes in Huaraz, Peru. It’s not even considered a hike, and you do not need to be fit to get here (unlike the hike to Laguna 69, which is nearby).
The hike from Laguna Paron car park to the Mirador is only 45 minutes and relatively easy.
But the altitude can and will get to you!
This is because Laguna Paron sits at 4,200 m. The air is much thinner at altitude, so you’ll get headaches and experience shortness of breath. You may even feel nauseous and vomit.
You will start to feel better when you leave and go down to a lower altitude. But you shouldn’t underestimate how your body will react. We had people throwing up on our tour!
How to visit Laguna Paron independently
It’s no secret that I don’t like group tours. I prefer to travel independently and use local transport when possible.
I had initially planned to get to Laguna Paron without a tour. But, after weighing up the pros and cons, I settled on a group tour as it really is the easiest and cheapest way to visit the lake.
Here’s what you need to know about Laguna Paron without a tour.
Private taxi | If you have the budget, a private tax is the best way to visit Laguna Paron. You’ll arrive before the hordes of tour buses, and you can enjoy the viewpoint with fewer people. Costs are about S/350 for the return trip from Huaraz.
Public transport | There are no public buses that go directly from Huaraz to Laguna Paron. You’ll need to take a series of colectivos and walk 10 km from the trailhead to the laguna. I’ve shared these details below!
Step-by-step directions (without a tour)
1. Huaraz to Caraz | To get to Laguna Paron by public transport, you need to take the first colectivo from Huaraz to Caraz, which departs at 5 am.
2. Caraz to Pueblo Paron | You then take another colectivo from Caraz to Pueblo Paron, a small village that is a 5-minute walk to the Laguna Paron trailhead. This colectivo departs Caraz at 6:30 am and follows a dirt road for 2 hours. This windy road has many switchbacks, but the scenery is spectacular.
3. Trailhead to Laguna Paron | From the trailhead, it’s a 10-kilometer hike to the parking area of Laguna Paron. This hike takes around 3 hours, and you’ll climb from 3,200 m to 4, 200m. This is a considerable elevation gain and will be pretty tough for most people.
4. Laguna Paron to Huaraz | You can try to hitch a ride with one of the tour buses, but they might not have space. If you do the return hike from Laguna Paron to Pueblo Paron, you’ll arrive late afternoon. This means you may not return in time for the last colectivo that goes to Caraz at 4 pm. Remember, you’ll still take another colectivo from Caraz to Huaraz.
There’s a lot of uncertainty in this! Those with an adventurous spirit will make a plan, so don’t be put off by doing it independently.
Note: You don’t do this 10 km hike if you go on a tour, as tour buses go directly to the Laguna Paron parking area.
Staying in Caraz
Another option is to stay in Caraz before and after your Laguna Paron visit. It’s 1.5 hours away from Huaraz and closer to Laguna Paron.
I considered doing this. But I’m glad I didn’t.
The town is tiny, and there’s not much to see there. This would’ve also added more time to my overall itinerary.
If you decide to stay in Caraz instead of Huaraz, the tour buses pass through here, so they can stop and pick you up along the way.
Best time to do the Laguna Paron hike
Huaraz is the hiking capital of Peru, and the best time to visit is during the dry season from May to September. The temperatures are lower at this time, but you’ll have more chance of clear skies and sunshine.
July and August is high season for travel in Peru. I did the Laguna Paron hike in July, and the weather was perfect. I was expecting Peru to be super busy and crowded with tourists, but it wasn’t as hectic as I imagined.
October to April brings frequent rainfall, which is not recommended for the Laguna Paron hike. The weather will be unpredictable, and you can get rain, sun, and snow in one day!
Is it crowded
I went on a tour, and it was quite busy. Little did I know that it was a local holiday on the day of my visit!
My tour guide informed me that it’s not normally like that, and the day before was very quiet.
Did the crowds ruin my experience? No! The lake is spectacular, and nothing can beat it.
What to pack
- 2 litres of water per person
- Lunch (if you don’t want to pay for lunch at the lunch stop)
- Snacks
- Windbreaker/rainjacket
- Gloves
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
Tips
- Bring small change for the toilet at Laguna Paron. You can also buy snacks here.
- Most tours make a quick lunch stop on the return trip from Laguna Paron. This lunch is not included in the tour costs, so bring some cash with you. I paid S/25.
- There are shared dormitories at the visitors’ building at Laguna Paron if you want to stay the night.
- If you’re spending a few days in Huaraz, I recommend adding Laguna Llaca to your itinerary. It’s completely off the beaten track with no crowds. You can either take a taxi to the Laguna parking area or do a short hike. You can find out more about Laguna Llaca here.
How to get to Huaraz
There is no airport in Huaraz, so you’ll need to take an 8-hour overnight bus from Lima.
It’s a long journey, but the buses are safe and incredibly comfortable with clean toilets. They also have large reclining seats, and I slept most of the way.
I booked this bus with Cruz Del Sur, which departed Lima at 9:45 pm and arrived in Huaraz at 6:15 am.
Is Laguna Paron worth it
Laguna Paron is the most spectacular blue lake I have ever seen, and worth the journey to get there.
It’s also a great acclimatization hike if you plan on doing more strenuous day hikes from Huaraz.
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Looking for more Peru travel inspiration? Check out my other posts!
- Ultimate Guide to the Amazon in Peru
- Where to Stay in Cusco
- 5 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: What You Need to Know
- What to Pack For the Salkantay Trek
- How Difficult Is the Salkantay Trek
- 12 Key Differences Between The Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek
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