Rachel is a travel writer and artist with a passion for hiking in the mountains. She has spent many months trekking in the mountains of South America, from the Peruvian Andes to the wilds of Patagonia.
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Distance: 11.9 km
- Duration: Six to seven hours
- Max elevation: 4,541 m
- Start/end point: Wilcahuain Village
Laguna Aguak is a challenging rocky ascent to yet another turquoise alpine lake. The trek has a well established footpath and is easy to follow throughout the entire duration.
The first two kilometres of the hike is quite easy with a very gentle incline over grass hills. However, with over 1,100 metres of elevation gain in under 12 kilometres, the trek quickly transitions to steep rocky switchbacks. This was one of the most unfrequented treks in Huaraz I completed, as I only saw two other hikers and two older women herding their sheep through the first portion of the trek. Unfortunately, I had to turn back within 11 kilometres of the glacier due to a thunderstorm. With wishful thinking, I continued to push for the laguna under thunder and rain, hoping to get a glimpse and quickly descend before the storm became too strong. But predictably, the lightning migrated directly overhead and the rain turned to hail and continuing would have been reckless.
Need to know
Located in the Huascaran National Park, Lagua Aguak has an entrance fee of 30/S and is about 30 minutes from the city centre by combi or taxi. Transportation details by combi are the same as mentioned in Laguna Llaca and Laguna Radian. At the very beginning of the trail, you will pass a few residences along a dirt road before the terrain becomes more expansive and the trail more solitary. However, it’s important to be cautious of the dogs here. Most locals allow their dogs to roam freely, and therefore they can be territorial of sections of public road near their residence. On these roads in particular, I encountered several very aggressive dogs and contemplated turning back before even reaching the trailhead. Luckily, I was able to find an alternative route to the trailhead to avoid passing near them. On the way back to the combi stop, nervous to walk through the same neighbourhood, I asked if I could walk along with a few locals I saw passing and felt much safer.
At a glance
Destinations
Cordillera Blanca
Activity
Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Responsible Travel, Slow Travel, Solo TravelPhysical Level
MildSeason
May - SeptemberDuration
1 dayRelated Guides
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Laguna Aguak day hike
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