Laguna Parón, one of the attractions near Hotel Morales

Nearby Attractions

13 lagoons, glaciers and archaeological sites within reach from Huaraz

The Cordillera Blanca, a day trip away

From Hotel Morales, in the José Olaya neighborhood, the Cordillera Blanca's most iconic glacial lagoons, snow peaks and archaeological sites are just a few hours away. Every excursion listed here includes real distance, elevation and difficulty level, so you can plan your day with the information you need.

Our certified mountain guides (UIAGM/AGMP) can advise you on routes, acclimatization and weather before every outing — just ask at the front desk.

Laguna Rajucolta — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
A turquoise mirror at the foot of Huantsán

Laguna Rajucolta

A deep-blue glacial lagoon that sharply reflects Nevado Huantsán (6,369 m), surrounded by green pastures and the Rajucolta glacier. One of the least crowded excursions in the Cordillera Blanca.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~40 km from Huaraz · 3 h by car + 3 h hiking (6 km)
  • Elevation: 4,271 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Moderate-high · full day (~8 h)
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park: S/10 for adults
  • Best season: April to October (dry season)
Laguna 69 and Llanganuco Lakes — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
The turquoise icon of the Cordillera Blanca

Laguna 69 and Llanganuco Lakes

Peru's most photographed lagoon: a glacial cirque of intense turquoise water at 4,600 m, surrounded by Huascarán — the country's highest peak — Chacraraju and Pisco. Along the way, the Llanganuco Lakes offer another postcard stop.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: 86 km from Huaraz · 2.5-3 h to Cebollapampa
  • Elevation: Laguna 69: 4,600 m · Llanganuco: 3,850 m
  • Difficulty: Moderate-hard · full day (10-11 h total)
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park (per-day fee)
  • Best season: May to September (dry season)
Laguna Parón — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
The turquoise queen beside Artesonraju

Laguna Parón

The largest lagoon in the Cordillera Blanca, an intense turquoise from dissolved glacial lime. At its head rises Artesonraju (5,885 m), the real mountain behind the Paramount Pictures logo.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~99 km from Huaraz via Caraz · 3 h by car
  • Elevation: 4,200 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Easy by car · moderate if walking the final stretch
  • Entry fee: S/5 (one of the cheapest in the area)
  • Best season: May to September (dry season)
Laguna Urus (Uruscocha) — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
Perfect acclimatization through queñual forest

Laguna Urus (Uruscocha)

A turquoise lagoon at the foot of Nevado Urus, reached via a trail through a native queñual forest. It is the favorite acclimatization hike before tackling Laguna 69 or longer treks.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~1 h by car to Cochapampa + 5 h hiking (8.5 km, +880 m)
  • Elevation: 4,600–4,650 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Moderate · full day
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park
  • Best season: April to October (dry season)
Laguna Shallap — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
A green-turquoise lake among 6,000 m giants

Laguna Shallap

A glacial lagoon of green-turquoise water, set in a valley flanked by Nevado San Juan (5,843 m) and the towering Huantsán (6,396 m). A less-traveled excursion than Laguna 69, ideal for those seeking quiet.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~12 km to Pitec (40 min) + 3 h hiking (~10.5 km)
  • Elevation: 4,250 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Easy-moderate · full day
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park
  • Best season: May to October (dry season)
Laguna Churup — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
The lagoon of seven colors

Laguna Churup

Considered the most iconic acclimatization hike near Huaraz: a turquoise-green mirror right beneath the glacier of Nevado Churup (5,495 m), with a final rocky stretch aided by a fixed rope.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~12 km to Pitec (40 min) + 3 h hiking (6 km, +600 m)
  • Elevation: 4,450–4,485 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Hard (fixed-rope section) · full day (4-5 h)
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park
  • Best season: May to September (the trail becomes a stream in the rainy season)
Rocotuyoc and Frozen Lagoon — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
Floating ice at the foot of Nevado Copa

Rocotuyoc and Frozen Lagoon

Two connected lagoons in the Vicos community: the green-turquoise waters of Rocotuyoc and, close by, the Frozen Lagoon, with ice blocks floating year-round at the foot of Nevado Copa (5,745 m).

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~58 km from Huaraz (including an unpaved stretch) + short hike (1-3 km)
  • Elevation: 4,500–4,600 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Easy on foot · full day due to travel time
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park
  • Best season: May to October (dry season)
Laguna Hualcacocha — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
The turquoise secret of the Ulta Valley

Laguna Hualcacocha

A rarely visited lagoon in the Ulta Valley, reached through one of the few day-accessible queñual forests, with views of Nevado Hualcán (5,300 m). Perfect for escaping the busier routes.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~1 h 50 min via Carhuaz/Ulta Valley + 3-5 h hiking
  • Elevation: 4,325–4,355 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Moderate · full day
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park
  • Best season: May to October (dry season)
Puya Raimondii Forest and Pastoruri Glacier — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
The largest plant in the Andes

Puya Raimondii Forest and Pastoruri Glacier

One of the most accessible forests of Puya raimondii, the world's largest bromeliad (up to 12 m tall, flowering only once after decades of life), a short distance from the Pastoruri glacier.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~70-80 km from Huaraz · 3 h by car
  • Elevation: Puya forest: 4,200 m · glacier viewpoint: up to ~5,000 m
  • Difficulty: Easy · short interpretive walk (~1 h)
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park: ~S/30 for foreigners
  • Best season: May to September (dry season)
Chavín de Huántar — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
3,000 years of history beneath the Andes

Chavín de Huántar

A UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site: one of the first great pan-Andean ceremonial centers (1200-500 BC), with underground galleries, the Lanzón monolith, and stone-carved tenon heads.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~86-110 km from Huaraz · 2.5-3 h (crosses the Kahuish pass, ~4,516 m)
  • Site elevation: 3,177 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Easy · flat walk within the complex
  • Entry fee: Site and museum entrance (Ministry of Culture)
  • Best season: Year-round (visitable in any season)
Pukaventana — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
The red window over Huaraz

Pukaventana

A canyon of reddish earth and rock ("puka" = red in Quechua) right above Huaraz, opening onto a panoramic viewpoint over the city and both mountain ranges — the Blanca and the Negra. It is also one of the area's most popular paragliding launch points.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~6 km from downtown Huaraz + 1 h hiking
  • Elevation: 3,300–3,700 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Easy-moderate · half day
  • Entry fee: Free
  • Best season: Year-round · recommended to go with a group or guide
Quillcayhuanca Valley — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
The glacial valley of Tullparaju and Cayesh

Quillcayhuanca Valley

A U-shaped glacial valley flanked by Tullparaju (5,787 m) at its head and the rocky spire of Cayesh, with rock formations around Cuchillacocha Lagoon. Starting point for the Quillcayhuanca-Cojup trek.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~1.5 h by car from Huaraz to the control post
  • Elevation: Control post: 3,840-3,900 m · Cuchillacocha Lagoon: 4,625 m
  • Difficulty: Moderate · half day to full day (or a 3-day trek combined with Cojup)
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park
  • Best season: May to September (dry season)
Llaca Valley and Lagoon — near Hotel Morales, Huaraz
Face to face with the Ranrapalca glacier

Llaca Valley and Lagoon

A turquoise glacial lagoon right beneath the hanging glaciers of Ranrapalca (6,162 m) and Ocshapalca (5,888 m) — dramatic close-up glacier views without needing a multi-day trek.

See distance, elevation and difficulty
  • Distance: ~25-27 km from Huaraz + 1-1.5 h hiking (5-6 km)
  • Elevation: 4,474 m a.s.l.
  • Difficulty: Moderate · full day
  • Entry fee: Huascarán National Park
  • Best season: May to September (dry season)

Want to arrange an excursion or need transport, a guide or equipment?

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