Rygsækrejsen 2015-2016: Hike to Laguna 69

We got up before 5 AM, were at the breakfast before the breakfast was ready and at exactly 5:30 the door rang with the pick up. A bit rushed since we just had breakfast served we managed to eat and run to the bus at the same time and then we could relax for the next two hours of driving towards the national park. Passing through small villages on the way the Sunday markets were already getting busy with people bringing in veggies, live stock and other market items.

First stop was the mandatory "park entry fee" and then we headed 20 minutes into the park having our first stop at "Woman lake". Magnificent setting in the morning with high mountains surrounding the blue lake. A bit of sunshine helped with the scenery - and then we had our second breakfast. Avocado bun and tea and coffee. The group was around 30 persons including a couple of other Danes so there was plenty of opportunity to small talk about travel plans and experiences.

The bus continued for about 20 minutes more, we got dropped off at the trail-head and had around three hours of hiking and 700 meters of elevation to do. In the most fantastic setting. A valley surrounded by high mountains, rolling clouds, a bit of rain and lots of sun helped us all the way up to the first plateau where we crossed a meadow before doing the last part of the hike which included 200 meters of elevation. We could see the lake in front of us, having the same blue colour of the glacier lakes in Canada. It was beautiful. Further up the mountain we could see and hear the glaciers.

Lunch wasn't included but we had plenty of snacks and sat there at the lake shore and tried to take it all in. After 45 minutes we decided to head back, the hike back should be a little more than two hours after all. On the way back we met some of the other guys from the bus still trying to make their way to the laguna and looking exhausted. We had a few breaks on the way back looking at the mountain peaks and the clouds drifting across them. We made it back to the bus, waited for a while for one of them to fill up and suddenly the driver decided it was ok to leave and we spent the next three hours driving back to Huaraz. A quick shower and then we headed towards the city centre. La Rustica wasn't really what we fancied for dinner and we were starving due to our light snack based lunch. And then the inevitable happened - we couldn't find a place to eat.

There were plenty of local "Pollerias" but we didn't feel like one more chicken which of course ended up being our dinner at the end. It was dark, cold and rainy and we quickly gave up looking for a nice cafe or any other place. We just took a place with 5 Sole dishes, where there was chicken soup, tomato chicken or fried chicken on the menu. We took a taxi back to the hostel, relaxed a bit before going to bed. Tomorrow is going to be another hike - but this one a bit later in the morning and totally DIY. Laguna Wilcacocha is waiting for us.