Full-Day Hike to Lake 69 in the Cordillera Blanca from Huaraz, Peru

The use of Peru Bergsport was the most anxiety-ridden portion of my trip. I booked this day trek for my friends & I when we were in Peru and while the views were amazing, working with this company was not. The description indicates hotel/hostel pick-up and drop off. This proved to be quite challenging. When booking there is no ability to enter the location of said pick-up/drop off. Before the trip I reached out to the company via the email I found on their website (since no contact information was provided in the booking) asking them to confirm that my pick-up location was in range, I never heard from them. It wasn't until I was in Peru and thankfully allowed to use my hostels phone was I finally able to get in touch with Peru Bergsport. I reached the company via the cell phone number on the website and the person who answered the phone asked me to text that number via What'sApp. Being that this was now two days before our trek, I was less than thrilled that I had to continue to reach out to the company without them ever responding to my email. I What'sApp'd the person the address of my Air BnB for the pick up and the company confirmed they could pick us up there, but recommended that we cancel our Air Bnb and stay at their hostel instead. I informed him we would not be doing that and just wanted the pickup as indicated. The day before the hike I again texted the number to confirm the pick up time only to have the individual respond that he didnt know where the location of my Air Bnb was and that, again, I should stay at their hostel. In the end, we had to meet outside of a hospital if we wanted to be picked up since he didn't know where the "enchanted house" (his words) we were staying at in Huaraz was. We met at the hospital and were picked up roughly 10 min later than initially indicated. The bus ride to/from the location is very bumpy and mostly on dirt roads, so be prepared. The actual hike and the views are breathtaking and I was happy we did the hike, just wish we had worked with a different transportation company. Finally, to top it off, they refused to drop us back off at our pickup spot (the hospital) and instead said they'd drop us off in the City Center, 10 blocks from the hospital... which was still a 6 min walk from our "enchanted house."

I usually don't write a review if I have nothing good to say, but I had to write. I don't mean to come off as a sour puss, but just want to bring to view my experience that may possibly help someone else from having to go thru the same experience. My husband and myself just finished the day trek to Lake 69. We were very much looking forward to this during because of the amazing scenic views we had heard so much about. This trek is something I will do only once in my lifetime. We are average treakers and trekking 14,000+ ft. altitude is not an easy feat especially for average treakers. Edgar was definitely great at responding to any queries. We were told to be ready at 5 a.m. and that the pick up would be between 5.20 and 5.40 a.m. We were picked up at 5.40 a.m. On the bus we were briefed about the program. i.e. 3 hours up, 1 hr rest at Lake 69 and 2 hrs back to the bus to leave at 3.30 p.m. Understood. We begin the trek and a few us fell behind.. mind you to high energy/experienced 20 something adults. From the get-go Karlos ("guide") will not stop hounding us about how slow we were and that we need to turn back to the bus if we don't keep up with the times he had set. It just kept getting harder and harder for us as we kept getting higher in altitude and steeper on the mountain. Not to mention we were missing out on the breath taking scenes because we had to make the time. With blood, sweat & tears when we finally made it to the lake, we were barked at that we have 10 mins and have to hit the road back down. We took an additional 10 mins to take on the scenes and rest our body and we got screamed at by Karlos. From the first step down until the bus, the next 2 hrs he kept on our backs to hurry down as if we were a herd of cows. Bottom line, he was probably just doing his job. But that doesn't give him the right to look down on folks that have travelled from around the world just because we are not as fast as him. He does this for a living for @%%& sake. 3 people actually didn't make the lake because of his constant pushing to make the time. I don't know about the rest of the folks that didn't make it, but I will never forget how I didn't get to enjoy and take in the wonderful journey Lake 69 that is. PS: In hindsight you don't need a "guide" to show you how to get to the lake. The park had done a great job at providing directions.

This excursion starts early in the morning, it is announced that you will be picked up at your accommodation at 5am, in reality it is between 5am and 5:30-5:40am the time that the bus picks up everyone. We go on a big bus (where there is no heating, that's the only negative I would say). We stop 2 hours later in a place to have breakfast (15 floors so above normal prices, we had anticipated the food, and so just had coffee there). It is possible to buy sandwiches (not good and double the normal price) in this place if you do not plan your lunch. Then there is another 1 hour drive. We take a 5mn break in the lagoons of Llaganunco which are really pretty and impressive by the size. Shortly after we arrive the departure of the trek. They indicate 3 hours to go to the lagoon and 2h30 to return. It took us two and a half hours to get there and one and a half hours back. Everything depends on your form because I go it's flat and quite a lot of slopes, some with little elevation gain others with more (2 in particular), with the altitude it's not necessarily obvious. The path itself is easy and superb. All along the hike we take plenty of eyes. Depending on your arrival time at the lagoon you will have more or less time on site. We were able to stay there a little over an hour and it was just great. Despite the world it is quiet and relaxing because everyone stays on the same side of the lagoon, so the view of the lagoon is not bothered by people. And despite the fact that there had to be three buses, each going at its own pace, we don't follow each other like sheep, which we were afraid of. If you like hiking and want to make a beautiful lagoon, I highly recommend it! It's eight miles gone and as many on the way back. We go from 3900m altitude in the parking lot to 4600m in the lagoon. The climb is gradual in general, it is just the last climb which is steeper and requires a few breaks with the altitude tiring.

This absolutely, without a doub, has to be at the top of your bucket list if you are ever travelling to Peru, live in Peru, or even thinking about Peru! You definitely have to been in moderate shape as the elevation takes a small toll on the effort you have to give. The hike it's self is about 1.5-3 hrs uphill to get to the lake then only about 1-2hrs down depending on your endurance and fitness level of course. Bring clothes for all four seasons, lots of water and sunscreen!! The views are epic and the area is as pristine as it gets. Seeing heards of cows above 5000m in elevation situated in the mountain valleys is insane. If its warm enough make sure to go swimming!! You might never get the chance again ;)