His name comes from the Quechua, Willca = Grandson; Cocha = Lagoon. The hike to Willcacocha offers you an incredible location to get incredible panoramic photos.
Location
It is a lagoon located in the Cordillera Negra, southeast of Huaraz district, and province of Huaraz, in the Ancash region, Peru. It is one of the best viewpoints in the Callejon de Huaylas to observe the Cordillera Blanca.
Altitude
It is at 3745 meters above sea level near the town of Santa Cruz, in Huaraz.
Climate
There is a cold-dry climate with an annual temperature of 11C, it is best to visit between the months of April - October since it is in the dry season. These are fantastic dates to take incredible panoramic photographs of the Cordillera Blanca and its imposing snow-capped mountains.
How to get to Willcacocha Lagoon?
From Huaraz, since it is kilometers south of the city. You will have to go to Jr. Hualcan near the central market, there is the point of the local buses on line E and line 10. The fare is (1.00 sol). After a 20-minute trip you will reach the Santa Cruz bridge, from here the walk begins. . The distance is 7 km, we will begin with a calm and slow ascent; It will arrive after 2 and a half hours. Finally you will arrive at the Willcacocha Lagoon and enjoy the magnificent place. I recommend that you take a picnic, enjoy the silence and peace of this magnificent place.
Currently it is considered the best viewpoint to appreciate the best of the Blanca mountain range.
Visiting hours: 8:00am 4:00pm
Income: There is no cost, since it is outside the Huascaran national park.
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
(There is another alternative of going with a travel agency, they are already in charge of providing you with all the service).
Tour to Willcacocha Lagoon
- Pick up from your hotel at 8:00am
- Departure to the town of Santa Cruz
- Start of 2 hour walk (ascending) towards Wilcacocha
- We will walk along a steep path, enjoying the landscapes of the Cordillera Blanca
- 1 hour of free time to take photographs and enjoy the landscape.
- We will descend for 1 hour and 30 minutes to return to Huaraz.
- We will arrive at 2:00pm
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Recommendations:
- Snacks / water
- Comfortable garment
- Waterproof
- Sunscreen
- Personal hygiene kit
- Trekking shoes
- Sunglasses
- Extra money
- Personal documents
Other snowy lands that you will observe:
- Hualcan
- Choquicalqui
- Ranrapalca
- Ocshapalca
- Vallunaraju
Fact
This lagoon is surrounded by humble homes of local residents, who are dedicated to agriculture or livestock. Its main crops are: potatoes, wheat, beans, etc.
Fauna
Coot, Tilly Grebe, Yanavico, Puna Duck, Sutro Duck, Frog Duck, Andean Gull and China Linda or Cacara.
Flora
The totora, The cushuro and The chanquillhua (red, brown, pink and green).
Best Trekking and Tours in Peru
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like theInca Trail tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from thecapital of Peru, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
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If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book yourMachu Picchu ticketin advance, so you will enjoy yourvacation in Machu Picchuwithout any problem.
