La Paz: Charquini Trek & Emerald Lagoon Day Trip

Trek to Charquini and the emerald waters of La Paz

You’ll breathe in crisp mountain air as you trek from La Paz up to Charquini and Laguna Esmeralda, pausing at Milluni’s historic cemetery and a surreal red lagoon along the way. With snacks and hot drinks shared by your local guide, you’ll have space to take it slow, and maybe surprise yourself with how far you’ve come by day’s end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Charquini and Laguna Esmeralda tour

• Travel 2 hours to first stop
• View Nevado Charquini and mountains
• Visit Milluni historical cemetery
• See Laguna Colorada landscape
• Travel to snowy mountain near Huayna Potosí
• Trek 1 hour to Emerald Lagoon
• Enjoy snacks at Emerald Lagoon
• Return hike to base camp
• Travel 2 hours back to La Paz

The experience

I didn’t think the air would feel that thin so soon, but stepping out near Charquini, it hit me: sharp, cold, almost sweet. Our guide, Carla, handed out trekking poles with a grin that said she’d seen plenty of wobbly first steps before. The drive from La Paz was longer than I expected (maybe two hours?), but watching the city fade into these wild brown hills made it feel like we’d left regular life behind. There was this old cemetery in Milluni: Carla stopped us there. I’m not usually into graveyards, but she told us about miners and old strikes, and suddenly it felt important to stand there for a minute.

The road kept twisting up past patches of snow and these weirdly quiet stretches where even the wind seemed tired. We stopped by a lagoon: red water against white peaks. Someone asked why it was red (algae? minerals?), but honestly I just stared for a while. The last bit before base camp got bumpy. I almost spilled my tea when we hit a pothole. By the time we reached 4800 meters at Charquini’s base camp, my head felt light but not in a bad way: more like I was floating.

The trek to Laguna Esmeralda took about an hour, maybe more since we stopped every few minutes to catch our breath or just gawk at the Andes. It’s not super tough if you go slow (and you’ll want to). When the lagoon finally appeared, icy green under this huge glacier, I just sat down in the grass and ate my sandwich without saying much. Carla poured hot coca tea for everyone. She laughed when I tried to say “Charquini” right (I definitely didn’t). On the way back, nobody talked much. We were all kind of lost in our own heads with those colors stuck behind our eyes.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation from La Paz with stops along the way, eco trekking poles provided by your bilingual guide Carla (or someone just as patient), plus snacks and hot drinks served right at Laguna Esmeralda before heading back down together.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to17h before

AgesAdult (20 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 65 years) · Youth (15 to 19 years) · Child (10 to 14 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 3

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Feel Bolivia Travel Agency & Tours

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 19 years); Child (10 to 14 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

How long does the Charquini & Laguna Esmeralda day trip take?

The tour lasts approximately 8-9 hours from departure in La Paz until return.

Is pickup included for this day trip from La Paz?

Yes, round-trip transportation is included with pickup from a meeting point in La Paz.

What altitude will we reach during the trek?

You’ll reach about 5024 meters above sea level at Laguna Esmeralda near Charquini.

Are snacks or meals provided on this tour?

Yes, snacks and hot drinks are included during your time at Laguna Esmeralda.

Is this trek suitable for beginners or people acclimating?

The hike isn’t very demanding and is good for acclimatization before climbing Huayna Potosi.

What should I bring for the Charquini trek?

You should bring warm clothing, water, sun protection, and be prepared for high altitude conditions.