Parón Lake tour from Huaraz: Mountains and alpine views

Walk to an alpine lake ringed by six named peaks

A full-day tour from Huaraz to Parón Lake in the Cordillera Blanca, traveling north through the Callejón de Huaylas valley with stops in Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz, then climbing to 4,170 meters for a 40-minute walk to a viewpoint overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains. Hotel pickup and a Spanish-speaking guide are included. The tour runs 10 to 12 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Parón Lake and surrounding towns

• Depart from Huaraz city
• Stop for breakfast in Carhuaz
• Pass through Yungay and Caraz
• Drive to Parón Town
• Arrive at Quebrada de Parón and Lake
• Walk 40 minutes to sightseeing point
• Enjoy panoramic lake and mountain views
• Return to Huaraz

The experience

The route heads north from Huaraz through the Callejón de Huaylas, a long valley that strings together small towns and agricultural land. You stop in Carhuaz for breakfast, then continue past Yungay and Caraz before the road turns east toward Parón Town. From there the landscape opens into high terrain, and you arrive at the trailhead to Parón Lake itself, sitting at 4,170 meters above sea level.

A 40-minute walk from the parking area brings you to a viewpoint where the lake spreads out below, backed by six named peaks: Huaydoy, Chacraraju, Pirámide, Parón, Caraz and Aguja. The mountains frame the water on all sides, and the altitude means the air is thin and the light is sharp. After time at the viewpoint, the group returns downhill and begins the drive back to Huaraz.

The tour includes round-trip transport from your hotel, a professional guide who speaks Spanish, and the route through the valley towns. Breakfast in Carhuaz is your responsibility, as is lunch and the entrance fee to Huascarán National Park if you are a foreign visitor or a Peruvian national with ID.

What’s included

• Round-trip transport from your Huaraz hotel.
• professional guide in Spanish.
• a breakfast stop in Carhuaz where you order and pay for your own meal.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 12.92

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Scheler Artizon Trek

Is this one for you?The walk to the viewpoint is moderate and takes 40 minutes, and the high altitude of 4,170 meters means you will feel the thinner air. The full day runs 10 to 12 hours, so an early start and a full schedule suit travelers who are accustomed to mountain elevation and have a full day free.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How high is Parón Lake and what is the walk like to reach the viewpoint?

Parón Lake sits at 4,170 meters above sea level. From the parking area, you walk approximately 40 minutes to reach the viewpoint overlooking the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Which towns do we pass through on the way to Parón Lake?

The route travels north through the Callejón de Huaylas valley, passing Tarica, Anta, Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz before turning east toward Parón Town and the lake.

What mountains can you see from the Parón Lake viewpoint?

From the viewpoint, you see six named peaks: Huaydoy, Chacraraju, Pirámide, Parón, Caraz and Aguja, all surrounding the lake.

Does the tour include breakfast or lunch?

The tour includes a breakfast stop in Carhuaz, but you pay for your own meal there. Lunch is not included and must be arranged separately.

Is the national park entrance fee included in the tour price?

No. The entrance fee to Huascarán National Park is separate and depends on whether you are a foreign visitor or a Peruvian national with ID.