Jo at the start of the hike up to Laguna Paron In total we climbed about 800m, as Laguna Paron is at 4200m David on the way to Laguna Paron Jo taking a break on the steep climb up to Laguna Paron The hike to the laguna essentially follows this river Butterfly! River crossing! What a beauty – Laguna Paron! The stunning Laguna Paron Laguna Paron – we had it all to ourselves Views of Laguna Paron Stunning lake and mountain views at Laguna Paron Beautiful Laguna Paron We walked part way around the laguna Laguna Paron selfie! Jo at Laguna Paron – it was chilly when we weren’t hiking David at Laguna Paron Beautiful Laguna Paron Beautiful Laguna Paron Stunning Laguna Paron – quite possibly my favourite lake ever! Views on the descent from Laguna Paron Ready to begin our hike to Laguna 69! Ready to begin our hike to Laguna 69! The hike started gently with a nice stroll across the valley floor David at the beginning of our hike to Laguna 69 We hadn’t walked very far when we decided to have lunch! We were joined by Javier, a cool cyclist from Spain Views of the mountains from our lunch stop After lunch we started to climb a series of switchbacks. The views of the surrounding mountains and waterfalls were impressive! This gorgeous mountain towers over Laguna 69 Views of the valley while climbing up the switchbacks to Laguna 69 One of the waterfalls on the way to Laguna 69 After the first series of switchbacks, we came to another high plain We hiked up to Laguna 69 with Javier – an awesome cycle tourer from Spain! It started to hail when we arrived at the laguna – we have never put up our tent so fast! Hail! Laguna 69 with hail! Campsites don’t get much better than this! David making our brekkie at Laguna 69 Jo enjoying brekkie and coffee with a view Jo enjoying brekkie and coffee with a view Wild flowers, Laguna 69 Wild flowers, Laguna 69 Campsites don’t get much better than this! Stunning Laguna 69 on the following morning Stunning Laguna 69 on the following morning Stunning Laguna 69 on the following morning David on the descent to the high plain the following morning We caught glimpses of other lakes on the descent from Laguna 69 Views on the descent to the high plain the following morning Jo at the river crossing on the high plain Our colectivo had an accident on the way to Vaqueria … We didn’t start hiking until 5pm and it took us a good 1.5 hours to pass through the initial villages The campsite that we found in the dark on Day 1 of our Santa Cruz Trek The view from our campsite The refugio where we registered for the Santa Cruz Trek. You can camp here The refugio where we registered for the Santa Cruz Trek. You can camp here Misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek Misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek Jo on Day 2 of the Santa Cruz Trek More misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek We passed this laguna early on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek Campground Paria – the first official campsite that we passed Hmmm … not very inviting. This is the toilet at Campground Paria … Hmmm … not very inviting. This is the toilet at Campground Paria … Jo on Day 2 of the Santa Cruz Trek Our backpacks – we were happy to take them off whenever possible David taking a break on Day 2 of the Santa Cruz Trek My backpack was so heavy, David had to help me stand up! David collecting water from a mountain stream More misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek More misty views on Day 2 of our Santa Cruz Trek The Santa Cruz Trek is often like this – a wide hiking highway! We passed a number of dried up lagoons on the way to Punta Union This was the view of the mountain ranges that we had for most of Day 2 As we neared the pass at Punta Union, some of the fog cleared and we caught glimpses of the mountain ranges that we had been hiking past all day It was all uphill from here to Punta Union We stopped beside this laguna before tackling the ascent up to Punta Union The view on the way up to Punta Union – pretty miserable weather We passed this lovely lake on the way to Punta Union. It must be beautiful when the sun is shining! We passed this lovely lake on the way to Punta Union. It must be beautiful when the sun is shining! The view on the way up to Punta Union – pretty miserable weather Jo hiking up to Punta Union on Day 2 Jo hiking up to Punta Union on Day 2 Jo hiking up to Punta Union on Day 2 By this point we could see the gap in the rock that we were heading for – Punta Union – AND then it started to snow! The view on the way up to Punta Union – pretty miserable weather David making the last push up to Punta Union Punta Union – reached by a stone staircase Jo climbing the stone staircase to Punta Union Meters away from the summit at Punta Union Misty views from Punta Union on Day 2 Punta Union!!! Reaching Punta Union on Day 2 in the snow!!! Jo on the descent from Punta Union Jo on the descent from Punta Union Although generally sure footed, the trail must be a little hazardous at times for donkeys … poor thing Laguna Taullicocha was a magical sight – even in the rain! Laguna Taullicocha was a magical sight – even in the rain! Cloudy views of the valley on our descent from Punta Union on Day 2 Chilly sunset on Day 2 By the time we made it to our campsite it was getting dark. We found a well used “unofficial” campsite with access to a stream Our campsite with Mount Taulliraju in the background covered in clouds David made us a yummy pasta dinner! Dinner would have been perfect if my teeth weren’t chattering while eating it! It was freezing at this altitude Our tent was covered with ice the following morning! View of Mount Taulliraju from our campsite on Day 3 Jo hiked back up to Punta Union on the morning of Day 3 to take pictures of the pass in the sunshine. This is the view from Punta Union of Paria Valley that we should have had the day before. So much nicer in sunshine! Jo hiked back up to Punta Union on the morning of Day 3 to take pictures of the pass in the sunshine. This is the view from Punta Union of Paria Valley that we should have had the day before. So much nicer in sunshine! The highest point of our trek – the Punta Union Pass at 4750m, with views of stunning Laguna Taullicocha The highest point of our trek – the Punta Union Pass at 4750m, with views of stunning Laguna Taullicocha Lovely Laguna Taullicocha in sunshine Mount Taulliraju and Laguna Taullicocha – simply gorgeous in the sunshine! Mount Taulliraju and Laguna Taullicocha – simply gorgeous in the sunshine! The puddles of water froze overnight! Views on the descent from Punta Union – pretty spectacular! Laguna Taullicocha – simply gorgeous in the sunshine! Views on the descent from Punta Union – pretty spectacular! Possible campsite overlooking Mount Taulliraju and Laguna Taullicocha The magnificent Mount Taulliraju You have to watch where you step! Sunny views on the descent from Punta Union on Day 3 Sunny views on the descent from Punta Union on Day 3 – our campsite is visible in the distance Sunny views on the descent from Punta Union on Day 3 – our campsite is visible in the distance Our spectacular campsite with views of Mount Taulliraju – it doesn’t get much better than this! Mount Taulliraju Mount Taulliraju Mount Taulliraju Day 3 of our trek brought sunshine and some gorgeous mountain vistas! Day 3 of our trek brought sunshine and some gorgeous mountain vistas! The official campsite, a 2 hour hike from Punta Union As always, the toilet facilities were in a terrible state Day 3 of our trek brought sunshine and some gorgeous mountain and river vistas! Enjoying the sunshine and lovely views on Day 3 Enjoying the sunshine and lovely views on Day 3 The official campsite 2 hours from Punta Union was home to an array of horses and cows The official campsite 2 hours from Punta Union was home to an array of horses and cows There appeared to have been a landslide in this area, possibly caused by one of the lagunas higher up All morning we hiked towards the lovely Laguna Jatuncocha We stopped to watch these heavily laden donkeys make their way up the path We stopped to watch these heavily laden donkeys make their way up the path David’s backpack was so heavy, he felt like a donkey! Stunning views on Day 3 of our Santa Cruz Trek On Day 3 we met this cute trail dog, which was following one of the tour groups On our way to Laguna Jatuncocha Bromeliads decorated the mountain side On our way to Laguna Jatuncocha Lovely waterfall on the way to Laguna Jatuncocha On our way to Laguna Jatuncocha We stopped for lunch at Laguna Jatuncocha We stopped for lunch at Laguna Jatuncocha We stopped for lunch at Laguna Jatuncocha After lunch, we passed into a wetlands area, favoured by the local donkeys and cows On the way to the wetlands This little guy was very curious and super cute! This little guy was very curious and super cute! What a cutie! What a cutie! After the wetlands, we eventually arrived at the Llamacorral Campsite. Cacti on the way to Cashapampa Cacti on the way to Cashapampa David taking a well-deserved break! Our campsite by the river on Day 3 Our campsite on Day 3 Our campsite by the river on Day 3 We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3! We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3! We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3! We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3! We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3! We had some unexpected guests for dinner on Day 3! The lovely river beside our campsite The awesome sunset on Day 3! The awesome sunset on Day 3! The moon was still visible above our campsite while we were having brekkie on Day 4 The moon was still visible above our campsite while we were having brekkie on Day 4 Jo ready to start hiking on Day 4 – only 7kms to go! On our way to Cashapampa Little bridge on our way to Cashapampa On our way to Cashapampa Views on our way to Cashapampa On our way to Cashapampa David and the huge door that we passed through towards the end of the trek This lovely shrine marked the end of the trek This lovely shrine marked the end of the trek Almost at Cashapampa! Some enterprising Peruvians have set up a pub at the end of the trek, but it was a bit early for a beer! Related projects Argentina – February – March 2016 Mexican Road Trip – Yucatan and Chiapas – February – March 2015 Ecuador – Amazon Jungle AdventureWe spent 4 days (3 nights) at Nicky Amazon Lodge, deep in… Nicaragua – May 2015