THE FEMALE LAGOON OF THE ANDES

 

Also called Laguna Llanganuco in the local native language, it means "greenish interior" and refers to a spectacular ravine of glacial origin located in the famous Cordillera Blanca of Peru, which houses two beautiful lagoons called Laguna Chinancocha and Laguna Orconcocha, surrounded by imposing snow-capped mountains, making it a site of great natural beauty, ecological and cultural importanc. 

 

   

Since time immemorial, the ancient natives called this lagoon CHINANCOCHA, which means mother lagoon of emerald green color, and a short distance away there is another lagoon that the local inhabitants called ORCONCOCHA or male lagoon of intense sky blue color, which is located a short distance away in the same ravine and is associated with mystical legends.

  

Today, this lagoon is a key point for tourism arriving in Huaraz because it is very easy to access by vehicle and has an unparalleled beauty. This Andean environment has spectacular views, unique native vegetation, and the incredible possibility of taking boat rides and admiring the spectacular snow-capped mountains that surround this lagoon.

  

Llanganuco Lagoon is located in the Llanganuco Valley, 25 kilometers from the town of Yungay and 79 kilometers from the city of Huaraz. It lies within Huascarán National Park in the northern highlands of Peru. It is 1,472 meters long and 672 meters wide, with a maximum depth of 30 meters, at an altitude of 3,840 meters. Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Huascarán and Huandoy, its water temperature averages +7°C annually.

 

 

 The lagoon has a dock where boats depart for tourist excursions. There are also trails for trekking along the lagoon and to climb the snow-capped mountains, restrooms, a picnic area, a camping area, and souvenir shops where visitors can enjoy a natural environment but with some basic services to make the visit an unforgettable experience. 

 

 

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