Queshque Lakes & Puya Raymondi Forest Hike

A full-day hike in the southern Cordillera Blanca to discover the three lakes of the Queshque Valley and one of the least-visited Puya Raymondi forests in the region. We leave Huaraz in the morning and drive around 1.5 hours south through the Callejón de Huaylas to the town of Catac, in Recuay province, where we make a short stop at the main square, decorated with Puya Raymondi plants, the emblem of the district. From there a dirt road takes us up into the Queshque Valley, inside Huascaran National Park and on the lands of the Catac farming community. From the trailhead we follow a gently rising path across high puna grasslands and wetlands to the first lake, Laguna Queshqui, a deep blue lake where, with some luck, we can spot Andean birdlife. We continue to Laguna Quisquicucha, the largest of the three, with emerald green waters, and finally reach a third lake at around 4,300m, framed by the snow-capped Queshque and Mururaju peaks. Right by this lake begins a forest of Puya Raymondi, the largest bromeliad in the world, known as the “Queen of the Andes”, which can grow over 10 meters tall and flowers only once in its lifetime, after many decades. After time to rest, take photos and enjoy a picnic lunch by the lakes, we return along the same trail to the trailhead and drive back to Huaraz. This is an easy to moderate hike with little elevation gain, perfect for acclimatization and for travelers looking for lakes and puyas away from the busier routes. Entrance fees are not included.