Laguna de Querococha

Laguna de Querococha

Peru, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,981 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Huascarán National Park in Peru's Ancash Region, heading towards the ridiculously gorgeous Laguna de Querococha. This isn't just any lake; we're talking about a high-altitude stunner sitting at almost 13,100 feet!

The road, Ruta AN110, is your path to paradise. It's paved, so no crazy off-roading needed, but get ready for some serious hairpin action as you climb. Seriously, these turns will keep you on your toes! One word of caution: maybe skip this drive if the weather's looking gnarly. Trust me, you want clear skies to fully appreciate the views.

Where is it?

Laguna de Querococha is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -7.5510, -75.4894

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Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
3,981 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-7.5510, -75.4894

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