Beautiful Yanacocha, black-water Lagoon!

Yanacocha is a beautiful black-water Lagoon. Visiting this site has many benefits to your health. As you may have heard hiking strengthen the bones, reduce cerebrovascular accident; it is stress relief. And the most important is that hiking allows you to have contact with nature, nature that will surprise you like it’s the case of Yanacocha Lagoon.

Beautiful Yanacocha Lagoon and its incredible landscape

Location:

Yanacocha Lagoon is located in the district of Huayllabamba in the province of Urubamba, 67 km from the city of Cusco. The lagoon is 240 meters long and 14 meters deep. 

Altitude:

Yanacocha Lagoon is at an altitude of 3 951 m.a.s.l.

Hiking Level: Level III

Duration of the hike: 5 hours approximately

Description:

Yanacocha possibly comes from Quechua “yana” black, very dark nad “qucha” lake, lagoon, so we can translate it as “black lake or lagoon”. Located in the district of Huayllabamba, in the town of Huayoccari

The landscape around the Yanacocha Lake is beautiful, it is surrounded by forests of queuñas (Polylepis) and located between large mountains that belong to Peruvian Andes range specifically to the Vilcanota mountain range.

One of the most outstanding things of the lagoon is its color, why? Yanacocha has the black or dark color due to the minerals that are around it.

The hiking is level III. Therefore we recommend having good physical condition.

The walking time varies according to the pace of each person’s walk, the average time from the starting point to reach the Yanacocha Lake (3,940 msnm/ 12 926 ft) is 2 hours and 40 minutes.

It is important to acclimatize to Cusco before you reach higher altitude. It normally takes from 2 to 3 days to feel better. To relieve altitude sickness, you can drink a cup of coca tea or chew some coca leaves for 15 minutes.

Yanacocha Lagoon is part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

What can you find there?

Along the hike you can see beautiful Andean landscapes, forests that can only be seen in the Andes, impressive natural viewpoints and especially Yanacocha Lake. Being part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, it is a blessed terrain which a great variety of flora and fauna. It is surrounded by forests of queuñas (Polylepis). 

Interesting facts about Yanacocha:

• Yanacocha can be translated as Black lagoon. This is because of the presence of black Ticn at the bottom of the lagoon, which reflected on its water looks dark to our eyes.
• Visiting the Lagoon is part of activities that you shouldn’t miss in Ollantaytambo.

Visiting Opening Hours and Fee rate:

Access: Free

Entrance Fee: Free

Opening Hours: Free

To have access to Yanacocha and the time you can stay is FREE!

• Inkayni tips to enjoy the trip:
• Don’t forget to pack warm clothes! Nights can be very cold. You can bring beanie, scarfs and gloves.
• If it rains a waterproof jacket or rain poncho will be useful.
• To hike safely, you can bring trekking poles.
• Wear a hat and sunscreen to prevent from sun damage.
• In order to avoid any inconvenience with the locals, keep the places you go clean.
• Have a camera with you.
• Bring your passport or any personal ID. 
• Drink water to keep hydrated.
• Buy dried fruits.

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” – Hilaire Belloc