Turquoise and horseshoe-shaped, Laguna Lauricocha is about 7 kilometers long and 1.5 kilometers wide. Glaciers in the Cordillera de Raura feed the lake.
Lake, Waterfalls, and Caves
At the lake, you can hike, observe flora and fauna, take boat trips, photograph the landscape, and fish using traditional methods. The options combine exercise and nature observation with activities on the water. Depending on your interests, you can focus on the landscape, wildlife and plant life, or the water.
The Tres de Mayo route leads to the Gloriapata, Sol Naciente, and Salto del Ángel waterfalls; their clear pools invite you to swim. La Quinceañera combines hikes and wildlife observation with the 43-meter-high Quinceañera waterfall and a natural swimming pool. When choosing, you can compare the differences directly: Tres de Mayo leads to three named waterfalls, while La Quinceañera combines wildlife observation and a specific waterfall height with the swimming pool.
Another route leads to Cueva de las Lechuzas in Tingo María National Park. There, you can observe stalactites and stalagmites, as well as flora and fauna, swim in the river, and camp. If you’d like to explore cave formations and river activities as well as waterfalls, this route offers a different focus.
Kotosh: Temples and How to Get There
In Kotosh, the focus shifts from water and wildlife observation to the archaeological monument complex. It includes the White Temple, the Temple of the Crossed Hands, and the Temple of the Niches. If you’re choosing between nature experiences and an archaeological destination, Kotosh offers a clear thematic contrast: here, the temples take center stage, while the lake and routes highlight the landscape and outdoor activities.
From Plaza de Armas de Huánuco, you can reach Kotosh by private car via a 5.8-kilometer paved road; the drive takes about 15 minutes. Road conditions and travel time may change, so check both before setting out.
Festival and Visiting Hours
The Festival de Los Negritos de Huánuco is officially scheduled for the third Sunday in January and runs from December 24 through that Sunday. Huánuco-style locro is served free of charge at the festival each year. The specific program may vary. So if you’re planning your visit around the festival, check the dates and program in advance.
Visiting hours also vary by area: the official hours for Cueva de las Lechuzas are 08:00 to 17:30; for the Tres de Mayo and Quinceañera sectors, they are 08:00 to 15:00. The Cueva’s visiting hours therefore end two and a half hours later. Hours may change, so check them again before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Puerto Inca, Rupa Rupa, Huanuco, Ica, Loreto, Piura, Cajatambo, Lambayeque.
For the main travel overview: Peru.
