Copa Laguna de Paca 2026 — Jauja

During the final stages of the Inca Civil War, the general Quiz Quiz held the captured Inca Waskar near Jauja before his eventual transfer and death at the nearby Andamarca river. Today, the stillness of the Laguna de Paca stands in stark contrast to that turbulent past, offering a high-altitude arena for the Copa Laguna de Paca. Set at 3,418 meters above sea level, this expanse covers over 21 square kilometers and presents a unique environment where the water is fed by mountain springs and bordered by dense, floating mats of rushes and sedges that shift with the wind.

Swimming at altitude

Swimmers participating in the 1,500m, 3,000m, or 6,000m distances on June 13 must contend with the physiological demands of training and competing in thin air. The lake is steeped in local lore, with tales of a submerged city and the phantom tolling of a sunken church bell echoing beneath the surface. As you navigate the course, the Gothic spires of the Capilla Cristo Pobre—a direct architectural homage to Notre-Dame de Paris—remain a constant landmark on the horizon. While you push through the water, local legends tell of a mythical bull that emerges from the depths to singe the surrounding hillsides, adding a surreal layer to the Andean landscape. The annual event, organized by Running4Peru, rewards finishers with a commemorative medal, marking their completion of a swim in one of the highest basins in the region.