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Peru🇵🇪 | hikesLaguna 69Chacraraju ice walls, turquoise lake, day hike, 4,600 m finish | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Laguna 69
👍 Recommendedhike ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Guided day tour or going independent? Since 9 February 2026, Laguna 69 can be visited only with a SERNANP-authorized agency, so the tour from Huaraz with its early pickup is the way in. Laguna 69 sits in the Cordillera Blanca in the north of Peru, inside Huascarán National Park, east of Huaraz. The trail climbs through a glacial valley past waterfalls and cattle meadows, then ends at a turquoise lake under Chacraraju’s ice walls. It is a steep 4,600 meter finish, so altitude is the real opponent. I once charged the first hour at full speed, then spent the second wheezing on switchbacks; slow and steady wins here. Your first day could mean a pre-dawn van, a long valley walk, a lakeside lunch and a tired, happy ride back.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Peru Travel Guide.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 7 hours
Distance: 14 kilometers
Total ascent: 750 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 hike in PeruWhy Laguna 69 should be on your travel list

Laguna 69 gives you a glacier-fed lake in a single day, which is rare in the Cordillera Blanca. The water glows an unreal blue-green below Chacraraju (6,112 m), and a thin waterfall feeds it from the ice above. Because the trail starts from a road at Cebollapampa, you can skip multi-day treks and still stand in genuine high Andes. It also works as an acclimatization test: if you handle this climb, longer routes such as the Santa Cruz trek become far more realistic. Huaraz sits within easy reach, so the hike fits neatly between rest days in town. Many backpackers pair it with Llanganuco Lakes on the same drive, which makes the long road trip pay off twice. Expect company on clear mornings, but the valley is wide enough to absorb it.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Laguna 69 itself: A deep turquoise lake at about 4,600 meters, backed by the hanging glaciers of Chacraraju. Waterfalls spill from the ice into it, and the color shifts with the sun.
  2. Chacraraju: The jagged 6,112 meter peak dominates the lake’s head. Its ice-plastered faces are a favorite of mountaineers and a spectacle for hikers.
  3. Cebollapampa meadows: The trail begins in a flat glacial valley with grazing cattle and horses, a gentle warm-up beneath granite walls.
  4. Waterfalls on the ascent: Several cascades drop from the valley sides, and the trail climbs beside them on rocky switchbacks before the final push.
  5. Views toward Yanapaccha and Pisco: Along the way the valley opens to snow peaks on both sides, with the sharp pyramid of Pisco appearing behind you on the way down.
All of it fits into a single … read more 👉
  1. Laguna 69 itself: A deep turquoise lake at about 4,600 meters, backed by the hanging glaciers of Chacraraju. Waterfalls spill from the ice into it, and the color shifts with the sun.
  2. Chacraraju: The jagged 6,112 meter peak dominates the lake’s head. Its ice-plastered faces are a favorite of mountaineers and a spectacle for hikers.
  3. Cebollapampa meadows: The trail begins in a flat glacial valley with grazing cattle and horses, a gentle warm-up beneath granite walls.
  4. Waterfalls on the ascent: Several cascades drop from the valley sides, and the trail climbs beside them on rocky switchbacks before the final push.
  5. Views toward Yanapaccha and Pisco: Along the way the valley opens to snow peaks on both sides, with the sharp pyramid of Pisco appearing behind you on the way down.
All of it fits into a single long day of roughly 6 to 8 hours on foot, plus the drive in and out.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

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🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (May to September): June to August is the window for blue sky over Chacraraju and Chopicalqui. Days reach 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F) at the trailhead, while the lake at 4,600 m (15,100 ft) sits near 5 to 8°C (41 to 46°F) and nights at Cebollapampa camp drop to -3 to 2°C (27 to 36°F). Daylight runs roughly 11.5 to 12 hours. Expect the most hikers, especially on weekends, and the highest tour prices, around US$25 to 40 for a day trip from Huaraz.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Fewer people, mixed mornings, and afternoon cloud rolling in by noon.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Rain or snow most afternoons, muddy trail, and views often hidden. Tours are cheaper and the trail is quiet, but fog can swallow the lake.
Start at dawn on a weekday in July, since cloud usually builds over the lake by late morning.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

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🥾 Hike detailsTrail overview: what to expect on the hike

Total Distance: Laguna 69 is about 13 to 14 kilometers round trip.
Duration: Plan 5 to 8 hours of hiking, with about 3 hours up and 2 hours down at a steady pace.
Difficulty: Moderate to hard, mostly because of altitude. The final section is steep with loose rock.
Starting Point: The trailhead is at Cebollapampa in Huascarán National Park. Tour vans reach the trailhead from Huaraz via Yungay and the Llanganuco valley. The drive takes about 3 hours.
Major Landmarks:
  • Cebollapampa: Flat meadows and the park checkpoint where you register and pay the entrance fee.
  • Valley waterfalls: Cascades that mark the
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Laguna 69 is about 13 to 14 kilometers round trip.
Duration: Plan 5 to 8 hours of hiking, with about 3 hours up and 2 hours down at a steady pace.
Difficulty: Moderate to hard, mostly because of altitude. The final section is steep with loose rock.
Starting Point: The trailhead is at Cebollapampa in Huascarán National Park. Tour vans reach the trailhead from Huaraz via Yungay and the Llanganuco valley. The drive takes about 3 hours.
Major Landmarks:
  • Cebollapampa: Flat meadows and the park checkpoint where you register and pay the entrance fee.
  • Valley waterfalls: Cascades that mark the start of the climb.
  • Final switchbacks: A steep zigzag ending at the lake rim.
Terrain and Scenery: Gentle valley floor, then rocky path with stone steps and switchbacks. Glaciers, granite walls and snow peaks surround you.
Vegetation: Grassland and boggy meadows below, giving way to bare rock and scree near the lake. Polylepis and puna grasses appear lower down.
Wildlife: Cattle and horses graze in the valley. Andean birds such as hummingbirds and caracaras are possible, and viscachas may dart among the rocks.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Altitude is the main issue on Laguna 69: the trailhead sits near 3,800 m (12,500 ft) and the lake at about 4,600 m (15,100 ft), so spend at least two or three nights in Huaraz (3,050 m) first. The trail climbs steadily for 3 to 4 hours, with a steep final series of switchbacks above the meadows, so go slowly, drink water, and turn back if headache turns to nausea or confusion. Weather shifts fast. Bring a rain shell, warm layers, gloves, sun protection and sturdy shoes, since the top can be freezing and the upper path slippery after rain. Navigation is easy and the route is well trodden. Cows graze in the valley, so give them space. First-timers often underpack water and snacks; carry at least 2 liters.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Laguna 69 is a long day hike of about 6 to 7 hours round trip, with 3 to 4 hours up and 2 to 3 hours down. The trail covers roughly 12 to 14 km and starts at Cebollapampa in the Llanganuco valley, after a drive of about 2.5 to 3 hours from Huaraz that begins around 4 to 5 a.m. Add the transfer and you are away from Huaraz for 10 to 12 hours in total.
Laguna 69 is a moderate to challenging hike, and altitude is the main reason. The trail starts at about 3,900 m and climbs to the lake at roughly 4,600 m, a gain of around 700 m, with a steep final stretch of switchbacks above 4,300 m. The path is clear and has no technical sections, but people who haven’t spent two or three days acclimatizing in Huaraz (3,050 m) often struggle with headaches and slow progress.
Yes, since 9 February 2026 Laguna 69 can be visited only with a SERNANP-authorized agency, so you can’t just show up and go independently. The agency handles transport and a guide, and day tours from Huaraz typically cost US$15 to 30 per person, with the national park fee paid separately. Huascarán National Park fees for foreigners are S/30 for one day, S/60 for two to three days and S/150 for four to 30 days, payable in soles at the entrance, so carry cash.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Peruvian hikes near Laguna 69

Explore more nearby:

  • Santa Cruz Trek—Alpamayo, Punta Union, arrieros and burros, lake-to-lake loop| 21 km away
  • Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit—Yerupajá, Siula Grande, multi-week circuit, 5,000 m passes| 157 km away
  • Marcahuasi—Granite rock forest, plateau camping, giant stone face, mule-assisted climb| 327 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Laguna 69 works best as a long day trip, not an overnight. Spend two or three nights in Huaraz first so the altitude doesn’t flatten you, then go early and give yourself an unhurried hour at the lake. I would skip a second day here and save legs for another valley.

✈️ When did I visit Peru?
Peru I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Peru, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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