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Huascarán National Park

Peru🇵🇪 | national parksHuascarán National ParkCordillera Blanca, glacial lakes, Laguna 69, Santa Cruz trek | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Huascarán
UNESCO World Heritage site
🏆 Top picknational park ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Guided or solo is the first call, and it tips on route: Llanganuco is easy to do alone with colectivos, Laguna 69 has been visited only with a SERNANP-authorized agency since February 2026, and the multiday Santa Cruz and Alpamayo circuits reward a guide or arriero if you lack high-altitude experience. Huascarán National Park fills the Cordillera Blanca in the north of Peru, in the Áncash region above Huaraz, with more than 600 glaciers and Peru’s tallest summit. Go straight from Lima to a 4,600 m pass and you lose days to headaches, so spend two or three nights around Huaraz first. Carry cash for the park ticket checkpoints, and book return transport before you set off on one-way treks. At Llanganuco I expected gray glacial water. It was a turquoise so opaque I couldn’t see my boots at the shore. Crowds thin out fast once you leave the tour-bus lakes. Unlike the remote Huayhuash circuit, this park gives you easy road access and a choice of day hikes.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 national park in PeruThe unique appeal for travelers

Huascarán National Park suits backpackers because the whole range runs on your own schedule. Huaraz sits at the doorstep, packed with hostels, gear rental and cheap set-lunch kitchens, so you can organize a trek over breakfast and be on the trail the next morning. Public colectivos reach the main valleys, and tours are optional rather than required.

The variety is the real pull. In one week you can do a day hike to Laguna 69, spend four days crossing Punta Union at 4,750 m on the Santa Cruz trek, and still have time to ride up to the glacier at Pastoruri. Camping is allowed along the classic routes, and campsites usually sit beside rivers, with peaks like Taulliraju and Artesonraju in view from the tent door.

Self-guided travel works well here on the main circuits, which are well marked … read more 👉
Huascarán National Park suits backpackers because the whole range runs on your own schedule. Huaraz sits at the doorstep, packed with hostels, gear rental and cheap set-lunch kitchens, so you can organize a trek over breakfast and be on the trail the next morning. Public colectivos reach the main valleys, and tours are optional rather than required.

The variety is the real pull. In one week you can do a day hike to Laguna 69, spend four days crossing Punta Union at 4,750 m on the Santa Cruz trek, and still have time to ride up to the glacier at Pastoruri. Camping is allowed along the classic routes, and campsites usually sit beside rivers, with peaks like Taulliraju and Artesonraju in view from the tent door.

Self-guided travel works well here on the main circuits, which are well marked and busy enough that you rarely hike alone. Hiring donkeys and an arriero for a few days is an easy way to lighten your pack without booking a full agency package.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Nevado Huascarán: At 6,768 m, this twin-peaked giant is the highest mountain in Peru and the highest in the tropics. Most travelers admire it from the Llanganuco road or from Huaraz-area viewpoints, while climbers use it as a serious high-altitude objective.
  2. Laguna 69: The park’s most popular day hike ends at a deep turquoise lake at about 4,600 m, backed by Chacraraju and a thin waterfall. The trail climbs through a glacial valley with cows grazing in the early meadows.
  3. Llanganuco Lakes: Chinancocha and Orconcocha sit below Huascarán and Chopicalqui, with colors ranging from green to turquoise. A short shoreline path makes them a good first outing for newly arrived visitors.
  4. Santa Cruz Trek and Punta Union: This four-day route links Vaquería and Cashapampa across a pass at 4,750 m. Expect glacial
… read more 👉
  1. Nevado Huascarán: At 6,768 m, this twin-peaked giant is the highest mountain in Peru and the highest in the tropics. Most travelers admire it from the Llanganuco road or from Huaraz-area viewpoints, while climbers use it as a serious high-altitude objective.
  2. Laguna 69: The park’s most popular day hike ends at a deep turquoise lake at about 4,600 m, backed by Chacraraju and a thin waterfall. The trail climbs through a glacial valley with cows grazing in the early meadows.
  3. Llanganuco Lakes: Chinancocha and Orconcocha sit below Huascarán and Chopicalqui, with colors ranging from green to turquoise. A short shoreline path makes them a good first outing for newly arrived visitors.
  4. Santa Cruz Trek and Punta Union: This four-day route links Vaquería and Cashapampa across a pass at 4,750 m. Expect glacial lakes, high meadows, and views of Taulliraju, Alpamayo and Artesonraju.
  5. Nevado Alpamayo: Often called one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, its sharp pyramid appears on the Santa Cruz route and is the focus of a longer trek to base camp.
  6. Pastoruri Glacier: A high-altitude walk at around 5,000 m leads to a shrinking ice field, with ice caves and cliffs. The area also holds rare Puya raimondii plants, tall spiky bromeliads that flower once and die.
  7. Laguna Churup: A shorter, steeper hike near Huaraz that finishes with a cable-assisted rock scramble. The reward is a dark green lake beneath ice-capped peaks.
Llanganuco Lakes and Laguna 69 combine well in one long day, since the same valley road leads to both.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Huascarán National Park

69 Lake - Cordillera Blanca

69 Lake - Cordillera Blanca

4.8(65)
From €32
per personViator
Climbing Mateo - Your first 5 thousand

Climbing Mateo - Your first 5 thousand

5.0(57) 24h
From €109
per personViator
HHuayhuash-One of the most impressive hikes in the world

HHuayhuash-One of the most impressive hikes in the world

5.0(46) 5h
From €967
per personViator
Tour Climbing Nevado Mateo | Your First 5,150 m Summit | 12 Hours

Tour Climbing Nevado Mateo | Your First 5,150 m Summit | 12 Hours

5.0(42)
From €100
per personViator
Huayhuash Trek (10 days)

Huayhuash Trek (10 days)

5.0(34) 240h
From €1,053
per personViator
Snowy Mateo - Cordillera Blanca Expedition

Snowy Mateo - Cordillera Blanca Expedition

5.0(28) 24h
From €127
per personViator
Laguna Parón (Full Day)

Laguna Parón (Full Day)

4.9(13) 10h
From €36
per personViator
Parón Lake - Cordillera Blanca - Private Service

Parón Lake - Cordillera Blanca - Private Service

5.0(10) 10h
From €177
per personViator
Santa Cruz Llanganuco Trek Cordillera Blanca

Santa Cruz Llanganuco Trek Cordillera Blanca

4.7(12) 96h
From €972
per personViator
69 Lake - Cordillera Blanca - Private Service

69 Lake - Cordillera Blanca - Private Service

4.9(10)
From €175
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

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

  • Dry Season (June to September): Huascarán National Park is at its most reliable from June through September. Days run 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) in Huaraz and the valleys, nights at camp above 4,000 m drop to -5 to 0°C (23 to 32°F). Daylight lasts about 11.5 hours. Trails are busiest in July and August, and guesthouses and guides charge their highest rates.
  • Shoulder Months (April, May, October): Mornings are usually clear and afternoon clouds build. Daytime highs are similar, nights are a touch milder, and you share the Santa Cruz trek with far fewer people. Prices soften and guides are easier to book.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Rain and snow arrive most afternoons, with January to March the wettest. Views are often hidden, trails turn muddy, and some passes hold fresh snow. Lodging is cheapest,
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (June to September): Huascarán National Park is at its most reliable from June through September. Days run 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) in Huaraz and the valleys, nights at camp above 4,000 m drop to -5 to 0°C (23 to 32°F). Daylight lasts about 11.5 hours. Trails are busiest in July and August, and guesthouses and guides charge their highest rates.
  • Shoulder Months (April, May, October): Mornings are usually clear and afternoon clouds build. Daytime highs are similar, nights are a touch milder, and you share the Santa Cruz trek with far fewer people. Prices soften and guides are easier to book.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Rain and snow arrive most afternoons, with January to March the wettest. Views are often hidden, trails turn muddy, and some passes hold fresh snow. Lodging is cheapest, but many trekking operators scale back.
Book the Santa Cruz trek for late May or early June, when the trails are dry and the crowds have not yet arrived.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Huaraz is where nearly every backpacker stays, because no hotels exist inside Huascarán National Park and only basic campsites do. The city sits at about 3,050 m, roughly 8 hours by bus from Lima, and it has dozens of hostels. Dorm beds run US$8 to 14, private rooms US$25 to 45. Most hostels around Parque Ginebra and the Plaza de Armas rent gear, store luggage while you trek and arrange guides. Spend your first two nights here to adjust to the altitude before heading higher.
For trailheads, Yungay is the base for Llanganuco lakes and the Laguna 69 route, with simple rooms for US$12 to 25. Caraz, … read more 👉
Huaraz is where nearly every backpacker stays, because no hotels exist inside Huascarán National Park and only basic campsites do. The city sits at about 3,050 m, roughly 8 hours by bus from Lima, and it has dozens of hostels. Dorm beds run US$8 to 14, private rooms US$25 to 45. Most hostels around Parque Ginebra and the Plaza de Armas rent gear, store luggage while you trek and arrange guides. Spend your first two nights here to adjust to the altitude before heading higher.
For trailheads, Yungay is the base for Llanganuco lakes and the Laguna 69 route, with simple rooms for US$12 to 25. Caraz, farther north, is calmer and warmer, a good start for the Santa Cruz trek and Laguna Parón, with guesthouses at US$10 to 30. Inside the park, campsites such as Llanganuco, Cebollapampa and Pitec operate, typically with rudimentary facilities. You bring your own tent, stove and food, and nights are cold. Some small family-run lodges and refugios sit just outside the boundary near Musho and Olleros for US$10 to 25 a night.
Best hostels in Peru


Best quality hotels in Peru

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Expect to spend about US$57 a day on a backpacking trip to Huascarán National Park, with most of that going to food, transport and lodging in Huaraz. The table below shows typical costs.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park EntranceUS$7 to 12 per dayThe ticket for four to 30 days costs about US$40, which averages to this figure on a longer trek. Paid in soles at control posts.
Accommodation (high season)US$8 to 14Dorm bed in Huaraz. Private rooms start near US$25. Camping at park sites costs US$3 to 6.
Local TransportUS$3 to 10Shared colectivos to Yungay and Caraz cost US$1 to 2. Tours to Laguna 69 or Llanganuco cost US$12 to 20 with a guide.
Food and SuppliesUS$12 to 20Set lunch menus cost US$2.50 to 4. Trek food is bought in Huaraz markets.
Gear and GuidesUS$5 to 25Tent rental runs US$5 to 8
… read more 👉
Expect to spend about US$57 a day on a backpacking trip to Huascarán National Park, with most of that going to food, transport and lodging in Huaraz. The table below shows typical costs.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park EntranceUS$7 to 12 per dayThe ticket for four to 30 days costs about US$40, which averages to this figure on a longer trek. Paid in soles at control posts.
Accommodation (high season)US$8 to 14Dorm bed in Huaraz. Private rooms start near US$25. Camping at park sites costs US$3 to 6.
Local TransportUS$3 to 10Shared colectivos to Yungay and Caraz cost US$1 to 2. Tours to Laguna 69 or Llanganuco cost US$12 to 20 with a guide.
Food and SuppliesUS$12 to 20Set lunch menus cost US$2.50 to 4. Trek food is bought in Huaraz markets.
Gear and GuidesUS$5 to 25Tent rental runs US$5 to 8 a day, and a guide costs US$40 to 60 a day for a trek.
Total Daily BudgetUS$57Per person, per day, in high season.


source: gob.pe
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Huascarán: routes, terrain, and sights

Huascarán National Park offers everything from two-hour glacier walks to week-long expeditions, all at high altitude with rocky, often steep terrain. Condors, vizcachas and Andean foxes occur in the park, and spectacled bears live in remote lower valleys.
  • Laguna 69: About 14 km round trip, 6 to 7 hours, moderate to hard. It starts at Cebollapampa (about 3,900 m), crosses a valley floor, then switchbacks up to the lake at roughly 4,600 m.
  • Santa Cruz Trek: About 50 km, 4 days, moderate to hard. It runs from Vaquería to Cashapampa, passes Punta Union and includes several lakes and camp sites.
  • Laguna
… read more 👉
Huascarán National Park offers everything from two-hour glacier walks to week-long expeditions, all at high altitude with rocky, often steep terrain. Condors, vizcachas and Andean foxes occur in the park, and spectacled bears live in remote lower valleys.
  • Laguna 69: About 14 km round trip, 6 to 7 hours, moderate to hard. It starts at Cebollapampa (about 3,900 m), crosses a valley floor, then switchbacks up to the lake at roughly 4,600 m.
  • Santa Cruz Trek: About 50 km, 4 days, moderate to hard. It runs from Vaquería to Cashapampa, passes Punta Union and includes several lakes and camp sites.
  • Laguna Churup: About 3 to 4 hours round trip, moderate with a short, exposed scramble. It reaches 4,450 m and has views of Churup.
  • Pastoruri Glacier Walk: A 1 to 2 hour walk on a gentle trail at about 4,900 m. It is easy in gradient but hard on lungs because of the thin air.
  • Alpamayo Base Camp Trek: Usually 7 to 10 days, hard, with several passes above 4,500 m. It is best done with a guide and arrieros.
Access is simple. Colectivos and tour vans run from Huaraz, with Yungay as the gateway to Llanganuco and Laguna 69. Day hikers can arrange transport in Huaraz the evening before, while Santa Cruz hikers often take a shared taxi to the trailhead and another back from the finish. The park charges an entrance fee, around US$8 for one day, about US$16 for two to three days and about US$40 for four to 30 days, and tickets are checked at the entrances. Popular trails like Laguna 69 fill up in the dry months with tour groups, so start before sunrise for quiet trail time. Allow several days to acclimatize before hiking above 4,000 m.
⚠️ 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 in Huascarán National Park, since most treks sit between 3,000 and 4,800 m and the Punta Union pass reaches 4,750 m. Spend at least two or three days in Huaraz first, drink plenty of water, and walk slowly. Headaches are common; descend if they worsen or you feel confused. Weather swings quickly, with strong sun and UV in the morning and cold rain, hail or snow by afternoon, so carry layers, a rain shell and a warm sleeping bag rated to -10°C (14°F). Trails are well marked on popular routes such as Laguna 69 and Santa Cruz, but mist can hide the path, so download offline maps. Cattle and donkeys use the valleys, and arrieros lead pack animals; step aside on the uphill edge. Wildlife is rarely a concern, though dogs near villages can be bold. Theft at trailhead campsites … read more 👉
Altitude is the main issue in Huascarán National Park, since most treks sit between 3,000 and 4,800 m and the Punta Union pass reaches 4,750 m. Spend at least two or three days in Huaraz first, drink plenty of water, and walk slowly. Headaches are common; descend if they worsen or you feel confused. Weather swings quickly, with strong sun and UV in the morning and cold rain, hail or snow by afternoon, so carry layers, a rain shell and a warm sleeping bag rated to -10°C (14°F). Trails are well marked on popular routes such as Laguna 69 and Santa Cruz, but mist can hide the path, so download offline maps. Cattle and donkeys use the valleys, and arrieros lead pack animals; step aside on the uphill edge. Wildlife is rarely a concern, though dogs near villages can be bold. Theft at trailhead campsites happens occasionally, so never leave gear unattended. Hiring a guide is smart for glacier travel and climbing.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Plan on 4 to 7 days for Huascarán National Park, based in Huaraz. Day trips to Laguna 69 (about 3 hours each way by road) and Llanganuco lakes fit into 2 days, while the Santa Cruz trek takes 4 days and 3 nights. Add two days at the start for altitude adjustment around 3,050 m.
Yes, you can visit Huascarán National Park without a car, since colectivos and tour vans leave Huaraz daily. Shared minibuses reach Yungay and Caraz for US$1 to 2, and day tours to Laguna 69 cost roughly US$12 to 20. For trekking, you can take colectivos to trailheads such as Vaquería or Cashapampa, which are 3 to 4 hours from Huaraz.
Yes, Huascarán National Park charges an entrance fee, paid in soles at control posts. A one-day ticket costs about US$8, a two to three day ticket about US$16, and a ticket for treks like Santa Cruz about US$40 for four to 30 days. Bring your passport and cash, since cards are rarely accepted, and keep the ticket for later checkpoints.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Peruvian national parks near Huascarán

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Huascarán National Park’s mountains often vanish behind cloud by late morning, a detail first-timers overlook when they leave Huaraz at a leisurely hour. I would catch the earliest colectivo and be on the trail at dawn, so the peaks are still sharp when you reach the lake. Pack a spare day in your plan for weather and altitude.

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✍️ 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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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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