Duration 1 day (5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Difficulty moderate; the climb makes it demanding
Max altitude 4,604 m a.s.l.
Distance 13–14 km round trip
Best time to go May to October
Every time you travel to the Callejón de Huaylas and the Cordillera Blanca, you'll find breathtaking landscapes. Without a doubt, the hike to Laguna 69 (4604 m a.s.l.) will be one of the ones that fascinates you most; it's one of the more physically demanding hikes in Huascarán National Park. Whether the sky is cloudy or clear, its waters always reflect an intense blue like the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by snow-capped peaks such as Chacraraju (6112 m), Pisco, Huandoy, Huascarán and Chopicalqui.
To reach Laguna 69, you hike for about 3 hours (depending on your pace) through the Demanda ravine. Along the way, you can see several vizcachas among the rocks, as well as Yanapaccha peak (5460 m a.s.l.).
The tour starts with pickup from your hotel at approximately 5:00 a.m. We'll travel through the northern part of the Callejón de Huaylas, passing through Taricá, Jangas, Yungar, Anta, Marcará and Carhuaz, until we reach Yungay (2458 m a.s.l.). We'll continue east toward the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca and enter Huascarán National Park. Since the tour starts at 5:00 a.m. and you won't be able to have breakfast at your hotel, the vehicle will stop at around 7:00 a.m. in a small village before the park checkpoint.
We'll pass near Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes (3850 m a.s.l.), where we'll make a short stop to take photos and enjoy their stunning turquoise color.
At approximately 9:00 a.m., we'll reach Cebollapampa (3900 m a.s.l.) and start hiking for 2 and a half to 3 hours toward Laguna 69 (4604 m a.s.l.), taking in spectacular scenery and giant mountains such as Huascarán, Pisco, Huandoy, Yanapaccha and Chacraraju, as well as abundant vegetation. Then we'll hike back to Cebollapampa, for 1 and a half to 2 hours, and return to Huaraz in tourist transport.
Laguna 69 is in the province of Yungay, department of Áncash, at 4604 m a.s.l. It's one of the most visited lakes in the Cordillera Blanca and the Áncash region.
Since the tour starts at 5:00 a.m., the vehicle will stop at around 7:00 a.m. in a small village before the Huascarán National Park checkpoint for breakfast. There are no restaurants along the route, so it's very important to bring snacks and drinks.
We recommend going preferably between April and September (dry season, with minimal rain), or from May to October as the ideal season. In the dry season, you can take incredible photos of the place. In any case, the lake can be visited all year round if you bring waterproof clothing. During the dry season, the days are clear and sunny, and the nights are cold.
Generally yes, with children from age 12. The route isn't technical, but the distance and the climb are demanding, so good training is needed. For older adults, contact us to adapt the tour. On the way, you'll also see Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes, so you'll enjoy 3 lakes.
It's of medium difficulty and suitable for people with average fitness, but you always have to be careful with the altitude (watch what you eat or bring altitude pills). Unlike other destinations, this circuit doesn't present major difficulties: access is easy, the trail is well marked and the changes in slope aren't steep. But it's very important to be well acclimatized and in good physical condition.
The tour starts and ends in the city of Huaraz (Áncash).
In the dry season, the Cordillera Blanca has clear, sunny days. Although the nights are clear, they're usually cold, even colder than cloudy nights. Sometimes there can be rain during the day and night, even in the dry season (the so-called Andean summer).
