Lake 69 is the most famous day hike in the Cordillera Blanca: a turquoise lake at 4,604 m (15,105 ft), right below Mount Chacraraju. It is also one of the most demanding. This guide tells you plainly what to expect and how to reach the top while still enjoying the walk.
Key facts
- Altitude: the lake sits at 4,604 m. The hike starts at Cebollapampa, at 3,900 m.
- Elevation gain: about 700 m.
- Hiking time: 6 hours in total (3 up and 3 down).
- Tour length: 14 hours, leaving Huaraz at 5:00 a.m. and returning around 7:00 p.m.
- Difficulty: demanding.
How hard is it really?
You do not need mountaineering experience or technical gear: the trail is well marked and has no exposed sections. What makes it tough is the mix of altitude and sustained effort. You will walk for six hours above 4,000 m, where every step costs more than usual.
The climb breaks into three stretches of roughly an hour each:
- First hour: an almost flat trail along the valley, between Mounts Pisco, Huascarán and Chacraraju. Use it to warm up and find your pace.
- Second hour: the first steep climb, over glacial moraines, up to a middle plateau.
- Third hour: the final ascent up the ravine. It is the hardest part, especially the last 30 minutes.
At the top you have about an hour and a half to eat, take photos and look at the peaks around the lake: Pisco (5,752 m), Chacraraju (6,108 m), Chopicalqui (6,354 m) and Huascarán (6,768 m).
Acclimatisation is not optional
For this tour we ask for at least two previous nights in Huaraz (3,050 m). If you arrive from the coast and hike the next day, altitude sickness will most likely force you to turn back halfway.
The best plan is to spend your first days on gentler outings. Our guide to the 8 best tours in Huaraz ranks them by effort, so you can pick the right ones to start with.
What it costs
- Tour: from S/ 75 per person, with round-trip tourist transport and a bilingual professional guide.
- Huascarán National Park entrance: S/ 15 for Peruvians and S/ 30 for foreign visitors, paid separately.
- Breakfast on the way: optional, around S/ 15.
- Trekking poles: rented for about S/ 10, and worth every sol on the way down.
Lunch is not included and there is nowhere to buy it at the lake: bring your own packed lunch (sandwiches, fruit, energy bars, chocolate).
What to pack
- Layers, a waterproof jacket, a warm hat and gloves: the weather changes in minutes.
- At least 2 litres of water per person.
- Trekking poles.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: at this altitude the sun burns even when it is cold.
- Cash for the park entrance and breakfast.
Tips for making it to the top
- Start slowly. The most common mistake is rushing the flat section and arriving breathless at the final climb.
- Short steps and steady breathing on the slopes. Stopping for a minute is not giving up.
- Eat and drink little and often along the whole trail, not only at the lake.
- Tell your guide if you get a strong headache, nausea or dizziness. Going down in time is the right call.
Is it worth it?
If you are acclimatised and reasonably fit, yes: few day hikes in Peru end in a landscape like this one. If you are still in your first days at altitude, leave it for the end of your trip.
When you are ready, check the full itinerary and departures of the Lake 69 tour.
