The Laguna 69 tour is a day hike from Huaraz to a turquoise lake at about 4,600 m (15,090 ft), below Chacraraju peak, inside Huascarán National Park. We leave at 6:00 a.m. by private bus, start hiking at Cebollapampa (about 3,900 m) around 8:30 a.m. and hike 5 to 6 hours round trip: 13 to 15 km with roughly 700 m of elevation gain. Since February 9, 2026, visitors can only enter with agencies that hold a contract with SERNANP, the park authority.
- Duration
- Full day (about 10 to 11 h)
- Hike
- 5 to 6 h · 13 to 15 km
- Max. altitude
- 4,600 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Departs from
- Huaraz, 6:00 a.m. (private bus)
- Price
- Ask for price
Rules for visiting Laguna 69 in 2026
Since February 9, 2026, SERNANP only allows visits to Laguna 69 with agencies that hold a tourism services contract with the park, and the agency buys each visitor's digital ticket. The same rule applies to Nevado Pisco since April 1, 2026 (Gestión, Jan 27, 2026; El Peruano, Feb 25, 2026).
Swimming in the lake is forbidden, you must register at the control post, and you must stay on the marked trail.
Highlights
- A turquoise lake at about 4,600 m below the glacier of Chacraraju, a peak over 6,100 m.
- On the way you pass the Llanganuco lakes, in the valley between Huascarán and Huandoy.
- Climbing the Cebollapampa valley, you see Chacraraju, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Huascarán and Pisco.
- The best test of your acclimatization before a multi-day trek or a summit climb.
Itinerary
- 6:00 a.m.Departure from Huaraz by private bus
We drive north through the Callejón de Huaylas, past Carhuaz and Yungay, to the Llanganuco valley.
- MorningLlanganuco valley
We enter Huascarán National Park at the Llanganuco control post and drive along the Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes.
- 8:30 a.m.Start of the hike at Cebollapampa
At about 3,900 m the trail begins. We climb the Cebollapampa valley, with views of Chacraraju, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Huascarán and Pisco, and finish on the switchbacks.
- MiddayLaguna 69
We reach the lake, at about 4,600 m, below the Chacraraju glacier. Time to rest, eat your packed lunch and take photos.
- AfternoonHike down and drive back
We return on the same trail to Cebollapampa and take the bus back to Huaraz.
- AfternoonArrival in Huaraz
End of the service in Huaraz.
Departure at 6:00 a.m. and trail start around 8:30 a.m., according to our program. Other times are approximate: they depend on the group's pace, the weather and the road.
What's included and not included
What's included
- Private bus Huaraz – Cebollapampa – Huaraz
- Guide during the hike
Not included
- Huascarán National Park ticket (SERNANP, 2026): S/ 30 general one-day fee (S/ 15 for Peruvian adults on the Laguna 69 route)
- Meals: bring breakfast, a packed lunch and snacks
What to bring
- Layers: thermal base layer, fleece and a waterproof jacket
- Warm hat, gloves and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- About 2 liters of water
- Packed lunch and snacks (nuts, chocolate)
- Hiking shoes or boots with good grip
- Trekking poles (optional, helpful on the way down)
- Passport or ID for the control post
More information
How hard is the hike?
The challenge is mostly the altitude, not the terrain. The trail is clear, but you climb from about 3,900 m to about 4,600 m, and the last section is a steep series of switchbacks. A fit hiker who has spent at least two nights in Huaraz usually does fine; people who arrive the same day from the coast often struggle.
Walk at your own pace, drink water at every stop and tell the guide if you have a strong headache, dizziness or shortness of breath: the right move is to go down.
| Section | Altitude | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Huaraz → Cebollapampa (private bus, via Llanganuco) | 3,050 m to 3,900 m | about 2 h 30 min (6:00 a.m. departure) |
| Cebollapampa → Laguna 69 (hike up) | 3,900 m to 4,600 m | about 3 h (from 8:30 a.m.) |
| Time at the lake | 4,600 m | about 30 min |
| Laguna 69 → Cebollapampa (hike down) | 4,600 m to 3,900 m | about 2 h |
| Cebollapampa → Huaraz (private bus) | 3,900 m to 3,050 m | about 2 h 30 min to 3 h |
Departure time, trail start and hiking time (5 to 6 h in total): our program. Altitudes: Wikipedia and SERNANP; distance and elevation gain: average of published routes (13 to 15 km, 700 to 750 m). Times depend on the group and the weather.
Before Laguna 69: acclimatization
Huaraz sits at about 3,050 m and the lake at 4,600 m. We recommend arriving at least two nights before and doing a shorter hike first, such as Laguna Churup. If you take the Llanganuco tour first, you will see the same road without the effort of the climb.
The full plan, with warning signs from the CDC and Peru's Ministry of Health, is in our Huaraz acclimatization guide.
Best time to go
SERNANP recommends visiting the park from May to October, in the dry season: clear skies and the lake at its most intense color. From October to April it rains, mostly in the afternoon, and the trail can be muddy or snowy up high, but the tour still runs.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Laguna 69?
About 4,600 m (15,090 ft). The hike starts at Cebollapampa, at about 3,900 m, so you gain about 700 m.
What time does the tour leave, and how long is the hike?
We leave Huaraz at 6:00 a.m. by private bus and start hiking around 8:30 a.m. According to our program, the hike takes 5 to 6 hours round trip: about 3 hours up and about 2 hours down, plus time at the lake. It is 13 to 15 km.
Can I hike Laguna 69 without a tour?
Not since February 9, 2026. SERNANP only allows entry with agencies that hold a contract with Huascarán National Park.
How much is the park entrance fee?
According to SERNANP (2026), a one-day ticket costs S/ 30 at the general rate (foreign visitors). Children under 5 enter free.
Can I swim in Laguna 69?
No. Swimming is forbidden and there is a sign on the shore.
How many days should I acclimatize first?
We recommend at least two nights in Huaraz and a shorter hike first, such as Laguna Churup. See our acclimatization guide.
Is it the same as the Llanganuco tour?
No. They share the road, but the Llanganuco tour is a bus ride to the lakes and the Portachuelo pass with very little walking; Laguna 69 is a 3-hour climb on foot.
