Llanganuco Lakes & Laguna 69 Hikes & Camping

Duration:

2 days/one night (can be 3 days/2 nights)

Grade:

Options from easy camping & hikes – to some harder hiking: Laguna 69 hike – is a hard hike with a “stiff” climb up a zig zag trail to the lake

For this tour we combine two very scenic moderate difficult hikes with camping beneath some of the most spectacular mountains in the Cordillera Blanca.

Both the hikes are moderate to hard with ascents to high altitude. A reasonable standard of fitness is required.

Camping Option – For those who would not enjoy the longer hikes to Huandoy and to Laguna 69, you can spend time walking around the Llanganuco Lakes and appreciating the magnificent mountain scenery surrounding the campsite and relish some delicious meals at camp prepared by our camp cook.

Flexible Program – The program for the 2 or 3 days is flexible and we can “tailor” either the hiking tours or camping trip to include what you would like to be doing.

Porter support Can be arranged to help with children

Itinerary

For Laguna 69 & Hiking two days

Huaraz to Llanganuco Valley , Hike to Huandoy Glacier

We depart Huaraz 07:00am and take a scenic drive on a paved road down the Callejon de Huaylas Valley following the river. At Yungay we turn of the main road and head in towards the mountains traveling along the Quebrada (valley) LLanganuco. After two hours drive we arrive at the start point for the hike.

We take a route up the Rajururi towards the massive and glacier of Huandoy Mountain. It is a beautiful remote valley, not frequented by many tourists following the tumbling mountain stream flowing from Huandoy Glacier and passing through bush and stands of ancient Quenual trees. During the whole route we are treated to fantastic close views of Huandoy mountain and glacier. For about two hours the hike is relatively gentle on a gradually ascending route, sometimes on a good path and at times on a faint trail only where it passes though stands of denser bush. After two hours there is a steeper climb of about 45 minutes before we arrive at the terminal moraine face of the Huandoy Glacier (4000m / 13123ft). Some people may choose to hike only as far as the commencement of the climb and can enjoy a lovely relaxing valley hike with great mountain views rather than take the final climb up to the moraine. Estimated time to the moraine and return 5 to 6 hours with lunch break. Return back the same way and then we drive on about another 30 minutes past the famous twin blue lakes of Llanganuco to our flat campsite in a meadow at the head of the lakes, in a place named Yuracorral (3850m / 12631ft). From our campsite we have impressive close views of mountains towering over us, Huascaran, Chopicalqui, Huandoy and Pisco.

Enjoy afternoon tea and a delicious three course dinner at camp

Laguna 69 Hike & Return to Huaraz

You start the walk by following the valley for some 40 minutes, then climb continuously and at times steeply on a zig zag track for about 2 hour 40 minutes to Laguna 69, a beautiful lake of the most brilliant blue colour (4500m / 14764ft). The lake is surrounded by the mountains Chacrarju and Pisco which leave reflections on the lake. On the return walk you look directly towards the mountains Huascaran, Chopicalqui and Yanapaccha. The hike from Cebollapampa to Laguna 69 & return is about 5 ½ hours. Drive back to Huaraz 2.5 hours.

Day Hike to Pisco Base Camp & Return to Camp

Pisco mountain is a popular climbing destination in the Cordillera Blanca and is a suitable climb for beginner climbers and is also a rewarding climb for experienced mountaineers.

We can hike up to the base camp for Pisco and back as a very pleasant day hike from the Llanganuco Camp.

It is a steady climb of around 2 ½ hours on a good dirt path following a tumbling stream up to a large flat plateau where base camp is located at 4650m. / 15256ft Enjoy a picnic lunch and take in the surrounding spectacular mountain scenery and then descend back down to camp.

If you want to hike further, you can take a route up towards Huandoy mountain and then back to base camp.

Hiking Hours & Kms Hiked

Hiking hours are estimated times including rest breaks and lunch stop. Times are for our average groups based on past experience. Some people may be much faster and others slower.

Kms hiked are estimated.

Trek Roads

Access roads to and from treks are generally dirt mountain roads (not paved) and in some places can be bumpy. Road travel times are slower than you may expect for the kms travelled.

Print Copy / PDF trek description & more photos