Lake Churup Trek Huaraz: High-altitude alpine lake at 4,450m

A challenging climb to turquoise waters at the base of snow-capped Churup Mountain

Lake Churup Trek is a full-day guided trek in Huascaran National Park near Huaraz that climbs to a turquoise alpine lake at 4,450 meters above sea level. Starting from traditional Quechua villages, you ascend through waterfalls and rocky terrain for roughly three hours to reach the lake, then return the same route. A professional guide leads the trek in Spanish, with hotel pickup included and park entry available as an add-on at booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Trek to Lake Churup in Huascaran Park

• Pick up from hotel
• Travel to town of Pitec
• Pass Quechua towns Unchus and Llupa
• Register at Huascaran National Park
• Trek ascending to waterfalls
• Climb challenging path to Lake Churup
• Explore and rest at Lake Churup
• Return via same path to transport
• Travel back to Huaraz city

The experience

The trek begins with pickup from your Huaraz hotel and a drive through the foothills toward Pitec, passing through the adobe villages of Unchus and Llupa where you'll see traditional crop fields. Once you reach the park entrance, the climbing starts: an hour and a half of steady ascent brings you to a rocky section with waterfalls, followed by a steeper 45-minute push to Lake Churup itself. The lake sits at 4,450 meters above sea level, ringed by the snow-capped mountain of the same name.

At the lake you have time to walk the shoreline, photograph the turquoise water against the mountain backdrop, and rest before the descent. The route down retraces the same path back to the transport and the drive to Huaraz. Flora and fauna change as you climb: the guide points out what the altitude makes possible. This is a full-day commitment: nine hours total, with the physical demand front-loaded into the ascent.

What’s included

• Professional guide in Spanish.
• hotel pickup from Huaraz.
• transportation to and from the trailhead.

Options for this experience

2 options

Churup - admission fee not coveredGuide in Spanish · 07:00Pickup is included; entrance ticket not included

Churup - admission fee coveredGuide in Spanish · 07:00Pickup is included; entrance ticket included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?Book this if you're acclimatized to high altitude and want a steep, sustained climb to a remote alpine lake rather than the easier day-hikes most visitors do around Huaraz.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6).

How high is Lake Churup and what's the climb like?

Lake Churup sits at 4,450 meters above sea level. The trek climbs for roughly an hour and a half through rocky terrain with waterfalls, then a steeper 45-minute section to reach the lake. The descent retraces the same route.

What towns do you pass through on the way?

You drive through the traditional Quechua villages of Unchus and Llupa before reaching the park entrance. Both have adobe houses and crop fields visible from the road.

Is the park entrance fee included?

Park entry is optional at checkout. You can book the trek without it and pay the entrance fee in cash (S/ 30 per person) when you arrive, or include it when you book.

What should I bring for this trek?

Bring snacks and water. The tour does not include food or drinks. The guide is a professional who leads in Spanish and knows the route, but you'll need good physical fitness and prior acclimatization to the altitude before you start.