Laguna Churup

What Laguna Churup is

Laguna Churup is a small glacial lake in the western Cordillera Blanca, inside Huascarán National Park. It lies at about 4,450 m, in a rocky basin above the upper end of the Llupa valley, east of Huaraz. The usual starting point is the hamlet of Pitec, at roughly 3,850 m.

The lake takes its name from the Nevado Churup, the glaciated peak that rises above it and is commonly given as about 5,500 m. Meltwater from that ice, together with rain, feeds the lake, and a stream drains it down toward the valley. The lake is much smaller than the famous ones of the range, and its appeal is in the setting more than in size.

Why it is worth the climb

The setting is the reward. The lake is cupped by smooth, pale granite slabs and steep walls, with scrub and small trees clinging to the ledges, and on a clear day the water turns from dark blue to green and turquoise near the edges. Cloud often drifts across the rock above, and the reflections are best when the air is still, usually early in the day.

It is also a place you reach without a long expedition. The ground you cross on the way up changes from forest to bare rock, so the walk feels varied for its length. Compared with Laguna 69, the lake is less colourful, but it is closer, quicker to visit and easier to fit into a short stay in the area.

How to see it

Most visitors do it as a half-day outing from Huaraz, either with an agency or with a shared minibus and then on foot from Pitec. The ascent is steep and includes a short rocky section where a fixed rope or cable has been reported, so it is not a stroll even though it is short. Details of the route, timings and the scramble are in the Laguna Churup trek guide, which is the page to read before you go.

Once at the lake, most people stay for a while to rest, eat something and look around the shore. A higher viewpoint is sometimes mentioned beyond the lake, but it is steeper and not needed to enjoy the place. If you are unsure about heights, the lake can still be a good goal for a confident companion or a guide to help you judge the rock.

Practicalities and best time

The dry season, roughly May to September, is the most reliable for clear views and a drier rock section. In the wetter months, roughly November to March, afternoons are often cloudy or rainy, and the rock can be slippery. In any season, go early: mornings tend to be clearer and the lake is quieter.

An entrance ticket for the national park is normally required, and it may be sold at a checkpoint or included in a tour; confirm the current rules and price locally, since they change. Carry water, layers, a waterproof jacket, sun protection and boots with grip. It is cold and windy at the lake even on sunny days.

Where it fits

Laguna Churup works best on the second or third day of a stay, after an easy outing such as Wilcahuaín, and before longer hikes. The overall pattern is described in acclimatisation for trekkers. For other ideas in the area, see things to do in Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca guide, and for a base, where to stay in Huaraz.