Laguna Churup: Day Hike from Huaraz, Peru
Are you looking for a perfect day hike from Huaraz, Peru? Read our Laguna Churup hiking guide to a beautiful lake in trekkers' paradise in the Cordillera Blanca. This travel guide includes tips on how to get from Huaraz to Laguna Churup independently, what to pack, trail description, acclimatization tips, or where to stay.
The area of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in Peru sees a lot of visitors from all around the world, and the city of Huaraz became a center for all adventurous travelers and hikers who want to see the postcard-perfect beauty with their own eyes and experience all those spectacular day hikes or multiday treks that the region has aplenty.
Huaraz did not become our favorite city in Peru, it is touristy and not very tidy. However we stayed for almost a week in Huaraz to enjoy the astonishing mountainous scenery in its near surroundings.
Huaraz is the country's hiking capital, and you would hardly find a better base to see some of the most beautiful lagoons in Peru.
And in this travel guide, we would like to inspire you to visit not that famous lagoon (yet) that we think deserves more attention and better marketing - Laguna Churup.
Laguna Churup is a awesome blue-green(ish) lake that is easy to get to from Huaraz (without driving for many hours), and despite the fact traveler's awareness about Laguna Churup is abruptly increasing, it is still regularly overshadowed by the most famous day hike to Laguna 69 followed by a new shining star, Laguna Paron.
The reason behind it is simple; most visitors don't have enough time to include Laguna Churup in their Peru itinerary, so they often skip it.
LAGUNA CHURUP
To be completely honest, we hadn't heard about Laguna Churup before we have arrived in Peru.
It was actually not before we reached the region of Northern Peru where we met a couple of travelers in Chachapoyas (read about Kuelap pre-Inca ruins and Catarata de Gocta, two major attractions that are worth visiting), who told us about this little gem while we were talking with them about the best things to do in Huaraz and best one-day hikes.
It was even one of their favorite hikes in the Huascaran National Park, which made us curious.
Meeting new people, sharing information and knowledge about places is invaluable, and it is what we enjoy the most about traveling - many times we got great tips and advice from others, and this is also our way how we would like to pay it back!
The day before hiking to Laguna Churup, it was raining all day long (and we must confess that we gladly spent the whole day in a bed catching up on tv-shows), but the weather forecast for the next morning looked promising.
When we woke up, we could see mountains from our room which comforted us.
But when we arrived at the starting point of the hike, a dense cloud came from the valley, slowly started to cover the surrounding hills and when we arrived at the lake, the cloud mixed with fog was so thick we couldn't see a thing.
Luckily, we were patient, and at last, we could also admire the beauty of Laguna Churup.
And we hope you will soon have a very similar experience.
In this travel guide, we've put together tips on Laguna Churup hike, information on how to get to Laguna Churup trailhead from Huaraz independently, or what to pack and how to acclimatize, because Laguna Churup lies 4450 meters above sea level!
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LAGUNA CHURUP FACTS
Here's in a nutshell what you can expect from the trip to Churup Lake. Laguna Churup lies at high altitude in Huascaran National Park in the Cordillera Blanca.
Laguna Churup lies 4450 meters above sea level, and although some call it a preparation hike for Laguna 69, we suggest to take it slowly and be aware of the way how the altitude can affect your body - don't underestimate this hike, we saw some hikers along the way dealing with the elevation.
It is better to stay a couple of days in Huaraz before the trek to acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness. If you want to know more about symptoms and high altitude hiking, click on our more detailed post focusing on this topic.
The hike to Laguna Churup is short, 3 kilometers one way, but it is all the way a steady climb uphill.
You start at 3840 meters above sea level, so you have about 600 meters to gain. We were told that the hike to the lake takes about 3 hours up and 2 hours down, but it took us one hour less each way.
From Laguna Churup, you can carry on about an hour to a smaller (and a bit higher located) lake named Laguna Churupita.
ENTRANCE FEE
Unfortunately, there is a fee in order to enter the Huascaran National Park. Because Laguna Churup lies within the park, you must pay the one-day entrance fee, S/30 per person (if you plan on hiking for longer, it is possible to buy another ticket for two to three days or the whole month).
We believe it's worth the money, even if you travel on a budget.
VISITING LAGUNA CHURUP: INDEPENDENTLY VS A GUIDED TOUR
It is absolutely not necessary to hike with a guide as the Laguna Churup trek is one of the most straightforward hikes we've done in the area, but the different story is whether you need to take a tour or it is better to travel independently.
Although other popular day hikes such as the one to Laguna 69 are mostly visited with a tour because of the irregular transport, this is not the case of this lagoon.
Getting from Huaraz to the trailhead of the trek is easy, and also, the path is obvious, so there is no reason why not to travel independently, even if you are new to visiting foreign countries or hiking in the mountains.
We don't see any advantage of hiking with a guide or taking a tour to get to Laguna Churup unless you travel alone and want to have someone to share the beautiful place with.
In that case, check out this Laguna Paron Tour from Huaraz and think it through whether it brings additional value for you.
HOW TO GET TO LAGUNA CHURUP TRAILHEAD FROM HUARAZ
The trailhead of Laguna Churup hike lies in Pitek, a place approximately 45 minutes drive from Huaraz. To get there, go to a crossroads of Avenue Agustin Gamarra and Avenue Antonio Raymondi.
There is no official bus terminal, but it is a place where the colectivo (small van) to Pitek waits for both locals and hikers.
It is very common in Peru that buses leave from different places across the city, so do not be nervous if you do not see any bus station. Instead, you should see a van with a Pitek sign behind the windshield and very likely a few travelers stepping outside in outdoor clothes.
The first van leaves at 7 AM (there should be another one at 8 AM as well, but we are not sure), and the ride costs S/10.
As timetables often change, show up at least ten minutes earlier, just in case. We were lucky because there were more hikers that day, and the car was full immediately, but it’s not unheard of that a driver waited an hour or more only for the van to fill up!
The colectivo will take you directly to the start of the trek, and the big advantage is that the driver waits there for hikers until 1 PM (verify the time with him) to take them back to Huaraz.
It is not that common, and thanks to it was Laguna Churup one of the best accessible places we visited in the Cordillera Blanca.
In case you miss this van back (and in case there is not another van waiting), you have to continue walking about an hour to a village Llupa, where you can catch another colectivo.
LAGUNA CHURUP HIKE
The driver will drop you off right at the trailhead, so you do not have to worry you could not find it.
The beginning of the hike is well-signposted, and it starts pretty steeply. You must hike several steps, and after approximately 15 minutes, you will reach a point where you must pay the entrance fee. At the moment of our visit was the booth empty, but it was probably an exception.
Past this point, the trail is obvious, and when the weather plays along, you can enjoy views of the valley, surrounding mountains, and waterfalls.
For many people, the most challenging (and for some the most fun) parts of the hike are the technical sections requiring ropes usage.
The first section is short and easy, and everyone must get past it.
The other, longer, and more difficult part (which can be often slippery) lies a bit further, and you can take a different path in case climbing is not your thing.
There is a fork with a sign saying Laguna Churup Opcional - taking this trail on your left will take you to Laguna Churup Mirador, and you will avoid the technical section while the right path will take you through it, and you will emerge on the lake's shore.
You can also make a loop if you wish, and you can climb ropes only one way (we would prefer to go up via the rope section rather than down).
Some people say that the climbing section is easy; for some, it is scary, so always decide based on how you feel and based on your experience.
As I'm not too fond of slippery and rocky sections, we took only the left path (although Martin wanted to take the right one) leading to the Mirador, and from here, we had to descend to the lake's shore.
The area around Laguna Churup is often misty and foggy, which gives the place a very mysterious atmosphere, and when you're lucky, the wind from time to time blow the fog away, and the wonderful lake will appear.
You can spend on the shore of Laguna Churup as long as you want, just always keep in mind the departure time - it'll be easier to get back to the parking lot because the trail leads downhill all the time, but you might get tired.
LAGUNA CHURUPITA
In case you have enough time and energy, you can carry on from Laguna Churup to a smaller lake, Laguna Churupita.
Continue along the clearly visible path on the left side of Laguna Churup to the end of the lake and from here climb up to the edge. This climb was the hardest part of the whole trek for us, but it was worth reaching the smaller lake that not many people visit.
This detour will add at least one hour to your itinerary each way, so we recommend this side trip only to those who arrived at Laguna Churup early and do not want to wait in the parking lot for too long.
Our Tip: If you want to extend your hike, it is also possible to get off at Llupa village, which lies before Pitek, and then either finish the Laguna Churup trek at Pitek or again in Llupa.
The extension from Llupa to Pitek takes about one hour.
The advantage is that colectivos from Llupa leave back to Huaraz more frequently because many locals need to get from here to the market in the city where they sell their products.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Make sure your travel insurance also covers high altitude hiking.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHERE TO STAY IN HUARAZ
Huaraz offers a large number of accommodation options, so we've handpicked the three most favorite hostels and hotels among travelers.
Although you might feel Huaraz is a small mountain village, it is actually a city with 120 000 inhabitants, so before you book a room, always make sure the location works for you well.
We preferred to be close to the central market, bus stations, colectivo stations, and tour agencies.
Budget | Selina Huaraz - Selina is a hotel chain in South America. They offer pretty, clean accommodation that offers a high standard for a very reasonable rate - check out the one in Huaraz.
Mid-range | La Casa de Zarela - We probably did not meet a single traveler in Peru who's never heard of La Casa de Zarela. This super-popular hotel offers spacious, comfortable, and clean rooms, the staff is friendly, and except for a great breakfast, you can taste amazing Thai food.
Luxury | The Lazy Dog Inn a Mountain Lodge - If you are looking for something a bit different, this hotel with cozy rooms and a romantic fireplace in the common room is a winner. The hotel is away from the city center, so make sure the location works for you.
BEST TIME FOR LAGUNA CHURUP HIKE
Same as other trails near Huaraz, Laguna Churup sees two distinctive seasons, wet and dry. The more popular dry season lasts from May to September, but it is winter, and temperatures are lower. The wet season usually arrives at the end of October and ends in April.
The rainiest months are December, January, and February, but these also happen to be the warmest months.
We were in Huaraz in November, and the weather during our one-week stay was quite predictable. It was pleasant in the morning, and it got cloudy and rainy in the afternoon.
We think it is possible to hike Laguna Churup at any time of the year, but it is necessary to be well-prepared and know trail conditions.
No matter if it is the dry or wet season, the trail can be extremely slippery after rain, especially the climbing section, so it is always better to have a backup plan, just in case.
WHAT TO PACK
Because the weather in the mountains can change within a few moments, it is always better not to underestimate the preparation for the hike.
As we love hiking and have many experiences from the day or multi-day hikes, we already have our packing routine and gear we never leave home without.
Here are our tips on what you should pack for the Laguna Churup hike.
The key to success is to have a comfortable daypack with a waist strap that will make your hiking easier.
You should also wear a rain jacket and outdoor trousers, and Lake Churup is the kind of hike where you should really keep sneakers in the hotel room and bring sturdy hiking boots.
We always pack rain poncho, sunscreen, lip balm, and energy gels as hiking at altitude is pretty demanding.
To fight altitude sickness, it is necessary to drink a lot of water, so fill your water bottle with at least two liters of water per person - it is a good idea to add in your water electrolytes that help the body to get more water.
Trekking poles are optional, but it is a must for those who have bad knees. If you are on a long term trip and do not want to carry them, it is possible to rent this gear in Huaraz.
Last but not least, do not forget your travel camera. The Andes are mesmerizingly beautiful, lightweight, and compact travel camera will help you capture all the beauty.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
