Lake 69
Lake Glacial turquoise lake in Huascarán, popular trek
High in Huascarán National Park, Laguna 69 is a glacial lake famed for turquoise water beneath snow-capped peaks; trekkers make it a day-hike for scenery, photography, and alpine acclimatization.
Lake 69 (Laguna 69) is a high-altitude glacial lake in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca within Huascarán National Park in the Ancash region. The lake is noted for its vivid turquoise water and is set beneath steep glaciated walls.
The lake is a major day-hike destination on the Caraz/Huaraz trekking circuit and is popular for its photographic scenery and close-up views of surrounding peaks. Trail hikers commonly approach from the Cebollapampa trailhead, gaining substantial elevation to reach the lake’s shoreline at about 4,600 metres above sea level.
Lake 69 occupies a cirque formed and fed by glacial and meltwater processes and is part of the Cordillera Blanca’s network of glacial lakes. Its present form is the result of post-glacial melt and moraine containment.
The lake is located inside Huascarán National Park in Ancash, east of the town of Caraz and northeast of Huaraz, within the high Andes of central Peru.
- Altitude: Sits at roughly 4,600 metres above sea level at the base of glaciated peaks in Huascarán National Park.
- Hike length and trailhead: Reached by a mountain trail from the Cebollapampa trailhead near Yungay, typically a 3 to 4 hour ascent from the trailhead for fit hikers.
How to Get to Lake 69 #
Most hikers start from the town of Yungay or Caraz; the common trailhead is at Cebollapampa/Lechemayo reached by a roughly 3-4 hour drive from Huaraz, then a steep 3-4 hour hike to the lake. Local colectivos and tour operators in Huaraz provide transport and guiding services.
Tips for Visiting Lake 69 #
- Start the hike early from Huaraz to avoid afternoon storms and heavy microclimate changes.
- Bring a good rain jacket and windproof layers - mountain weather can turn fast above 4,000 m.
- Hire a local guide or join a guided trek for trail information; the trail to Laguna 69 includes rocky sections and river crossings.
Best Time to Visit Lake 69 #
Best visited in the Peruvian dry season (May-September) when trails are drier and mountain views are clearest.
Weather & Climate near Lake 69 #
Lake 69's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from -6°C to 10°C. Moderate rainfall (881 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (165 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -5°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -6°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -6°C. The driest month with just 6 mm.
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August
August is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
