Rivalling the world famous Lake 69-day trek, Lake Churup is nothing short of breath-taking. Situated in the Cordillera Blanca’s picturesque Huascaran National Park, this day trek is one of the regions most beautiful yet challenging day treks. The electric aqua-marine coloured lake lies at a pokey 4450m, in the ominous shadow of the vertiginous snow-capped Mt. Churup.
Providing you are well acclimatised and in good physical shape, this trek is a “must do” when staying at Churup Mountain Lodge. The location of the lodge provides trekkers with unprecedented access to the trek trailhead, minimising travel getting to and from Huaraz.
Trekkers have two options to get to the trailhead from Churup Mountain Lodge:
Option 1 “Walk to Pitec”: To get to the start point of the trek you can leave direct from the lodge and walk approximately 1hr (6k) uphill, cutting across the farmer’s fields towards the trailhead. The trail is relatively well marked and not particularly demanding, allowing the legs and lungs to get accustomed before tackling the main trek.
OPTION 2 “Private taxi / Combi to Pitec”: Upon request and with sufficient notice, we can arrange for a private taxi to take you to the beginning of the trailhead. (please ask 24hrs before departure). Alternatively, if you rise early and are prepared to wait to hitch a ride with a passing combi, jump on board for S/. 5 and mingle with the locals for 20mins before arriving to Pitec.
THE TREK:
Armed with your pack lunch, water bottle and trekking essentials, it’s time to get down to business and head off on your adventure. The trek begins with a gradually steepening 1h climb up a well trodden path along a ridge, that takes you past the control checkpoint. Here the park ranger will charge you for a day pass ticket (S/. 30 / person).
As you ascend further, the views across into the Quilcayhuanca valley and towards the snow-capped peaks become ever more impressive, revealing the immense scale and beauty of the region.
With the first section complete, refuel and hydrate as the real challenge is still to come. Continuing on the path you will begin to enter the vertiginous valley, where the river flows down from above carving its way towards the valley floor.
After a short 20-minute walk, you will approach the first technical section of the trek. A short but steep rock face is to be navigated with the use of the plastic covered metal cables. that allow climbers to haul themselves up with caution.
The path begins to steepen once more, and heads up for 30 minutes before arriving at another short pampa.
Across the flat lies the last and most demanding section of the trek. Winding up into the narrow gulley through the Quenal trees, the route steepens sharply before you will have to make use of the bolted cables to aid your foot placement and progress.
After conquering the final technical section, there is one more short final push to arrive at your reward. Just before the lake comes into sight, test your balance as you cross the clear water stream on the stepping stones that provide clear passage and through the jagged rocks.
At last all the hard work and sweat is over and your reward is in within arms reach. Offset against the white serrated edges of the gnarly looking Nevado Churup, lies the impressive aqua-marine coloured Lake Churup at 4450m. Find a spot around its vast shores and position yourself for a well-earned lunch and a pat on the back to lap up the views of one of the Cordillera’s most iconic glacial meltwater lakes.
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To see what other treks you can do at Churup Mountain Lodge, visit our Trek Section on our website
