Day Hikes

A short climb in the Cordillera Negra to a small lake with the entire Cordillera Blanca skyline spread out across the valley. The best half-day acclimatisation walk from Huaraz.

A quiet lake tucked into the hills above the Wilcahuain ruins, reached by a gradual climb that stays under 4,600 m. A low-key acclimatisation hike with views back over Huaraz and the Cordillera Negra.

A gentle valley walk to a large glacial lake beneath the enormous south face of Huantsán, the highest peak of the southern Cordillera Blanca. Long on scenery, short on steep climbing.

The classic acclimatisation hike from Huaraz: a steep climb from Pitec to a deep turquoise lake below Nevado Churup, with a short rock scramble on fixed cables just before the shore.

Peru's most famous day hike climbs from the Llanganuco valley to a brilliant blue lake fed by the glaciers of Chacraraju. Long drive, long trail, unforgettable colour.

A long but steady climb above Carhuaz to two glacial lakes beneath Nevado Hualcán, with the emerald Laguna Rajupaquinan as a bonus along the way. Quieter than Laguna 69 and just as rewarding.

The quickest way to stand in front of Yerupajá and Jirishanca: a two-day out-and-back from Llamac to the lake that gives the Cordillera Huayhuash its most famous image.