Churup is the lake most visitors see first, and for good reason. The trail from the Pitec road end climbs directly up a grassy ridge, then threads through boulders and a steep slab section equipped with cables to arrive at a lake of extraordinary colour cupped beneath the glaciers of Nevado Churup at 5,495 m.
Strong hikers can continue another 45 minutes to the smaller Churupita lake above. The relatively short distance and high finish make it the ideal test of acclimatisation two or three days before a trek or climb.
