Laguna Shallap

Dogs Unknown

Features Lake · Views

Local villagers occasionally try to charge a $1 entrance fee, but officially this trail is free.

Trailhead can either be accessed by taxi or from the Churup Lake trailhead which is served by collectivo. Road leaves the village and snakes around into the valley crossing a bridge and joining up with the trail from Churup Lake. The entrance to the valley is narrow, but the trail is wide and broad.

This is a good hike for acclimatization because of its gentle slope and high elevation. Its main difficulty is simply in its distance. There is one tiny section of steep switchbacks and a couple cattle gates that must be crossed or climbed.

Eventually you enter in a broad flat valley where the trail fades into multiple cow tracks. But with the icefall and Carhuascancha Peak in the background, you just keep hiking towards the hill. This trail is rarely crowded and most likely your only company will be the village's cattle, which graze in the valley.

The final section is the only steep part of the hike, which at this altitude might need some extra time if coming from sea level. Final destination is a host of abandoned buildings and the lake which provides a lovely spot for a picnic lunch before heading back the way you came.

Pretty much only cattle.