• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Duration: Three days
• Max elevation: 3,500
• Accommodation: Camping
• Start/end point: Leymebamba

This is a great, lesser-known, multi-day hike in the Chachapoyas area. You'll trek through several ecological zones, as the flora and fauna are different at each level of elevation. Once you reach the lake, you will be treated to a secluded body of water that often has so little wind that it becomes a perfect mirror, reflecting the steep jungle-covered cliffs that surround it.

On your second day, you’ll have all day to visit the cliffs where hundreds of mummies were discovered. Most of the artefacts are in the museum in Leymebamba, which is why it’s a good idea to visit the museum before you begin the trek. Some mausoleums in the cliff are intact, so bring binoculars. As the name promises, you’ll often see condors soaring along the cliffs above the lake.

Some agencies combine this with hikes to the Gocta waterfalls or other nearby archeological sites to make a four or five day itinerary. You may also spend a day in Leymebamba visiting the museum and spend the night there before you begin the trek.

The trek is difficult enough that you will be glad to spend the second day visiting the lake and the cliff where the mummies were found. On the hike in, you’ll ascend 1,400 metres of altitude and descend about 700 metres. You’ll hike back out on the same trail, so it will be only 700 metres up but a knee-aching 1,400 metres of descent.

You will camp two nights at the lake. Some agencies have built small cabins nearby, so inquire what kind of accommodation is included. Most agencies don’t include sleeping bags.

Trekking agencies always include transportation from Chachapoyas. If you require transportation from the airport in Cajamarca or Jaen be sure to notify the agency when you book.