Laguna Sibinacocha

Sibinacocha lies at about 4,870 metres east of the Ausangate massif, roughly fifteen kilometres long, and it is among the highest lakes of its size anywhere. It is genuinely remote: the country around it is high puna with no settlement beyond scattered herder families, no services, and access either on foot over several days from the Ausangate area or by a long rough four-wheel drive track that is impassable in the wet season. It is significant scientifically - the lake's sediments record climate history, and the surrounding wetlands and its shores hold high-altitude specialists including Andean flamingo, giant coot and puna ibis, with vicuña on the slopes. Glacial retreat around it has been documented in detail. This is expedition rather than tourism: it demands full acclimatisation, cold-weather camping equipment, a guide who knows the ground, and an accepted plan for what happens if someone becomes ill at that altitude.

What's there

• The lake - fifteen kilometres of water at about 4,870 metres.
• The high-altitude birds - flamingo, giant coot and puna ibis on the shores.
• The vicuña - herds on the surrounding puna slopes.
• The retreating glaciers - documented ice loss on the peaks around it.

When to go

May to September only; the access tracks are impassable in the wet season. Full acclimatisation over several days beforehand is essential.

What to expect

Expedition-level remoteness at nearly 4,900 metres, with no services and slow evacuation. A guide who knows the route is necessary. Nights are severely cold. Not a destination for anyone without high-altitude experience.

Nearby

The Ausangate circuit passes to the west; Pitumarca is the nearest town.

Key facts