The best part of the day: The first views of the Ausangate glacier
With Cusco behind us, we’ll go in a private car to the community of Upis through the South Valley. When we get there, we’ll have a nutritious breakfast that will give us the strength we need to start our hike. We’ll start slowly to, little by little, get used to the region’s altitude.
On our hike to the Upis Campsite, we’ll catch the first glance of the Ausangate glacier welcoming us to this beautiful place. After a few hours, we’ll get to the place where we’ll have lunch. After enjoying this delicious food prepared by our chef, we’ll rest a bit and then, in the afternoon, go out to explore the surroundings of the Huayna Ausangate Lagoon. We’ll finish the day with tea time and dinner and then be able to get to sleep.
We’ll leave early for the community of Upis, have breakfast there and then start slowly walking up to the place on the trail where we’ll stop for lunch. During the trip, we’ll adjust to the altitude and enjoy the incredible views this trail gives us. In the afternoon, we’ll go out on an adventure to the Huayna Ausangate Lagoon before returning to the Upis Campsite to rest and recuperate for our day tomorrow.
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Meals
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Easy to Moderate
Level of difficulty
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10 km/ 6.21 miles
Hiking distance
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5 hours
Hiking time
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4,250 meters / 13,944 feet
Starting altitude
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4,250 meters / 13,944 feet
Minimum altitude
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4,480 meters / 14,698 feet
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Upis - Arapa Pass - Yanacocha - Hatun Pucacocha
After a restful night, we’ll have an energizing breakfast and leave on our hike, accompanied by the classic chill of the Andean sunrise. We’ll go up to the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 f). We’ll hike slowly to save our energy and take in the surroundings, so it will take about two and a half hours. Once we’re at the peak, the horizon will open up, showing us picturesque, Andean landscapes.
We’ll continue moving forward then and, after an hour and a half, we’ll have lunch near the Yanacocha Lagoon. We’ll rest and then continue downhill. The mood will change as we get closer and closer to our campsite. After an hour, we’ll arrive near the Hatun Pucacocha Lagoon, where we’ll spend the night. If you still have energy, you can go to visit the nearby lagoon.
Very early, we’ll gradually hike uphill to the Arapa Pass. After enjoying those amazing views, we’ll go to Yanacocha to have lunch. After the delicious lunch, we’ll descend to Hatun Pucacocha. In the afternoon, you can go on an excursion to see the nearby lagoon and its surroundings.
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Meals
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Moderate
Level of difficulty
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11/ km / 6.83 miles
Hiking distance
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6 hours
Hiking time
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4,400 meters / 14,436 feet
Starting point
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4,400 meters / 14,436 feet
Minimum altitude
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4,800 meters / 15,748 feet
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: From the highest mountain pass to the entrance of the valley
Today, we’ll go up two and a half hours to the Ausangate Pass (4,750 m / 15,584 f), known by natives as the Apacheta Pass. You’ll probably see the picturesque apachetas on the peak, stacked stone columns left by passers by as a way of showing respect to the mountain. After this amazing experience, we’ll hike down for an hour and a half to the Ausangate Cocha Lagoon to have a scrumptious lunch, accompanied by the spectacular views of an impressive canyon.
The best part of the trek has now arrived! We’ll start off toward our goal, the Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 f), the highest point on our journey. For the local inhabitants, this part of the mountains is especially important because it’s a place where you can recharge with positive energy. From here, you’ll be able to see other glaciers and high mountains: Santa Catalina or Mariposa (Butterfly), Ausangate and Jampa. After enjoying this outstanding scenic landscape, well descend to the small community of Huchuy Phinaya (4,700 m / 15,420 f) where you’ll get a close-up view at some of the townspeople’s customs and routines, for example taking their animals out to graze on the mountain’s fields.
After that, we’ll gradually go down to Sorapata, where our campsite will be set up. That night, after a pretty long day, we’ll enjoy a well-earned dinner together before getting to bed, excited for what’s coming tomorrow.
We’ll start the day with a two-and-a-half-hour ascent to the Ausangate Pass. After enjoying this exciting viewpoint, we’ll go down to Ausangate Cocha Lagoon and have lunch there to get back our energy for the afternoon, which has another ascent in store for us. We’ll hike uphill to the highest point on our journey, the Palomani Pass. From this incredible place over the mountain range, you’ll be able to look out and see other high mountains and glaciers, such as Santa Catalina o Mariposa (Butterfly), Ausangate and Jampa. Recharged, we’ll head down to Huchuy Phinaya and then continue up again to Sorapata, where we’ll have dinner and spend the night.
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Meals
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Moderate to challenging
Level of difficulty
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12.5 km / 7.76 miles
Hiking distance
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7 hours
Hiking time
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4,400 meters / 14,436 feet
Starting altitude
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4,400 meters / 14,436 feet
Minimum altitude
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5,200 meters / 17,060 feet
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Take part in a ceremony to Mother Earth, and soak in the hot springs of Pacchanta.
We’ll start off the day with a two-hour uphill hike to Huanopata. From the first step, we’ll enjoy the view of three peculiar peaks called the Tres Marias, or Three Marias. Next, we’ll continue to our destination - the Jampa Pass (5,070 m / 16,634 f) - on a trail filled with scenic wonders that will leave you breathless.
Then, we’ll be on our way to rest at our campsite. On the way, we’ll see the famous lakes of China Otorongo, Orco Otorongo and Qomer Cocha, respected in the spiritual world of the Andes for their mysticism. Here, we’ll stop for a moment to take part in a small offering ceremony of thanksgiving for the hospitality of the Pachamama (Mother Earth) on this beautiful mountain trail.
After spending time wrapped up in the scenic beauty of this place, we’ll continue on to Pacchanta to spend the night. There, you’ll be able to swim in its refreshing hot springs, and we’ll take advantage to relax our legs and muscles after a few difficult days of trekking. We’ll finish the day with a satisfying dinner.
We’ll ascend gradually to Huanopata, which will take about two hours. On the trail, we’ll see the Tres Marias (Three Marias), a set of peculiar mountain peaks. We’ll continue our journey on a mystic path of scenic beauty until we arrive at the Jampa Pass. From there, we’ll go downhill to our campsite in Pacchanta. On the way, we’ll enjoy seeing three glacial lakes: China Otorongo, Orco Otorongo y Qomer Cocha. To finish out the day, you can take a swim in the relaxing hot springs of the town.
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Meals
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Moderate
Level of difficulty
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15 km / 9.32 miles
Hiking distance
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7.5 hours
Hiking time
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4,650 meters / 15,256 feet
Starting altitude
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4,100 meters / 13,451 feet
Minimum altitude
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5,070 meters / 16,634 feet
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Say goodbye to the trail, passing by the community of Tinke.
Today is the time to say goodbye to the trekking team that’s accompanied us on our journey. Without them, it would have been an overwhelming and impossible trek. We’ll have our last breakfast and then start today’s hike, which will last three hours and take us to the community of Tinke. After spending a bit of time in this picturesque town, we’ll try to strike up a conversation with the townspeople and interact with them, learning about their way of life.
Finally, we’ll say goodbye to the team after lunch and then take one last look at the surrounding landscape, storing all of these pleasurable moments away in our hearts. Our private car will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
Today is the time to say goodbye to the trekking team that’s accompanied us on our journey. Without them, it would have been an overwhelming and impossible trek. We’ll have our last breakfast and then start today’s hike, which will last three hours and take us to the community of Tinke. After spending a bit of time in this picturesque town, we’ll try to strike up a conversation with the townspeople and interact with them, learning about their way of life.
Finally, we’ll say goodbye to the team after lunch and then take one last look at the surrounding landscape, storing all of these pleasurable moments away in our hearts. Our private car will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
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Breakfast and lunch
Meals
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Easy
Level of difficulty
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7 km / 4.34 miles
Hiking distance
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3 hours
Hiking time
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4,100 meters / 13,451 feet
Starting altitude
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3,800 meters / 12,467 feet
Minimum altitude
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4,100 meters / 13,451 feet
Maximum altitude
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