The best part of the day: Soak in hot springs after a long day, surrounded by the energy of the Vilcanota mountains.
We’ll leave Cusco very early, heading towards the small town of Tinqui. We’ll see the impressive Vilcanota mountain range and pass through several traditional towns. We’ll make some stops so you can take great pictures. Upon arrival, we’ll meet the porters who’ll prepare everything necessary that they will carry and start our adventure. We’ll walk for around 3 hours to the place where we’ll have lunch. Afterwards, we’ll continue with 2 more hours of hiking until we reach Upis where our comfortable camp will have already been set up. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the hot springs before a delicious dinner and a peaceful night's rest in the middle of the mountains.
Today, we’ll leave Cusco early to go by car to Tinqui with the Vilcanota mountain range by our side. From there, we’ll begin hiking through the peaks and valleys, have lunch, and then continue on to arrive at our camp in Upis. There, you’ll be able to soak in some hot springs before dinner and a nice rest.
12 km / 7.5 miles
Hiking distance
3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Minimum altitude
4,400 m / 14,435 ft
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Enjoy several landscapes in just one place - sand, snow and greenery plus colorful lagoons, and maybe even a condor!
You’ll enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast that will provide you with the necessary energy to continue our adventure. Today, we’ll ascend to the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). From this privileged place you will be able to observe an impressive contrast in the landscape - dunes that look like they came out of the desert surround the glacial wonder of the Apu Ausangate while, below, the valley extends in brilliant greens. From this perspective, if you’re really lucky, you’ll be able to gaze upon the flight of the condor. Let yourself be astounded by the 3 beautiful, crystalline lagoons, each with a particular shade: red, green, and turquoise. We’ll soon arrive at the place where our camp will already be set up. There you’ll feel how your heart vibrates in front of the huge glacier while you enjoy a relaxing dinner before bed.
After breakfast, we’ll ascend to the Arapa Pass to enjoy a contrasting landscape of sandy dunes around the glacier of the Apu Ausangate and green valleys on the horizon. We’ll see red, green and turquoise lagoons that seem to be from another planet and, maybe, a condor flying overhead! We’ll camp next to the grand glacier.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Meals
Challenging
Level of difficulty
12 km / 7.5 miles
Hiking distance
4,400 m / 14,435 ft
Minimum altitude
4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Cross two mountain passes in one day!
Very early in the morning, after satisfying our hunger with an exquisite breakfast, we’ll ascend for 2 or 3 hours to the second mountain pass of our excursion, the Apuchata Pass (4,900 m / 16,076 f). From here, we’ll descend for 1.5 hours to Ausangate Qocha where we’ll have lunch while enjoying the amazing landscape. After, we will hike uphill 2 hours until we reach the Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft) and then we’ll go downhill to the small community of Huchuy Pinaya where our camp will already be set up. Here, a comfortable night of rest awaits you after savoring the delicious dinner that our chef will have prepared with care.
This is a challenging day. After breakfast, we’ll go up to the Apuchata Pass, down to Ausangate Qocha for lunch, then up again to the Palomani Pass. There are some truly unforgettable landscapes along the way. We’ll camp in the community of Huchuy Pinaya after a satisfying dinner.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Meals
Challenging
Level of difficulty
13 km / 8.1 miles
Hiking distance
4,600 m / 15,091 ft
Minimum altitude
5,200 m / 17,060 ft
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Notice the small details of daily life in the Andes, and appreciate the abundance of vistas and feelings that accompany them.
Today, we’ll ascend to the highest point of our excursion known as the Jampa Pass (5,070 MASL / 16,634 FASL). The silence of this remote place is truly inspiring. From here, you’ll have a privileged view of the Tampa Mountain. After that, we’ll descend for 2 hours until we reach Pampacancha (4,050 m / 13,287 f). On the way, you will see herds of llamas and alpacas that run freely in this immense space. Then, we’ll go uphill again for approximately 3 hours until we reach our camp in Jampa (4,300 m / 14,107 f). You’ll recover your energy with an exquisite dinner, and then you’ll spend the night in our comfortable tents. Remember to keep yourself warm since nights in the Andes can get very cold.
We’ll reach the Jampa Pass today at 5,070 MASL (16,634 FASL) and be truly inspired by our surroundings, including a view of Tampa Mountain. From there, we’ll pass through Pampacancha and get a close-up experience with local llamas and alpacas grazing in open mountain slopes. We’ll then continue on to our campsite in Jampa.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Meals
Challenging
Level of difficulty
11 km / 6.8 miles
Hiking distance
5,070 m / 16,634 ft
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Soak in the energy shared by the Vilcanota mountain range and the Qomerqocha Lagoon, and then soak in another hot spring at night.
Our adventure is nearing its end. Today, like every day, we’ll leave after breakfast and head for 1 hour to the base of the glacier. Then, we’ll go up a little to survey the wonderful landscape of the Vilcanota mountain range. We’ll return to the base of the mountain to enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll descend towards the Qomerqocha Lagoon and arrive at the Pacchanta community after 5 hours of walking. Pacchanta is a beautiful, traditional place that has hot springs where you can enjoy a relaxing bath while watching the perpetual snowy peaks of the glorious Apu Ausangate. We will camp here.
Today, we’ll revel in the glaciers and lagoons of the Vilcanota mountains one more time. There’s truly nothing like it! Feel the power of the landscape becoming a part of you. Remember what that feels like so you can revisit these memories in the future. At the campsite, enjoy another starry night as we swim in the hot springs of Pacchanta, feeding on the energy of the snowy peaks of the Apu Ausangate.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Meals
Moderate
Level of difficulty
13 km / 8.1 miles
Hiking distance
4,250 m / 13,943 ft
Minimum altitude
4,500 m / 14,763 ft
Maximum altitude
In the morning, we’ll have breakfast and begin our journey toward the Tinqui community. We’ll hike for 2 hours. Once there, we will board a van that will take us directly to the city of Cusco. Our estimated arrival time is at sunset.
In the morning, we’ll have breakfast and begin our journey toward the Tinqui community. We’ll hike for 2 hours. Once there, we will board a van that will take us directly to the city of Cusco. Our estimated arrival time is at sunset.
Breakfast and lunch
Meals
7 km / 4.3 miles
Hiking distance
3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Minimum altitude
4,250 m / 13,943 ft
Maximum altitude
ES
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