The Grand Andean Experience

We’ll leave Cusco very early, heading towards the small town of Tinqui. We’ll observe the impressive Vilcanota mountain range and pass through several traditional towns. We’ll make some stops so you can take the best pictures. Upon arrival we’ll meet the horsemen who’ll prepare everything necessary to start our adventure. We’ll walk for around 3 hours to the point where we’ll have lunch. Afterwards, we’ll continue with another 2 hours of walking 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 our delicious dinner and a peaceful night's rest in the middle of the mountains.

Minimum altitude: 3,800 masl / 12,467 fasl

Maximum altitude: 4,400 masl / 14,435 fasl

Distance traveled: 12 km

Walking time: 6 to 7 hours.

Day 2 Upis - Arapa Pass – Yanacocha - Pucacocha Lake

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 (4,850 masl / 15,912 fasl). 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 with its brilliant greenness. From this point, if you’re really lucky, you’ll be able to observe the flight of the condor. Also, let yourself be astounded by the 3 beautiful and 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 nutritious dinner before bed.

Minimum altitude: 4,400 masl / 14,435 fasl

Maximum altitude: 4,850 masl / 15,912 fasl

Distance traveled: 12 km

Walking time: 6 to 7 hours.

Day 3 Pucacocha - Ausangate Cocha – Palomani Pass - Huchuy Phinaya

Very early in the morning, after satisfying hunger with an exquisite breakfast, we’ll ascend for 2 or 3 hours to the second pass of our excursion, the Apuchata Pass (4,900 masl / 16,076 fasl). From here we’ll descend for 1.5 hours to Ausangate Qocha where we’ll have lunch while enjoying the amazing landscape. After our lunch, we will ascend 2 hours until we reach the Palomani Pass (5,100 masl / 16,732 fasl) 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.

Minimum altitude: 4,600 masl / 15,091 fasl

Maximum altitude: 5,200 masl / 17,060 fasl

Distance traveled: 13 km

Walking time: 6 to 7 hours.

Day 4 Huchuy Phinaya - Qampa Pass - Qomercocha Lake - Pacchanta

In the morning, we wake up early to have breakfast and then continue walking to the Abra Qampa, a place that is surrounded by several snowy peaks such as steel, Pico three, Huamanticlla. After 3 hours and 1/2 half, you can see the Qomerqocha lagoon, where we will go for lunch. After having lunch, we continue walking for about 2 hours more until reaching the community of Pacchanta (4,000 m / 13,000 ft), this place still preserves many of its traditions. By the way, this community has hot springs, and if you like, you can enjoy a relaxing bath. Here we will stop to build our camp and spend our last night.

Minimum altitude: 4,250 masl / 13,943 fasl

Maximum altitude: 5,157 masl / 16,919 fasl

Distance travelled: 15 km

Walking time: 6 to 7 hours.

Day 5 Pacchanta - Tinqui - Ocongate – Cusco Hotel

In the morning we’ll have breakfast and begin our journey towards the Tinqui community 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.

Minimum altitude: 3,800 masl / 12,467 fasl

Maximum altitude: 4,250 masl / 13,943 fasl3

Distance traveled: 7 km

Walking time: 3 hours.