Itinerary
- Day 1
Sacred Valley
You'll kick things off with a briefing to get oriented, then head through the Sacred Valley hitting several stops along the way. Pisac, Chinchero, Maras, and Moray are all on the route, each offering different perspectives on the region. By evening you'll settle into Calca for the night, giving you a chance to acclimate and get comfortable before things pick up.
Included Activities
- Expedition briefing
- Sacred Valley tour with stops at Pisac, Chinchero, Maras, and Moray
Landmarks/POIs Pisac Chinchero Maras Moray - Day 2
Sacred Valley to Cuncani
An early start gets you out from the Sacred Valley for a 3-hour drive to Cuncani where the actual trekking begins. The trail climbs up to 4,400 meters, then drops back down to 3,800 meters where you'll pitch camp. It's a good introduction to the altitude and terrain you'll be dealing with over the coming days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Cuncani to 4,400 meters altitude and descent to 3,800 meters
Landmarks/POIs Cuncani - Day 3
Andes Mountain Trek
You're up at 8am heading toward higher elevation, reaching 4,600 meters in the Andes with views of Helamcoma and Veronica's snow-capped peaks stretching out around you. The day wraps up with a transfer to Ollantaytambo where you'll spend the night, giving your body time to adjust before the more technical climbing ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Trek to 4,600 meters in the Andes with views of Helamcoma and Veronica nevadas
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo
Landmarks/POIs Helamcoma Nevada Veronica Nevada - Day 4
Thastayoc to Lanlaluyoc Base Camp
Starting at 8am, you drive about an hour to Thastayoc sitting at 4,000 meters. From there the approach hike to Helamcoma nevada base camp takes you up to 4,400 meters where the Lanlaluyoc lagoons come into view. You'll set up your camp here, positioning yourself for the summit push that's coming.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Thastayoc (4,000 meters)
- Approach hike from Helamcoma nevada base camp to Lanlaluyoc lagoons (4,400 meters)
Landmarks/POIs Thastayoc Lanlaluyoc Lagoons - Day 5
Helamcoma Summit and Descent to Urubamba
This is summit day, so you're heading out before dawn to cross the glacier and tackle the final ridge with some rock climbing involved (grade III terrain). Once you hit the 5,900-meter summit, you'll take in views of Veronica and Salkantay before rappelling back down. After descending to Ollantaytambo, you continue to Urubamba for celebration and a well-deserved rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Summit celebration lunch)
Included Activities
- Pre-dawn glacier crossing and summit ascent of Helamcoma
- Rock climbing (grade III) on final ridge
- Summit at 5,900 meters with views of Veronica and Salkantay nevadas
- Rappel descent to advanced camp
- Descent to base camp
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo and Urubamba
- Summit celebration lunch
Landmarks/POIs Helamcoma Nevada Veronica Nevada Salkantay Nevada - Day 6
Sacred Valley Activities
After the intensity of summit day, you get time to recover and choose what works for you. Some people visit ceramics artists in the area, others try a short via ferrata with nice valley views, or you can just hang out at your hotel if that's what you need. It's flexible and gives your body a proper break.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit world-renowned ceramics artists
- Short via ferrata with views of the Sacred Valley
- Relaxation at hotel
- Day 7
Malaga Pass to Queñoas Base Camp
Leaving at 7am toward Malaga Pass, you enter the Thastayoc communal reserve and start the route from 4,400 down to 4,200 meters before the terrain gets steep, climbing to 4,800 meters through forests of Quenoas trees, which happen to be the highest-growing trees on earth. Camp gets established at the base, readying you for the next stage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Malaga Pass
- Entry to Thastayoc communal reserve
- Trek through Queñoas forests from 4,400 to 4,200 to 4,800 meters
- Base camp establishment at 4,800 meters
Landmarks/POIs Malaga Pass Thastayoc Communal Reserve - Day 8
Advanced Camp Establishment
A 6:30am departure takes you toward the advanced camp, crossing unstable moraines and climbing small rock sections up to 20 meters (grade III). You'll navigate snow and ice slopes between 45 and 60 degrees as you gain elevation. By day's end you reach the north ridge at 5,300 meters where the advanced camp gets set up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Traverse unstable moraines
- Rock climbing (grade III, sections up to 20 meters)
- Snow and ice climbing on 45-60 degree slopes
- Trek to north ridge and advanced camp establishment at 5,300 meters
Landmarks/POIs North Ridge - Day 9
Summit Ascent
Very early morning sends you out for the summit ascent, crossing major cracks and climbing snow and ice slopes at 45 to 60 degrees. You'll reach the 5,900-meter summit in early morning when the views are sharpest. After taking it all in, rappels bring you back to advanced camp, then you continue descending to base camp for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit ascent crossing cracks and 45-60 degree slopes
- Ascent to 5,900-meter summit
- Rappel descent from summit
- Descent to advanced base camp
- Descent to base camp
Landmarks/POIs Summit (5,900 meters) - Day 10
Thastayoc Ravine Descent and Cusco Transfer
The descent through Thastayoc ravine is more relaxed, and if you're lucky you might spot rare fauna like the Churrete real, with only around 300 of these birds left worldwide. At midday your transport picks you up at the valley exit for the drive back to the Sacred Valley. You'll have a celebration lunch to reflect on everything, then head to Cusco for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Celebration lunch in the Sacred Valley)
Included Activities
- Descent through Thastayoc ravine with wildlife viewing
- Transfer to Sacred Valley valley exit
- Celebration lunch in Sacred Valley
- Transfer to Cusco
Landmarks/POIs Thastayoc Ravine - Day 11
Cusco
This day is yours to rest and recover from the expedition, giving your body a chance to fully bounce back. If you're ready to move on though, you can head out from Cusco Airport whenever it works for your schedule.
Optional Activities
- Rest and relaxation in Cusco
- Departure from Cusco Airport
