Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Pacchanta
You'll depart Cusco at 8 am heading southeast toward Pacchanta, reaching this alpaca community by 11 am. After lunch, you'll trek for around 4 hours to base camp where you can see snow-capped peaks like Ausangate and Cayangate. Local llamas and alpacas will accompany you on the trail. At base camp, you'll receive personal high mountain equipment and get instruction on glacier safety and proper gear use.
- Start point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel, 07:00 - 19:00)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to base camp (approximately 4 hours) with mountain views
- Equipment training and instruction on glacier safety and high mountain techniques
Optional Activities
- Visit Pacchanta hot springs
- Rock climbing at Pacchanta (10+ routes, beginner to advanced)
- Andinism practice or high mountain climbing practice
Landmarks Ausangate Cayangate - Day 2
Qampa Mountain Summit
This is an early start, leaving base camp at 3 am for a light breakfast before heading up. You'll trek about 2 hours across moraine to reach the glacier, then spend 3 more hours on the glacier itself to summit Qampa mountain at 5,500m/18,045ft. You'll have 30 minutes at the top to take in the Cordillera Vilcanota peaks, then descend 3 hours back to base camp for lunch. After eating, you'll continue down for 2 hours to Suyrupata, then another hour before climbing 1 hour to Hatun Finaya at 4,600m/15,092ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Qampa mountain summit climb (5,500m)
- Glacier ascent and descent with equipment
Landmarks Qampa Mountain Ausangate Mariposa - Day 3
Ausangate Region Trek
You'll trek 2 to 3 hours to El Paso Palomani at 5,100m/16,732ft, then descend for 1 hour to Ausangate lagoon at 4,600m/15,092ft where you'll have lunch. From there, you'll ascend to El Paso Ausangate at 4,900m/16,076ft before descending to Pukacocha at 4,600m/15,092ft for dinner. Your camp tonight sits in front of Ausangate's west face, surrounded by turquoise lagoons.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (At Ausangate lagoon), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to El Paso Palomani (2-3 hours)
- Trek to El Paso Ausangate and Pukacocha
Landmarks El Paso Palomani Ausangate Lagoon El Paso Ausangate Pukacocha - Day 4
High Alpine Passes Trek
After breakfast, you'll trek roughly 2 hours to Pukamoqo pass at 4,900m/16,076ft, then descend 2 hours to Anantapata at 4,600m/15,092ft for lunch. You'll continue trekking for about 2 hours to Warmisaya pass at 4,900m/16,076ft, then drop down 1 hour to Suyrucocha lagoon at 4,600m/15,092ft. You'll camp near Rainbow Mountain tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (At Anantapata), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Pukamoqo pass (approximately 2 hours)
- Trek to Warmisaya pass (approximately 2 hours)
- Trek to Suyrucocha lagoon (1 hour descent)
Landmarks Pukamoqo Pass Anantapata Warmisaya Pass Suyrucocha Lagoon Rainbow Mountain - Day 5
Winikunka (Mountain of Colors)
You're up early for a 2-hour walk to Winikunka (Mountain of Colors) at 5,080m/16,667ft to catch the sunrise. You'll spend time photographing and learning about the area before heading down. After a 2-hour descent, you'll reach Nevado del Inka base camp where you'll have lunch, dinner, and rest for the remainder of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Winikunka (Mountain of Colors) for sunrise (2 hours)
- Photo stop and area interpretation at Winikunka
Landmarks Winikunka - Day 6
Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain
You'll walk through the Red Valley with a gradual 2-hour climb plus 1 additional hour, aiming to reach Rainbow Mountain by 7 am so you're first at the summit. After time at the top, you'll descend back to Nevado del Inka base camp for lunch and rest. This day prepares you for the final climb of Nevado del Inka tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Red Valley to Rainbow Mountain (3 hours total)
- First arrival at Rainbow Mountain summit
Landmarks Red Valley Rainbow Mountain - Day 7
Nevado del Inka Summit and Return to Cusco
You'll leave early for a 3-hour trek to the glacier, then spend 3 to 4 more hours climbing to Nevado del Inka summit at 5,320m/17,454ft. From the top, you'll see Rainbow Mountain and surrounding glaciers. The route includes a 60m wall with 55-degree inclination using stakes and screws for support. After summiting, you'll rappel down (taking roughly 2 hours to exit the glacier), then hike 2 hours to base camp for lunch. From there, it's approximately 3 hours back to Cusco.
- End point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel, 06:00 - 19:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Nevado del Inka summit climb (5,320m)
- 60m technical wall climb (55-degree inclination with stakes and screws)
- Rappel descent from glacier
Landmarks Nevado del Inka Rainbow Mountain
