Hiking completely around this mystical mountain, you will camp near hot springs and turquoise lakes inhabited by numerous bird species, including Andean goose and the almighty Andean condor. As you trek, you will walk amongst herds of llamas and alpacas in remote native Quechua villages.
Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui – Upis
Your guide will meet you in Cusco 6am in the morning, and take you via private transportation to the starting point of our trek at Tinqui where we load up your gear onto the packhorses. We will hike for the next 3 hours or so and then you will enjoy a local lunch, after lunch you will continue hiking to our first camp. This day we only hike for a few hours until we arrive at the village of Upis. Here you will have the opportunity to take a soak in the hot springs, while enjoying coca tea, and relaxing your muscles until dinner.
Day 2: Upis – Chillca
With two passes to cross today, we wake up early at 5am with coca tea brought to your tent and you will fuel up with a big breakfast for the day ahead. The morning starts with a hike up Arapa pass (4,958m/16266ft) before we descend a bit to our lunch spot near Lake Puma Cocha– a deep blue lake and a perfect stop for a break. Along the way, you will see local herders and llamas, Ausangate Mountain to your left, and you will have your expert guide explaining the history of the locals and talking about the landscape along the way. After lunch, we continue uphill for our second pass, Pucacocha (5000m/16404ft) where if you are lucky you may see condors and vicuñas. We descend to our campsite of Chillca where you will be surrounded by high mountains and incredible hanging glaciers, where you can watch for the glacier crashing into the lake below! As always, camp will be set up for you to change and rest your weary legs while dinner is being prepared.
Day 3: Chillca- Rainbow Mountain (5200m)- Lake Ausangate
Today starts with Chillca pass (5051m/16571ft), a very colorful mountain but only a precursor of what is to come. After crossing the pass you enter into the Red Mountain valley, a wildly desert landscape with vibrant colors all around, and llamas roaming the ground below. When you approach the top of the pass, you will see the beautiful Rainbow Mountain in the distance, but you are not quite there! From here, you descend to circle lake and continue walking a Peruvian flat until we are presented with one final climb to the Rainbow Mountain. Soak in the sights and enjoy what you have worked so hard to reach. We will enjoy lunch in the surrounding area, and head back down the valley to make our way to the stunning Lake Ausangate where camp will be set up and waiting for you to take a rest.
Day 4: Lake Ausangate- Palomani Pass – Pampacancha
Covering less kilometers today, as yesterday was a big day, we pass beautiful glacial tarns, lush green pampas, and follow the edge of the river. Today is a great day for spotting wildlife so keep an eye out for condors, and vicuñas.
Day 5: Pampacancha – Qampa Pass- Pacchanta (hot springs/ Camping)
With only one pass to cross today, we will take our time today enjoying the deep blue lagoons, and alpine glacial colored lakes along the way. If you are brave enough you can even jump in to cool off or take a swim. Views of the massive Ausangate Mountain are still visible, only today you will get to enjoy them from a new angle along with views of Pacchanta Valley. Our goal is the hot springs of Pacchanta where we will enjoy a nice soak and the views of the Ausangate Mountain above.
Day 6: Pacchanta – Tinqui – Cusco
Today is the easiest day of our trek as we make our way back to the starting point of Tinqui, walking on flat ground and celebrating our accomplishments. Once we arrive at the village you will have your last lunch while everything is packed up in our private transportation to make our way back to Cusco where. You will be dropped off at your hotel arriving around 5pm.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
What is included:
Transfer from the airport to your hotel (please specify arrival time and flight number)
Pre-departure briefing
Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
Private transport from Cusco to tinki (starting point of the trek)
Private transport from tinki to Cusco
Professional English/spanish speaking tour guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
Chef and cooking equipment
Campsite fees
entrance fees to tinki
One pillow per person
First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Mules and horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen, 8 kgs of your personal items.
Emergency horse every 6 persons
Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards (boiled water every morning and night)
4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
Dining tent with tables and chairs
4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
Sleeping mattress
Not Included
Sleeping Bag,Walking Poles and Air Mattress (Can be rented from us)
Personal tent for solo travelers (Can be rented from us)
Breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 5
Tips
Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What to take
Original Passport
ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable Trousers
Sun hat
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Torch with spare batteries
Optional items to take:
Shorts
Walking stick
towel
Sandals
Extra money
Bathing suit for hot springs in pacchanta
PRICES
Private Service
2 people US$ 860 per person
3 people US$ 840 per person
4 people US$ 810 per person
5 people US$ 790 per person
6 + people US$ 760 per person
Important: Prices includes up to 8 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules.
DISCOUNTS
18 to 25 years old: US$ 15 Information required on student GREEN ISIC card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
Under 18 years old: US$15 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Under 11 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Group of 5 or more: US$30 – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.
Optional Extras:
Sleeping Bag US$25
Walking Pole US$15
Inflatable Mattress US$25
Personal tent for solo travelers US$30
Machu Picchu Extension:
1 Day trip From US$ 280.00 per person (depending on group size, Train class, etc).
2 Day 1 night Trip From US$ 335 per person (depending on group size, Train class, Hotel, etc).
Important Notes:
Important: All our departures are available along the year, although the period March to December is recommended to avoid the heart of the rainy season. Groups may be confirmed on any given date provided a minimum group size of 2 people is achieved upon booking and the booking is confirmed at least 1 week prior to departure.
for this trek. We recommend a period of at least 3 days for acclimatization in Cusco or more than 3000m.
Hiking completely around this mystical mountain, you will camp near hot springs and turquoise lakes inhabited by numerous bird species, including Andean goose and the almighty Andean condor. As you trek, you will walk amongst herds of llamas and alpacas in remote native Quechua villages.
Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui – Upis
Your guide will meet you in Cusco 6am in the morning, and take you via private transportation to the starting point of our trek at Tinqui where we load up your gear onto the packhorses. We will hike for the next 3 hours or so and then you will enjoy a local lunch, after lunch you will continue hiking to our first camp. This day we only hike for a few hours until we arrive at the village of Upis. Here you will have the opportunity to take a soak in the hot springs, while enjoying coca tea, and relaxing your muscles until dinner.
Day 2: Upis – Chillca
With two passes to cross today, we wake up early at 5am with coca tea brought to your tent and you will fuel up with a big breakfast for the day ahead. The morning starts with a hike up Arapa pass (4,958m/16266ft) before we descend a bit to our lunch spot near Lake Puma Cocha– a deep blue lake and a perfect stop for a break. Along the way, you will see local herders and llamas, Ausangate Mountain to your left, and you will have your expert guide explaining the history of the locals and talking about the landscape along the way. After lunch, we continue uphill for our second pass, Pucacocha (5000m/16404ft) where if you are lucky you may see condors and vicuñas. We descend to our campsite of Chillca where you will be surrounded by high mountains and incredible hanging glaciers, where you can watch for the glacier crashing into the lake below! As always, camp will be set up for you to change and rest your weary legs while dinner is being prepared.
Day 3: Chillca- Rainbow Mountain (5200m)- Lake Ausangate
Today starts with Chillca pass (5051m/16571ft), a very colorful mountain but only a precursor of what is to come. After crossing the pass you enter into the Red Mountain valley, a wildly desert landscape with vibrant colors all around, and llamas roaming the ground below. When you approach the top of the pass, you will see the beautiful Rainbow Mountain in the distance, but you are not quite there! From here, you descend to circle lake and continue walking a Peruvian flat until we are presented with one final climb to the Rainbow Mountain. Soak in the sights and enjoy what you have worked so hard to reach. We will enjoy lunch in the surrounding area, and head back down the valley to make our way to the stunning Lake Ausangate where camp will be set up and waiting for you to take a rest.
Day 4: Lake Ausangate- Palomani Pass – Pampacancha
Covering less kilometers today, as yesterday was a big day, we pass beautiful glacial tarns, lush green pampas, and follow the edge of the river. Today is a great day for spotting wildlife so keep an eye out for condors, and vicuñas.
Day 5: Pampacancha – Qampa Pass- Pacchanta (hot springs/ Camping)
With only one pass to cross today, we will take our time today enjoying the deep blue lagoons, and alpine glacial colored lakes along the way. If you are brave enough you can even jump in to cool off or take a swim. Views of the massive Ausangate Mountain are still visible, only today you will get to enjoy them from a new angle along with views of Pacchanta Valley. Our goal is the hot springs of Pacchanta where we will enjoy a nice soak and the views of the Ausangate Mountain above.
Day 6: Pacchanta – Tinqui – Cusco
Today is the easiest day of our trek as we make our way back to the starting point of Tinqui, walking on flat ground and celebrating our accomplishments. Once we arrive at the village you will have your last lunch while everything is packed up in our private transportation to make our way back to Cusco where. You will be dropped off at your hotel arriving around 5pm.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
What is included:
Transfer from the airport to your hotel (please specify arrival time and flight number)
Pre-departure briefing
Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
Private transport from Cusco to tinki (starting point of the trek)
Private transport from tinki to Cusco
Professional English/spanish speaking tour guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
Chef and cooking equipment
Campsite fees
entrance fees to tinki
One pillow per person
First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Mules and horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen, 8 kgs of your personal items.
Emergency horse every 6 persons
Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards (boiled water every morning and night)
4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
Dining tent with tables and chairs
4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
Sleeping mattress
Not Included
Sleeping Bag,Walking Poles and Air Mattress (Can be rented from us)
Personal tent for solo travelers (Can be rented from us)
Breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 5
Tips
Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What to take
Original Passport
ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable Trousers
Sun hat
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Torch with spare batteries
Optional items to take:
Shorts
Walking stick
towel
Sandals
Extra money
Bathing suit for hot springs in pacchanta
PRICES
Private Service
2 people US$ 860 per person
3 people US$ 840 per person
4 people US$ 810 per person
5 people US$ 790 per person
6 + people US$ 760 per person
Important: Prices includes up to 8 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules.
DISCOUNTS
18 to 25 years old: US$ 15 Information required on student GREEN ISIC card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
Under 18 years old: US$15 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Under 11 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Group of 5 or more: US$30 – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.
Optional Extras:
Sleeping Bag US$25
Walking Pole US$15
Inflatable Mattress US$25
Personal tent for solo travelers US$30
Machu Picchu Extension:
1 Day trip From US$ 280.00 per person (depending on group size, Train class, etc).
2 Day 1 night Trip From US$ 335 per person (depending on group size, Train class, Hotel, etc).
Important Notes:
Important: All our departures are available along the year, although the period March to December is recommended to avoid the heart of the rainy season. Groups may be confirmed on any given date provided a minimum group size of 2 people is achieved upon booking and the booking is confirmed at least 1 week prior to departure.
for this trek. We recommend a period of at least 3 days for acclimatization in Cusco or more than 3000m.