Day 1: Cusco – Tinki

We leave the city of Cusco in local bus, and drive along the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado truck road in the direction of Tinki (3800 masl). On the way we stop in Urcos (major bus road junction) for some pictures of the colorful market. We then go on to Cattca an agricultural and cattle raising community where. We can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally pass through Ocongate. Capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an approximated 6h drive, we arrive in Tinki, where we sleep in a local lodge and start the trek the next morning.

Day 2: Tinki – Pacchanta – Qomerqocha Lagoon

After breakfast, we spend some time visiting the Tinki public school and have the chance to meet the children of the neighboring communities that study at this place and eventually give them some useful presents such as notebooks or pencils which are highly appreciated. We then leave Tinki and start a 2,5h walk towards Pacchanta (4100masl), where we stop for lunch.

Pacchanta is a rural community that boasts some well-known thermal baths where we can enjoy a nice dip, offering very nice views of Ausangate Mountain. In the afternoon we follow our hike through a slight climb up the Pacchanta valley, having the chance to spot llamas and alpacas. Until we reach the beautiful Qomercocha lagoon where we set our camp and have dinner. Our campsite will be set in a spectacular spot with amazing views of Ausangate, Santa Catalina, Maria Huamantiqlla, Pucapunta and Colquecruz snow-capped mountains.

Day 3: Qomerqocha Lagoon – Yanamayo

Breakfast. We leave at around 7.00 am and continue on towards the first mountain pass of our trek, the Abra de Q´ampa at 5000 masl, which we will reach after about 4h. We then descend towards the Ticllaqocha Lagoons, a beautiful group of little turquoise lagoons next to which we have lunch. In the afternoon we continue our hike for an additional 2-3h until we reach Yanamayo where we set our camp in an impressive valley overlooked by the huge and awesome Tres Picos, Colquecruz and Pucapunta peaks.

Day 4: Yanamayo – Condorpaso

We leave camp after breakfast and start a gradual climb up towards Yanaqocha or “Black Lagoon” its name being due to the dark color of its waters. In this area we can appreciate a soil of volcanic origin, its color turning to dark red and black, as well as moraines, showing the previous presence of glaciers in this region.

We will go over Yanaqocha mountain pass (5050masl) to then discover a surprisingly beautiful valley with an explosion of colored mountains, three spectacular lagoons and the presence of llamas and alpacas, which we will cross to head towards our next mountain pass (5100masl).

From this point, an additional hour of hike leads us to Condorpaso, our next campsite, located very close to the mountain pass of the same name which will be our challenge for the next day.

Day 5: Condorpaso – Source of Sibinacocha Lake

After breakfast, we continue on a gradual climb up the valley that takes us to the mountain pass Abra del Condor (5200 masl) after an approximated two hour walk. From the pass, the highest point of our trek, we may not only enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the Sibinacocha Lagoon, our next milestone, but also hopefully see vicuñas.

Immediately, we continue our hike for an additional 3 hours, crossing another mountain pass on the way and then descending into the valley of the Sibinacocha Lake’s source. We will camp next to the lagoon and very close from its source, where an impressive glacier stands and nourishes the lake with its turquoise waters that contrast with the dark blue pure color of the lagoon. The lagoon boasts a wide bio-diversity, we will most probably be able to spot Andean Coots, “Huallatas” or Andean Geese as well as Andean Ducks from our camp.

Day 6: Source of Sibinacocha Lagoon – Ccascana

Today, we depart early to walk along the shores of the Sibinacocha Lagoon for 3h until we reach the Yayamari community, next to the mountain of the same name, an impressive rocky peak overlooking the lagoon (5500 masl).

We then continue crossing a pampa where we will most probably see hundreds of llamas, alpacas and hopefully vicuñas, to then follow towards the Abra Ccascana at 5000 masl. Which will lead us to the lagoon of the same name, in which area we will set our last camp. In this spot, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks such as Montura and Chumpi and inhabited by small rural communities. We may have the chance to spot ¨Huallatas¨ or Andean geese and maybe even flamiDay

7: Ccascana – Phinaya Cusco

After our breakfast, we leave Ccascana to walk for three and a half hours towards Phinaya. This is a small Andean community with a beautiful little church and no presence of vehicles except bikes and horses, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we drive back to Cusco, where we expect to arrive after nightfall.

Departure and arrival times are approximated.

Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the  group progress.

It Includes:

• Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
• Collection from hotel
• Return transportation (local transport )
• 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 6 dinners (breakfast on day 1 and dinner and lunch in Sicuani town are not included)
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Cook
• 4 man tent is provided for 2 people only.
• Water from luch on day 1 all the way to the end of the trek (boiled water).
• Sleeping mattresses
• Horseman and mules (they carry cooking and camping equipment and up to 12 kilos of tourist’s belongings)
• Extra oxygen
• First Aid kit
• Vegetarian/special diet options available

Optional items to take:

• Shorts
• Walking stick
• Plasters and bandages
• Sandals

 What you need to take:

• Original passport and Student card
• Travel Insurance is essential
• Sleeping bag (not included)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun protection cream
• Insect Repellent
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags.
• Water.
• Toiletries
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Torch with spare batteries