Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui – Pacchanta

You will be picked up from your hotel in our private vehicle for the drive southeast on the Cusco–Puerto Maldonado road towards the village of Tinqui (3800 meters / 12,464 feet). There will be plenty of time to stop along the way and photograph the fine surrounding Andean scenery. After passing through Ocongate, the capital of the district of the same name, it is another half an hour to our destination. Upon arrival in Tinki we will have lunch before starting the 3 hour walk to Pacchanta (4100 meters / 13,448 feet), where we will make our first camp. The village of Pacchanta is famous for its natural thermal baths, where we will have a relaxing dip and enjoy excellent views of Mount Ausangate. (Total hiking time – 3 hours)

Day 2: Pacchanta – Qomerqocha – Jampa Pampa

Today our hike will begin with a gentle climb up the Pacchanta valley, where it is possible to spot llamas and alpacas, until we reach Lake Qomercocha, where we will stop for lunch and to appreciate the amazing views of the peaks of Ausangate, Santa Catalina, Maria Huamantiqlla, Pucapunta and Colquecruz. We will then continue to the Q´ampa (Jampa) high pass at 5080 meters / 16,400 feet, which we will reach after about 3 hours. From the pass, we will descend for another 2 hours until we reach Jampa Pampa, where we will spend the night in an impressive valley overlooked by the great peaks of Tres Picos, Colquecruz and Pucapunta. (Total hiking time – 6-7 hours)

Day 3: Jampa Pampa – Condorpaso

We will start today with a gradual climb towards Yanaqocha, or “Black Lake”, named for its dark waters. Here the soil is of volcanic origin, its color ranging from dark red to black. We will pass moraines, a testament to the glacial history of this part of Peru. Crossing Yanaqocha pass (5050 meters /15,564 feet), we will have fantastic views of the surrounding mountains, beautiful lakes and herds of llamas and alpacas roaming far below us. Our destination for today is Condorpaso, just beyond one more even higher pass (5100 meters / 16,728 feet). (Total hours hiking – 6-7 hours)

Day 4: Condorpaso – Sibinacocha

Today we will reach the highest point of the whole trek. It is a 2 hour walk from our campsite at Condorpaso to the next pass (5200 meters / 17,056 feet), from where we will get our first views of Lake Sibinacocha and the Vilcanota mountain range. This area receives very few visitors, making it perfect for those interested in unspoiled natural scenery and wildlife. Here it is possible to spot the rare and reclusive vicuña (a wild breed of camelid renowned for its fine wool). From the pass it is a 5 hour walk down to our next campsite, on the shores of Lake Sibinacocha. Just a short distance away from our camp is the source of the lake, a large glacier with turquoise ice that provides a sharp contrast to the dark blue of the lake.

Day 5: Momorani – Ccascana

Today we will continue our walk by following the shores of Lake Sibinacocha for around 3 hours until we reach the village of Yayamari, beneath the mountain of the same name, an impressive rocky peak overlooking the lake (5500 meters / 18,040 feet). We will then continue across a broad plain, where it is possible to spot herds of llamas, alpacas and hopefully vicuñas. From the plain, we will ascend to the Ccascana high pass at 5000 meters / 16,400 feet, on a trail that will lead us to the lake of the same name, close to which we will make our last camp.

Day 6: Ccascana – Phinaya Cusco

Today we will walk for around four hours towards Phinaya, a small and peaceful Andean community with a beautiful little church. Here there are no vehicles; local people use bikes and horses. We will have lunch in this small village and in the afternoon we will drive back to the city of Cusco (approximately 6 hours), where we will arrive in the early evening.

Itinerary – Ausangate Sibinacocha trek

• The times mentioned in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times will depend on the group and the guide may change lunch spots and campsites accordingly, depending on the progress of the group. All guides have their own preferred route which might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• The Ausangate region is characterized by high Andean scenery. You will be close to snow covered peaks. Temperatures are low and can fall to well below freezing at night. You should be well prepared for low temperatures. Sleeping bags are available for hire in Cusco if you are traveling without your own sleeping bag.
• This region is not frequently visited by tourists and therefore tourist infrastructure is limited. This tour makes use of local facilities. Visitors should be aware that conditions may change, and that not everything may go exactly according to plan. This is all part of the adventure, and visitors to Peru are encouraged to keep an open mind and be receptive to the different ways things are done in another culture.

The following discounts are not cumulative:

Students: US$ 29. Students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid

Teenagers: US$ 20 up to 16 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings

Children: US$ 46 up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings

Departure date

Departures are available throughout the year, although weather conditions mean that the best time to make this trek is from April to November.