Duration: 7 days/ 6 nights
Quelccaya Trek Departure Dates: Any day you would like!
Pricing: From $589 USD per person, for groups of 4 or more trekkers. Please contact us for pricing for smaller group treks.
Join Ayni Peru on our innovative Quelccaya trek! This is a remote, gorgeous, and truly unique following along the expansive Quelccaya Ice Fields, the largest glaciated area of the tropics worldwide. Beginning in high-altitude Killacocha, we trek along stunningly blue Lake Sibinacocha, then ascend toward Quelccaya.
Next, descend past beautiful snowcapped peaks and through a variety of microclimates before arriving in the high jungle. Our end point, Marcaopata, is a lovely colonial town with a fascinating church, excellent thermal baths, and amazing views of the surrounding valleys.
We depart Cusco early for our trek departure point of Killacocha, at approximately 4,800 msnm. The drive is about 6 hours, with the final half along a remote, unpaved road. This is a long ride, but the scenery is beautiful and we have a good chance of spotting wild vicunas along the way. Enjoy lunch in Killacocha before setting out on foot forour campsite at Mormorani.
Duration: 10 km / 5 hours
Meals: B, L, D
Today, trek along beautifully blue Lake Sibinacocha. With snowcapped peaks surrounding us, camp at Yayamari tonight.
Duration:10 hours / 5 Km
Meals: B, L, D
After a filling breakfast, you´ll have the option of ascending Yayamari. Yayamari is a challenging climb with a peak a 5,500 msnm. You´ll lbe rewarded with wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding Vilcanota range and Lake Sibinacocha. Camp for the night below Cascara Pass, at 5,050 msnm.
Duration: 7 hours/12 Km
Meals: B, L, D
After breakfast, we begin the hike to our campsite at Ayniwasi, located in a beuatiful, high-altitude valley (4, 855 msnm).
Duration: 7hrs /8km
Meals: B
After a delicious breakfast, set out for the tiny, traditional community of Parina. The day begins with a challenging climb to Yanacasa pass, at 5,175 msnm. As we ascend we will enjoy increasing interesting views of surrounding glacial fields and colorful yet barren hillsides. At the pass we´ll be only a few meters from the ice fields, with magnificent views of the valleys below us. From there, we descend to our campsite for the night, at 4, 811 msnm.
Duration: 7hrs /9km
Meals: B, L, D
In the morning we will begin a long and gentle descent to our high jungle end point. We will pass high pampas with grazing llamas and alpacas, glacial streams and snowcapped mountains before reaching our relatively lush and warm campsite at Ataotambo.
Duration: 6hrs /13km
Meals: B, L, D
This morning, continue descending along an original Inca trail. The landscape becomes increasing lush as we arrive at our pickup point in the town of Marcapata. In town we will have the opportunity to bathe in the local hotsprings and visit the beautiful colonial church, before beginning the drive back to Cusco.
Duration: 3hrs /6km
Meals: B, L, D
