Itinerary

1. Day 1: Cusco to Tinqui to Upis

   • Depart from Cusco to Tinqui early in the morning. Stop for lunch in Tinqui.

   • Post lunch, start to hike along the trail for several hours until you reach the hot springs of Upis.

   Overnight camping in Upis.

2. Day 2: Upis to Lake Ausangate to Q’ocha

   • In the morning, cross the Arapa pass.

   • From here, continue to hike for 3½ hours down into the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q’ocha until we reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q’ocha.

   • Then ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4,900 m) with the stunning turquoise blue Laguna Ausangate Q’ocha below. This lake is fed by the melting snow of Ausangate.

   Overnight camping in Q'ocha.

3. Day 3: Lake Ausangate Q’ocha to Qampa

   • Ascend to the Palomani Pass (5,200m), the highest point of the trek. Follow the trail into the valley, where you can rest and have lunch.

   • In the afternoon, have the views of snow-capped Tres Picos and Puca Punta.

   • Continue to walk through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Q’ampa valley.

   We will spend our third-night camping here.

4. Day 4: Q’ampa to Pacchanta

   • After passing through the small community of Q’ampa, head northwest to the last pass of the hike- Q’ampa Pass (5000m). There are several coloured lakes here, and you can have your lunch beside Q’oma Q’ocha.

   • Hike for several hours to reach a small village of Pacchanta. Here you can soak in the thermal springs for a couple of hours and have a well-deserved beer!

   • In the afternoon, explore the interesting Andean village.

   You have the option of staying in a basic hostel on this night.

5. Day 5: Pacchanta – Cusco

   • In the morning, trek back to Tinqui, which will take roughly three hours.

   • You’ll have some time to explore the Andean village before the private car arrives to take you back to Cusco.

   The scheduled arrival time at Cusco is 6:00 pm.