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Preparation
Peru: Cordillera Vilcanota Trek
On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing
Overview
This beautiful trek southeast of Cusco takes us to the remote highland savannahs of southern Peru. We trek the loop around the great peaks of Ausangate, Colquecruz and Jampa and others in a region populated only by herders, weavers and alpacas. A spectacular trek.
Note: Two full days of acclimatization in the mountains of Cusco area are mandatory prior to departure, or do another trek before.
- Itinerary: Day 1 Cusco /Qoñamuro; Days 2-5 Trek around Mt. Ausangate; Day 6 Pacchanta/Tinki/Cusco.
- Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
- Season: Available all year. Best hiking is April through October.
Groups to Join
- Every Sunday (Minimum 2 persons; single travelers contact us to see if there is a group you can join).
MAP OF CORDILLERA VILCANOTA TREK >>
Itinerary
Day 1 CUSCO / OCONGATE / TINKI / QOÑAMURO
Leaving your hotel in Cusco by vehicle and driving southwards, we arrive at Huambutio and start our winding ascent. From here we continue over a rolling landscape and at the pass we view the Cordillera Vilcanota on the horizon for the first time. Descend past the village of Ccatca and outlying communities to finally reach Ocongate and a chance for last minute purchases. Continue to Tinki where we set our first camp at 3,800 m. (12,464ft.), near Qoñamuro.
Day 2 QOÑAMURO / UPIS
We s tart the day visiting a local family and their way of life at the community of Qoñamuro and then continue across the wide open pampas above the tree line past small settlements of herders and weavers - their crafts will be on sale. As we slowly approach the northern face of Mt. Ausangate we will run into herds of alpacas. A crew of packhorses and llamas will accompany us along the way. Camp at Upis (4,400 m /14,432 f) surrounded by snow capped mountains (Trekking: 5-6 hours, Distance: 9kms).
Day 3 UPIS / AUSANGATECOCHA
Our campsite is left below us as we slowly ascend up Upispampa, getting closer to the north face of Ausangate. An ascent up the Inkapampa valley brings us to the Arapa Pass at 4,670 m. (15,318 ft.). We border and traverse the arid rolling landscape to then slowly descend to the small lakes past the valley of Samacancha to arrive at Lake Pucacocha below one of the Ausangate glaciers - a beautiful blue lake at 4,575m (15,006 ft). If we are lucky, we will hear and see ice falling. Above the lake the rock spire Mt. Sorimana will stand guard. A slow ascent will bring us to the Alcatani pass at 4,650 m. (15,252 ft.). Here we begin our descent to Ausangatecocha - a beautiful campsite with a view of the southern face covered with glacial formations. (Time: 8-9 hours, Distance: 12 Kms)
Day 4 AUSANGATECOCHA / PALOMANI / WANUWANU
From Ausangatecocha we start a steep ascent to the Palomani pass at 5,050 m. (16,564 ft.). As we cross into the valley of Machuraqay we will see beautiful views of Mt. Mariposa with its cone peak. We descend to Chillcaphinaya at 4,400 m. (14,432 ft.), a valley filled with grazing Alpacas. The surrounding ridges of the Cordillera Vilcanota have varying hues of rock, sand and reddish earth - a unique Andean panorama. We ascend to the large pampa of Wanu Wanu where we camp at 4,450 m. (14,596 ft.) (Time: 7-8 hrs Distance: 9kms)
Day 5 WANU WANU / NINAPARAYOC / PACCHANTA
Walking to the headwaters of WanuWanu, with Mt. Acero looming above us (also known as Huamantilla) we reach the run off from the glacier. As we begin our ascent to the pass of Jampa, Mt. Callangate, with its jagged spires covered in ice, dominates our trek as we edge our way over the pass at 4,950m. (16,236 ft) with its retreating glacier and ice-fields beckoning us closer. We have lunch at Pachapata. The ridge above offers a view of the Lake Qomercocha and Hamacocha. We traverse the ridge and enter the waterhead of Mt. Ninaparayoc with its lake below. A nice walk down this valley with Mt. Ausangate behind us - we have now completed almost a full circle around the mountain. Rolling hills now extend below us as we hike into Pacchanta for a chance to visit the hot springs. (Time: 8 hrs Distance: 11kms)
Day 6 PACCHANTA / TINKI / CUSCO
Leaving the community by vehicle with a chance to buy local textiles, we head towards Tinki crossing the vast hills and fields that are settled by local campesinos. From here we return to Cusco the way we came. Transfer to your hotel, dinner on your own.
Pricing
2008 Prices
| # Passengers in Group | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | Join Group | Single Supplement |
| Price per Person | $1040 | $780 | $615 | $485 | $890 | $30 |
2009 Prices
| # Passengers in Group | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | Join Group | Single Supplement |
| Price per Person | $1390 | $1015 | $815 | $705 | $1005 | $30 |
Group set departures start on Sundays. Minimum 2 people.
SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of trek to your city of departure (Cusco to Cusco), two-person tents including sleeping pads, pack animals, camp crew and commissary gear with all meals included as well as a bilingual guide on the trek, who will handle the first aid kit.
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Hotels in Cusco, meals in the cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance, international and domestic airline tickets (where applicable), sleeping bags, hiking boots and other personal gear.