Our journey begins early as our private transport and guide pick you up from your hotel for a 2.5-hour drive to Tinki. Here, you can buy essentials like water and snacks before continuing another 30 minutes to Upis, our starting point. Along the way, we’ll enjoy beautiful landscapes and stop for photos. At Upis, our mules and muleteers will be waiting.

We start our hike with a gradual ascent for about 3 hours to the Upis hot springs (4,450m). After a brief stop, we’ll hike another 20 minutes uphill to Arapa Pampa (4,600m) for a traditional Peruvian lunch prepared by our chef. After lunch, we ascend for 2 hours to the Arapa Pass (4,800m), then descend gradually to our first camp at Yanacocha (4,650m), where we’ll enjoy spectacular views of Ausangate, valleys, and mountains.

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
• Hiking Time: 6 hours
• Lowest Elevation: 4,350m / 14,272 ft
• Highest Elevation: Arapa Pass 4,800m / 15,748 ft
• Highlights: Stunning landscapes, Ausangate views, lakes, llamas, alpacas, local people.

We start early with a hot drink and a hearty breakfast. The morning begins with a 1.5-hour hike to Apacheta Pass (5,000m), followed by a 1.5-hour descent to our lunch spot at Ananta (4,650m). After lunch, we continue ascending for 1 hour to Warmi Saya Pass (5,000m), then descend for 30 minutes to our camp at Qomer Cocha (4,680m).

In the afternoon, we head towards Rainbow Mountain (5,050m) for a 1.5-hour gradual ascent to enjoy a beautiful sunset. We then return to camp for dinner.

• Hiking Distance: 16 km / 9.94 miles
• Hiking Time: 9 hours
• Lowest Elevation: 4,650m / 15,255 ft
• Highest Elevation: 5,050m / 16,568 ft
• Highlights: Ausangate, lakes, llamas, alpacas, local people, Rainbow Mountain sunset.

This day is both the most beautiful and challenging. We start with a 1-hour ascent to Warmi Saya Pass (5,000m), followed by a 1-hour descent to Ananta. The trail then takes us through small ups and downs for 2 hours to Ausangate Cocha (4,700m) for lunch. After lunch, we ascend for 2 hours to the highest point, Palomani Pass (5,130m), before descending for 1.5 hours to Phynaya Valley. We reach our camp at Uchuy Phynaya (4,550m), where our team will have the tents ready.

• Hiking Distance: 16 km / 9.94 miles
• Hiking Time: 8 hours
• Lowest Elevation: 4,550m / 14,928 ft
• Highest Elevation: 5,130m / 16,830 ft
• Highlights: Ausangate, lakes, llamas, alpacas, local people, colorful mountains.

Today is a more relaxed morning. We start with a 30-minute gentle walk, observing llamas, alpacas, mountains, and glaciers. We then ascend for 1 hour to a beautiful waterfall before a 1.5-hour hike to our lunch spot at Jhampapampa (4,700m). After lunch, we ascend for 3 hours to Jhampa Pass (5,080m), then descend for 1.5 hours to Ninaparayoq, where we may see vicuñas and enjoy views of lakes and mountains.

• Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
• Hiking Time: 7.5 hours
• Lowest Elevation: 4,550m / 14,928 ft
• Highest Elevation: 5,080m / 16,667 ft
• Highlights: Ausangate, lakes, llamas, alpacas, local people, colorful mountains, possible vicuña sightings.

On our final day, we enjoy the magical views of Ausangate and visit the seven lakes. After breakfast, we descend to Pacchanta for lunch. Here, you can relax in the natural hot springs and buy local crafts. After lunch, we bid farewell to our muleteers and return to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

• Hiking Distance: Varies
• Hiking Time: 3 hours
• Highlights: Ausangate, lakes, hot springs, local crafts.