Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Sacred Valley
Spend the day resting at your lodge in the Sacred Valley. Your body needs time to acclimate to the high altitude, so keep things low-key and take it easy. Eat well and stay hydrated.
- Start point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel, 08:30 - 14:30)
- Day 3
Inti Punku
Now you're ready for your first full day out. You'll hike to Inti Punku, the Inca Sun Gate that sits above Ollantaytambo. The trail passes through ancient Inca stone quarries and past sacred ruins, giving you nice viewpoints along the way. It's a decent climb, and from the summit you'll see Mount Veronica (5,919m) in the distance. After heading back down, you'll rest at the lodge.
- Meals
- Lunch (Boxed Lunch)
Included Activities
- Hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
Landmarks Inti Punku Ollantaytambo Mount Veronica - Days 4 - 7
Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu to Cusco
Take the morning train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, arriving around midday. From there, catch a bus up to Machu Picchu. You'll have the afternoon to explore this Incan citadel with a guide. After the tour, you'll take the train back to Cusco in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Train journey Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour
- Bus transfer to Machu Picchu
- Train journey Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Landmarks Machu Picchu - Days 8 - 9
Cusco
Your second day of the weekend, you'll continue exploring Cusco. There's more to see and do in the city, so you might wander around neighborhoods, visit markets, or check out local spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 10
Cusco to Pacchanta Base Camp
You'll depart Cusco at 7am and drive southeast on the Interoceanic Highway toward Puerto Maldonado. Pass through Urcos and reach Ocongate about 3 hours later, where you can grab any supplies you need. Then head to Pacchanta (45 minutes away) to meet your muleteers and mountain cook. After lunch, trek for 4 hours to base camp. You'll see snow-capped peaks like Ausangate (6,384m) and Cayangate (6,110m), and local llamas and alpacas will accompany your group. Get familiar with your high mountain gear at camp, and dinner is at 6pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Qampa Base Camp from Pacchanta
- High mountain equipment instruction and preparation
Optional Activities
- Purchase forgotten supplies in Ocongate
Landmarks Ausangate Cayangate Ocongate - Days 11 - 12
Mt Qampa Glacier Ice Climbing Training
From base camp, trek to the glacier base on the other side of the summit route. After about 1.5 hours crossing rocky moraine, you'll reach the glacier. Find an ice wall and put on your gear. You'll practice ice climbing using rope and ice axe, learning how to secure yourself to stakes and anchors. The day also covers rappelling techniques like prusik and klemheist knots. This training gets you ready for beginner and intermediate mountain climbing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ice climbing training on Mt Qampa glacier
- Rope and ice axe technique instruction
- Rappelling technique training
Optional Activities
- Additional day of training for anchors, ice screws, and rope knots
Landmarks Mt Qampa - Day 13
Mt Qampa Summit
Leave base camp at 3am after a light breakfast. Spend about 2 hours trekking up moraine to the glacier, then prepare your equipment. Trek on the glacier for 3 more hours, crossing penitentes and climbing a 60 degree glacial wall using what you learned. Reach the 5,500m summit of Mt Qampa. After 30 minutes to take in views of the Cordillera Vilcanota, you'll descend over 3 hours back to base camp. Lunch and rest fill your afternoon, and dinner is at 6pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mt Qampa summit climb (5,500m)
Landmarks Mt Qampa Cordillera Vilcanota - Day 14
Rest Day at Pacchanta
You've earned a rest day at Pacchanta Lodge. After intense training at high altitude, your body needs recovery time. Relax, eat well, and let yourself adjust before the next climb.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 15
Percocaya Mountain Summit
Leave Pacchanta at 2am with a light breakfast. Trek about 3 hours via mountain paths and moraine to the glacier base, then prepare your equipment. Spend another 4 hours on the glacier, crossing penitentes and climbing a 65 degree wall. Summit Percocaya mountain at 5,230m and rest for 30 minutes. The Cordillera Vilcanota mountains surround you at this height. Descend over 3 to 4 hours back to Pacchanta where a hearty pachamanca meal is ready. Dinner at 7pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast), Lunch, Dinner (Pachamanca meal)
Included Activities
- Percocaya mountain summit climb (5,230m)
- Pachamanca meal at Pacchanta
Landmarks Percocaya Mountain Cordillera Vilcanota - Day 16
Pacchanta to Cusco
After breakfast at Pacchanta, you'll head back to Cusco, arriving around midday. Your driver drops you at your hotel where you can relax and think back on an intense mountain adventure.
- End point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel)
- Meals
- Breakfast
