Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Laguna Azulcocha
You'll leave Cusco at 8am heading to Pacchanta for your first acclimatization day. The trek from Pacchanta takes about 1 to 2 hours, moving through the terrain toward Laguna Azulcocha. By evening you'll reach the mountain lodge where you're staying the night. This is mainly about getting your body used to the altitude and getting familiar with the environment before things get more challenging.
- Start point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel, 07:00 - 19:00)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Pacchanta to Laguna Azulcocha (approximately 1-2 hours)
Landmarks Laguna Azulcocha Pacchanta - Day 2
Glacier Climb and Return to Base Camp
This is your summit attempt day, and it starts early at 1am. You'll navigate heavy moraine for roughly an hour, then move onto rocky paths for another hour. After that comes a 30-minute ascent up a rock wall before tackling the technical climbing. The main push involves 4 hours on a steep 65-degree section mixing snow, rock, and ice. Once you hit the summit, you'll have about 30 minutes there before heading down 4 hours to high camp, then another 2 hours back to base camp where you can rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Glacier climb to summit (approximately 4 hours ascent)
- Summit experience (approximately 30 minutes)
- Return descent to base camp (approximately 6 hours total descent)
Landmarks Base Camp - Day 3
Base Camp to Basecamp Mariposa
Today involves a gradual move between camps that takes roughly 2 to 3 hours. You'll head to Basecamp Mariposa and settle in for the night. It's a lighter day meant for building strength and letting your body prepare for the more difficult climbing ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Base Camp to Basecamp Mariposa (approximately 2-3 hours)
Landmarks Basecamp Mariposa - Day 4
Basecamp Mariposa to High Camp
You're climbing upward over mixed trails today, covering both moraine and rock terrain. The push to High Camp takes 3 to 4 hours and is physically demanding work. Make sure you're eating well throughout the day to keep your energy up, since you'll need the fuel for this kind of terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Portage ascent on mixed trails to High Camp (3-4 hours)
Landmarks High Camp - Day 5
Summit Push and Return to Base Camp
Another summit day with 7 to 8 hours of glacier climbing on steep ice walls angled at 55 to 65 degrees. You'll reach the summit and spend about 30 minutes taking in the views and catching your breath. Then it's 4 to 5 hours descending to high camp, followed by another 2 to 3 hours down to base camp where you can have a proper meal and recover.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Hearty meal)
Included Activities
- Glacier climbing to summit (7-8 hours)
- Summit experience (approximately 30 minutes)
- Descent to base camp (approximately 6-8 hours total)
Landmarks Base Camp - Day 6
Base Camp to Cusco
You'll head down for 3 hours toward the hot springs at Pacchanta, where you can soak and let your muscles relax after the climbing. Grab lunch there, and then at 2pm you'll start the drive back to Cusco, arriving around 5pm. It's a nice way to end the trip with some recovery time and a chance to unwind.
- End point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel, 07:00 - 19:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Descent to Pacchanta hot springs (3 hours)
- Hot springs experience
Landmarks Pacchanta Hot Springs
