Prices
for - Peru Trekking and Adventures
Peru Trekking - The Cordillera Vilcanota Trek
This beautiful trek southeast of Cusco takes
us to the remote highland savannahs of southern Peru. 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.
Day
1 CUSCO / OCONGATE / TINKI / QOŅAMURO
(Sunday) Pick-up at your hotel in Cusco. Leaving by vehicle 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 Qoņamuro.
Day
2 QOŅAMURO / UPIS
(Monday) Start the day visiting a local family and their way of life at the
community of Q'oņamuro 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, with snow capped mountains around us at 4,400 m. (14,432
ft.(Trekking: 5-6 hours, Distance: 9kms).
Day
3 - UPIS/PUKACOCHA
(Tuesday) 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 campsite at 4,575 m. (15,006 ft.). If we are lucky, we will hear and
see ice falling. Above the campsite the rock spire Mt. Sorimana will stand
guard. (Time: 7 hours, Distance: 8Kms)
Day
4 PUKACOCHA /PALOMANI/WANUWANU
(Wednesday) Leaving camp, 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
blue lake formed by the melting glacier with a view of the southern face covered
with glacial formations. 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.)
Day
5 - WANU WANU/NINAPARAYOC/PACCHANTA
(Thursday) 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 (camp and
overnight). Rolling hills now extend below us as we hike into Pacchanta for a
chance to visit the hot springs.
Day
6 NINAPARAYOC/PACCHANTA/TINKI/CUSCO
(Friday) 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, until we reach Tinki. From here we return to Cusco the way we
came.
SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of
trek to your city of departure, two-man tents including sleeping pads, pack
animals, kitchen 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: Meals in the cities, last hotel night (Day 6),
alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, laundry service, additional tours, insurance
and airline tickets (where applicable, sleeping bags, hiking boots and other
personal gear.
Prices
for - Peru Trekking and Adventures
