Quelccaya Glacier (Full Day)

Quelccaya Glacier (Full Day)
Quelccaya Glacier (Full Day) 2
Quelccaya Glacier (Full Day) 3
Quelccaya Glacier (Full Day) 4
Quelccaya Glacier (Full Day) 5
DURATION 1 Day
DEPARTURE Hotel - Plaza San Francisco
GROUP SIZE 1-19 pax
MAX. ALTITUDE 5100 – 5200 m.a.s.l.
DIFFICULTY Challenging

The beginning of the journey

  • Climate Importance: It is a “natural laboratory” that holds thousands of years of climate records in its ice layers, crucial for understanding global and Andean climate change.
  • Water Resource: It supplies rivers (like the Vilcanota) and lagoons (Sibinacocha), being vital for communities and agriculture, especially during the dry season.
  • Accelerated Retreat: It is melting at an alarming rate due to global warming, affecting its stability and water availability.
  • Location and Characteristics: Located in the Vilcanota Mountain Range, Cusco, with an area of about 44 km², glacial valleys, lagoons, and ice caves.
  • Tourist Attraction/Adventure: It attracts hikers and mountaineers for its unique landscapes (ice walls, stalactites), making it ideal for trekking and adventure sports, with fauna such as llamas and vicuñas.
  • Recommendations: It is recommended to go with guides, wear thermal and warm clothing, trekking shoes, and sun protection for the altitude (over 5,000 meters above sea level).
  • Andean Symbol: It represents a natural and cultural heritage that generates awareness about the need for environmental preservation.

Itinerary

1. EARLY MORNING DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO: 3:00 AM The meeting point will be in the Plaza de Armas or at your hotel, between 3:00 AM and 3:30 AM. After pickup, we will begin our journey toward the Cusipata district, where we will make a stop to enjoy breakfast.

2. ARRIVAL IN PHINAYA AND TREK TO QUELCCAYA GLACIER Next, we will continue our journey toward the high-altitude town of Phinaya (4,700 m above sea level), covering a total distance of approximately 5 hours, crossing impressive landscapes of the Andean plateau. Upon arrival in Phinaya, we will continue by vehicle for approximately an additional half hour until we reach the parking point near Quelccaya Glacier, considered the largest tropical glacier in the world. From this point, we will begin a 30 to 45-minute hike, ascending to 5,100–5,200 m above sea level, where we will be able to appreciate crystal-clear lagoons, streams, Andean wildlife such as vicuñas, and the majestic mountains of the Vilcanota Cordillera. At the site, the guide will provide an explanation and there will be free time for photographs and exploration, with an approximate stay of 1 hour.

3. LUNCH AND VISIT TO SIBINACOCHA LAGOON After the visit, we will hike back to the vehicle and return to the town of Phinaya, where we will enjoy a local lunch. Next, we will begin our return to Cusco, making a special stop at Sibinacocha Lagoon, one of the largest and most beautiful lagoons of the Andean highlands, where we will have time to take photographs.

4. RETURN TO CUSCO – 9:00 PM Finally, we will conclude this unforgettable adventure with our return to the city of Cusco, with an approximate arrival time of 8:00 PM (20:00 hours).

What's included

  • Hotel pick-up. Pick-ups start from 3 am for group tours.
  • Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English). In group tours, the tour is spoken in Spanish and English, one after the other.
  • Transportation. Includes tourist transport to the attractions.
  • First aid kit and Oxygen Tank
  • Trekking poles
  • Buffet breakfast and typical lunch. We will enjoy a breakfast in Kusipata at the start of the tour, and a buffet-style meal at the end of the tour.
    • At breakfast: A buffet breakfast usually includes a wide variety of options such as breads and pastries (toast, croissants), sides (butter, jams), cereals, yogurt and milk, fresh fruits, cold cuts, and cheeses, as well as hot dishes like eggs, sausages, and bacon; in addition to drinks like coffee, tea, and juices, allowing each person to serve themselves freely according to their preferences.
    • At lunch: It will be a typical hot soup from the region as well as a main dish of fried fish accompanied by white rice and native potatoes, an onion and tomato salad, and infusions to your liking.
  • Entrance Ticket for Peruvians to the Quelccaya Glacier
    • S/. 20 Soles. Can be paid at the entrance.
  • Entrance Ticket for Foreigners to the Quelccaya Glacier
    • S/. 25 Soles. Can be paid at the entrance.
  • To purchase the tickets, you must bring Peruvian Soles in cash.
  • Drinks, snacks
    • You can find kiosks in the surrounding communities where you can buy candy, water, alcohol, and Florida water.
  • Drinks are not included with lunch.
  • Dinner.

Recommended to bring

  • Oxyshot, in case it is needed to adapt to the lack of oxygen
  • Good hiking shoes (trekking)
  • 1 liter of water
  • Camera
  • Sweater and gloves for the cold
  • Raincoat or poncho
  • Sportswear
  • Hat or cap
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Standard backpack