Tour Details Qelqaya Trek (7 Days)
Hidden in the remote reaches of southeastern Peru, the Qelqaya Trek invites adventurous souls to explore a route far removed from the typical tourist trails. This remarkable journey leads to Qelqaya, the largest tropical glacier on Earth, covering an area of 44 square kilometers and featuring an ice layer that exceeds 200 meters in thickness.
For those seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures, the Qelqaya Trek is one of Peru’s most unique and least explored trekking routes. Its untouched beauty and extreme landscapes make it an unforgettable experience for hikers eager to discover a different side of the Andes.
Departure & Return Location Cusco Hotel Transfer
Departure Time 05:00 AM
Price Includes
✅
✅ Accommodation in tents for camping.
Price Excludes
❌
Recommended to Carry
What to Expect from Qelqaya Trek (7 Days)?
Starting in the historic city of Cusco, this trek takes you on a journey to discover Qelqaya, the world’s largest tropical glacier. As you cross breathtaking Andean landscapes, prepare to be amazed by the majestic Ausangate Mountains, the vibrant hues of Rainbow Mountain, and the endless beauty of the Peruvian highlands.
Throughout the adventure, you’ll encounter native wildlife such as vicuñas and alpacas peacefully grazing across vast plains. The journey comes to a heartwarming close at the iconic Rainbow Mountain, leaving every trekker with memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco – Hatun Phinaya
Today’s adventure with machupicchuclickonperu begins at 7:00 am, with a prompt pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We’ll set off in our private transport toward the village of Pitumarca, where we’ll pause briefly to explore this charming town and soak in the local atmosphere.
As we continue, the road takes us into the heart of the Ofecina Valley, where the stunning rural scenery of the Peruvian Andes comes into view—rolling hills, towering mountains, and herds of llamas grazing peacefully alongside their shepherds.
After approximately 4 hours on the road, we’ll arrive in the Chilca Valley, the starting point for our hike. From here, we begin our climb to the day’s highest point: the impressive Jahuaycate Pass, sitting at 5,070 meters (16,634 feet) above sea level. This stretch of the journey offers spectacular panoramic views of the Ausangate mountain range, as well as encounters with vicuñas and perhaps even flamingos in their natural habitat.
Around midday, we’ll reach the awe-inspiring Sibinacocha Lagoon, a vast body of water surrounded by untouched wilderness and set against the backdrop of Mount Yayamari.
By 2:00 pm, we’ll arrive in the remote Andean village of Phinaya, located at 4,700 meters (15,420 feet). A well-deserved lunch will be ready for us upon arrival. In the afternoon, we’ll venture out to the nearby Glaciers Park, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the village. This hidden gem features multicolored hills and dramatic landscapes, and we’ll end the day watching a magical sunset at Ccascara Lagoon.
We then head to our campsite, where a warm dinner and a peaceful night under the stars await.
Hiking distance: 1.4 miles
Day 2 Qelqaya exploring
Today we begin our adventure at 7:00 am, right after breakfast. Shortly after, we’ll take private transport to the starting point of the hike. By 7:45 am, we’ll begin our ascent, making our way through the scenic Ruyta wetlands.
After about two hours, we’ll reach the Ch’allpa Lagoon, from where we’ll enjoy incredible views of the majestic Ausangate mountain range. We’ll continue trekking for another two hours until we arrive at the beautiful Quelccaya Glacier Lagoon.
Here, we’ll have time to explore the glacier in all its immensity. Then, we’ll head to a nearby viewpoint, offering us breathtaking views of two additional lagoons and the base of the massive Quelccaya snow-capped peak.
Following a peaceful moment, we’ll stop to enjoy our box lunch with a panoramic natural backdrop. In the afternoon, we begin our descent into the Ruyta Valley, walking across wide open plains inhabited by vicuñas and alpacas grazing freely in their natural habitat.
We’ll finish the hike between 4:00 and 5:00 pm, arriving at our campsite just in time for tea time and dinner.
Hiking distance: 11 miles
Day 3 Phinaya Cabecera
Today’s hike is gentler and more relaxed, as the trail follows the edge of the beautiful Sibinacocha Lake. Although the path is smoother, the distance remains long, offering more time to appreciate the incredible landscapes of the Andes. We’ll stop for lunch along the way, and later arrive at our campsite in the Cabecera area.
hiking time: 10–12 hours
distance: 11–12 miles
Day 4 Cabecera a Quillita
We’ll get an early start as we begin our trek toward Murmurani. Along this stretch, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the mountain ranges surrounding the mighty Ausangate Mountain. At midday, our team will be waiting for us with a delicious lunch in the mountains. After a short break, we’ll continue on to our campsite near Quillita, where we’ll settle in for the night.
hiking time: 10–12 hours
distance: 12 miles
Day 5 Quillita - Huchuy Finaya Machuwasi
Today we follow the scenic Hampa Valley, nestled between the majestic Ausangate Mountain and the newly explored peaks of this remote region. We depart from camp, crossing alpine meadows that, depending on the season, may be saturated with glacial runoff.
The trail leads us upward toward a high mountain pass at 17,000 feet, heading in the direction of Condor Paso, where we’ll set up camp. We’ll enjoy lunch in Hampa before continuing our trek.
camp site: huchuy finaya
distance: 12 miles
hiking time: 10–12 hours
Day 6 Machuwasi a Ananta
Today’s route takes us through the wild and beautiful Machuwasi Valley, lying between Ausangate and the recently discovered mountains. Our goal is the Palomani Pass, with a brief stop at Pucaqocha Pass, which we’ll reach after about 1.5 hours of hiking.
From the top, we are rewarded with one of the most stunning views of the entire trek—the icy expanse of Ausangate dominating the skyline. At 16,200 feet, the mountain’s immense presence feels almost close enough to touch, reminding us of our smallness amidst the grandeur of nature.
After taking in the views, we begin our descent, passing along slopes until we reach the base of a moraine, where we’ll stop for a light snack. The trail then climbs gently to another pass at 15,300 feet, before we descend steeply toward one of the most scenic campsites of the entire expedition.
distance: 16.75 miles
hiking time: 10–12 hours
Day 7 Ananta Vinicunca
After an early breakfast, we begin our final hike toward the stunning Warmisaya Pass. Along the way, we pass the peaceful Warmisaya Lagoon, a perfect start to our last trekking day. About an hour into the hike, we are rewarded with the breathtaking sight of Vinicunca, more famously known as the Rainbow Mountain.
We take time here to soak in the colorful, surreal landscape and capture photos of this natural wonder. From there, the trail leads us into the Red Valley, offering a dramatic change in scenery with its deep red earth and panoramic views that contrast beautifully with Rainbow Mountain.
After admiring the Red Valley, we circle back to Vinicunca and begin our descent to the Kairahuire campsite, where a hearty lunch will be served. With full stomachs and unforgettable memories, we say goodbye to the mountains and begin our return journey back to Cusco City.
distance: 7 miles
elevation gain: 1,450 ft
elevation loss: 1,180 ft
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