Our private transport leaves Cusco early in the morning. We take a three hour drive through the beautiful countryside and small towns in route to the Andean village of Tinqui, which is at the foot of the Vilcanota mountain range. This is where we will meet our team, the mules and where our expedition will begin.

On our first afternoon we will walk the plains below the mountain, giving us our first taste of what’s to come, with the ever present Apu Ausangate (guardian mountain) in view. Not an item usually found on a trek packing list, but bring your bathers! Our campsite tonight is in Upis, where we can bathe in the natural thermal springs.

Maximum Altitude: 4447m / 14589ft

Minimum Altitude: 3778m / 12395ft

Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 5 hours

Meals: B, L, D

Now well and truly into the trek, there are two high passes to summit today. After walking approximately 2.5 hours we reach our first pass, Arapa at 4850m (15255ft). We begin our circuit around the glacier, passing Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. From here we ascend again until we summit our second pass, Apacheta at 4900m (16,076ft). We move through a landscape dotted with turquoise lagoons which are fed from glacial waters. Today we truly enter the quiet simplicity and awe inspiring beauty of the area. After an easier downhill, we arrive at our campsite, near the turquoise Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha, which is close to tomorrow’s highest mountain pass.

Maximum Altitude: 4850m / 15255ft

Minimum Altitude: 4447m / 14589ft

Distance Travelled: 16 km / 9.94 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 9 hours

Meals: B, L, D

We awake to the silence of man and the sounds of nature, surrounded by views of the mountains bathed in early morning light. Today we conquer the Palomani pass, at a considerable 5200m (17,060ft), it is the highest on the expedition. The ascent is relatively steep and the altitude can affect the pace. On reaching the summit, spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains of Puka Punta and Tres Picos are a gracious reward for our strenuous efforts. Descending through the valley of Finaya Pampa makes for a long downhill day leading us to our next camp at Jampa. Today we should walk amongst free roaming alpacas and llamas grazing on the mountainside. We could see the local farmers as we pass by their stone houses, which may be refreshing after our first two days almost total in isolation.

Maximum Altitude: 5200m / 17056ft

Minimum Altitude: 4447m / 14589ft

Distance Travelled: 10 Km / 6.21 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 9 hours

Meals: B, L, D

Today we walk into the sun, trailing a mountain stream with strikingly bright glaciers ahead of us. Before the Q’ampa Pass the terrain gets very rocky, providing the perfect environment for a game of ‘spot the Viscacha’ (animals similar to chinchillas and from the raccoon family). Our route passes through the small community of Q’ampa before reaching Q’ampa Pass, not quite as high as Palomani but still a respectable 5,000m (16,404ft). Once we reach the summit the landscape alters and from the pass, if the sky is clear, you can see Apu Salkantay, a sight to behold. Gradually entering back into civilization, we walk to the quaint village of Pacchanta for our final campsite. Again your bathers will come in useful for a fabulously hot and well deserved soak in yet more thermal springs.

Maximum Altitude: 5000m / 16100ft

Minimum Altitude: 4447m / 14589ft

Distance Travelled: 16 Km / 9.94 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 10 hours

Meals: B, L, D

After yet another delicious breakfast in the mountains, we have about a 3 or 4 hour walk, back into the village of Tinkii, thus completing the circuit. On arrival we say good bye to our trek team, meet up with our driver and with a scrumptious boxed lunch we head back to Cusco. At your request we can go straight to Ollantaytambo to catch the train to Machu Picchu, simply mention this at the time of booking for the extra transfer quote.

Distance Travelled: 10 Km / 6.21 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Meals: B, L