Tour Quelccaya Glacier Trek Camp 3 Days 2 Nights
3 Days from $ USD 100.00
Tour Quelccaya Glacier Trek Camp 3 Days 2 Nights
Tour Quelccaya Glacier Trek Camp
43 Reviews | Min Altitude: 2200msnm (3545 fasl) | Max Altitude: 2200msnm (3545 fasl) | 5 Days from $ 1 900.00
Introduction
The Quelccaya glacier is located in the southeast of Peru, in the Vilcanota mountain range. It is characterized for being the largest tropical glacier in the world due to its 5,600 meters high and 44 square kilometers in length, approximately. In addition, it is one of the favorite destinations for professional mountaineers, who manage to conquer its peak.
Today Cusco we can not only enjoy the history of our legacy or the great citadels like Machupicchu and Choquequirao. Cusco also generously gives us great natural attractions, such as the Quelccaya Glacier.
The Quelccaya glacier is located in the southeast of Peru, at more than 5600 meters above sea level and sits on the Vilcanota mountain range, being an extension of the Andes mountain range. It is considered the largest in the entire tropical zone of the world. This white giant is also called the Quelccaya Ice Cap, with a length of more than 17 km, a surface area of 44 km² and an ice layer 200 m thick.
For its part, this tourist attraction is of great importance for the region since it feeds the Vilcanota River and the Sibinacocha lagoon. However, this glacier has shrunk drastically in recent decades due to climate change. For this reason, the environmental authorities are working to control this problem.
Highlights
- Visit Quelccaya, considered the largest tropical glacier in the world.
- Visit Sibinacocha, the largest lake in the Vilcanota Mountains.
- Be part of an important cultural experience as you explore the communities of the high Andes.
- You will observe the diversity of fauna typical of the region: vicuñas and parihuanas.
- You will enjoy spectacular views with little tourist presence.
- You will contemplate beautiful landscapes typical of the Peruvian Andes.
Itinerary
Tour Quelccaya Glacier Trek Camp
We depart by private transport to the city of Pitumarca where we will have a good breakfast. Then we continue the route to the Chilca viewpoint and the Sibinacocha lagoon. At this last point, we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we head to our first camp at Mormorani. Then we will go to the Yayamari farm and we will see an incredible landscape. Then we go up to the pass of the same name, from where we have a more complete view of the Chumpe and Yayamari glaciers.
Later we will go to the camp near the Laguna de Cáscara. We then travel through the extensive Phinaya Valley until we reach our noon point and see the world’s largest tropical glacier, the famous Quelccaya. After contemplating this magical place, we will return to the camp and from there with unique memories of our adventure in Cusco.
Quelccaya is a magnificent glacier in Cusco that generously offers us great natural attractions; such as the Quelccaya Glacier, the largest glacier in the entire tropical zone of the world. Also known as Quelccaya Ice, this white giant is more than 17 km long, covers an area of 44 km² and has an ice sheet 200 m thick.
Altitude of the Quelcaya Glacier
Quelccaya is located at more than 5100 meters above sea level southeast of the city of Cusco in the Vilcanota Mountain Range between the provinces of Canchis (Cusco) and the province of Melgar (Puno).
Physical Level
1, Easy
Descent - Ascent - Huancanay
That day, we leave very early with a delicious breakfast, then we start our trek on Cerro Huancanay (5,150 m above sea level – 15,450 ft) and follow the same route to the edge of the real ice cap of the Quelccaya Glacier.
We will have the pleasure of exploring the magnificent glacial landscapes during the day before returning to Bajo Huancanay camp at night.
Walking time: depending on your mood
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Physical Level
1, Easy
Alto Huancanay - Cusco
Our last day begins with breakfast in the morning and then the return trip to the municipality of Cochas begins where our private transport will be waiting for us to return to the city of Cusco.
In the early afternoon we will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.
Duration: 4h30 / 11km
Meals: B, L
Physical Level
1, Easy
What to Bring
Wear clothing that is UV and liquid resistant and made of durable, lightweight materials.
Due to the low temperature of the place, take a breathable polo shirt first, then a garment with an insulating layer (fleece lining), then a down jacket and finally a raincoat. Don’t forget a synthetic hat, gloves and socks.
Waterproof walking shoes with smooth soles are required.
Camping equipment: thermal tent, sleeping bag, blanket, mattress, headlamp, stove and three-season tent.
the important thing
Do not forget sunscreen with a UV filter factor of 30 or more and special sunglasses for these climatic zones, glare can damage your eyes.
Solar charger.
A backpack made of materials such as nylon or polyamide: they are lighter, more resistant and waterproof.
Bring a camera so you can capture all those unforgettable landscapes you love.
Finally enjoy this amazing adventure and connect with Apu Quelccaya.
Quelccaya glacier is the largest tropical glacier in the world. The glacier is more than 17 km long, reaches an altitude of 5,600 meters, has a surface area of 44 km2 and an ice layer more than 200 meters thick.
Pricing List
What to Bring
Wear clothing that is UV and liquid resistant and made of durable, lightweight materials.
Due to the low temperature of the place, take a breathable polo shirt first, then a garment with an insulating layer (fleece lining), then a down jacket and finally a raincoat. Don’t forget a synthetic hat, gloves and socks.
Waterproof walking shoes with smooth soles are required.
Camping equipment: thermal tent, sleeping bag, blanket, mattress, headlamp, stove and three-season tent.
the important thing
Do not forget sunscreen with a UV filter factor of 30 or more and special sunglasses for these climatic zones, glare can damage your eyes.
Solar charger.
A backpack made of materials such as nylon or polyamide: they are lighter, more resistant and waterproof.
Bring a camera so you can capture all those unforgettable landscapes you love.
Finally enjoy this amazing adventure and connect with Apu Quelccaya.
Quelccaya glacier is the largest tropical glacier in the world. The glacier is more than 17 km long, reaches an altitude of 5,600 meters, has a surface area of 44 km2 and an ice layer more than 200 meters thick.
Travel Guide
How to get to the glacier
To get to the Quelccaya Glacier, you must first acclimatize for at least 2 days in Cusco, acclimatize one day before the trek, prepare everything you need, the day of the trek you must get up very early at 5:30 and Cusco Bus Terminal Departs from Sicuani on Huayruuropa Avenue. Here you will board the bus to Sicuani, upon arrival you can have breakfast and do some shopping on the way, you will need to take a taxi or bus directly to Phinaya village.
Along the way you will discover the magnificent landscapes of the region. When you arrive, you must take a two-day glacier hike.
If you don’t feel like hiking, you can ride a horse, which you can hire from the locals. During the trek you will find camps where you can spend the night and continue the trek the next day.
How is the Quelcaya Glacier
Quelccaya Glacier is an important underground water reservoir that gives life to various natural creatures and feeds the Vilcanota River and the Sibinacocha Lagoon.
It also supplies water to nearby towns in the Cusco region, since most of the water produced by melting glaciers flows there. a situation that is accelerating due to the effects of climate change. For this reason, there are different access routes to the glacier for scientific research and the study of local climate changes.
Some myths or stories.
Residents of the nearby glacier community say their ancestors saw a figure running towards them on the slopes of Quelccaya Glacier. It was a man dressed in a white poncho, which was associated with an unusual appearance, so people did not dare join him. This person is considered the zone defender.
Faqs Tour Quelccaya Glacier Trek Camp 3 Days 2 Nights
Location of Quelcalya
Quelccaya – Glacier is located in the municipalities of Sallani and Phinaya, in the district of Pitumarca, in the province of Canchis and in the region of Cusco. It belongs to the Vilcanota chain and has geographical features that make it a popular destination for professional climbers.
At what altitude is the Quelcaya Glacier
Quelccaya is located at more than 5100 msnm southeast of Cusco, at the foot of the Vilcanota Mountain Range.
How to get to Quelcaya Glacier
A current measure to reach the glacier is acclimatization in the city of Cusco, which must be done at least two days before the trip. After that, everything necessary for the trip must be ready and at 5:30 am departure to the bus station for the Sicuani neighborhood on Avenida Huayruuropa. Once in this area it is possible to have breakfast in the different restaurants and stock up on food for the road; So you have to hire a private taxi or pick it up from Phinaya town. During this trip, you will be able to enjoy beautiful landscapes.
After this hike, you have to walk for two days to reach the glacier, or you can ride a horse rented from the locals. Along the way you will find campsites where you can spend the night and continue your journey at dawn.
Mario Ordoñes Quispe Salvida
In Cusco, I am your travel specialist, with more than 10 years of experience organizing adventure trips.
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