This expedition is crafted to completely immerse you in the raw, untouched beauty of the Vilcanota mountain range, blending physical challenge with deep relaxation and spiritual awe.

• The Drive to the Edge of the Ice Our day begins before the sun rises over Cusco. We journey south through the awakening Andean valleys, driving toward the imposing Cordillera Vilcanota. As we climb higher in our comfortable transport, the landscape transitions from green agricultural terraces to rugged, high-altitude steppes. Our destination is Pacchanta, a remote, traditional herding community sitting at 4,300 meters above sea level. Here, in the crisp, freezing morning air, we will warm our bodies and spirits with a robust, locally prepared highland breakfast, getting you fully energized for the trek ahead.
• The Circuit of the Seven Lakes Leaving Pacchanta behind, we step onto the sweeping Andean plains and begin our ascent. The trail is a mesmerizing loop that takes us steadily closer to the colossal ice walls of Ausangate. As we hike, the landscape reveals its hidden jewels: seven distinct, breathtaking alpine lakes—Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, and the two Orco Otorongos. Because they are fed by different glacial minerals, each lake boasts a completely unique, vivid color, ranging from deep, electric blue to vibrant emerald green and opaque turquoise.
• In the Shadow of the Apu At the highest point of our trek (around 4,650 meters), you will find yourself standing directly beneath the terrifyingly beautiful, jagged glaciers of Ausangate. The sheer scale of the ice and rock is humbling. Your guide will ask for a moment of absolute silence so you can listen to the mountain—the deep, echoing cracks of shifting ice and the wind howling off the summit. Here, we will pause to honor the mountain, offering a traditional kintu of coca leaves to the Apu, thanking the earth for allowing us safe passage into this sacred domain.
• The Ultimate Alpine Reward: Pacchanta Hot Springs After completing the circuit, we descend back to the Pacchanta community, where the ultimate reward awaits. Forget cramped spas; here, you will slide into rustic, naturally heated thermal pools situated right in the middle of the high plains. Soaking in the mineral-rich, steaming water while your muscles relax, with the freezing Andean wind on your face and a completely unobstructed view of the Ausangate glacier dominating the skyline, is an experience that borders on the profound.
• The Highland Feast and Return Completely rejuvenated from the thermal baths, you will be invited into a local dining room for a massive, restorative buffet lunch. This is authentic Andean comfort food at its finest, designed to replenish every calorie you burned on the trail. With full stomachs and entirely relaxed bodies, we will board our transport and begin the scenic, peaceful drive back to civilization, arriving in Cusco as the evening settles in.