Sibinacocha
Lagoon Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco to Tinki
We leave the city of Cusco in a private transport, and drive along
the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado highway in the direction of Tinki
(3800m/12464ft). On the way we stop in Urcos, where we may visit
a beautiful lake with the same name. We then go on to Cattca, an
agricultural and cattle raising community where we can appreciate
the region’s spectacular views and finally pass through Ocongate,
capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour
away from our destination. After an approximated 6-hour drive, we
arrive in Tinki, where we sleep in a local lodge and start the trek
the next morning.
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Tinki to Pacchanta to Qomerqocha Lagoon
After breakfast, we spend some time visiting the Tinki public
school and have the chance to meet the children of the neighboring
communities that study at this place and eventually give them
some useful presents such as notebooks or pencils which are highly
appreciated. We then leave Tinki and start a 2,5h walk towards
Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft), where we stop for lunch. Pacchanta
is a rural community that boasts some well-known hot springs where
we can enjoy a nice dip, offering awesome views of Ausangate Mountain.
In the afternoon we follow our hike through a slight climb up
the Pacchanta valley, having the chance to spot llamas and alpacas,
until we reach the beautiful Qomercocha lagoon where we set our
camp and have dinner. Our campsite will be set in a spectacular
spot with amazing views of Ausangate, Santa Catalina, Maria Huamantiqlla,
Pucapunta and Colquecruz snow-capped mountains..
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Qomerqocha Lagoon to Yanamayo
We leave at around 7.00 am and continue on towards the first mountain
pass of our trek, the Abra Q´ampa at 5000m/16400ft, which
we will reach after about 4h. We then descend towards the Ticllaqocha
Lagoons, a beautiful group of little turquoise lagoons next to
which we have lunch. In the afternoon we continue our hike for
an additional 2-3h until we reach Yanamayo where we set our camp
in an impressive valley overlooked by the impressive Tres Picos,
Colquecruz and Pucapunta peaks.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Yanamayo to Condorpaso
We leave camp and start a gradual climb up toward Yanaqocha or
“Black Lagoon” its name being due to the dark color
of its waters. In this area we can appreciate a soil of volcanic
origin, its color turning to dark red and black, as well as moraines,
showing the previous presence of glaciers in this region. We will
go over Yanaqocha mountain pass (5050m/16564ft) to then discover
a surprisingly beautiful valley with an explosion of colored mountains,
three spectacular lagoons and the presence of llamas and alpacas,
which we will cross to head towards our next mountain pass (5100m/16728ft).
From this point, an additional hour of hike leads us to Condorpaso,
our next campsite, located very close to the mountain pass of
the same name which will be our challenge for the next day.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Condorpaso to Source of Sibinacocha Lagoon
After breakfast, we continue on a gradual climb up the valley
that takes us to the mountain pass Abra del Condor (5200m/17056ft)
after an approximated two hour walk. From the pass, the highest
point of our trek, we may not only enjoy spectacular views of
the Vilcanota mountain range and the Sibinacocha Lagoon, our next
milestone, but also hopefully see wild vicuñas. Immediately,
we continue our hike for an additional 3 hours, crossing another
mountain pass on the way and then descending into the valley of
the Sibinacocha Lagoon’s source. We will camp next to the
lagoon and very close from its source, where an impressive glacier
stands and nourishes the lake with its turquoise waters that contrast
with the dark blue pure color of the lagoon. The lagoon boasts
a wide bio-diversity, we will most probably be able to spot Andean
Coots, “Huallatas” or Andean Geese as well as Andean
Ducks from our camp.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Source of Sibinacocha Lagoon to Ccascana
Today, we depart early to walk along the shores of the Sibinacocha
Lagoon for 3h until we reach the Yayamari community, next to the
mountain of the same name, an impressive rocky peak overlooking
the lagoon (5500m/18040ft). We then continue accross a pampa where
we will most probably see hundreds of llamas, alpacas and hopefully
vicuñas, to then follow towards the Abra Ccascana at 5000m/16400ft,
which will lead us to the lagoon of the same name, in which area
we will set our last camp. In this remote spot, surrounded by
impressive snow-capped peaks such as Montura and Chumpi and inhabited
by small rural communities, we may have the chance to spot ¨Huallatas¨
or Andean geese and maybe even flamingos.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Ccascana to Phinaya and back to Cusco
After our breakfast, we leave Ccascana to walk for three and a
half hours towards Phinaya. This is a small Andean community with
a beautiful little church and no presence of vehicles except bikes
and horses, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we meet
our private transport that will drive us back to Cusco, where
we expect to arrive after nightfall.
Meals: B, L
Prices & Included/Excluded & to bring