ITINERARY:

The visitors will depart from the Amaru community early in the morning towards Quinsacocha Lake*, and head towards the Paru Paru community. From there, they will begin to ascend the Andes Mountains, passing through the first resting place and viewpoint of Almasamana at 4,075 masl, where the beautiful mountain scenery surrounding Quinsacocha Lake can be appreciated. Then, they will continue to reach Yanque Pampa at 4,114 masl, where the grazing of llamas, alpacas, and sheep can be seen. The ascent continues until they reach the Q’olla Cc’asa pass at 4,166 masl, which is also the boundary between the districts of Pisac and Lamay within the Province of Calca.

From there, they will continue the hike, seeing along the way lots of grazing herds of llamas, alpacas, and sheeps, as well as lake birds, such as the Andean seagull, lequecho, jaccachu (Andean woodpecker), among others. They will also appreciate beautiful Andean landscapes, small traditional villages, many made of stone as they used to build them, these traditional constructions can still be appreciated there. Later on, they will continue the hike until they reach the Sapacto viewpoint and Carcelcocha lake, located at 4,200 masl, from where they will be able to appreciate a beautiful valley and the small town of Sapacto and its Carcelcocha lake. Then, they will descend to the lake at 4,150 masl, where they will have lunch and rest.

*Quinsacocha Lake: This lake was once divided into three lakes, but now appears as two due to a dam built for agricultural purposes.

OPTIONAL 1:

Visitors with a lot of hiking experience, with prior confirmation, will continue the hike in an ascending and winding way until they reach the Abra de Saqra Cc’asa at 4,500 masl, from where they will be able to appreciate the Pachar lake, known because it has the shape of the map of Peru, which is surrounded by a beautiful Andean wild landscape of perpendicular mountains. Along this stretch, they will see abundant grazing of herds of Andean camels, and Andean birds, such as the q’erecho hawk, huallata, among others. Later, they will descend a steep slope until they reach the shores of the Pachar lake, the largest of the entire hike, where they will see quite a few vizcachas, which until recently were in a vulnerable situation. Then, they will have a traditional Andean menu from the area for lunch. Afterward, if they are staying overnight, they will take transportation to the Chumpe community to spend the night in the middle of a typical community of the Peruvian Andes in a rural family accommodation. Otherwise, they will return to Lamay.

OPTIONAL 2:

After lunch at Carcelcocha, with prior coordination, they will take the transportation that is waiting for them. For those who are staying overnight in the Chumpe community, they will be taken to the community to spend the night in a rural family home. Otherwise, they will return to Lamay.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Visitors should bring:

• Hiking shoes
• Warm clothing for the night and light clothing for the day
• Hiking stick
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Rain poncho (during rainy season)
• Camera

ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL SERVICES:

1. Family lodgings in rural houses – Includes overnight stay and breakfast
2. Dinner for overnight stay
3. Transportation from Cusco/Sacred Valley to the communities                                                                                                                                                      *Consult price per groups
4. Visit to the Pisac Community Museum – Free admission

EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT AMARU:

• Lodging: 50 beds
• Altitude: 3,700 meters above sea level
• Visiting season: All year round
• Distance: Cusco – Pisac: 30km (35 minutes by car)                                                                                                                                                                                                        Pisac – Amaru: 12km (25 minutes by car)

EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT CHUMPE:

• Lodging: 8 beds
• Altitude: 3,600 meters above sea level
• Visiting season: All year round
• Distance: Cusco – Lamay: 38km (50 minutes by car)                                                                                                                                                                                                      Lamay – Chumpe: 17km (30 minutes by car)

NOT INCLUDED:

• Tips