Lakes and Glaciers
Quelccaya Glacier
- Duration: Full day · 15 h
- Difficulty: Moderate
Places you visit
- Jahuacate Pass
- Quelccaya Glacier
- Suyuparina sector
- Phinaya community
- Sibinacocha Lake
Trip overview
Quelccaya Glacier lies southeast of Cusco, in the Vilcanota mountain range, the same range that holds the Ausangate glacier. It is considered the largest tropical ice cap in the world, covering more than 44 km², running over 17 km long, with ice up to 200 metres thick. Its name comes from the Quechua «Qelqay» or «Quelccaya», meaning «snowy place» or «ice plain».
Despite its size, reaching the glacier does not require a long hike: from the Suyuparina sector it is only a 15 to 20 minute walk to see this unique landscape up close, making it possible in a single-day excursion.
Because this is a high-altitude area, the itinerary includes rest stops, full meals and an oxygen tank throughout the route; we recommend arriving already acclimatised in Cusco.
Itinerary overview
Full day · 15 h- Hotel pickup (3:00 a.m.)
- Buffet breakfast in Cusipata
- Jahuacate Pass
- Hike to Quelccaya Glacier (15-20 min)
- Traditional lunch in Phinaya
- Sibinacocha Lake
- Return to Cusco (6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.)
The route, step by step
Hotel pickup. We collect you from hotels in the historic centre of Cusco from 3:00 a.m. and set off south.
Breakfast in Cusipata. After about two hours on the road, we stop in Cusipata for a buffet breakfast.
Jahuacate Pass. We continue to this natural viewpoint in the Andes, where you can take in the scenery and photographs.
Quelccaya Glacier. We drive on to the Suyuparina sector, the access point to the glacier. From there we take a guided walk of about 15 to 20 minutes to see the world's largest tropical glacier up close.
Lunch in Phinaya. We head to the community of Phinaya for a traditional lunch made with local produce.
Sibinacocha Lake. On the way back we stop to take in this striking high-Andean lake and its scenery.
Return to Cusco. We arrive at approximately 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., ending the tour near the Plaza de Armas.
Included12
- Pickup from hotels in the historic centre of Cusco.
- Round-trip tourist transport.
- Professional driver experienced in high-Andean routes.
- Buffet breakfast.
- Traditional lunch made with local produce.
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
- Guided visit to Quelccaya Glacier.
- Guided hike of about 15 to 20 minutes to the glacier.
- Walking poles.
- First aid kit.
- Oxygen tank throughout the route.
- Card and payment-link processing fees.
Not included6
- Quelccaya Glacier entrance: S/10.00 nationals · S/15.00 foreigners.
- Payment receipt with IGV (if requested by the passenger).
- Water, snacks or additional drinks.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for guide and driver (optional).
- Anything not listed in the program.
What to bring
- Valid ID or passport
- At least 2 days of prior acclimatisation in Cusco
- Thermal or layered clothing
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Trekking shoes or boots
- Beanie, gloves and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water and energy snacks
- Cash for the entrance fee and personal expenses
- Personal or altitude-sickness medication
Questions about this tour6
- What is the difficulty level of the tour?
- It is an easy to moderate tour, as the hike to the glacier takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Do I need to acclimatise before the tour?
- Yes. We recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before the excursion, since this is a high-altitude area.
- Does the tour include meals?
- Yes. It includes a buffet breakfast and a traditional lunch made with local produce.
- Is the glacier entrance fee included?
- No. It costs S/10.00 for nationals and S/15.00 for foreigners, and is paid directly on site.
- Can you walk all the way to the glacier?
- Yes. From the Suyuparina sector it is a short hike, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- What is the best time to visit Quelccaya?
- The dry season, from April to October, offers the best conditions to enjoy the scenery, although the tour runs year-round when weather conditions allow.
Booking, payment and cancellations
Booking confirmation
- The booking is confirmed with the corresponding payment.
- To book, we need full name, ID or passport, nationality, tour date and WhatsApp number.
- Date changes are subject to availability.
Important considerations
- The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or decisions by the authorities, always prioritising passenger safety.
- Entrance fees are paid directly at the destination.
- Please let us know of any dietary restriction in advance so we can arrange the available options.
