Country: Peru
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Miraflores clifftop promenade walk and waterfront dining
Free time on foot along the Miraflores clifftop promenade, which looks over the Pacific from the top of the coastal cliffs. The district's eateries serve traditional Peruvian dishes and drinks, with ceviche and a pisco sour among the local staples.
Read MoreOllantaytambo train station
The departure point for trains from Ollantaytambo into the Urubamba valley towards Aguas Calientes, beside the town's Inca street plan.
Read MoreAusangate trailhead
Trailhead in the Ausangate mountain range where the walk up Vinicunca begins, on high open pasture country below the Rainbow Mountain ridge.
Read MoreCusco Airport
Cusco's airport, on the south-eastern edge of the city, and the gateway used for arrivals into the Andes.
Read MoreTraditional Weaving Demonstration at Upis with Awaq Mayki
At Upis, Ruperta Condori Merma — co-president of the Awaq Mayki weaving association and a Threads of Peru partner since 2012 — welcomes the group into her home. Her family demonstrates traditional weaving techniques and talks about Andean daily life, farming, textiles and the community's connection to the land. Guests can try natural dyeing with dye plants, learn to read the symbols woven into traditional dress, and even take a turn shearing alpacas. It is a quiet, generous exchange rather than a staged show.
Read MoreHot Springs Soak at Pacchanta
The trail reaches Pacchanta at 4,360 m around 11:30 AM, and the village hot springs do what they have always done — draw trekkers out of their boots and into warm water while the mountains ring the valley. The soak runs while the cook prepares lunch nearby.
Read MorePre-Trek Briefing in Cusco
Before the trail, the guide holds a pre-trek briefing in Cusco: the route and its passes, the altitude plan, gear checks and the duffel handover — each trekker may hand over up to 10 kg, carried by the horses. It is also the moment to arrange sleeping-bag rental; a -15 °C rated bag is recommended for the cold nights. Guides on this trek speak English, Quechua and Spanish.
Read MorePacchanta Campsite
Camping night at Pacchanta (4,360 m) used on the optional cultural extra day, close to the village hot springs and the Seven Lagoons trailhead.
Read MoreOtorongococha Campsite
Camp at 4,670 m by the Otorongococha lake, reached after lunch behind the Seven Lagoons; the afternoon is free to explore the surrounding vistas.
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