Country: Peru
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Pampacancha
Small village at 4,540 m below Palomani Pass, reached by a gradual two-hour descent past red and turquoise lakes; the trek stops here for an early lunch.
Read MoreChillihuani
Trailhead village at 4,640 m on the quiet northern side of the Ausangate massif, where the five-day hike to Vinicunca and the Seven Lagoons begins after the three-hour drive from Cusco.
Read MoreDeparture day in Lima at leisure
A departure day in Lima left open at leisure, with the hotel night not included and international check-in recommended 3 hours before departure.
Read MoreViconga Hot Springs
Viconga Hot Springs at 4,365 m / 14,320 ft is a natural thermal spring channeled into a man-made soaking pool with constantly flowing hot water, cold drinks available and evening light filtering through the steam. Clothes can be hand-washed in the naturally warm stream.
Read MoreCuyoc / Viconga Pass
Cuyoc or Viconga Pass at 5,000 m / 16,405 ft is one of the highest and most scenic passes of the circuit. The ascent runs through open alpine meadows and rugged terrain flanked by glaciated cliffs and moraine ridges, with views of the Puscanturpa Sur Glacier and distant ridgelines marking the border with the Cordillera Raura.
Read MoreLago Viconga
Lago Viconga at 4,407 m / 14,455 ft is a large man-made reservoir backed by snowy peaks, set among rolling puna meadows in the Viconga drainage.
Read MoreEarly morning soak in Viconga Hot Springs
An early soak in the steaming Viconga Hot Springs at 4,365 m / 14,320 ft, where a natural thermal spring feeds a man-made pool with constantly flowing hot water.
Read MoreSanta Rosa Pass and the Cutatambo Valley
Santa Rosa Pass at 5,060 m opens the Cutatambo Valley below and gives a direct line to the face of Siula Grande (6,344 m). Photographers work the scene with lenses from ultra-wide to telephoto through the best of the afternoon.
Read MoreTrapecio Pass and Trapecio Glacier
Trapecio Pass is a high, rugged saddle at 5,040 m / 16,500 ft, among the highest on the route, bringing close the jagged ice face of Trapecio Glacier where seracs hang in frozen motion. The route is quiet and seldom used, passing isolated alpine tarns and scree-strewn slopes.
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