Qelqaya Glacier tour
Your day starts before sunrise with a private pickup from your hotel in Cusco between 3:30 and 4:00 AM. We drive through the dramatic landscapes of the Cordillera Vilcanota, passing traditional Andean villages, high-altitude plains, and snow-capped peaks as the morning light begins to illuminate the mountains.
Around 7:30 AM, we pause for a local breakfast along the way, giving you time to recharge and prepare for the high-altitude hike ahead.
By 8:30–10:30 AM, we reach the Sibinacocha region, one of the most remote corners of southern Peru. From the van, admire sweeping views of puna grasslands, sparkling glacial streams, and, if lucky, vicuñas, alpacas, and other Andean wildlife.
Our trek begins at the trailhead near 5,000 m / 16,400 ft. Over 1.5–2 hours, we follow a steady guided route up to the Qelqaya Glacier viewpoint. Along the way, your guide shares insights on glacial geology, local ecosystems, and climate change impacts.
At the viewpoint, take time to explore, photograph, and marvel at the glacier and the surrounding peaks before enjoying a hearty local lunch prepared by community hosts or our support team around 1:30 PM.
The return drive begins at 2:30 PM, descending through the Andean valleys as you reflect on the day’s adventure. Expect to arrive back at your Cusco hotel between 6:30 and 7:00 PM, with memories of one of Peru’s most pristine high-altitude landscapes.
Highlights: Qelqaya Glacier, Cordillera Vilcanota, Sibinacocha region, Andean wildlife, high-altitude vistas
Altitude: Trailhead 5,000 m / 16,400 ft
Travel Times: 3–3.5 hrs each way by car, 1.5–2 hrs hike to glacier
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
FAQS
The Briefing
Your briefing will take place the night before your trip, at our office at 6 or 6:30 pm, depending on your confirmation email details. The office is located at Calle Garcilaso 2010 Office 2012.
Can i store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, you can store your main luggage at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.
How many people are there per group?
The maximum group size is 8 persons. Our groups are between 2-6 people. Apple Travel Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides personalized service.
Tipping
If you’re pleased with the services you’ve received from our staff, we welcome any gratuities you may wish to offer. While tipping may not be a standard practice in your home country, it is an essential part of the tourism industry in many destinations we operate in. Tipping inspires our staff to provide exceptional service, and it is greatly appreciated. The amount you choose to tip is entirely up to you and should be based on the quality and duration of your trip. We want to emphasize that tipping is not mandatory and should only be given if you feel you’ve received excellent service.
Are we sustainable?
Absolutely! Apple Travel Peru is committed to being a responsible tourism operator that prioritizes sustainability and local engagement. We believe in following universal principles of tourism that protect the environment and ensure that local communities benefit from tourism while respecting their culture and beliefs. To ensure that we achieve this, we have extensively trained all our local staff to understand, appreciate, and respect the local communities and places we visit.
