TREK & CLIMB: NEVADO MARIPOSA (5,870m)
4 Days Starting and ending in Cusco
Visiting: Cusco, Pacchanta, Base Camp
Tour operator:
Tour code:
Mariposa
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 12
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
English , SpanishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Leaving from Cusco; in private transportation early in the morning, we’ll drive 3 hours south to the Ausangate region. Following our arrival we’ll take our time to check all of our equipment for the climb. We’ll meet up with our arrieros and their mules; the arrieros loading all of our equipment onto them before setting off on this epic Peru adventure. In the Peruvian Andes, there are a wide variety of peaks that require a good level of technique, and experience. And without a doubt Mariposa; will test your skills, along with your physical and moral endurance. The Apu Ausangate is the fifth highest mountain in Peru, and is part of the Central Andes of South America. Being the Snowy Santa Catalina (Mariposa); part of a section of the Vilcanota mountain range. Mariposa is considered one of the daughters of the Apu Ausangate; and is full of history, myths, and legends. In the expedition you’ll encounter lagoons of different sizes and colors, being the turquoise color that will captivate your senses. Flora and fauna of the place, such as: yareta, ichu or tall gras; vizcachas, wild and domesticated camelids, foxes, pumas, birds such as the Andean goose, hummingbirds, eagles, hawks, condors, etc. Local people, crafts, textiles, added to their traditions and customs that they will share with visitors.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Cusco - Tinke - Pacchanta
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Leaving at around 8 am from Cusco, in private transport, heading to Tinke. From Tinke heading to Pacchanta, at 4,330 masl (3.5hrs), passing through Andean communities and observing along the route; archaeological sites, lagoons and small farms producing potatoes, corn etc. On arrival you'll rest in the house of a local family, to have additional time acclimatizing. You can go to the geothermal waters (hot springs), nearby, in the afternoon.
Dinner is at 6pm, allowing plenty of time for everyone to rest afterwards.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 : Pacchanta - Base Camp
Location: Pacchanta
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today leaving Pacchanta with mules and arrieros to take our climbing equipment, tents, sleeping bags to the base camp, at 4,890 masl. It's a gradual and quiet ascent (3 hrs), and for this day you'll have a picnic midway, where you can view the 4 lagoons, facing the east side of the Apu Ausangate, and you'll also see other peaks and mountains that are part of the Vilcanota mountain range.
Walking hours: 3 hrs
Distance: 8 km
Maximum height: 4,890 masl.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 : Base Camp - Advanced Camp
Location: Base Camp
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It is between 3-4 hrs that brings us closer to the Mariposa mountain glacier, and we will carry our climbing equipment to C.A, at 5,250 meters above sea level. It will be a steep ascent during the second and third hour, for which you'll go at a comfortable pace whilst enjoying the views and lagoons. There are some sections; where you'll rock climb at level 4a, and the last hour will be steep between 45 - 50 degrees of inclination.
Walking hours: 3-4 hrs
Distance: 7 km
Maximum height: 5,250 masl.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 : Advanced Camp - Summit - Pacchanta - Hot Springs - Cusco
Location: Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today rising at 1am, to leave by 2am. Equipped with water, snacks and our personal climbing equipment, you'll begin the attack on the summit. The first phase will be very quiet; 1 hour of crossing glacier. From this point the last 5 hours has a steep section between 60 to 70 degrees of inclination. Using a combination of screws and stakes, you'll cross the rimaya, located 2 hrs from the summit. Once you have reached the summit, you'll be able to view the entire chain of the Andes Peruvians, the Apu Ausangate being the closest, along with many others. Descending by rappelling the wall, located above the rimaya, taking around 1hr, and after passing the rimaya, you'll continue for 2 more hours to the advanced camp. Taking lunch here, then packing up and starting the descent by 3pm until we reach the hot springs of Pacchanta. From here you'll take private transport back to Tinke, and following the route back to Cusco.
For the final day, the climbing hours will depend a lot on the level, physical condition and experience you have. If it is at a good level it will be between 3-4 hours to the summit and the return to base camp, it will be around 2 hours.
Climbing hours: between 9 to 11 hours.
Maximum height: Mariposa Summit, 5870 masl.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
What's Included
Detailed itinerary information. • Local or private transportation according to request. • 1 mountain cook-guide for 2 people. • Mountain assistant guide + 2 people. • Climbing equipment (ropes, stakes, screws, etc.) • Arriero and acémila. • Cook, for more than 2 clients • Porter, + 2 clients (camping equipment only) • Food during the expedition and ascension. • Tent. • Matra. • Hot Springs. • First aid medical kit (first aid kit, oximeter and oxygen tank)
What's Not Included
• First breakfast and last dinner. • Water, (we recommend bringing filters or purifying tablets) • Snacks. • Sleeping bag. • Inflatable matra. • Climbing equipment (crampons, ice axes, harness, helmet, climbing gloves, climbing lenses, descending gear, Atc, or an eight, rigid boots for high mountains, leggings, expedition backpack, 65-75 liters, and a attack, 45 liters, Daysi chain, safety carabiners) • Canes. • Extra carrier. • Tips.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum age is 18 with good physical ability
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Around 15-20kg Max per person
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Usually on the way in we stop at Urcos for a bit of breakfast and have a little time here
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Company Instant Book
Yes
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What is the tipping policy?
At travellers discretion; but usually $15-$20 usd per day for guides. $10-$15 usd for other crew.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
No
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
We can run private or group tours, depends on the traveller booking.
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Camping
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
A professional bilingual high-mountain guide runs the tour
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What currencies are required for this tour?
USD (US Dollars)
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No but we can include for a small additional fee
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Good athletic ability with high-altitude experience
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
90 day tourism visas are permitted on entry to Peru for most countries
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
90 day tourism visas are permitted on entry to Peru for most countries
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
2 is usually the minimum but we have run trips for solo travellers also
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Not included as part of the tour plan, but we can provide if hotels are required before and after
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
No
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, please let us know what your schedule upon booking and we can make the reservations or provide recommendations.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Please check with your doctor for required vaccines prior to departure
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, but we can organise domestic flights, separately, on request
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Sometimes, but it's not really necessary for this route.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For 3 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Always
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
This depends on the type of tour you've booked. If there is paperwork to be sent (i.e. domestic flights etc.) we will forward these to you ahead of time.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It can be possible in instances, a lot depends on the type of tour being run and it's accessibility
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
We don't fund charities directly but we work with local communities where we can to support them and provide resources whenever possible. We utilise local resources with all of our trips so in that respect you are contributing to the local economy and the welfare of it's people.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Unu Raymi Expeditions; we’ll always keep our commitment to deliver the best customised experience created from your own personal & group requirements. We’ll provide as many available options for planning your ideal trip; operating & incorporating many off-the-beaten path experiences for your trip or expedition. Before your trip begins we’ll work with you to ensure you are fully prepared and ha
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you wold like to share facilities with someone this can be organised
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. All hygiene standards that are being developed will be adhered to in compliance with state legislation and protocols.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We have the flexibility to alter trips as necessary if there are travel restrictions in place. For all other changes please refer to our terms and conditions.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
This will depend if you have booked a private or group tour
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Free Date Changes
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform unu raymi tour operator & lodges, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 44 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of unu raymi tour operator & lodges charges.
Up to 50 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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COVID-19
We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. All hygiene standards that are being developed will be adhered to in compliance with state legislation and protocols.
Alongside this we have our own on-call health service available in Cusco and the Sacred Valley to care for you during your time with us. For high-altitude expeditions there will also be medical assistance available on these trips for your own health & safety.
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