Most important tour information
- Pickup time
- 3:00 AM – 3:30 AM Pickup window from your accommodation Pickup is available when your accommodation is within the pickup zone. See included
- Arrival in the ending city
- 9:00 PM Approximate arrival time in the city where the tour ends
What is included
Included
- English/Spanish speaking guide
- Pick up at your stay in Cusco (historic center)
- Transport to the Quelcaya Glacier area
- Breakfast in Cusipata
- Lunch in the village of Phinaya
- Drop off in Cusco historic center
- Basic first aid kit
Not included
- Entrance fee to the Quelcaya Suyuparina ice caves: 15 soles
- Tips for guide and driver
- Snacks and extra drinks
- Personal travel insurance
Trail and tour details
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Tour duration
- 1 day
- Average group size
- 14 people
Itinerary
03:00 AM to 03:30 AM: Pick up in Cusco
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco or from Plaza de Armas.
Then we start our drive to the south of Cusco.
05:30 AM: Breakfast stop in Cusipata
We stop in Cusipata for breakfast.
This is a good moment to use the restroom and buy extra snacks for the day.
10:00 AM: Arrive in Phinaya (4700 m) and continue to the trailhead
After about 5 hours of driving, we arrive in the community of Phinaya.
From here we continue by vehicle to the parking area, where the hike starts.
10:30 AM: Hike to the viewpoint and visit the ice caves (5200 m)
We hike for about 45 minutes to reach the highest point at 5200 m.
Here you visit the Quelcaya Suyuparina ice caves and enjoy views of clear lagoons and mountains.
Your guide explains the area and the Quelcaya Glacier.
This is your main moment for photos during the quelcaya suyuparina ica caves experience.
01:30 PM: Lunch in Phinaya
We return by vehicle to Phinaya and enjoy a warm lunch.
After lunch you have time to rest before the next stop.
03:00 PM: Visit Sibinacocha Lake
We stop at Sibinacocha Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Andes.
You can take photos and enjoy the landscape before we drive back to Cusco.
08:00 PM to 09:00 PM: Return and arrive in Cusco
We arrive back in Cusco in the evening.
Drop off is close to Plaza de Armas in Cusco.
Times are approximate and the order may change with weather, traffic, or local conditions.
Full tour description
Join our Quelcaya Suyuparina ice caves tour and visit the famous quelcaya suyuparina ica caves in one day.
This is one of the best options if you want to see ice caves Cusco and a real glacier Cusco experience.
You will hike at high altitude and reach the viewpoint near the Quelcaya Glacier.
Why book with Wander Free Peru
- Safe and well organised day tour from Cusco
- English speaking guide
- Breakfast and lunch included
- Clear schedule and reliable transport
Tour highlights
- Visit the quelcaya suyuparina ica caves and natural ice caves
- See the Quelcaya Glacier, the largest tropical glacier in the world
- Short hike to a high viewpoint at 5200 m
- Stop at Sibinacocha Lake for photos
- Beautiful views of the Vilcanota mountain range
Quelcaya Suyuparina ice caves itinerary
Early pick up in Cusco
We pick you up from your hotel or Plaza de Armas between 03:00 and 03:30 AM.
We drive to Cusipata for breakfast, then continue to Phinaya (4700 m).
The total drive time is about 5 hours.
Hike to the ice caves and Quelcaya Glacier viewpoint
From Phinaya we continue by vehicle to the parking area.
Then we hike about 45 minutes to the highest point at 5200 m.
Here you visit the ice caves Cusco area and enjoy views of lagoons and mountains.
Your guide explains the region and the Quelcaya Glacier.
Lunch in Phinaya and Sibinacocha Lake
After the hike we return by vehicle and have lunch in Phinaya.
Next we visit Sibinacocha Lake, one of the largest high altitude lakes in the Andes.
After photos we start the drive back to Cusco.
Return to Cusco
Arrival in Cusco is around 09:00 to 10:00 PM.
Schedule
- 03:00 AM: Hotel pick up
- 05:30 AM: Breakfast in Cusipata
- 10:00 AM: Arrival in Phinaya and start of hike
- 10:30 AM: Viewpoint visit, Quelcaya Glacier and ice caves
- 01:30 PM: Lunch
- 03:00 PM: Sibinacocha Lake visit
- 10:00 PM: Back in Cusco
Important information about altitude
This tour reaches very high altitude, from 4700 m up to 5200 m.
It can be very cold and windy.
We recommend good acclimatisation before you book this glacier Cusco day tour.
Book your Quelcaya Glacier tour
If you want to visit the quelcaya suyuparina ica caves, see ice caves Cusco, and experience a glacier Cusco day trip,
this tour is a great choice.
Contact Wander Free Peru to check availability and confirm your pick up location.
What to bring
- Very warm clothing for glacier Cusco temperatures
- Thermal layers, jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf
- Rain poncho or waterproof jacket
- Sunglasses and strong sunscreen
- Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip
- Water and energy snacks
- Camera or phone for photos at the Quelcaya Glacier
- Small backpack for personal items