Quelccaya Day Tour
Traveler rating
Not yet rated
No traveler reviews have been published for this experience yet.
Quick answer
Is Quelccaya Day Tour worth booking?
Quelccaya Day Tour is a 17-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $64 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 17 hours
- From
- $64 per person
Two things make this trip different from other ways of reaching the ice. The first is Laguna Sibinacocha. This lake covers around 30 square kilometres and sits at 4,869 metres, held between the plateau and the Vilcanota
What you get
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- First aid kit
- Lunch
- Private transportation
- Breakfast
About this experience
Two things make this trip different from other ways of reaching the ice. The first is Laguna Sibinacocha. This lake covers around 30 square kilometres and sits at 4,869 metres, held between the plateau and the Vilcanota range. Very few day tours from Cusco reach it, because it adds an hour to the route. It is included here. The second is how little walking is involved. The Quelccaya viewpoint is ten to twenty minutes from the vehicle on nearly flat ground. Most high mountain sights in this region ask for an hour or more of climbing. That puts the largest tropical ice cap in the world within reach of travellers who would not attempt a trek. You are also unlikely to share it. Better known sites in the Cusco region receive hundreds of visitors a day. Quelccaya receives a handful of vehicles. Guides are local to the region. They carry emergency oxygen and a pulse oximeter, and check the group before anyone walks at altitude.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- First aid kit
- Lunch
- Private transportation
- Breakfast
Not included
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water
What you'll see and do
The first stop is a small farming village in the Vilcanota valley, about two hours south of Cusco. Breakfast is served here while it is still dark. Eat well at this stop. It is the last full meal before the high plateau, and food taken at a comfortable altitude helps more than anything you can do higher up. Toilets are available here. There are no facilities again until the afternoon.
45 minutes here
Quelccaya is the largest tropical ice cap in the world. It does not hang in a valley like most glaciers. It lies flat across the top of a high plateau and runs out of sight in both directions. From the vehicle it is a walk of ten to twenty minutes over uneven ground to reach the viewpoint, which stands above 5,000 metres. The walk is short but the altitude makes it feel like work, so it is taken slowly. Below the ice sit two meltwater lagoons. One is turquoise and the other grey brown. Both are fed by the same glacier. Walking on the ice is not permitted. A community entrance fee is collected at a control point here and must be paid in cash in local currency.
90 minutes here
A high altitude lake of around 30 square kilometres, held between the plateau and the Vilcanota range at 4,869 metres. The water is turquoise and changes colour through the morning with the wind and the light. Flamingos are often seen feeding at the shallow southern end. Snow peaks stand along the far shore. Very few day tours from Cusco include this lake, because it adds an hour to the route.
45 minutes here
Cusipata
he return route passes back through the same village in the Vilcanota valley. Lunch is served here. Eating is far more comfortable at this altitude than on the plateau, and most travellers find their appetite returns on the descent. From this stop it is around two and a half hours by road back to Cusco.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cusco
If your hotel is not within the centre of Cusco, we can meet you at the main square - Plaza de Armas, by the fountain.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
If your hotel is not within the centre of Cusco, we can meet you at the main square - Plaza de Armas, by the fountain.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Planet Odysseys
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 17 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Planet Odysseys, who run 7 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.1.
See everything Planet Odysseys runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Quelccaya Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Quelccaya Day Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $64 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Quelccaya Day Tour take?
+
Plan for about 17 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.
Is Quelccaya Day Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Quelccaya Day Tour?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Quelccaya Day Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 17-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Quelccaya Day Tour?
+
Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 17-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Quelccaya Day Tour start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cusco?
+
On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Quelccaya Day Tour.
Pick your date
