Full Day Tour to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate from Cusco
Description
Connect with the magic of the Ausangate region on our full-day hike to the Seven Lakes of Cusco. This journey is more than a hike, it’s a deep immersion into local life, stunning scenery, and quiet moments in nature. While others may just offer a route, we offer true connection, creating a safe, friendly space from the moment you book. With years of experience, local guides, and a low-cost but high-quality approach, our team is here before, during, and after the tour. Feel at home while exploring landscapes that feel like another planet in Cusco.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Wake up early and head into the heart of the Andes on this full-day tour to the Seven Lagoons of Ausangate. After picking you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., we’ll drive through breathtaking landscapes to the remote village of Pacchanta, where we will have our breakfast. From there, we begin a scenic 12 km hike (roundtrip) that winds past seven stunning lagoons—each one shimmering in tones of turquoise, deep blue, and emerald green. The hike is of moderate difficulty, mostly due to the altitude (above 4,300 meters). But don’t worry, our experienced guides set a steady, comfortable pace with time to rest, take photos, and enjoy the view. Along the way, you’ll spot native birds, alpacas, llamas, and maybe even a playful vizcacha. After the trek, we return to Pacchanta for lunch. If the group agrees, we’ll cap off the day with a relaxing visit to the hot springs, an optional dip in warm waters surrounded by mountains. We’ll be back in Cusco around 6:30 p.m.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Once your booking is confirmed, please contact us directly so we can coordinate your pickup details and share helpful tips to make the most of your Palcoyo experience. If your accommodation is outside the standard pickup area or has limited vehicle access, we’ll arrange a convenient meeting point at the main square (Plaza de Armas) at 4:15 a.m.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(4)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unforgettable experience, but it requires preparation Main idea: The 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour is a high-mountain trek (4,300 masl) with otherworldly landscapes, but the biggest challenge is the altitude. It is not a hike to do without preparation. ________________________________________ Most useful tips for the traveler: 🚶 Mandatory preparation: • Acclimate for at least 3 days in Cusco before doing the trek. • Maintain a slow and steady pace (“llama pace”) to avoid altitude sickness. 🎒 Key gear: • Waterproof boots and layered clothing (thermal + fleece + windbreaker). • Hat, gloves, sunglasses, and sunscreen (the sun burns even if it is cold). • Trekking poles (essential for your knees and the uneven terrain). 💧 Hydration and food: • Bring at least 2 liters of water and energy snacks. • Bring cash (soles) for: entrance (10 S/), hot springs (5 S/), restroom (1 S/), and tips. gloves 20 soles. etc. 🌿 Culture and respect: • Chew coca leaves or drink coca tea for altitude sickness. • Do not leave trash and do not bathe in the lagoons (they are sacred). • If you feel very sick from the altitude, notify the guide and go down. 🚐 Logistics: • Very early departure (4:00 a.m.) from Cusco, return between 5-6 p.m. Breakfast and lunch in Pacchanta. • There is no direct public transportation; it is better to hire a responsible agency or a private car. ________________________________________ In summary: Spectacular landscape, but only if you go well prepared and respecting the mountain. It is totally worth it!
Excellent tour would highly recommend. The tour company caters to all your needs and concerns.
An Adventure of Contrasts: Ausangate and Sacred Valley, with Nixon expeditions Imagine combining the pure and wild energy of the Andes with the living history and serene landscapes of the Inca empire in one trip. This is the essence of joining the tour to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate with an exploration of the Sacred Valley. The 7 Lakes of Ausangate Your day would start very early, with a pick-up around 4:00/4:30 AM from your hotel in Cusco. After a journey of about 3 hours, you would arrive in the Pacchanta community for a comforting breakfast (very good). The 5- to 6-hour walk (12 km) will take you through a circuit of turquoise, blue and emerald glacial lagoons, with names like Azulcocha, Pucacocha and Q'omercocha. The imposing Ausangate Snow (6,384 m.a.s.l.) will be your constant companion. The effort has a wonderful reward: at the end of the trekking, you can relax the muscles in the natural hot springs of Pacchanta (5 suns) and with a fairly substantial and typical lunch. Coat is cold. Return to Cusco is usually around 6:00 - 7:30 PM. They leave you near the square of arms. Excellent Guide: Kevin. Cultural Day: Sacred Valley In contrast, a tour of the Sacred Valley is an immersion in Inca history and culture. It usually includes visits to impressive archaeological sites such as Pisac, with its imposing platform system, and Ollantaytambo, a town of Inca origin that still retains its original layout and formidable fortress. It is also common to visit the colorful Chinchero market, known for its textile traditions. Salineras de Maras, you will see how they extract salt with ancient techniques, the terraces of Moray, with its micro climates for cultivation. This tour is generally less physically demanding than the Ausangate tour and allows you to appreciate the historical richness of the region. The guide was Dante, excellent too. Lunch is at PACHAY restaurant, firm type, you will delight with typical Peruvian dishes, for USD$ 10, you upgrade to TUNUPA restaurant. * To find nixon expeditions, check in travel forums: Platforms like Tripadvisor or google, and tour radar. * Verify on site: If you are in Cusco, you can ask in your accommodation or visit the agency around the Plaza de Armas. Excellent tour highly recommended
Was a really nice hike with breakfast and lunch. Make sure you are a good hiker it a moderate hike on easy terrain. The altitude will make it harder the usual. The guide misjudged me asking me not ones but 3 times before the hike if I wanted to rent a horse. Only for me to be one of the fastest ones, I even went a bit further then the original loop getting some incredible views of the lakes at high level. Would be nice to receive more information about the lakes and wildlife during the trip.
