Hike to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons 1D
Dificulty
Moderate
Duration
1 Day
Group Size
14 a 19 People
Max Altitude
4,650 msnm
Description
Let yourself be captivated by the brilliant Ausangate lagoons and enjoy the hot springs in the heart of nature
The 7 Lagoons Tour is one of the most beautiful routes in the entire Vilcanota Mountain Range. You will stand before the imposing Ausangate, one of the five highest snow-capped mountains in Peru. You will have the opportunity to connect with pure nature and admire a breathtaking place in the Andes of Cusco, surrounded by these multicolored lakes.
Additionally, you will immerse yourself in the Pacchanta hot springs to relax before enjoying a traditional lunch prepared by a local family, who will warmly welcome us into their home. This is a full-day excursion, where you will also discover indigenous communities that still preserve their ancestral cultures and traditions. Are you ready for this experience?
This incredible one-day adventure will begin early in the morning, departing from Cusco in private transport towards the Pacchanta community. Upon arrival, a local family will greet us with a nutritious traditional Andean breakfast, preparing us for our journey to the 7 Lagoons through the Andean mountain range. Along the way, we will enjoy breathtaking views of immense glaciers, including the majestic Ausangate (6,384 m / 20,945 ft).
We will start our uphill trek towards the first lagoon of the circuit, known as Comercocha, a Quechua word meaning “green lake.” Continuing our journey, we will pass by other stunning lagoons such as Patacocha, Azulcocha, and China Otorongo, among others.
After this approximately 15 km (9.32 miles) hike, we will return to Pacchanta to enjoy a delicious Andean lunch. If you feel like it, you can take a relaxing dip in the hot springs before heading back to Cusco, concluding this unforgettable experience.
Cusco | Ocongate - Tinke - Pacchanta - 7 Lagoons of Ausangate - Cusco
Our adventure begins early. At 4:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco for a three-hour journey to Pacchanta (4,200 m / 13,779 ft), passing through the picturesque town of Tinke. Since temperatures in this area are lower than in Cusco, it is recommended to wear warm clothing. Upon arrival in Pacchanta, our chef will prepare a hot breakfast, perfect for recharging energy before the hike. Additionally, we follow all safety protocols to ensure your well-being throughout the experience.
After breakfast and a short rest, we will begin our five-hour hike. Along the route, we will enjoy breathtaking Andean landscapes and visit several lagoons, including Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Patacocha, and China Otorongo. But the natural spectacle does not end there. On the way, we will also admire the majestic snow-capped peaks surrounding the area, including Ausangate (6,834 m / 22,421 ft) and Jampa (5,500 m / 18,044 ft).
Since this is an Andean region, the weather is highly variable. You may experience cold temperatures and intense solar radiation. To stay comfortable, we recommend bringing a hat or cap, high-SPF sunscreen, and appropriate clothing for both cold and warm conditions. Along the way, we will also appreciate local flora and fauna, including various bird species, vicuñas, and llamas.
The return hike will be faster and easier, following the same trail back to Pacchanta. Once there, our chef will have a hot lunch ready to help us recover our energy.
As the perfect ending to this experience, you can relax in the natural hot springs of Pacchanta, ideal for relieving muscle fatigue after the hike. Finally, we will take our transport back to Cusco, where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Live this incredible adventure in the Ausangate region and discover unforgettable landscapes!
- MEALS: Breakfast, buffet lunch.
- TOTAL WALKING DISTANCE: 12 km / 7.45 miles.
- TOTAL HIKING TIME: 6 hours.
- DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate.
- MINIMUM ALTITUDE: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft.
- MAXIMUM ALTITUDE: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft.
Incluye
✓ Pre-Departure Informational Meeting
✓ Permits and Entrance Fees:
- 7 Lagoons of Ausangate entrance ticket.
✓ Professional Guides – Safety Protocols:
- Our guides specialize in trekking and are selected from accredited universities. They are fluent in English and have between three and ten years of experience leading various hikes in the region. Experts in group management under pressure, first aid, and rescue techniques. Most of them come from different Andean communities, bringing their cultural heritage with them. Along with the rest of our field team, our guides will ensure that your journey is a truly unique experience.
✓ Meals:
- 1 breakfast, 1 lunch.
✓ Transportation:
- You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and travel in private transport with the group to the starting point of the hike. Once the trek is completed, we will take you back to your hotel door in Cusco.
✓ Emergency Equipment and Remote Medical Assistance:
- Radios: Our radios have a 10 km range and 8 frequencies to ensure constant communication between guides, cooks, and porters.
- First Aid Kit: We carry alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine tincture, germicidal soap, cotton, gauze, bandages, adhesive medical tape, surgical gloves, pain relievers for muscle and stomach aches, and antipyretics. If you take prescription medications, you should bring your own.
- Portable Oxygen Tank.
✓ Important:
- Please note that only a licensed medical professional can prescribe medications. Our guides do not have the authority to prescribe treatments to clients. During the entire trek, any medication will be administered only with your consent and under your own responsibility. If you have a prescription, we recommend bringing your own medications.
No Incluye
× Entrance to the Pacchanta hot springs (optional: 10.00 soles).
× Personal horse for riding (optional: 100.00 soles).
× Dinner in Cusco.
× Personal hiking clothing and equipment.
× Travel insurance:
- This is not a requirement, but we always recommend that our clients purchase it in case of flight issues or unexpected health problems.
- Please check if your travel insurance policy has altitude restrictions, as some policies are void above 4,000 m / 13,123 ft.
× Additional costs:
- Delays beyond management’s control (landslides, bad weather, itinerary modifications due to safety issues, illness, government policy changes, political instability/strikes, etc.).
✓ Tips for your crew:
- Tipping is customary in tourism and on any excursion.
- While we pay fair wages to our entire team, an extra contribution is always appreciated, especially considering the hard work they do.
- Group participants typically collect their tips to distribute among porters, chefs, guides, and assistants.
- Passport or valid identification document.
- Comfortable hiking shoes or boots.
- 1 fleece jacket and a warm down jacket.
- 1 sun hat and 1 wool cap for different temperatures.
- Waterproof gloves (ski gloves are acceptable).
- Water bottle or hydration system.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirt.
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho.
- Sunscreen (SPF 35+).
- Camera or phone for photos.
- Extra money for personal expenses.
- Small backpack for essentials (water bottle, snacks, etc.).
- Swimsuit and towel (if you plan to enjoy the hot springs).
✓ PRICE PER PERSON
- $45 USD
✓ PRICE GUARANTEE
- Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase under any circumstances.
- Before booking, please make sure to read all the important information about the tour.
✓ HOW TO BOOK
Booking the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate tour is easy. You can reserve your spot online through our website, where our booking platform will guide you step by step.
- Payment can be made using any credit or debit card.
- You can also pay in your home currency for added convenience.
✓ RESERVATION PROCESS
To secure your spot for the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate tour, a deposit of $25 USD is required. This deposit guarantees your spot and allows us to purchase your tickets.
- Our booking platform gives you the option to pay only the deposit along with any additional options you select, or you can choose to pay the full amount in advance.
- If you opt to pay only the deposit, the remaining balance must be paid upon your arrival in Cusco, one day before the tour departure.
✓ BALANCE PAYMENT
- If you choose to pay only the deposit, the remaining balance must be paid upon arrival in Cusco, one day before the tour starts.
- The balance can be paid in cash (USD or soles) or by card (with a 5% fee).
- You also have the option to pay online through our website (5% fee applies).
✓ CANCELLATION POLICY
Bestreks has the following policies regarding cancellations:
- Once a reservation is made, the acquired spot and permit cannot be canceled.
- If you cancel one day before your trip, it will be considered a “no-show”, and you must pay 100% of the total cost.
- If you decide to stop the trek for personal reasons after the tour has started, you will automatically forfeit all included services. Any expenses incurred (such as food, transportation, or accommodation) will be your responsibility.
- Uncontrollable events such as strikes, protests, flight cancellations, weather conditions, or hotel/flight overbookings may affect the trip. In such cases, we will suggest alternative arrangements, if available. Any costs associated with these alternatives will be the traveler’s responsibility.
✓ RECOMMENDATIONS
- We strongly recommend that you fully understand our booking and cancellation policies before making your payment.
- This ensures that your investment is protected and that you have a smooth booking experience for your Ausangate adventure.
✓ Briefing Meeting
- Payment of the Trek Balance (in Cusco):
If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 1 day before your trek/tour; otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed. If possible, we would greatly appreciate it if you pay the trekking/tour balance in cash, either in US dollars or local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw money from various ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or Peruvian soles). You can also pay with credit/debit card or via IZIPAY, online or in person, but there will be a 5% service charge, issued by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and IZIPAY. - Customer Pickup:
Please note: All pickups are made within the city of Cusco, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center with a good location. Our guide or staff will confirm your pickup time a day before the tour. Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 to 45 minutes. Cusco is an old city with many narrow, cobblestone streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located in streets with no vehicle access or steep climbs, making it difficult to transport your luggage. We strongly recommend booking accommodation with easy access. - Group Tours:
Group tours consist of different types of people with varying physical conditions and ages. By joining a group tour, you accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Each person can go at their own pace along the route. If a group wishes to modify the tour, the guide will make the final decision after consulting all participants to determine whether the modifications are possible.
✓ Health:
- If you have medical restrictions for any activities detailed in your reservation, please consult your doctor about the risks before participating.
✓ Weather:
- The weather in Cusco is unpredictable. The dry season usually runs from April to October, but it can still rain in June or be sunny in December. No matter the season, be prepared! Bring rain gear, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and gloves. Many people forget gloves, but the cold and humidity can make hiking very unpleasant.
Additionally, prepare for four seasons in one day! Andean hikes involve multiple microclimates, so layering is essential to adapt to sudden temperature changes. Bring a warm jacket, as nights are cold.
Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and Stomach Issues:
If you’re coming from sea level, we recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues for tourists in Cusco are altitude sickness (soroche) and digestive problems due to slow digestion at high altitude.
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Altitude Sickness: Symptoms include headache and nausea. Over-the-counter medications like Aspirin, Diamox, Sorojchi Pill, and Alti Vital can help. If symptoms persist, oxygen may be needed. We have the necessary equipment and trained staff to assist you.
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Stomach Issues: Drink 3-4 liters of water per day to stay hydrated. Warm drinks like coca leaf tea are highly recommended. Soups, vegetables, and light carbohydrates are ideal (avoid fried or heavy foods). Sweets, chocolates, cookies, and fruits are also good options. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
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Get at least 8 hours of sleep and avoid excessive exercise. Keep warm and dress appropriately to prevent cold-related discomfort.
✓ Medical Restrictions:
- Clients must inform their travel agency of any medical restrictions before the trip begins. Examples include allergies, special diets, medications, or health conditions. In severe cases, we recommend consulting your doctor before joining the trek. The information you provide will help us create a better experience for you.
✓ Lost Items:
- Pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to collect everything before leaving our transport, camps, or restaurants. You are fully responsible for your items during the tour.
The tour lasts approximately 15 hours. It starts early in the morning with hotel pickup and ends around 6:00 PM in the city of Cusco.
Ausangate is one of the most impressive and less crowded hikes in Peru. Along the route, you will be surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, colorful lagoons, and rich Andean wildlife, including alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas. The trail offers spectacular views of Apu Ausangate (6,384 m), which is considered sacred in the Andean worldview.
The 7 Lagoons of Ausangate tour is a relatively quiet route in terms of crowds, so the weather and conditions are the most important factors when choosing the best time to do it.
- Dry season (May to October): This is undoubtedly the best time for trekking in Ausangate, as the chances of rain are minimal, making the trail safer and more comfortable. During these months, the weather is more stable, with sunny days and cold nights, which enhances the experience and allows for clear views of the mountains and lagoons. Additionally, the trails are not as slippery, and the terrain is easier to navigate.
- Rainy season (December to February): Although trekking during the rainy season is not impossible, it is more challenging due to wet and slippery conditions.
The most common way to get to Cusco is to fly internationally to Lima (Peru’s capital) and then take a domestic flight to Cusco.
- First, take a flight from your country to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. Lima is Peru’s main international flight hub.
- Once in Lima, take a domestic flight to Cusco. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Several airlines operate this route, including LATAM, Sky Airline, and Viva Air.
If you prefer not to fly, you can take a bus from Lima to Cusco, which takes 20 to 24 hours by road. However, flying is highly recommended for comfort and time efficiency.
If you are coming from nearby countries such as Chile, Argentina, Colombia, or Ecuador, you may find direct flights to Cusco, although they are less frequent than flights to Lima.
We use comfortable and safe vans, ideal for tourist excursions, with a capacity of up to 18 passengers to ensure a pleasant experience during the trip.
If you prefer a private tour, we offer a wider range of vehicle options to suit your comfort.
- Minimum 2-3 days in Cusco: If you arrive directly in Cusco, we recommend spending at least 2 to 3 days before starting the trek. This time allows your body to adjust to the altitude. Take it easy, rest, and explore the city with light walks to avoid intense physical effort.
- If you are coming from a higher-altitude location: If you have already spent time in other high-altitude areas of Peru (such as Arequipa, Puno, or the Sacred Valley), your acclimatization may be faster. In this case, one day of rest in Cusco may be enough before starting the trek.
Trekking shoes with ankle support are highly recommended, especially for those not used to long hikes or rough terrain. The steep inclines and uneven rocky paths require stability, and good ankle support will help prevent sprains or injuries. High-top boots are ideal for this.
Trekking poles are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended because they:
- Reduce knee pressure: Mountain terrain with steep ascents and descents can put a lot of strain on the knees. Trekking poles help distribute effort, reducing leg fatigue and impact on joints.
- Provide greater stability: The Ausangate trail is often uneven, rocky, and steep. Trekking poles help maintain balance.
- Make climbing and descending easier: When ascending, poles allow you to push with your arms, reducing strain on your legs. When descending, they help control speed and reduce the risk of falls or trips.
All luggage not needed for the trek should be left in Cusco. Most hotels in Cusco are used to storing luggage for guests.
If you don’t have a place to store your bags, you can leave them in our office until the tour ends. We will ensure your belongings are stored safely—so don’t worry!
There are no strict age limits for the tour, but Bestrek recommends a minimum age of 8 years old, as younger children may struggle with the cold and altitude sickness.
If you plan to bring children, dress them warmly and arrive at least three days in advance to help them acclimatize to the altitude.
We offer a variety of local superfoods and traditional Peruvian dishes, such as:
- Rice, chicken, beef, salads, potatoes, vegetables, and fresh fruits
- Delicious vegetarian options
- Special dietary requests are accommodated with proper preparation and good communication.
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