Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike | Full-Day Tour from Cusco

Your high-altitude adventure begins early in the morning with a convenient direct pickup from your centrally located hotel in Cusco at 04:00 a.m. We will board our comfortable, climate-controlled tourist vehicle and head southeast toward the dramatic Vilcanota Mountain Range. Along the smooth 3.5-hour drive, you will enjoy a beautiful scenic journey through picturesque traditional villages, deep Andean valleys, and sprawling agricultural landscapes before arriving at the local community of Pacchanta, located at an altitude of over 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). Here, a welcoming local family will serve you a nutritious, fresh buffet breakfast?the perfect way to fuel your body before beginning your high-altitude trek.Upon completing breakfast, the official Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike begins. You will set off on a steady, paced 3-hour uphill trek along ancient dirt trails, completely surrounded by towering glaciers and native wildlife like roaming alpacas and llamas. During this stunning alpine circuit, you will visit a series of pristine turquoise and emerald lakes formed by the glacial meltwater of the majestic Mount Ausangate. You will explore the scenic shores of Qomercocha, Patacocha, Azulcocha, Otorongo, Alqacocha, and Pucacocha lakes, each offering incredible backdrops for world-class landscape photography.After conquering the trail and capturing the ultimate photos at the foot of the Vilcanota Mountain Range, you will begin a smooth 2 to 3-hour downhill hike back to Pacchanta, completing a total of 5 to 6 hours of rewarding trekking for the day. Back in the village, a well-deserved, warm traditional buffet lunch prepared with fresh regional ingredients awaits you, providing the perfect recovery after your mountain expedition.Before heading back to the city, you will enjoy ample free time to unwind and optionally soak in the thermal medicinal waters of the Pacchanta hot springs. These rustic pools sit directly in front of the snow-capped peaks, offering you a privileged, front-row view of Ausangate's perpetual glaciers. Following this relaxing experience, we will board our comfortable transport for the return drive to Cusco, dropping you off safely at your hotel at approximately 07:00 p.m.

The undisputed star of the entire geographical circuit. Rising to an impressive altitude of over 6,300 meters (20,669 feet), this majestic mountain is revered by local communities as the mystical guardian or "Apu" of the southern Peruvian Andes. Throughout the trek, you will be able to contemplate its colossal perpetual glaciers from different angles, providing the ultimate setting for high-mountain landscape photography.

The crowning jewel of the route, consisting of stunning mirrors of water fed directly by the melting ice of the mountain range. During this high-altitude alpine trek, you will explore the scenic shores of Qomercocha, Patacocha, Azulcocha, Otorongo, Alqacocha, and Pucacocha. These pristine lakes captivate the human eye with striking shades ranging from deep turquoise to bright emerald green, caused by the high concentration of minerals on the rocky lake beds.

A picturesque, traditional Andean village nestled at over 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) at the foot of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. It serves as the main logistical hub for our mountain excursion from Cusco. This welcoming town is where you will interact with local inhabitants who keep their ancestral traditions, Quechua language, and fine textile weaving alive, and where you will also savor our authentic regional cuisine.

Natural, mineral-rich thermal pools strategically located right in the heart of the community. These medicinal waters are the perfect place to fully relax your muscles after 5 to 6 hours of rewarding trekking. They offer a unique comfort experience while you enjoy a privileged, front-row view of Mount Ausangate?s permanent snowfields.

The vast high-altitude plains and wetlands (bofedales) surrounding the trail serve as the natural home to thousands of South American camelids. Throughout the journey, you are guaranteed to spot and photograph herds of alpacas and llamas roaming freely in their natural environment, which greatly enriches the mystical atmosphere of the trip.

ou will enjoy an unmatched visual adventure since this specialized circuit takes you deep into the tranquil Vilcanota Mountain Range, allowing you to contemplate massive glaciers and pristine turquoise lakes completely away from the massive tourist crowds. It is the ultimate setting for peaceful exploration and professional landscape photography, as the natural serenity of the mountains remains completely untouched.

This excursion stands out from standard tours because it seamlessly combines challenging high-altitude trekking with authentic local culture in Pacchanta and premium comfort. At the end of your hike, you can optionally soak in natural, therapeutic hot springs right in front of the snowfields, which is ideal to soothe your muscles and restore your energy before heading back to the city.

 You can travel with absolute peace of mind as we expertly handle every single logistical detail of your mountain expedition. Your comfort is fully assured since our premium service includes private tourist transport, certified professional guides, fresh local buffet meals, as well as essential first aid gear and oxygen tanks to prevent and tackle any altitude sickness symptoms immediately.