Discover the majestic beauty of the Andes in just one day with our Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour from Cusco. This full-day adventure takes you through high-altitude landscapes, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, herds of alpacas, and seven breathtaking turquoise lakes formed by glacial meltwaters.
Ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and those wanting a glimpse of the mighty Ausangate without a multi-day trek.
Explore the stunning beauty of the Andes on the Ausangate 7 Lakes 1-Day tour. Located near the Ausangate mountain — the fifth-highest peak in Peru (6,384 meters / 20,945 ft). It’s a lesser-known but incredibly beautiful trek that offers a close-up experience with turquoise alpine lakes, glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and local wildlife like llamas and alpacas. Departing early from Cusco, the journey offers a blend of scenic hiking and cultural encounters with local communities. As you trek near the majestic Ausangate Mountain, you’ll visit each lake, each offering a unique color and charm.
Discover Ausangate 7 Lakes: Stunning Alpine Lakes
Your adventure for the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour begins early in the morning around 4:30 AM with a hotel pickup in Cusco. From there, you’ll embark on a scenic drive through the Andean highlands to reach the village of Pacchanta, the gateway to the Ausangate region. Upon arrival, a traditional local breakfast will be served to fuel your journey. After a short rest, you’ll begin the hike toward the famous seven lakes of Ausangate, a route filled with dramatic mountain views, herds of alpacas, and colorful glacial lagoons.
The hike, lasting approximately three to four hours, offers the chance to witness stunning lakes like Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha, each with its own unique color and surrounding landscape. Along the way, your guide will share insights into local customs, wildlife, and the significance of Ausangate Mountain in Andean culture.
After completing the loop around Ausangate 7 lakes, you’ll return to Pacchanta, where a delicious Andean lunch awaits. If you wish, you can also relax in the natural hot springs nearby (entrance fee not included), enjoying the mountain views as you soak. In the afternoon, the tour wraps up with a drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 7:00 PM.
We are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Ausangate Seven Lakes Tour. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.
For a day trek, it’s important to pack light but be well-prepared for safety, comfort, and changing conditions. Here’s a solid checklist of essentials:
For this hiking tour, we highly recommend having extra days to acclimatize in Cusco, due to the hike taking you over 4,500 meters (14,763 ft) above sea level, and for travelers who don’t have experience hiking at this elevation, it could be a bit challenging. However, with the right preparation, you can manage it and have a lifetime experience.
Don’t forget water! Drinking more water will help with the elevation. We advise bringing at least 2 liters per person on the hike with you. Also, you will have a chance to buy water at the beginning of the trail.
We skip the crowds! Everybody else goes to Ausangate 7 Lakes at the same time. That means they’re all up at the top at the same time. The best spots can be crowded during this time, and it wouldn’t be pleased with a huge crowd of people. Since we leave from Cusco at 04:00 am. You will get to the Ausangate Seven Lakes before the crowd.
Our guide always brings oxygen tanks, which are important as you get over 4,500 meters/14,763 feet above sea level! Not all travel agencies offer this, so this is definitely something to look out for when choosing the best Ausangate Trek tour operator.
The best time to visit the Ausangate area is going to be in the morning or evening hours, either right after sunrise or right before sunset.
To book any tour/trek through Ausangate Tours, we do require a 50% deposit per person. PayPal does charge us a fee of 6%, which we ask the client to cover. This tax is just for deposits; for the remaining, you will pay in cash (briefing day) without tax or with a credit card.
Please complete the form below to request a reservation. One of our Trip Coordinators will contact you, often within two business hours, to confirm availability of the trip and/or provide you with other options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 951 359 694 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
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