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Final modified: July 27, 2026 -
Written by Sanne
Greatest time
Might – Oct
Place to begin
Pacchanta
Distance
16 kilometers
ALtitude
4,200 – 4,800
The 7 Lakes of Ausangate (7 Lagunes of Ausangate) is among the most lovely day journeys you are able to do from Cusco, and it isn’t executed by the bigger crowds. The lakes are seven glacial lakes, with completely different colours and the 6500 meter mountain Ausangate within the background. Subsequent to being lovely, it’s also some of the bodily demanding days you’ll have in Peru. This journey information to the 7 lakes of Ausangate as a day journey from Cusco tells you what to essentially count on, as a result of it’s undoubtedly not a simple hike. The hike takes about 5 to six hours and takes 16 kilomers, which isn’t simple at this altitude. Additionally try different issues to do within the area with our Cusco travel guide.
Reserving quick minimize: You possibly can ebook your 7 Lakes of Ausangate day hike here.
The place to remain in Cusco
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My Trustworthy take: 7 Lakes of Ausangate
- The images make this look simpler than it’s, as a result of the altitude is severe.
- Acclimatize first in Cusco and ideally even in Arequipa. Two full days in Cusco is required, not non-obligatory. We nonetheless had complications.
- Aqua de Florida helps, however solely briefly. Drop it in your fingers, rub collectively, inhale. It reduces the altitude symptons for a bit.
- The drive is lengthy. Three to 3 and a half hours every method from Cusco. You permit round 4am and spend an enormous a part of the day in a van. It’s value it, however you need to rely on the total day for the exercise.
- Deliver a water-resistant layer no matter what the morning sky seems like. We bought caught in heavy rain on the best way again.
- The lakes are value it. Some are deep crimson, others vivid blue, with the Ausangate glacier as a backdrop. It is among the most wonderful landscapes we’ve seen in Peru, and it isn’t too crowded.
What’s the 7 Lakes of Ausangate?
The 7 Lakes of Ausangate are seven glacial lakes situated within the Vilcanota mountain vary, southeast of Cusco. Every lake sits at a unique elevation and has a unique shade, which is the results of various minerals within the water. Some are deep crimson from iron oxide, whereas others have a good looking blue shade. However what makes the hike much more particular is the Ausangate mountain because the backdrop of the hike, one of many highest mountains in Peru at 6500 meters.
The 7 lakes of Ausangate is a day hike from Cusco, not a multi-day trek. Nonetheless, there’s a multi-day Ausangate Trek (4 or 5 days) that covers this area and it’s purported to be wonderful. Nonetheless, you want to have the ability to deal with the altitude.
The place to begin of the 7 lakes of Ausangate is Pacchanta, round 3 to three,5 hours from Cusco by street. The hike itself takes 5 to 6 hours. You begin at round 4,200 meters and attain a highest level of round 4,600 to 4,800 meters. The terrain itself just isn’t technically troublesome, however the altitude makes it a tough hike.
How one can do the day journey from Cusco
Virtually everybody visits the 7 Lakes of Ausangate on an organized day tour, and that’s the solely proper strategy. The place to begin in Pacchanta is distant, the roads are tough, and also you want a information. It’s technically attainable to go by yourself, a bus from Cusco to Tinqui after which a taxi to Pacchanta, however we’d not advocate it. The trailhead is tough to search out with out assist, and there’s no sign or backup close by if the altitude will get to you.
Excursions depart from Cusco between 4:00 and 5:00am. They embody lodge pickup, the drive to Pacchanta, a breakfast buffet with a neighborhood household, a information for the hike, and lunch on the return. The Pacchanta scorching springs are often included or obtainable as an add-on. The Ausangate entrance payment of round 10 soles is paid individually on the gate.
7 Lakes of Ausangate Day Journey from Cusco
We went with a bunch of 16 individuals and began the day at 4:15am. You’ll arrive again in Cusco round 5pm/6pm. It’s the best and most cost-effective approach to hike the 7 Lakes of Ausangate.
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What to anticipate of the day journey
The drive and breakfast
The street from Cusco to Pacchanta passes via open Andean valley and small communities. It takes round 3 to three,5 hours. The panorama on the best way has some fairly components, however typically, it’s only a lengthy drive. Whenever you arrive, you’re already at 4200 meters.
Upon arrival, breakfast is a buffet served by a neighborhood household in a small restaurant. Ensure that you eat properly earlier than the hike as your physique will want it.
Earlier than setting off, your information could supply Aqua de Florida, a neighborhood liquid typically referred to as “condor pee.” You drop somewhat in your fingers, rub them collectively, and inhale sharply. It offers a brief increase and takes the sting off early altitude signs. It doesn’t final lengthy, nevertheless it helps initially. You. would possibly wish to repeat this through the hike or deliver your personal.
The hike: 7 lakes of Ausangate tour
The path climbs from Pacchanta at round 4200 meters to a highest level someplace between 4600 and 4800 meters. The indicators alongside the route don’t at all times agree on the precise altitude. Based mostly on our personal expertise and monitoring, we undoubtedly climbed to 4800 meters. We will already inform that’s very intense.
It’s not the trail that makes the hike troublesome as it’s principally broad and clear. There aren’t any troublesome or technical sections. Nonetheless, the principle problem is the shortage of oxygen. At this altitude, a gentle uphill climb feels method more durable than it could at sea degree. You’ll want to go gradual from the beginning and stroll at your personal tempo.
Tijs bought a foul headache earlier than we reached the best lake and he’s not unfit. That is what altitude does, and it does it to individuals who really feel high-quality at decrease elevations. If the headache turns into extreme otherwise you really feel nauseous and confused, flip again.
The hike is round 16 kilometers, though many excursions and web sites point out it’s only 10 to 12 kilometers. Take this into consideration, as a result of it’s longer and therewith harder then you definately suppose. The hike takes about 5 to six hours.
E book your 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour as a day journey from Cusco.
The 7 lakes
The seven lakes sit at completely different factors alongside the route, every with a unique character. The vibe and the colours of all of the lakes differ. Some are vivid blue, and there even is a crimson lake. With the Ausangate mountain within the again and round you the entire time, this can be a very particular expertise. Most guides record them as Puca Cocha, Alqa Cocha, Pata Cocha, Ccomer Cocha, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Hembra and Azul Cocha, although the order and actual names shift barely relying on which information you ask. One factor we all know in regards to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate, it’s fairly troublesome to get the details straight (comparable as with the altitude).
Alpacas graze alongside the valley between the lakes and you will note them strolling round in every single place throughout your day hike. The altitude makes the size of the panorama unreal, there aren’t any bushes and every little thing is open with a mixture of mountains and lakes. Take your time on the hike, as a result of subsequent to going gradual of the altitude, it’s also simply so lovely.
Sizzling springs on the finish
There’s an choice to go to the recent springs after your journey to the Ausangate Lakes. They’re situated subsequent to the place the place you’ve breakfast and lunch. There are easy outside swimming pools, not a spa. After six hours of climbing, they is likely to be precisely what you want. There’s a small entry payment to enter the recent springs. If that is one thing you fancy, ensure to deliver your swimsuit and towel. As a result of the climate turned throughout our hike and it was closely raining, we determined to skip the recent springs.
7 Lakes of Ausangate vs Humantay Lake
When you have restricted time in Peru, you is likely to be adapting a day journey from Cusco to the 7 lakes of Ausangate or Humantay Lake. We visited each, nonetheless, the Humantay Lake was a part of the Salkantay Trek. My sincere conclusion is straightforward: the 7 lakes of Ausangate are far more spectacular than Humantay Lake. Humantay Lake additionally features a lengthy drive and a gentle uphill in the direction of the lake, whereas afterwards you solely see one lake. I consider that the bodily effort, together with the altitude, is extra value it for the seven lakes of Ausangate. However, when you have ample time in and round Cusco, it’s undoubtedly value it to go to each. Nonetheless, in that case I nonetheless consider Humantay Lake is value it as a part of the Salkantay Trek and never particularly as a separate day journey.
E book your day journey to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate day hike or your day journey to Humantay Lake.
Fast recap: What I would ebook
Good to know earlier than you go
Acclimatize in Cusco first: Spend a minimum of two full days in Cusco earlier than this hike. The beginning altitude is 4,200 meters. For those who arrived in Cusco two days in the past and nonetheless have a headache within the morning due to the altitude, postpone the journey.
Costume in layers: Temperatures on the trailhead within the morning will be near zero. By noon with solar it warms up significantly. Within the afternoon, rain is probably going. You want a heat mid-layer and a water-resistant outer layer, whereas additionally bringing ample sunscreen and water.
Deliver money:The Ausangate entrance payment is round 10 soles. Horse rental is round 80 soles if wanted, however that is one thing I might discourage. Solely go to the lakes in case you are match sufficient to hike. The recent springs cost a small entry payment. None of those locations take playing cards.
Altitude medicine: Speak to a physician earlier than the journey in case you are involved about altitude illness. Some vacationers take acetazolamide (Diamox) as a safety measure. Coca tea and Aqua de Florida can be found all through the day and assist with gentle signs, however they don’t seem to be substitutes for correct acclimatization.
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FAQ – 7 Lakes of Ausangate
How troublesome is the 7 Lakes of Ausangate hike?
The hike itself, the terrain, and the paths will not be troublesome, nonetheless, the altitude makes it difficult. You begin at 4,200 meters and attain a excessive level of round 4,800 meters over 5 to 6 hours of strolling. Most match, acclimatized vacationers full it with out main problem. Those that arrive with out correct acclimatization usually battle.
Do I have to acclimatize earlier than the 7 Lakes of Ausangate?
Sure. Spend a minimum of two full days in Cusco at altitude earlier than doing this hike. Arriving in Cusco and going to Ausangate the following day is a foul concept. Altitude illness at 4,800 meters hits and particularly with an ascend of 600 meters through the hike this may be killing.
What ought to I deliver on the 7 Lakes of Ausangate day journey?
Heat layers, a water-resistant jacket, sunscreen, sun shades, a hat, trekking sneakers, loads of water, money for the doorway payment and scorching springs, and a swimsuit in the event you plan to make use of the recent springs on the finish. Snacks are a at all times a good suggestion. Breakfast and lunch are often included in tour packages.
Is the 7 Lakes of Ausangate value it?
Sure, it was considered one of our favourite locations in Peru and extremely value it. The panorama with the Ausangate Mountain as a backdrop is insane, and the completely different colours of the lakes are lovely. The drive there’s lengthy and the altitude is tough, however in case you are acclimatized, the day hike is totally value it.
What’s the finest time to go to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate?
The dry season (Might to October) is the most effective time for this hike. Skies are clearer, and you’ve got a a lot better likelihood of really seeing the lakes and the Ausangate glacier as a substitute of clouds. June to August is peak season and in addition the coldest, mornings on the trailhead can drop near freezing. For those who go within the moist season (November to April), rain and low clouds usually tend to break the view, however the path itself stays open 12 months spherical.
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