Ausangate 7 Lagoons – 1 day Tour
Altitude Max.
4630 m.s.n.m.
Distance
Difficulty
Difficult
Season
2026
Ausangate 7 Lagoons - 1 day Tour
The Ausangate day trip is a hidden gem that is not very well known yet, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a peaceful and less crowded trek. Unlike other treks, this one does not require a challenging uphill climb, making it accessible for most hikers. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to enjoy not just one but several stunning lakes, each offering a unique view. One of the highlights of this trek is the chance to admire the majestic Ausangate Mountain, which is one of the five highest peaks in the Cusco region. If you plan to visit during the rainy season, be prepared to experience snow, adding a magical touch to the already breathtaking landscape. This trek is highly recommended for those who have a deep love for nature, mountains, glaciers, and remote areas. It’s also a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and observe animals such as alpacas, which are commonly found in the region.
We will begin our full-day Ausangate tour early in the morning from Cusco. As we start the hike, you will walk through beautiful small streams, which make a soothing sound as the water flows. After about an hour and a half of hiking, you will be able to see many stunning lakes with different colors, creating a breathtaking view. Along the way, you will also see local people wearing their traditional clothing, taking care of their animals. It is common to spot alpacas, llamas, and even chinchillas in their natural surroundings. When you reach the end of the hike, you will have the opportunity to relax and take a bath in the natural hot springs, allowing you to unwind after the journey
Why you should go on the 7 Lakes tour with American Trekking?
- Our guide always brings oxygen tanks because it’s important to have them when you’re over 4500 meters (14,435 feet) above sea level! Not all travel agencies provide this, so make sure to check for it when choosing the best Ausangate tour operator.
- American Trekking is the most trusted tour operator. You can read our reviews on Trip Advisor.
- We don’t share the Ausangate day trek service with other companies.
- We keep our groups small, with a maximum of 2 to 8 people. This is different from other companies that have larger groups.
- American Trekking is a 100% locally owned and fully licensed travel company for the Ausangate trek.
- Our tour guides are highly trained and always update their skills to provide you with the best experience on the unique Ausangate trek.
- You will take your time and enjoy the hike to the 7 lakes of Ausangate without feeling rushed.
- We always carry satellite phones for emergencies or any other situations.
- We offer hotel-to-hotel service, picking you up and dropping you off at your hotel in Cusco. We’ll make sure you’re never left stranded before or after the Ausangate trek day tour!
- You’ll have time to enjoy a bath in the hot springs.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 3 AM and drive to the village of Pacchanta. The drive will take 2 hours on a paved road and 1 hour on a dusty road. Pacchanta is near the snowy Ausangate Mountain, which is 4200 meters above sea level. In the village, we will have a healthy breakfast at 7:30 AM. After breakfast, we will hike into the Andes to visit seven beautiful Ausangate lagoons. The trail starts with a gradual uphill, then becomes flat, and finally gets steeper. Along the way, you will see local people in traditional clothing and llamas and alpacas grazing. After hiking for about 1.5 hours, we will reach the first lagoon, called Azulcocha. From there, we will go to a viewpoint to take amazing pictures of the lake with the massive Ausangate glacier in the background. We will continue visiting other lagoons, surrounded by beautiful plants and the Andes mountains. Afterward, we will return to Pacchanta, enjoy the hot springs, have lunch, and then head back to Cusco, ending this wonderful experience.
- Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours.
- Elevation Gain: 356 m / 1167 ft.
- Elevation Loss: 357 m / 1,171 feet.
- Walking Distance: 11.9 km / 7.39 miles
- Trailhead Elevation: 4300 m / 14,107 ft.
- Highest point: 4619 m/ 15,154 ft.
Included
- Experienced Tour Guides: Our guides have over five years of experience. They are skilled at planning every detail of the trip, making your journey enjoyable and educational. They love what they do and are eager to share the beauty and history of this amazing place.
- First Aid Kit: Our guides carry a first aid kit to handle emergencies like altitude sickness, diarrhea, or cuts, ensuring quick care if needed.
- Oxygen Tank: During the trek to Ausangate’s 7 Lakes, where the altitude is about 4,618 meters, our guides carry an oxygen tank. This helps anyone who may have trouble breathing at high altitudes.
- Box Breakfast: Before starting the trek, we’ll provide a healthy box breakfast to give you energy for the day.
- Lunch prepared by our chef: After visiting the 7 lakes of Ausangate, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our Chef.
- Snacks for the Trek: Complimentary snacks will be provided to keep you energized during the 4-hour hike.
- Private Transportation: Our modern vans are fully equipped for tourist use, including safety features like a first aid kit and an oxygen tank.
- Walking Sticks: We provide free walking sticks to help you hike the trails more easily.
- Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: We’ll pick you up from your hotel for the tour and drop you back afterward.
- Briefing via WhatsApp: A team member will contact you on WhatsApp a day before your trip to share details and answer any questions.
- Blanket: Since the tour starts early at 3 a.m., we’ll provide a blanket to keep you warm during the ride.
- 24/7 Customer Service: Our team is available 24/7 to assist you through a dedicated phone line.
- Half a Liter of Water: If you run out of water during the trek, we’ll provide a half-liter bottle to keep you hydrated.
- Entrance Fees: The tour includes fees for access to the Ausangate 7 Lakes and the private lands along the way.
- Pacchanta Hotspring Fee: After your 7 lakes hike, you have time to enter the hotspring.
Not Included
- Guide Tips: Tipping your guide is optional.
- Personal Riding Horse: If you need a horse for the trek, it costs 90 Peruvian soles for a round trip, payable at the trailhead.
IMPORTANT INFO
Things To Know
- Health Concerns: This activity is not suitable for people with heart problems or other serious health conditions.
- Weather Considerations: The tour runs in all weather, so dress accordingly.
- Age Limit: The minimum age is 8 years.
- Age Recommendations: People over 60 should only participate if they are experienced in hiking at altitudes above 4000 meters.
- Pregnancy Advisory: This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
- Fitness Level: Travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness.
- Accessibility: This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
- High Altitude Preparation: The high elevation means it can get very cold, close to freezing. Wear warm clothes, bring coca leaves to help with altitude sickness, and carry only essential gear to make hiking easier.
- Rainy Season Warning: Avoid visiting the 7 Lakes of Ausangate in the afternoon during the rainy season due to lightning risks caused by the area’s high mineral content.
- Tour Quality: At the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, you’ll find many agencies offering cheaper tours. However, these often have large groups of 25 to 35 people per guide. Our service ensures smaller groups, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 people per tour, for a more personalized experience.
Recommendations
- Make sure you adjust to Cusco’s high altitude before starting your hike to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate. This is the best way to ensure your trip goes smoothly and is enjoyable. We suggest staying in Cusco for at least two days before the hike.
- Don’t forget to bring water! Drinking plenty of water helps with altitude sickness. Carry at least 2 liters per person during the hike, and leave an extra bottle in the van for when you return.
- Get a good night’s sleep and avoid drinking or partying the night before. We will pick you up at 3:00 AM, and the hike will be much easier if you are well-rested and not hungover.
- If you’re visiting Machu Picchu the day before your hike, ask your travel company to book an early return train ticket.
Cost For Photos
If you want to take a picture with locals and their llamas, it’s customary to give a tip of around 5 soles (about $2). This small amount helps support the local community.
Local Culture
Many locals wear their traditional clothing on the way to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate. They don’t dress this way to attract tourists—it’s a part of their culture that has been passed down through generations. Along the route, you might also see them herding llamas and alpacas.
Prepare For The Altitude
The 7 Lakes of Ausangate are located over 4,300 meters above sea level, so it’s important to be ready for the high altitude. To adjust, it’s best to arrive in Cusco at least three days before your visit. Start with a city tour, then explore the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, and save the 7 Lakes for the last day. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and if needed, consider taking altitude sickness medicine like Diamox—just ensure you aren’t allergic to it.
Dress In Layers
The weather at the 7 Lakes of Ausangate changes quickly. It might be sunny one moment, and the next, it could become cold, cloudy, or windy. To stay comfortable, wear layers so you can adjust to the temperature. Bring warm clothes for cold weather and lighter clothes for when it’s warm.
Take Care Of The Environment
The 7 Lakes of Ausangate is a beautiful natural place with special plants and animals. To keep it safe and clean for everyone, stay on the marked trails, don’t leave trash, and avoid disturbing the wildlife. Be a responsible visitor by respecting local rules and being mindful of your actions.
Hiking Tips
- Go Slow: Walk at a steady pace to avoid getting sick from the high altitude.
- Drink Water: Keep drinking water during the hike to stay hydrated.
- Take Breaks: Stop and rest if you feel tired or dizzy. It’s important to listen to your body.
Group Tours
If you are hiking in a group, remember that some people may walk faster or slower. Most groups stay together for about 60% of the trail since it is mostly flat. On the steeper parts, the group might split up, but faster walkers should wait at certain spots for everyone to catch up.
Strikes And Protests
If there’s a strike on the day of your trip and the roads are blocked, the tour will be canceled. In this case, you will get a full refund because your safety is our top priority.
Cancellations And Refunds
- Full Refund: If you cancel up to 24 hours before the tour starts, you will receive a full refund, minus the transaction fee charged by the credit card Company.
- Partial Refund: Cancel between 24 hours and 7 PM the day before the tour to lose only the deposit.
- No Refund: Cancel after 7 PM the day before, and you won’t get your money back.
To book your trek to the Seven Lakes of Ausangate, click the “Book Now” button on our website. Choose your departure date, fill out the required personal details for all participants, and pay the deposit. Once we receive your payment, we’ll email you a confirmation, and your trek will be fully booked.
You can pay the rest of the balance in cash at our office in Cusco one day before your trip. We accept both USD and soles. If you prefer to use a credit card, you can pay at least one week before your trip, but note there is a 5% service fee. Paying in cash is better because there are no extra charges. Please inform us of your payment preference in advance.
We do not offer a student discount for the Seven Lakes of Ausangate day trip.
Some agencies offer cheaper prices because they take large groups of about 20 people, often with inexperienced student guides who don’t carry safety equipment like oxygen. In contrast, we focus on quality by keeping our groups small (maximum 8 people). Our experienced English-speaking guides ensure your safety, and we provide a professional cook for meals. Additionally, our drivers are skilled and prioritize safe travel. These added features contribute to the higher price, ensuring a better experience.
You Don’t have to bring your original passport.
No, because the 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour groups start from Cusco. If you stay in the Sacred Valley, private transport can be arranged for an additional cost of $30.
Yes, locals at the Pacchanta village offer horse rentals. Once you reach the checkpoint, you can rent a horse directly from them with the help of your tour guide. Prices for the ride up range from 70 to 100 soles (about $20 to $25). This includes someone to guide the horse while you ride.
Horse rental prices may vary depending on demand. They tend to be higher during the busy season and lower during the off-season (November to March). Payment is accepted only in Peruvian soles, and negotiating prices with the locals is common.
The best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from April to November. From December to March, the rainy season can make the trail muddy and wet, and the mountain might be covered in snow and mist.
Trail-tested essentials for your adventure.
- Passport (Optional): You can bring a photocopy instead of the original.
- Water (1.5 liters): Carry enough water to stay hydrated during the hike.
- Personal Snacks: Although snacks are provided, bring extra, like energy bars, if you eat frequently.
- Pillow for the Van: Use it during the ride and leave it in the van while hiking.
- Trekking Shoes: Highly recommended due to the dusty and slippery trails on the 7 lake of Ausangate.
- Waterproof Pants (Optional): Bring them during the rainy season (December to March).
- Extra Clothes (Optional): Useful during the rainy season to change into if you get wet.
- Lip Balm with Sunscreen: Helps protect against the dry air at the 7 lakes of Ausangate.
- Warm Jacket: A down jacket is recommended as it’s usually cold there.
- Rain Jacket: Rain can occur even in the dry season due to changing weather patterns.
- Long-Sleeve Shirt: Protects against sunburn; use sunscreen if wearing short sleeves.
- Wool Hat: Keeps you warm as it’s always cold on the mountain, especially when cloudy.
- Trekking Pants: Ideal for hiking, but any suitable pants will work.
- Rain Poncho: Essential during the rainy season and useful if clouds suggest rain in the dry season.
- Sunhat with Wide Brim: Necessary for strong sun exposure above 4,600 meters.
- Sunscreen: Protects your skin from both sunburn and cold burns.
- Water Bottle or Camelback: A reusable water container is preferable.
- Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from strong sunlight and snow glare.
- Extra Money: Cash is needed to buy snacks, local food, or tip for photos with alpacas.
- Thick Socks: Keep your feet warm in the cold.
- Neck Gaiter: Provides warmth for your neck and face, especially in winter.
- Gloves: Helps keep your hands warm in cold and windy conditions.
- Basic Medications: Include headache medicine like ibuprofen and altitude sickness tablets like Diamox.
- Portable Charger: Keeps your phone charged as batteries drain faster in the cold.
- Phone or Camera: To capture memorable photos of your trip.
