Challenging
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unforgettable experience, but it requires preparation
Main idea:
The 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour is a high-mountain trek (4,300 masl) with otherworldly landscapes, but the biggest challenge is the altitude. It is not a hike to do without preparation.
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Most useful tips for the traveler:
🚶 Mandatory preparation:
• Acclimate for at least 3 days in Cusco before doing the trek.
• Maintain a slow and steady pace (“llama pace”) to avoid altitude sickness.
🎒 Key gear:
• Waterproof boots and layered clothing (thermal + fleece + windbreaker).
• Hat, gloves, sunglasses, and sunscreen (the sun burns even if it is cold).
• Trekking poles (essential for your knees and the uneven terrain).
💧 Hydration and food:
• Bring at least 2 liters of water and energy snacks.
• Bring cash (soles) for: entrance (10 S/), hot springs (5 S/), restroom (1 S/), and tips. gloves 20 soles. etc.
🌿 Culture and respect:
• Chew coca leaves or drink coca tea for altitude sickness.
• Do not leave trash and do not bathe in the lagoons (they are sacred).
• If you feel very sick from the altitude, notify the guide and go down.
🚐 Logistics:
• Very early departure (4:00 a.m.) from Cusco, return between 5-6 p.m. Breakfast and lunch in Pacchanta.
• There is no direct public transportation; it is better to hire a responsible agency or a private car.
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In summary: Spectacular landscape, but only if you go well prepared and respecting the mountain. It is totally worth it!
Excellent tour
An Adventure of Contrasts: Ausangate and Sacred Valley, with Nixon expeditions
Imagine combining the pure and wild energy of the Andes with the living history and serene landscapes of the Inca empire in one trip. This is the essence of joining the tour to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate with an exploration of the Sacred Valley.
The 7 Lakes of Ausangate
Your day would start very early, with a pick-up around 4:00/4:30 AM from your hotel in Cusco. After a journey of about 3 hours, you would arrive in the Pacchanta community for a comforting breakfast (very good). The 5- to 6-hour walk (12 km) will take you through a circuit of turquoise, blue and emerald glacial lagoons, with names like Azulcocha, Pucacocha and Q'omercocha. The imposing Ausangate Snow (6,384 m.a.s.l.) will be your constant companion. The effort has a wonderful reward: at the end of the trekking, you can relax the muscles in the natural hot springs of Pacchanta (5 suns) and with a fairly substantial and typical lunch. Coat is cold. Return to Cusco is usually around 6:00 - 7:30 PM. They leave you near the square of arms. Excellent Guide: Kevin.
Cultural Day: Sacred Valley
In contrast, a tour of the Sacred Valley is an immersion in Inca history and culture. It usually includes visits to impressive archaeological sites such as Pisac, with its imposing platform system, and Ollantaytambo, a town of Inca origin that still retains its original layout and formidable fortress. It is also common to visit the colorful Chinchero market, known for its textile traditions. Salineras de Maras, you will see how they extract salt with ancient techniques, the terraces of Moray, with its micro climates for cultivation. This tour is generally less physically demanding than the Ausangate tour and allows you to appreciate the historical richness of the region. The guide was Dante, excellent too. Lunch is at PACHAY restaurant, firm type, you will delight with typical Peruvian dishes, for USD$ 10, you upgrade to TUNUPA restaurant.
* To find nixon expeditions, check in travel forums: Platforms like Tripadvisor or google, and tour radar.
* Verify on site: If you are in Cusco, you can ask in your accommodation or visit the agency around the Plaza de Armas.
Excellent tour highly recommended
Beautiful hike with breakfast and lunch
Was a really nice hike with breakfast and lunch. Make sure you are a good hiker it a moderate hike on easy terrain. The altitude will make it harder the usual. The guide misjudged me asking me not ones but 3 times before the hike if I wanted to rent a horse. Only for me to be one of the fastest ones, I even went a bit further then the original loop getting some incredible views of the lakes at high level. Would be nice to receive more information about the lakes and wildlife during the trip.