Full day Tour to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate

Itinerary of the 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour

04:00 – Hotel pick-up in Cusco – Transfer to Pacchanta – Local breakfast

The adventure begins very early with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco by our professional guide, who will accompany you throughout the entire tour. The journey takes approximately 3 and a half hours to the community of Pacchanta, where you will enjoy a simple breakfast prepared in a restaurant managed by the local community. You will also have a brief time to make any last-minute purchases (water, snacks, sunscreen, etc.).

08:00 – 13:30 – Hike to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate

Before starting the hike, the guide will offer a brief introductory talk and provide recommendations for the journey. Along the route, you will enjoy spectacular Andean landscapes, with views of the majestic Ausangate glacier, highland grasslands, free-roaming alpacas, and local families engaged in their traditional activities.

During the hike, we will visit the seven lagoons, each with its own unique beauty: Azulcocha, Huchuypukacocha, Hatunpukacocha, Tecyacocha, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Hembra, and Qeyllacocha.

• Total distance: 13 km (round trip)
• Maximum altitude: 4,756 m.a.s.l. (15,603 feet).
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Approximate hiking time: 6 hours. If you choose to rent a horse, the walking time is reduced to 1 hour.

13:30 – 15:30 – Return to Pacchanta – Hot springs and lunch

After visiting the seven lagoons, we will return to the community of Pacchanta. Since this is a private tour, we adapt to your preferences: you can choose whether to enjoy the hot springs (entrance not included) or head directly to the restaurant to enjoy a well-deserved buffet lunch. Lunch is served at a restaurant managed by the local community. Please note that, as this is a rural area, the standards of the restaurant may be more basic compared to those in the city of Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request.

15:30 – 18:30 – Return to Cusco

After lunch, we will begin the return journey by private transport to Cusco, arriving at your accommodation around 18:30 – 19:00 h.

Additional Information: Horse rental

It is possible to rent horses from members of the community for the ascent to the first lagoon and the descent from the seventh lagoon.

• Estimated price: 100 soles (one way) or 150 soles (round trip).
• Payment: Direct, in cash, and in local currency.
• Important: There is a 2 km stretch between the first and seventh lagoon that must be done on foot, as it is not accessible by horse.
• Maximum allowed weight: 80–100 kg.
• Availability: Subject to current conditions.

Note: Guru Explorers is not responsible for this service, as it is managed directly by the community.

Price of the Ausangate Trek includes: 

• Transfer from lodging in the historic center of Cusco.
• Return to your lodging (Historic Center of the city).
• Professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese (ask for availability for these or other languages).
• 7 lakes entrance tickets.
• Breakfast and Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Trekking pole (on request)

Price of the Ausangate Trek excludes:

• Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco (for private tours, ask for extra costs to pick up from the Sacred Valley or other places).
• Hot springs entrance tickets.
• Tips for the guide.
• Beverages.
• Food not specified in the itinerary.

What to bring to the Ausangate Lagunas Trek:

• Comfortable and optimal footwear for walks, warm jacket, caps or hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, bottles of water, clothing or rain poncho (especially between November - April).
• Passport or DNI.
• Travel insurance.
• Devices for audiovisual recording (cell phone, camera, camcorders)
• Cash (local currency) In Peru, there is usually a fee to use public restrooms. We recommend bringing coins or cash for these situations and in case you wish to rent horses.

What considerations you should have when taking the Waqrapukara Trek:

• The streets of the city are narrow, an aspect that limits vehicular access to certain places; in this case the guide will suggest a nearby point to pass looking for you and enjoy the tour.
• You must be in optimal physical condition to complete the tour.
• It is important that you enjoy at least two days in Cusco before doing the Tour “7 lagunas de Ausangate”. Only then will your body be adapted to the height of the region.
• This tour is not recommended for children under 15 years of age. Adults over 60 years of age should bear in mind that this activity requires being in very good physical condition.
• Due to environmental, climatic or other factors, beyond our control, the travel itinerary may vary. If so, it will be notified promptly.
• “Guru Explorers” values ​​your time and strives to respect the tour schedule; however, they may vary for reasons beyond our control (weather, natural disasters, field conditions, among other demonstrable reasons). We will do our best to offer efficient options and solutions for your enjoyment.
• Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Cancellation Policies:

• More than 30 days, 90% is refunded.
• Between 4 and 30 days of notification, 70% is refunded.
• Within 3 days or less in advance, there will be no refund.

Date changes:

• Rates applied for change of date in private tours:
  • There will be no extra charge if you notify more than 5 days in advance.
  • If notified between 3 and 5 days in advance, an additional charge of 20% will apply.
  • If you notify within 2 days or less in advance, it will not be possible to make the change and it will not be subject to a refund.
• There will be no refund in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.

The experience that makes you live the beauty of this mountain of colors is inexplicable, it is really a personal encounter between you and nature. We want to be part of that experience that you will live in the Ausangate Lagunas Tour. If you are still wondering why choose us? We would like you to read 7 outstanding characteristics of our service:

QUALITY: 

When you go to a teacher, it is because you want to answer all the questions. In a matter of travel, money, time and enjoyment, you have to choose the best options available and that is what “Guru Explorers” is all about, giving you the perfect balance for the adventure you DESERVE.

EXPERIENCE: 

To become “Guru Explorers”, we are still world travelers, but experts in Cusco, Lima, and the most important destinations in Peru. We lived bad and good experiences, valuing that the main difference lies in the details, so we know what elements are essential for your trip. We are travelers and we strive to enhance your experience!

TRANSPARENCY: 

We are here to provide you with the best and most accurate information and description of our tours. We are not supporters of hidden costs, that is why we provide the necessary information so you can choose the inclusions or upgrades you are looking for.

SECURITY: 

You entrust us with your time, your money and your expectations and that is why we fine-tune every detail to guarantee the trip you dream of.

FLEXIBILITY: 

Although we have pre-established packages; they can be adapted to your needs and to make plans that are suited to you, so that you can visit any place in Peru, with the expertise of “Guru Explorers”. We adapt trips for special occasions such as your corporate trips, honeymoon, birthday, social, cultural or sports event during your visit to Peru, offering you complete advice to achieve and exceed your expectations. 

PASSION: 

Before being tour guides, we are travelers, explorers, adventurers; That makes us passionate about creating the best experiences in the time you invest for yourself and those you love.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: 

We promote Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, not affecting the traveler, nor exploiting the communities that receive it or their environment. We create more human and respectful experiences of Heritage.

Do you want a different trip to the Ausangate Mountain? We won't keep you waiting!

How difficult is the hike on the 7 Lagunas de Ausangate tour?

At Guru Explorers, we rate this hike from moderate to difficult for being a full day and require a good adaptation to the altitude. It is a recommended trek for good walkers, who also enjoy challenging themselves with new adventures. It is recommended to carry walking poles and be acclimatized to the altitude with at least 2 days in Cusco.

Can you hire horses to do this tour?

Yes, check with Guru Explorers for horse availability. You can ride them for a part of the tour.

How's the Ausangate weather?

It should be taken in consideration that the coldest period is between May and October, and the rainiest months are between November and April. However, the weather and Ausangate altitude can be unpredictable, ranging from sunny, windy, coldy and even rainy from one moment to the next. We suggest you always be prepared with the equipment for all weather conditions. The sun is usually intense during the morning and part of the afternoon and the temperature can rapidly decrease from -5 to 18 ° C.

What luggage should I bring to Ausangate mountain?

As it is a full day trip, you are not allowed to carry large suitcases or bags. However, you can carry a backpack with basic items such as water, camera, cap or hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, among others needed items.

What is the difference between group service and private service?

The main difference between Group and Private service is the type of experience provided. In the first one you share the experience with a small group of passengers, all departing from Cusco and being picked up at their respective lodgings. In the second one the service is personalized and you have the option of leaving earlier, to avoid other groups of tourists. Also, in private, the tour will be done at your own pace and you can customize the experience on special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, family trips, among others.

For this tour, we provide private service only.