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Full Day Ausangate 7 Lakes Trek Alpine Waters & Pacchanta Hot Springs
Tour Overview
The Ausangate 7 Lakes circuit offers a challenging yet highly rewarding full day trek through the raw, rugged terrain of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. Reaching elevations up to 4,590 meters (15,059 feet), this route demands high physical fitness and proper acclimatization. Travelers ascending this trail witness a dramatic landscape shift from rolling Andean grasslands filled with grazing alpacas to harsh, glaciated valleys directly below the towering peak of Mount Ausangate. Our route passes seven distinct glacial pools, including the vibrant green waters of Comercocha and the dual toned Alqacocha.
This active excursion is designed for fit hikers, adventurous couples, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to escape standard, highly trafficked routes. The extreme altitude means oxygen levels are significantly lower, making the three and a half hour uphill push to the Ninaparayoc viewpoint physically demanding. Proper acclimatization in Cusco for at least two to three days prior is mandatory.
Booking this high altitude trek with Montavia Travel guarantees superior safety and logistical pacing. We deploy certified local guides carrying emergency oxygen and comprehensive first-aid kits, ensuring strict safety protocols at extreme elevations. We optimize our departure times to beat large tour buses to the trailheads, allowing you to photograph the brilliantly colored lakes with clear sightlines and minimal interruptions. Our exclusive partnerships in the village of Pacchanta mean you receive authentic, hot, home cooked meals from local families rather than generic boxed lunches.
The dry season, running from May through September, is the optimal time to book this trek. During these months, clear skies provide sharp visibility of the glaciers, and the trails remain firm and safe for steep ascents. Expect freezing temperatures in the early morning and high UV exposure by midday, making layered clothing essential for your comfort.
- Hike the High Andes Traverse steep, rugged trails reaching 4,590 meters to view the massive Ausangate glacier and seven distinctly colored alpine lakes, ranging from deep blues to bright turquoise
- Photograph Sacred Glacial Lakes Stand before Comercocha, Azulcocha, and the Otorongo lakes. These high altitude glacial pools hold deep cultural significance for local communities and offer sharp reflections of snow capped peaks.
- Dine with a Local Family Sit down for a freshly prepared, nutritious Andean breakfast and lunch inside a traditional family home in the remote village of Pacchanta at 4,100 meters above sea level.
- Soak in Geothermal Springs Rest your muscles after the challenging high altitude ascent by bathing in the natural outdoor hot springs of Pacchanta, looking directly out at the snow-covered face of Mount Ausangate.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Ascend the Vilcanota Range and Trek the Seven Lakes
Your expedition begins with a prompt 4:00 AM pickup from your Cusco hotel. Driving south along the inter oceanic highway, we break up the three hour journey with a 6:00 AM stop in the small village of Ccatca. Here, you can stretch your legs and observe the quiet plaza and traditional stone streets before we continue our ascent. By 7:30 AM, our private transport reaches the high altitude community of Pacchanta, situated at 4,100 meters (13,451 feet). We proceed directly to a local family’s home, where they serve a hot, nutritious Andean breakfast to fuel your morning climb.
At 8:30 AM, we hit the trail, hiking directly toward the imposing Ausangate glacier. The path climbs steadily for three and a half hours, requiring a deliberate, measured pace due to the thinning air. By 12:00 PM, we reach the Ninaparayoc viewpoint. From this vantage point, sweeping views across the Vilcanota Mountain Range reveal the massive ice walls of Callangate and Ausangate. Over the next ninety minutes, we navigate the rocky circuit connecting the region's famous lakes. You will photograph the green waters of Comercocha, the striking blue of Azulcocha, and the spiritually significant China Otorongo and Orco Otorongo, the latter sitting at our maximum elevation of 4,590 meters (15,059 feet).
Beginning our descent at 1:30 PM, we follow a looping trail past the Patacocha and Alqacocha water systems, watching herds of alpacas grazing along the sparse mountain grass. We arrive back in Pacchanta at 3:00 PM. Our host family welcomes us back with a freshly prepared, traditional lunch featuring local ingredients. Following the meal, you have an hour to bathe in the outdoor thermal baths of Pacchanta an excellent way to soothe tired legs while staring up at the glacier you just hiked beneath. We depart the village at 4:30 PM, driving back down the valley to drop you off at your Cusco hotel by 7:30 PM.
- Professional English / Spanish speaking guides specialized in Andean history.
- Private pickup and drop off at your hotel accommodation in Cusco.
- Official entrance permit to the "Ausangate 7 Lakes" circuit.
- Emergency medical kit, including supplemental oxygen.
- One pair of trekking poles with rubber tips per person.
- Hot Andean breakfast and freshly prepared local lunch in a family home in Pacchanta.
- Filtered water, high energy snacks, and a reusable cloth snack bag.
- Pre departure briefing and 24/7 logistical support from the Montavia Travel team.
- All applicable local taxes.
- Entrance fee to the Pacchanta Hot Springs (15.00 PEN / approx. $5.00 USD).
- Dinner upon returning to Cusco.
- Technical hiking clothing and personal trekking gear.
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
- Gratuities for the guide and driver.
- Any extra costs incurred by unforeseen events out of our control (weather, road closures, strikes).
We schedule our hotel pickups at 4:00 AM. This early departure is critical for beating the crowds to the trailhead, securing clear morning views of the glacier, and ensuring we complete the circuit safely during daylight hours.
Yes, the trail reaches a maximum elevation of 4,590 meters (15,059 feet). Altitude sickness is a significant risk if you are unprepared. You must spend a minimum of two to three full days in Cusco (3,400 meters) acclimatizing before attempting this hike.
Yes. Every Montavia Travel guide on this route carries a comprehensive first-aid kit and a tank of emergency supplemental oxygen to immediately treat symptoms of altitude sickness.
We include a hot, locally sourced breakfast at 7:30 AM and a traditional lunch at 3:00 PM. Both meals are prepared and served by our partner host family in the village of Pacchanta. We also provide water and trail snacks.
This is a strenuous, high-altitude day hike. The continuous uphill climb to the Ninaparayoc viewpoint takes approximately three and a half hours over rocky, uneven terrain. Excellent physical fitness is required.
No. Montavia Travel provides a pair of high quality trekking poles with rubber tips for every hiker, which significantly reduces the impact on your knees during the descent.
The entrance fee to the Pacchanta hot springs is not included in the tour price. You will need to bring 15.00 PEN (approximately $5.00 USD) in cash if you choose to enter the pools.
For treks during the dry season (May through September), we recommend booking at least one to two months in advance to guarantee your spot, as guide availability and transport logistics book up quickly.
From
$ 240 US
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