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24 hr
Full-day mountain trek through alpine lakes at 15,000 feet, plus natural hot springs and Andean views
Reserve
13 hr 30 min
Trek past turquoise alpine lakes and glaciers, then soak in geothermal springs beneath Ausangate peak
Reserve
24 hr
Trek to seven turquoise lagoons beneath Ausangate peak, with hot springs, Andean wildlife, and local communities
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.
The largest and most iconic blue-hued lake in the circuit.
A shimmering turquoise lake fed by glacial runoff.
Twin lakes named for their resemblance to jaguar shapes.
Known for its distinct emerald-green color.
Natural medicinal thermal pools at the base of the trek.
Rainbow Mountain is the better choice for iconic geological colors, while the ausangate 7 lakes day trip offers a more serene experience for those seeking glacial waters and solitude.
| Feature | Top pick Ausangate 7 Lakes | Rainbow Mountain |
|---|---|---|
Physical Difficulty |
Moderate with flat segments | High with steep inclines |
Crowd Density |
Low | High |
Primary Visual Feature |
Glacial turquoise lagoons | Striped mineral mountains |
Altitude Profile |
4,200m to 4,800m | 4,400m to 5,200m |
Transportation Time from Cusco |
3 hours | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Most hikers find that ausangate 7 lakes day trip tours provide a quieter, more intimate connection with the Andean landscape compared to the crowded popularity of Rainbow Mountain.
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Practical details for your visit straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
As specified in booking
Pick-up usually occurs 04:30–05:00
Most reliable way to reach Pacchanta for your ausangate 7 lakes day trip tickets.
Wear multiple thermal layers, a windbreaker, and waterproof hiking boots to accommodate shifting high-altitude weather. A warm hat and gloves are essential even on sunny days during an ausangate 7 lakes day trip.
Use a small daypack to carry water, personal items, and layers during your ausangate 7 lakes day trip. Secure your valuables in your Cusco hotel or operator-provided storage before departing.
The high Andean light is optimal in the morning, making the ausangate 7 lakes day trip ideal for capturing the turquoise hues of the water. Avoid the afternoon cloud cover by arriving within the recommended 07:00–10:00 window.
The ausangate 7 lakes day trip is physically demanding with steep ascents and rugged trails at altitudes above 4,200 meters. It is not recommended for individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.
Mobile signal is extremely limited or non-existent in the remote areas around the Ausangate peaks. Download offline maps before starting your ausangate 7 lakes day trip.
This excursion is best suited for teenagers and adults with prior high-altitude hiking experience. The ausangate 7 lakes day trip is generally too strenuous for young children.
Most tours include a local breakfast in Pacchanta and a buffet lunch, providing energy for the hike. Carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during your ausangate 7 lakes day trip.
Pets are not permitted on shared group tours for the ausangate 7 lakes day trip due to strict environmental protections and the difficulty of the trail.
Ensure you have acclimated to Cusco's altitude for at least two days before attempting this high-altitude trek. Carrying small change in local currency is vital for the 20 PEN conservation fee at the checkpoint.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
Dry season offers the clearest skies and best light for photography during your ausangate 7 lakes day trip.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Spend at least two full days in Cusco to adjust before your ausangate 7 lakes day trip.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
Natural medicinal pools offering a relaxing post-hike experience.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Full refunds are typically provided if canceled within the operator's specified timeframe, usually 24–48 hours before departure. The 20 PEN conservation fee is paid on-site and is generally not included in tour cancellations.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Simple local stays ideal for those wanting an early start for an ausangate 7 lakes day trip.
The Ausangate massif holds 41 named glacial lakes within a 30-kilometer radius, but seven lie in a single hanging valley accessible from the Pacchanta trailhead at 4,300 meters. The route was carved by Quechua herders moving alpaca between seasonal pastures, and the turquoise color of the water comes from glacial flour — rock pulverized to silt by the movement of ice against bedrock. Until 2018, when the first tour operators began running day trips from Cusco, the lakes saw fewer than 200 foreign visitors a year. Now the trail carries thousands, drawn by the contrast with the crowded Rainbow Mountain route and the absence of a multi-day commitment. Ausangate itself is a 6,384-meter stratovolcano, the fifth-highest peak in Peru and the most prominent feature of the Cordillera Vilcanota. The mountain is an apu — a sacred summit in Andean cosmology, believed to govern weather, water, and the fertility of crops. Every June, the Qoyllur Rit'i pilgrimage brings 10,000 participants to the glaciers below Ausangate's east face, retracing a route older than the Inca road system. The seven lakes lie on the western flank, fed by meltwater from the Ausangate and Puca Punta glaciers, which have retreated 400 meters since 1980. The largest of the seven, Laguna Azulcocha, sits at 4,650 meters and spans 120 meters across at its widest point. The smallest, Laguna Pucacocha, is barely 30 meters in diameter but reflects the summit of Ausangate on clear mornings. The day trip became viable only after the construction of a gravel road to Pacchanta in 2015, cutting the approach drive from Cusco from six hours to three. Most groups depart before dawn, reaching the trailhead by 7:00 a.m. The hike covers 12 kilometers round-trip, with 350 meters of elevation gain, and takes between six and eight hours depending on acclimatization and pace. The terrain is puna grassland and scree, with no tree cover and minimal shade. Weather above 4,500 meters is unstable year-round; clouds typically roll in by midday, and afternoon snow is common even in the dry season. The Pacchanta community charges a 20-sol conservation fee at the checkpoint, payable in cash only. Hot springs below the trailhead — fed by geothermal runoff from Ausangate's volcanic base — are included in most tour packages and provide a 40-degree soak before the return drive to Cusco.
"The turquoise color comes from glacial flour — rock pulverized to silt by the movement of ice against bedrock."
A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You leave Cusco before sunrise, crossing the Huatanay Valley as the city lights fade behind you. The van climbs east through Ocongate, following the gravel road that parallels the Vilcanota range, and reaches Pacchanta by 7:30 a.m. The trailhead sits at 4,300 meters, flanked by stone corrals and a community checkpoint where you pay the 20-sol conservation fee in cash. The path is clear but steep, ascending through puna grassland dotted with ichu tufts and grazing alpaca. The first lake appears after 90 minutes — a shallow turquoise oval cupped between moraines. You continue higher, following cairns across scree fields, and the remaining six lakes unfold in succession, each fed by a different glacial tongue. Ausangate's summit rises to the east, a pale pyramid against the sky. By midday you reach the highest lake at 4,650 meters, where the wind is constant and the air thin enough that every step requires deliberate breath. The descent retraces the ascent, and by 3:00 p.m. you are back at Pacchanta, peeling off layers and stepping into the hot springs — a series of stone-lined pools fed by geothermal runoff. The water is 40 degrees, milky with minerals, and the contrast with the cold air is immediate. You soak for 30 minutes before boarding the van for the three-hour return to Cusco, arriving after dark.
The entrance fee for the ausangate 7 lakes day trip is 20 PEN, paid in cash at the community checkpoint.
The site is accessible daily from 00:00–23:59, though optimal hiking light occurs during the day.
The trail is considered moderate-to-challenging due to the high altitude, which is often more demanding than the terrain itself.
Yes, you must pay a 20 PEN conservation fee to the local community upon arrival.
Arrive between 07:00–10:00 for the clearest skies and optimal photography conditions for your ausangate 7 lakes day trip.
Yes, most tours include a visit to the Pacchanta hot springs to relax after the hike.
Due to the extreme elevation, the ausangate 7 lakes day trip is not recommended for children.
Tours may be rescheduled or altered in extreme weather to ensure safety for all guests.
Tickets usually cover transportation, a professional guide, and meals, excluding the 20 PEN conservation fee.