7 Lakes of Ausangate Day Hike
- Full Day
- Challenging
- Day Tour
- Cusco to Pacchanta and the Ausangate lakes
Walk a loop past glacial lakes of turquoise, blue and red below the glaciers of Ausangate, the highest peak in the Cusco region, on a long day trip from Cusco.
Trip facts
- Duration Full Day
- Difficulty Challenging
- Max altitude 4,600 m / 15,092 ft
- Best season April to November
- Distance 12 km / 7.5 mi loop on foot (approximate)
- Transportation By road (about 3 hours each way)
- Guide Local mountain guide
Overview
Ausangate, at about 6,384 m (20,945 ft), is the highest mountain in the Cusco region and a sacred peak for the Andean communities who live below it. On its western side, near the village of Pacchanta, a string of glacial lakes lies scattered across the high grassland, each a different shade of turquoise, deep blue or rusty red depending on the minerals and the light. Walking a loop past these lakes is one of the best high-altitude days you can have from Cusco without camping.
The hike is longer than Rainbow Mountain but less steep. Most loops cover roughly 10 to 12 km (6 to 7.5 miles) and take five to six hours at an easy pace, between about 4,300 and 4,600 m (14,100 to 15,100 ft). You walk past stone corrals and grazing alpacas, with the glaciers of Ausangate filling the view, and you’ll see far fewer visitors than on the famous day hikes.
It’s a long day. You leave Cusco before dawn for a drive of about three hours, the last part on a dirt road, and return in the evening. Many programs end with a soak in the natural hot springs of Pacchanta before the drive back, a welcome way to warm up at the end of the hike.
This is a one-day experience in the area, not the multi-day trek. If the lakes leave you wanting more, our Ausangate Trek 4 Days crosses the high passes around the mountain over several days of camping. For other high-altitude days, compare our day trips from Cusco.
Highlights
- Walk a loop past glacial lakes of different colors below Ausangate
- See the glaciers of the highest mountain in the Cusco region up close
- Pass alpaca herds and stone corrals of the Pacchanta highlands
- A quieter alternative to the most famous day hikes near Cusco
- Many programs end with a soak in the Pacchanta hot springs
Itinerary
Very early
Cusco to Pacchanta
A pre-dawn pickup and a drive of about three hours to the highland village of Pacchanta.We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco around 3 or 4 a.m. and drive southeast along the highway toward Ocongate, then up a dirt road to Pacchanta, a small village of herding families at the foot of Ausangate. Many programs stop here for breakfast before the hike.
- Starts
- Cusco
- Ends
- Pacchanta
- Meals
- Breakfast (when included)
Morning to early afternoon
The lake loop
Five to six hours on foot past glacial lakes of different colors, with Ausangate’s glaciers above.The trail climbs gradually out of the village into open grassland, then links the lakes one by one. Each has its own character: some are milky turquoise from glacial silt, one is a deep blue, and one has a reddish tone from the surrounding rock. Local names for the lakes include Pucacocha, Azulcocha and Otorongo, and your guide will tell you the stories people here tell about them.
The highest part of the loop reaches about 4,600 m, with the ice of Ausangate close enough to hear it crack on warm days. From there the path curves back down toward Pacchanta.
- Starts
- Pacchanta
- Ends
- Pacchanta
The path can be faint, rocky and wet. Stay with your guide.
Afternoon
Hot springs, lunch and return to Cusco
A soak in the Pacchanta hot springs on many programs, lunch and the drive back to Cusco.Back in Pacchanta, many programs include time at the village’s natural hot springs, simple pools of warm water with Ausangate on the skyline. After lunch, when it’s part of your program, you drive back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
- Starts
- Pacchanta
- Ends
- Cusco
- Meals
- Lunch (when included)
What’s Included
Included
- Local guide for the hike
- Transportation from and back to your hotel in Cusco
- Breakfast and lunch, when shown in your confirmed itinerary
Not included
- Community entrance fees, unless shown in your quote
- Pacchanta hot springs entry, unless shown in your quote
- Horse rental, if available and wanted
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and driver
Pickup time, meals, hot springs and every inclusion are confirmed in writing with your quote.
What to Bring
Documents
- Cash in small Peruvian soles for fees, restrooms and a horse if you want one
Clothing
- Warm layers: insulated jacket, hat and gloves (mornings are well below freezing)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Hiking boots with ankle support: the ground is uneven and often wet
- Swimsuit and a small towel for the hot springs
Gear
- Trekking poles
- At least 1.5 liters of water and snacks for a long walk
Health & personal
- Strong sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm
- Any personal or altitude medication your doctor recommends
Food, Lodging & Transport
Food & meals
Most programs include a simple breakfast on arrival in the highlands and a warm lunch after the hike. Whether meals are included is confirmed with your quote. Bring snacks and plenty of water: it’s a long walk, and eating a little and often helps at altitude.
Transportation
The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours each way. Most of it follows the paved highway southeast of Cusco toward Ocongate, and the last stretch is a dirt road up to the village. The road is good for most of the way, but expect some bumps near the end.
Difficulty & Altitude
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Highest point
- 4,600 m / 15,092 ftHighest point of the lake loop (about 4,600 m)
Fitness
We rate this hike as challenging, mainly because of its length at high altitude. You’ll walk for five to six hours, mostly on rolling terrain with some steeper climbs between the lakes, never dropping below about 4,300 m. The path is sometimes faint, rocky or boggy, so good boots matter.
You should be comfortable hiking most of a day and feel well at Cusco’s altitude. Local families sometimes offer horses for part of the way, but it depends on the day, so plan to walk.
Altitude
The hike starts around 4,300 m (14,100 ft) and reaches about 4,600 m (15,100 ft) at its highest point, roughly 1,200 m above Cusco. It’s lower than Rainbow Mountain but you spend more hours up high.
- Acclimatize first. Spend at least two or three nights in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before this hike.
- Keep a steady pace. Your guide will set a slow rhythm and plan regular breaks at the lakes.
- Turn back if needed. Severe headache, dizziness or nausea are signs to head down, and your guide will make that call if necessary.
Permits, Tickets & Rules
- Community fees. The lakes are on community land, and the local community collects an entrance fee. The Pacchanta hot springs charge their own small fee. We confirm current amounts and whether they’re included in your quote.
- Respect the land. Stay on the paths, keep a distance from the alpacas and don’t enter corrals or homes without an invitation.
Traveling with Family
This is a long, high day, better suited to teenagers who hike regularly than to young children. The early start, the cold and five or six hours of walking above 4,300 m all add up.
Talk with our local team about whether this route fits your family. For younger children, the Sacred Valley or a shorter walk is usually a better way to enjoy the Andes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike?
Most loops are roughly 10 to 12 km (6 to 7.5 miles) and take five to six hours with breaks. Add about three hours of driving each way from Cusco.
Is it harder than Rainbow Mountain?
It’s different. Rainbow Mountain is shorter but higher, at about 5,000 m, with a steep final climb. The 7 Lakes hike is lower, at up to about 4,600 m, but you walk for longer. Many people find it more enjoyable because it’s quieter.
How is this different from the Ausangate Trek?
This is a one-day loop near Pacchanta, returning to Cusco the same evening. The Ausangate Trek spends several days crossing high passes around the mountain, with nights camping.
Can I use the hot springs?
Many programs end at the Pacchanta hot springs. Bring a swimsuit and towel. We’ll confirm whether entry is included in your quote.
Are horses available?
Local families sometimes offer horses for part of the route, for a fee in cash. It depends on the day, so plan to walk.
When is the best time to go?
From April to November, when the weather is drier and the skies clearer. In the rainy months the trail gets muddy and snow can fall at this altitude.
Route
Route map coming soon
Route at a glance
- Cusco, about 3,400 m (11,150 ft)
- Drive southeast toward Ocongate
- Pacchanta, about 4,300 m (14,100 ft)
- Loop past the glacial lakes, up to about 4,600 m (15,100 ft)
- Pacchanta hot springs (on many programs)
- Back to Cusco
The lakes lie on the western side of Ausangate, about three hours southeast of Cusco by road. The loop starts and ends in Pacchanta. A route map is being prepared.
Tour Video
Our video for this tour is coming soon. Until then, we’re happy to answer your questions on WhatsApp or by email.
Travel Tips for This Trip
Why DSL Adventures
Planned by a Local Team in Cusco
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Based in Cusco
Your trip is planned by people who live here and know the region’s seasons, roads and trails.
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Local Guides
Guides from the region who know the trails, the history and the communities along the way.
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Direct Communication
One conversation with the team organizing your trip, from your first question to your last day.
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Personalized Planning
Dates, pace and details shaped around your group.
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Visual Storytelling
Photos and stories from our routes help you picture each day before you go.
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