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A high-altitude day hike from Cusco that visits seven turquoise Ausangate lakes, includes a traditional lunch in Pacchanta, and ends with restorative hot springs. Ideal for acclimatized hikers prepared for thin air and long days.
A high-altitude day hike from Cusco that visits seven turquoise Ausangate lakes, includes a traditional lunch in Pacchanta, and ends with restorative hot springs. Ideal for acclimatized hikers prepared for thin air and long days.
You leave Cusco before dawn, the city lights shrinking behind the van as the Andes widen and the air thins. By the time Pacchanta appears, the first glaciers of Apu Ausangate are pale against a cobalt sky; turquoise lakes sit like spilled glass in the high puna, daring you to walk closer.
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Operated by MC Peru Expeditions · Cusco, Cusco
You leave Cusco before dawn, the city lights shrinking behind the van as the Andes widen and the air thins. By the time Pacchanta appears, the first glaciers of Apu Ausangate are pale against a cobalt sky; turquoise lakes sit like spilled glass in the high puna, daring you to walk closer.
This full-day trek covers roughly 13 km (8 miles) of high-altitude tundra and moraine, climbing to a maximum of about 4,620 m (15,090 ft). The landscape is shaped by glacial geology: cirques, polished rock, and a chain of mineral-rich lakes whose colors shift with light and runoff. Ausangate itself—one of the region’s sacred apus—has long been part of Andean cosmology; herders and Quechua communities still practice traditional weaving and caretaking of the land around these passes.
Expect rolling ascents, short rocky sections, and open, wind-exposed terrain. The guide moves the group at a steady, altitude-conscious pace; frequent breaks and oxygen support are provided on request. After the hike you’ll return to Pacchanta for a traditional buffet lunch, then soothe muscles in natural hot springs with mountain views.
Practical notes: acclimatize in Cusco for at least 48 hours before attempting this trek. Layer for rapid temperature swings (mornings can be 5–9°C, afternoons sunnier but windy), carry sun protection and 2–3 liters of water, and wear stiff-sole boots for uneven ground. The day runs long—expect 13–14 hours door-to-door—so plan rest and modest expectations for rigorous altitude exposure. For trekkers wanting a compact, high-elevation introduction to Ausangate’s lakes, this is a concentrated, scenic option.
The hiking portion is about 13 km (8 miles) with a maximum altitude near 4,620 m (15,090 ft); expect rolling gains rather than a single steep summit push.
Yes—spend at least 48 hours in Cusco (3,400 m) and avoid heavy exertion the day before to lower altitude sickness risk.
Yes; the itinerary includes time in Pacchanta’s natural hot springs after the hike, following lunch.
Breakfast en route and a buffet-style traditional lunch in Pacchanta are included; the group gets an English/Spanish guide, first-aid kit, oxygen tank, and handmade walking sticks.
MC Peru Expeditions operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You leave Cusco before dawn, the city lights shrinking behind the van as the Andes widen and the air thins. By the time Pacchanta appears, the first glaciers of Apu Ausangate are pale against a cobalt sky; turquoise lakes sit like spilled glass in the high puna, daring you to walk closer.
You leave Cusco before dawn, the city lights shrinking behind the van as the Andes widen and the air thins. By the time Pacchanta appears, the first glaciers of Apu Ausangate are pale against a cobalt sky; turquoise lakes sit like spilled glass in the high puna, daring you to walk closer.
This full-day trek covers roughly 13 km (8 miles) of high-altitude tundra and moraine, climbing to a maximum of about 4,620 m (15,090 ft). The landscape is shaped by glacial geology: cirques, polished rock, and a chain of mineral-rich lakes whose colors shift with light and runoff. Ausangate itself—one of the region’s sacred apus—has long been part of Andean cosmology; herders and Quechua communities still practice traditional weaving and caretaking of the land around these passes.
Expect rolling ascents, short rocky sections, and open, wind-exposed terrain. The guide moves the group at a steady, altitude-conscious pace; frequent breaks and oxygen support are provided on request. After the hike you’ll return to Pacchanta for a traditional buffet lunch, then soothe muscles in natural hot springs with mountain views.
Practical notes: acclimatize in Cusco for at least 48 hours before attempting this trek. Layer for rapid temperature swings (mornings can be 5–9°C, afternoons sunnier but windy), carry sun protection and 2–3 liters of water, and wear stiff-sole boots for uneven ground. The day runs long—expect 13–14 hours door-to-door—so plan rest and modest expectations for rigorous altitude exposure. For trekkers wanting a compact, high-elevation introduction to Ausangate’s lakes, this is a concentrated, scenic option.