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A compact, two-day guided trek from Cusco that reaches the Seven Lagoons of Ausangate. Expect high passes, glacial views, a night of camping, and thermal springs in Pacchanta.
A compact, two-day guided trek from Cusco that reaches the Seven Lagoons of Ausangate. Expect high passes, glacial views, a night of camping, and thermal springs in Pacchanta.
The wind on the high plateau cuts clean; snow-capped ridges of Ausangate hover above you while turquoise lakes wink between moraine shelves. On day one a private vehicle slides away from Cusco before dawn and the road deposits you in Pacchanta, where steaming hot springs and local herds set the tone for a trek that moves between open pampas and rocky passes.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Ausangate Adventure · Cusco, Cusco Region
The wind on the high plateau cuts clean; snow-capped ridges of Ausangate hover above you while turquoise lakes wink between moraine shelves. On day one a private vehicle slides away from Cusco before dawn and the road deposits you in Pacchanta, where steaming hot springs and local herds set the tone for a trek that moves between open pampas and rocky passes.
Ausangate is both a geological monument and an Andean Apu — a granite-and-glacier spine shaped by uplift and ice, threaded with trails used by llamas and people for centuries. The Seven Lagoons route passes glacial cirques and alpine wetlands, offering views of glacial tongues and seasonal wildflowers. Local communities maintain herding and weaving traditions; muleteers and cooks carry gear, and evenings around the camp stove are when stories of the mountains are traded.
Practically, expect high-altitude terrain: sustained ascents to passes above 5,000 m, rocky trails, and short steeper sections where footing is loose. Nights are cold and wind-prone; camps are basic but use quality tents and a provided sleeping mat. The itinerary includes full meals, support horses, entrance fees, and transport back to Cusco.
Plan for acclimatization in Cusco, layered clothing for sharp temperature swings, and sun protection for exposed trails. Hike poles and sturdy boots make the steeper descents easier. This two-day loop rewards with lakes that change from cobalt to turquoise as sky and glacier move — an intense, compact Ausangate experience best tackled with respect for altitude and weather.
challenging.
2 days (approx. 13–14 hours hiking total).
Good aerobic fitness and experience with day hikes at altitude; able to hike 5–7 hours with breaks.
The route reaches passes above 5,000 m; altitude effects are common—allow time in Cusco to acclimatize and communicate any symptoms to guides.
Access to Pacchanta hot springs is optional and typically available at the end of the trek; entrance may be extra and depends on local opening hours.
Camping is in quality North Face/Hard Wear tents with sleeping mats provided; cooking and dining tents are supplied by the crew.
Prior day-hike experience at elevation is recommended; technical climbing skills are not required but comfort on rough terrain is important.
Ausangate is regarded in Andean cosmology as an Apu (sacred mountain) and sits on ancient pastoral routes used by local communities and Inca-era paths.
This high-Andean ecosystem is fragile—stick to trails, avoid disturbing wetland puna, and support local guides and craft sellers to benefit community stewardship.
Ausangate Adventure operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The wind on the high plateau cuts clean; snow-capped ridges of Ausangate hover above you while turquoise lakes wink between moraine shelves. On day one a private vehicle slides away from Cusco before dawn and the road deposits you in Pacchanta, where steaming hot springs and local herds set the tone for a trek that moves between open pampas and rocky passes.
The wind on the high plateau cuts clean; snow-capped ridges of Ausangate hover above you while turquoise lakes wink between moraine shelves. On day one a private vehicle slides away from Cusco before dawn and the road deposits you in Pacchanta, where steaming hot springs and local herds set the tone for a trek that moves between open pampas and rocky passes.
Ausangate is both a geological monument and an Andean Apu — a granite-and-glacier spine shaped by uplift and ice, threaded with trails used by llamas and people for centuries. The Seven Lagoons route passes glacial cirques and alpine wetlands, offering views of glacial tongues and seasonal wildflowers. Local communities maintain herding and weaving traditions; muleteers and cooks carry gear, and evenings around the camp stove are when stories of the mountains are traded.
Practically, expect high-altitude terrain: sustained ascents to passes above 5,000 m, rocky trails, and short steeper sections where footing is loose. Nights are cold and wind-prone; camps are basic but use quality tents and a provided sleeping mat. The itinerary includes full meals, support horses, entrance fees, and transport back to Cusco.
Plan for acclimatization in Cusco, layered clothing for sharp temperature swings, and sun protection for exposed trails. Hike poles and sturdy boots make the steeper descents easier. This two-day loop rewards with lakes that change from cobalt to turquoise as sky and glacier move — an intense, compact Ausangate experience best tackled with respect for altitude and weather.