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A full-day high-altitude hike from Cusco to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons offers glacial lakes, Andean culture, and optional thermal pools. Expect a long, remote day at 4,200–4,600 m with dramatic weather swings and rewarding views.
A full-day high-altitude hike from Cusco to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons offers glacial lakes, Andean culture, and optional thermal pools. Expect a long, remote day at 4,200–4,600 m with dramatic weather swings and rewarding views.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Machupicchu Adventure · Cusco, Cusco
Before dawn a shuttle pulls out of Cusco and the road narrows into puna: wind-sculpted grasses and the first hard light on Ausangate's ridgeline. By breakfast in Pacchanta the air is thin and sharp; hikers tighten layers, breathe deep, and set off toward a string of turquoise basins carved beneath glaciers.
challenging.
12–15 hours.
Good cardiovascular fitness and prior day-hiking experience at altitude recommended; able to walk 4–6 hours with elevation changes.
Typical departures from Cusco begin around 4:00 AM with return around 6:30–7:00 PM; total door-to-door time is roughly 12–15 hours.
Thermal pool access is usually optional with a small local fee (the operator lists S/15 as a typical extra cost) and isn’t always included in the base price.
No formal experience is required but prior exposure to elevations above 3,000 m and good fitness are strongly recommended to reduce altitude sickness risk.
Yes — most tours include hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, and entrance fees as listed by the operator.
Ausangate is an Apu (sacred mountain) in Andean belief; local communities maintain pilgrimage routes and seasonal pastoral practices tied to the mountain.
High Andean wetlands are fragile; stay on established trails, pack out waste, and support local guides who contribute to community-based tourism.
Machupicchu Adventure operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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