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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.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
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.
challenging.
13–14 hours.
Good aerobic fitness and prior high-altitude hiking experience recommended; be comfortable walking 4–6 hours with elevation gain.
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.
Ausangate has been revered in Andean cosmology for centuries; local communities maintain pilgrimage routes and weaving traditions tied to the mountain.
The high puna ecosystem is fragile—stay on trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and pack out all waste; support guides who work with local communities to limit impact.
MC Peru Expeditions operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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