THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A long daytrip from Cusco that pairs a five‑hour high‑altitude hike among seven colorful Andean lagoons with a restorative soak in Pacchanta’s thermal pools. Expect sweeping glacier‑carved basins, alpacas on the slopes, and community‑run hot springs to finish.
A long daytrip from Cusco that pairs a five‑hour high‑altitude hike among seven colorful Andean lagoons with a restorative soak in Pacchanta’s thermal pools. Expect sweeping glacier‑carved basins, alpacas on the slopes, and community‑run hot springs to finish.
Book with Kontiki Hikes
Book directly with Kontiki Hikes for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve NowVerified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Kontiki Hikes · Pacchanta, Cusco
Dawn in Cusco is thin and blue as the van threads out toward Ausangate; by midmorning the puna opens, wind pushing across the high plain and the first lagoons appearing like cutouts of sky. The trail from Pacchanta climbs steadily through grasses and scattered bofedales, moving between large, glassy basins—Azulcocha, Pucacocha, Q'omercocha—each lake declaring its own shade of blue or green.
moderate.
11–12 hours (including transport and soaking).
Good aerobic fitness and endurance for several hours at 4,000–4,600 m; comfortable pace over steady climbs
The guided hike is about 5 hours round trip; with transport from Cusco, meals, and hot springs, expect an 11–12 hour day.
Yes—spend at least 24–48 hours in Cusco before the trip to reduce altitude sickness risk and avoid heavy exertion on arrival day.
Yes, the tour includes a 45‑minute soak at Pacchanta’s thermal pools after the hike; bring a towel and modest swim cover.
Physically fit beginners who are acclimatized and comfortable with long days at altitude can complete it, but those with heart or severe health issues should not.
Ausangate is considered an Apu (sacred mountain) in Andean belief; communities around it maintain ancestral ritual ties and grazing rights.
High‑altitude wetlands are fragile—stick to designated trails and avoid contaminating water sources; support community‑run services that reinvest in trail upkeep.
Kontiki Hikes operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with Kontiki Hikes
Book directly with Kontiki Hikes for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now