Ausangate 7 Lakes 2027: 1-Day Tour from Cusco

Our Ausangate 7 Lakes tour is a full day from Cusco: we pick you up at your hotel around 4:00 a.m. and return around 7:00 p.m. It costs US$60 per person and includes transport, breakfast, lunch, the entrance fee and a guide. You book by paying 40% online and the remaining 60% when you arrive in Peru.

It is a 5 to 6-hour loop hike past colorful lakes, alpacas and llamas, at the foot of Ausangate peak. We travel in groups of 8 to 12 people, with a guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese who carries a first-aid kit and oxygen. If you would rather go with just your own group, a private service is available from US$108 per person.

Where are the Ausangate 7 Lakes?

They are in the Cusco region, around the community of Pacchanta, at the foot of Ausangate, the great snow peak you see from Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). From Cusco it is a 3 to 3.5-hour drive to Pacchanta, where the hike begins. That is why we leave before dawn and stop for breakfast on the way.

How high are the Ausangate 7 Lakes?

The hike goes from about 4,300 m to 4,850 m (about 14,100 to 15,910 ft) above sea level. The highest point is about 4,850 m (15,910 ft), around 1,450 m (4,760 ft) higher than Cusco at roughly 3,400 m. This is a demanding hike: arrive acclimatized, with 2 or 3 days in Cusco before the tour. Walk slowly, drink water and tell your guide if you feel a headache or dizziness. Read our guide to altitude sickness in Peru.

What is the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour like?

Along the way you pass lakes such as Azulcocha, Otorongo and Q’omercocha, each a different color, and you will often cross paths with alpacas and llamas. The full details are in the itinerary tab.

Is the Ausangate 7 Lakes hike difficult?

We rate it as moderate to challenging, mainly because of the altitude. You walk for 5 to 6 hours at high elevation, with ups and downs, on a day that lasts about 15 hours. It suits active people in good physical shape who are well acclimatized. If you need them, you can rent a horse or trekking poles, paid separately and booked with us when you buy the tour, not on site.

Best time to visit the Ausangate 7 Lakes

The dry season, from April to October, usually brings clearer skies and better views of the mountain. The tour runs all year. November to March is the rainy season: it rains more often and clouds can hide the peaks. At this altitude early mornings are cold all year: pack layers, a warm hat, gloves and sunscreen.

Ausangate 7 Lakes, Rainbow Mountain, Palcoyo or Humantay?

All four are day hikes from Cusco. The Rainbow Mountain tour has the most famous view, with Ausangate in the background. The Palcoyo tour is the gentlest, with a short walk to the viewpoint. The Humantay Lake tour climbs to a turquoise lake at about 4,200 m. The 7 Lakes is the longest hike of them all, ideal if you are already acclimatized and want to see Ausangate up close.

To plan your trip, read our guide: Ausangate Peru 2027: 7 Lakes, Altitude, Qoyllur Rit’i and How to Get There.

To plan your trip, read our guide: Llama vs Alpaca 2027: Differences, Vicuñas and Where to See Them in Peru.

Book with a local Cusco agency

We are a Cusco-based agency and run our own departures to Ausangate. Book through the form on this page: once you make the online payment, we confirm your spot and send you the hotel pickup details.