DESCRIPTION
HOW IS AUSANGATE AND 7 LAGOONS?
On the tour to the Nevado de Ausangate and 7 Lagunas, You can venture and have many experiences, you can also see turquoise lagoons, however, you can see the flora of the mountains such as (tayanca, chillca, llaulli, qeto, pilli, sutuma, chachacomo, white clover, Yawar chonca) and Andean fauna (alpacas, condors).
If you decide to do the Nevado Ausangate and 7 Lagunas we inform you that in the community of Pacchanta there are hot springs, which have medicinal properties. Also, the hot springs are from hot to the coldest.
The Nevado Ausangate has an altitude of 6,384 meters above sea level, and it is considered an Apu or protective deity of the towns that surround it; as well as it is known as the most representative snow in the region.
WHAT LAGOONS WILL YOU KNOW ON THE AUSANGATE AND 7 LAGOONS TOUR?
The names of the lagoons that make up this tour are very peculiar, and some of them are in Quchua.
- Otorongo Male and Otorongo Female, these lagoons are successive, the first larger and twice that of the second, as in the case of the otorongo animal, the male is larger than the female, also due to the coloration of these waters.
- Puca Cocha, which in Spanish is translated as red lagoon, with reddish coloration due to the decomposed rocks that stain its waters. However, the color red is also attributed to femininity.
- Alqa Cocha, the word Alqa comes from the Alkamaris, a scavenger bird that gives you luck, if you find it you have to say hello. The presence of these birds is very noticeable and the lagoon is named after it.
- Ccomer Cocha, in Spanish means turquoise-green lagoon.
- Azul Cocha, this lagoon with blue waters is because we see the light that passes through it as blue.
- Pata Cocha, the word pata in Spanish means above or above, the name of this lagoon is because it is located at a higher altitude than the previous 6 on this tour.
OVERVIEW
DAY 1: CUSCO (3,300 M) – TINKI (3,950 M) – PACCHANTA (4,200 M) – LAGOONS (4,850 M)
At 5 am, first for the tour of the Nevado Ausangate and 7 lagoons, we begin the two-day walk greeting our tour guide at the reception of our hotel. Then, we drive for around 3 hours until we reach the Tinki village where we have a shortstop. Afterward, we continue (for approx. 45 minutes) until we get to the picturesque Andean village of Pacchanta. We meet our Horseman and horses there as it is the starting point of the hike. We get ready for the following route by using a sun protection cream and adjusting our clothes.
The goal of the day is to hike for approx. 6-7 hours until we reach our base camp near the 7 lagoons. Today´s trek takes us through some small villages hidden in the Andes, colorful lagoons placed at the foothills, and herds of llamas and alpacas too. At 2 pm, we enjoy lunch at a spot offering fantastic views of the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota.
As we walk for the majority of the day around Ausangate Mountain, we are given an opportunity to see some snowy peaks from different points of view. So, we can take lots of interesting photos. We get to our base camp at around 4 pm. After a short rest, we have time to appreciate some marvelous views of the surrounding landscape. We have a tasty dinner before we overnight in the camp amidst the impressive nature.
Maximum altitude: 4,850 metres / 15,912 feet
Minimum altitude: 4,200 metres / 14,107 feet
Duration of the trek: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: km/miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Cold
DAY 2: AUSANGATE – PACCHANTA (4,200 M) – CUSCO (3,300 M)
During the sunrise (at approx. 6:00 am), we enjoy breakfast having some imposing panoramic views of the mountain range of “Tres Picos” (Three Peaks) in front of us. At 8 am, we get ready our stuff before we start our return way towards Pacchanta. The route of the second day is different compared to the previous day. For that reason, we can observe other lagoons and colourful countryside. We hike for about 5 hours to reach Pacchanta again (at 1:00 p.m., approximately). There, we eat our lunch and those, who like, can visit the local thermal baths.
At 3:30 p.m., we start out a return way to Cusco on a private vehicle arriving there at 7:30 p.m.
Maximum altitude: 4,850 metres / 15,912 feet
Minimum altitude: 4,200 metres / 14,107 feet
Duration of the trek: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: km /miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Cold
ITINERARY
AUSANGATE TOUR AND THE 7 LAGOONS TREK 2D/1N
DAY 1: CUSCO (3,300 M) – TINKI (3,950 M) – PACCHANTA (4,200 M) – LAGOONS (4,850 M)
- 5 am – a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- 3-hour ride to the village of Pacchanta stopping at Tinki on the way.
- Arrival at Pacchanta – the trailhead.
- Meeting our Horseman and horses.
- 6-7 hour trek till the 7 lagoons.
- 2 pm – lunch break.
- 4 pm – pitching our campsite.
- Overnight at the camp.
DAY 2: AUSANGATE – PACCHANTA (4,200 M) – CUSCO (3,300 M)
- 6 am – breakfast while enjoying some panoramic views of the mountain range “Tres Picos”.
- 8 am – a return hike to the village of Pacchanta observing more lagoons on the track (approx. 5 hours).
- 1 am – lunch at Pacchanta.
- Visit its thermal baths.
- 3:30 pm – a return ride to Cusco City.
- 7:30 pm – arrival to the city.
- Drop off at your hotel.
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AUSANGATE 7 LAGOONS:
- Rather, keep in mind that Ausangate and 7 lagoons the hike will be at an altitude between 4,850 meters (15,910 feet) and 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level. For this reason, it is very important that all participants acclimatize to Cusco (or another place with an altitude of more than 3,000 m / 9,840 ft) for at least 3 days.
- We recommend you to take any medicine against Soroche (high altitude sickness) or/and coca leaves/coca sweets.
- Every participant needs to be in good physical and mental shape to do the trek!
- To maximize a nice experience of the trek, we advise you to practice a small exercise prior to this trip.
- If you suffer from any health problem, we recommend you consult with your doctor in advance.
- Please keep yourself hydrated during the trip!
- In case of rays, please switch off every electronic device!
CONDITIONS AND SEASONS ON THE AUSANGATE TOUR – 7 LAGOONS:
- The number of participants: 2 (as a minimum)!
- Please note: The tour starts and ends in Cusco!
- 24-hour availability: It is possible to book the tour at any time of the day.
- Suitable season: The Trekk to Ausangate and 7 lagoons is throughout the year and without limit. However, you should know that January is the peak of the rainy season and snow so the weather is very cold. If you like to know about the present season conditions, please inquire us a couple of days in advance.
- Please be careful with the environment (all garbage must be taken back to Cusco)!
INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED
INCLUDES IN THE AUSANGATE – 7 LAGOONS:
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Entrance ticket to Ausangate.
- A professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
- Guide Assistant (for groups of over 10 participants).
- A professional Cook experienced in preparing healthy food.
- Private transport to the trailhead and back to Cusco.
- Horseman.
- Horses to carry camping equipment.
- Camping and kitchen equipment (personal tents, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, tables, seats.).
- Inflatable mattress. It is actually possible to book the Ausangate Mountain and 7 Lagoons tour at any time of the day.
- Meals: 2x breakfast, 2x buffet lunch, 1x dinner, hot beverages during main meals, snack, bottled water – a vegetarian option available upon request.
- First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen.
NOT INCLUDES IN THE AUSANGATE – 7 LAGOONS TOUR:
- Sleeping bag (we can rent it to you if you like, it costs USD 10 extra).
- Walking stick (we can rent you one for an extra of USD 5).
- An extra horse in case of emergency or to carry personal belongings (USD 28 extra).
- Breakfast on the first day.
- Dinner on the second day.
- Beverages (apart of the main meals).
- Tips to local staff.
- Entrance fee to the thermal baths.
- Pocket money.
- Any flight.
- Accommodation in Cusco.
- Travel insurance.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO AUSANGATE AND 7 LAGOONS?
- Only necessary stuff for a 2-day trek;
- Personal identification document (ID/Passport);
- Personal medicines (if aplicable);
- A backpack;
- Warm clothes such as a jacket, sweaters, long trousers;
- Raincoat or poncho (especially, from November to April);
- Trekking shoes;
- Camera;
- Extra batteries and/or power bank (there is no electricity on the trek);
- A peak/hat;
- Sunglasses;
- Sun protection cream;
- Toiletries;
- Towel;
- Toilet paper;
- Swimsuit (in case, you wish to visit the thermal baths);
- Water purification tablets (optional);
- USD 50 changed in Soles (for any case of emergency or to buy some souvenirs).
- face shield
- chinstrap or mask
- personal alcohol
PRICE
The price depends on the number of participants, travel dates and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.