At 4 am, we pick you up from your accommodation and leave for Ausangate. We take a short break in Tinke to use the restrooms and buy anything that we might need, then another 45 minutes takes us to Pacchanta, where we have breakfast. From here, we start walking or riding horseback towards the beautiful lakes of Ausangate.
We have a five-hour walk visiting the lakes of Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha and Q’omercocha, and we’ll also be able to appreciate the Ausangate mountains (6834 m / 22,421 ft), Mariposa (5842 m / 19,167 ft), Jampa (5500 m / 18,045 ft), Pucapunta (5740 m / 18,832 ft), Caracol (5625 m / 18,455 ft), Tinke (5300 m / 17,388 ft), and the entire Qayangate range. We’ll also see birds, alpacas, llamas, many vizcachas, and with any luck even the Andean Condor.
After doing the circuit, we return to Pacchanta to immerse ourselves in the relaxing hot springs of Ausangate, ideal for well-deserved bodily rest after a long hike. Afterward, we enjoy a buffet lunch, before returning to Cusco, where we arrive around 7 pm.
- Maximum altitude: 4,850m / 15,912ft
- Minimum altitude: 4,300m / 14,107ft
- Travel time: 3.5 hours one way (car) + 5 hours (riding by horse or trekking) + 3.5 hours return (car).
- Approximate walking distance: 15 km
THE 7 LAKES OF AUSANGATE
- Azul Cocha
- Otorongo
- O’Quecocha
- Puca Cocha
- Q’omercocha
- Murococha
- Alqacocha