Frequently Asked Questions Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike | Full Day Tour

When to visit

Peru has unpredictable weather and can get a little cold. Therefore, it is important to visit for fun. The dry season is from March to August and the best weather is from June to August (even the coldest months). However, it is also peak season which means you will see more people on your walks.

7 Lagunas doesn’t get as many visitors as other popular hikes, so excessive tourism isn’t a problem here. However, in August I was told that in Ausangate it was normal to have sunny mornings and rainy afternoons. So we started the journey clockwise to reach the lagoons first.

I recommend wearing layers as it can be hot and sunny and suddenly it can get cold.

how to get there

There are several ways to reach 7 Lagunas de Ausangate. The first is to visit a company for a day. The trip will take almost 3 hours. When you arrive you will notice the elevation. The trail starts at 4,300m (14,107 feet).

The second way to get there is through a multi-day trek called Ausangate Trek. A trek leads alone through the lagoons for two days. Multi-day tour includes Rainbow Mountain. These treks include trekking through snow capped mountains, glaciers and beautiful lakes. If you only do lakes you will reach 4900m, if you do Rainbow Mountain you will reach 5200m.

However, if you decide to do the trek over several days, keep in mind that it is for more experienced hikers and you risk altitude sickness. Get ready.

what to pack

When visiting Peru, make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for the trek. In no other country have I trained as much as here. In Cusco itself, you’ll find yourself walking hill after hill.

So make sure you are ready with the trekking equipment. First, you need good walking shoes. They make a big difference in your experience. You should also bring a jacket to keep you warm. Peru is cold here too. The best thing to do is to wear layers in case you sweat while walking. To keep your feet warm, I recommend merino wool socks. Wear gloves, a scarf, and a hat.

You should also bring a small backpack for storing snacks, water, and extra clothes. I used a hydration bladder, so I didn’t have to carry a bottle of water with me. And don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a raincoat in case it rains.

Make sure you bring snacks and anything to help with altitude sickness!

How to prepare the excursion

Like Rainbow Mountain, the Ausangate 7 Lagoons trek is challenging. Not for the distance, but for the altitude. Fortunately I was already in Cusco on the 11th. So I was already used to the altitude which made hiking easier.

Trust me, altitude is no joke in Peru. The 7 lagoons of Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain exceeded 4000m, which made it difficult to breathe.

The 7 Lagunas de Ausangate are located at 4,600 m (15,091 ft). Although the walk is indicated as 10 km, it was in total more than 12 km (7.4 mi). The trek lasts from 5 to 6 hours, depending on your fitness level.

how is the excursion

As mentioned, the hike is a bit difficult due to the 4,600m altitude. This makes breathing a little difficult and you need to take breaks. A lot of people in my group were struggling and it took a while to finish. Some even had to rent horses for an additional 80 soles to complete it.

The path is well marked and easily accessible. It starts by reaching the village of Pacchanta at 4,300 m, with a slight descent then some climbs, about an hour and just before the first lagoon where it reaches 4,630 m.

This is the hardest part of the hike because it warms you up and you feel the altitude. You only gain 330m, but it’s still a challenge.

Peru has unpredictable weather and can get a little cold. Therefore, it is important to visit for fun. The dry season is from March to August and the best weather is from June to August (even the coldest months). However, it is also peak season which means you will see more people on your walks.

7 Lagunas doesn’t get as many visitors as other popular hikes, so excessive tourism isn’t a problem here. However, in August I was told that in Ausangate it was normal to have sunny mornings and rainy afternoons. So we started the journey clockwise to reach the lagoons first.

I recommend wearing layers as it can be hot and sunny and suddenly it can get cold.

There are several ways to reach 7 Lagunas de Ausangate. The first is to visit a company for a day. The trip will take almost 3 hours. When you arrive you will notice the elevation. The trail starts at 4,300m (14,107 feet).

The second way to get there is through a multi-day trek called Ausangate Trek. A trek leads alone through the lagoons for two days. Multi-day tour includes Rainbow Mountain. These treks include trekking through snow capped mountains, glaciers and beautiful lakes. If you only do lakes you will reach 4900m, if you do Rainbow Mountain you will reach 5200m.

However, if you decide to do the trek over several days, keep in mind that it is for more experienced hikers and you risk altitude sickness. Get ready.

When visiting Peru, make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for the trek. In no other country have I trained as much as here. In Cusco itself, you’ll find yourself walking hill after hill.

So make sure you are ready with the trekking equipment. First, you need good walking shoes. They make a big difference in your experience. You should also bring a jacket to keep you warm. Peru is cold here too. The best thing to do is to wear layers in case you sweat while walking. To keep your feet warm, I recommend merino wool socks. Wear gloves, a scarf, and a hat.

You should also bring a small backpack for storing snacks, water, and extra clothes. I used a hydration bladder, so I didn’t have to carry a bottle of water with me. And don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a raincoat in case it rains.

Make sure you bring snacks and anything to help with altitude sickness!

Like Rainbow Mountain, the Ausangate 7 Lagoons trek is challenging. Not for the distance, but for the altitude. Fortunately I was already in Cusco on the 11th. So I was already used to the altitude which made hiking easier.

Trust me, altitude is no joke in Peru. The 7 lagoons of Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain exceeded 4000m, which made it difficult to breathe.

The 7 Lagunas de Ausangate are located at 4,600 m (15,091 ft). Although the walk is indicated as 10 km, it was in total more than 12 km (7.4 mi). The trek lasts from 5 to 6 hours, depending on your fitness level.

As mentioned, the hike is a bit difficult due to the 4,600m altitude. This makes breathing a little difficult and you need to take breaks. A lot of people in my group were struggling and it took a while to finish. Some even had to rent horses for an additional 80 soles to complete it.

The path is well marked and easily accessible. It starts by reaching the village of Pacchanta at 4,300 m, with a slight descent then some climbs, about an hour and just before the first lagoon where it reaches 4,630 m.

This is the hardest part of the hike because it warms you up and you feel the altitude. You only gain 330m, but it’s still a challenge.