How to Book Your 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour
Booking Online
Reserving your 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour through our website is fast, straightforward, and secure.
- Hit the BOOK NOW button to get started.
- Choose the date that works for you — departures run daily, year-round.
- Fill in your details: full name, nationality, where you’re staying in Cusco, and a WhatsApp contact number.
- Finalize payment with a debit or credit card through our secure system. Note that a 3.99% processing fee applies to card transactions.
- Once payment goes through, you’ll instantly get a confirmation email containing your receipt and booking details.
- A follow-up email will arrive separately with your precise hotel pick-up time and helpful pre-tour guidance.
Reservations made online are accepted up until 9:00 PM the night before departure, pending availability.
Booking In Person at Our Cusco Office
Prefer to book face-to-face? Visit our office at Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, Cusco, where our staff will walk you through the full itinerary, what’s included, entrance fees, hot springs access, recommended clothing, the packing list, and any other details before locking in your spot.
Accepted Payment Options
- Cash — Peruvian soles, US dollars, or euros
- Debit/credit card (3.99% processing fee applies)
Details Needed to Confirm Your Booking
Have the following ready when you book:
- Full name
- Nationality
- Name of your hotel or accommodation in Cusco
- WhatsApp number (with country code) or a local Peruvian number
Your accommodation details and contact info are essential — they’re what allow us to arrange your precise pick-up time.
Changes, Cancellations & Refund Policy
Rescheduling or Switching Tours
Need to adjust your plans? You can reschedule your 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour or swap it for another full-day tour — Rainbow Mountain, Palcoyo, Humantay Lake, or the Sacred Valley — free of charge, as long as you request the change before 7:00 PM the day prior to departure.
Reach out to make changes via:
📧 Email: info@machupicchuteam.com
💬 WhatsApp: +51 974 217 700
All modifications depend on availability at the time of request.
Cancellation Terms
- Full refund (100%): Cancel at least 24 hours before the tour begins
- Partial refund (50%): Cancel within 24 hours of departure, but before 7:00 PM the prior evening
- No refund: Cancellations made after 7:00 PM the night before, or failure to show up
Note that card processing fees may not be refundable, even when the tour cost itself is.
If Machu Picchu Team Cancels
Should conditions beyond our control — extreme weather, blocked roads, civil unrest, safety hazards, and similar issues — force us to cancel, you’ll be given the choice to reschedule, transfer to a different available tour, or receive a refund for any portion of the service not delivered.
Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know About the 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour
Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or simply looking for an unforgettable high-altitude day trip from Cusco, this guide covers everything worth knowing before booking your 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour.
Why Ausangate Deserves Your Attention
Ausangate holds deep spiritual significance in Andean culture, considered one of the most sacred mountains (Apus) in the region. Unlike more commercialized destinations, this tour offers genuine connection to living Andean traditions, where local communities still honor the mountain’s spiritual importance — a dimension your guide weaves throughout the day rather than treating as a mere backdrop.
Understanding the Altitude Challenge
This tour reaches genuinely serious elevations, with the circuit peaking around 4,800 meters — higher than Everest Base Camp on the Nepal side. Since this is a single-day excursion without gradual acclimatization built in, travelers who haven’t spent adequate time in Cusco beforehand may notice altitude effects more intensely than on lower-elevation tours. Arriving with at least 2-3 days of prior acclimatization in Cusco makes a meaningful difference here.
The Seven Lakes Aren’t Identical — That’s the Point
Many travelers expect uniform, similar-looking lagoons, but each of Ausangate’s seven lakes displays genuinely distinct characteristics — varying shades of turquoise, blue, and green shaped by mineral content, sunlight angles, and surrounding glacial runoff. Rather than rushing through, take time to notice how each lake’s color and character shifts as you progress along the circuit.
Setting Realistic Expectations for the Hike
At 4-5 hours covering roughly 8 kilometers, this qualifies as moderate to challenging primarily due to altitude rather than technical difficulty. The trail itself isn’t especially steep or treacherous, but thin air at this elevation makes even modest inclines feel considerably more demanding than they would at sea level. Pacing yourself matters more than raw fitness here.
The Hot Springs: More Than Just a Nice-to-Have
After hours of hiking at extreme altitude, Pacchanta’s natural hot springs genuinely earn their place in the itinerary rather than functioning as filler. The warm, mineral-rich waters provide legitimate muscle recovery after the demanding trek, all while offering stunning views of Ausangate itself — a fitting way to close out the physical portion of your day.
Horse Rental: A Practical Consideration, Not a Cop-Out
Given the genuine altitude challenge involved, opting for horse rental at the trailhead isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a practical accommodation many capable hikers choose, particularly those still acclimatizing or managing minor health considerations. There’s no shame in this option, and your guide can help arrange it without judgment.
Why This Beats Attempting It Independently
Given Pacchanta’s remote location and the absence of regular public transportation, organizing this trek independently proves both logistically difficult and often more expensive than booking an organized 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour. Beyond transportation, having a knowledgeable guide interpreting the spiritual and geological significance of what you’re seeing adds substantial value beyond simply reaching the lakes yourself.
Weather Preparation Is Non-Negotiable
Conditions near glacial lakes at this altitude shift dramatically and quickly — what starts as a clear morning can turn cold and windy within hours. This isn’t a tour where minimal packing works out fine; genuine layering, waterproof outer gear, and sun protection all serve essential functions rather than being optional extras.
Photography Opportunities Throughout
Beyond the lakes themselves, this route offers exceptional photography opportunities — glacier-capped peaks, dramatic Andean terrain, and the striking color variations between lagoons all provide compelling subjects. Bringing a charged camera or smartphone, plus a portable charger, ensures you don’t miss capturing these moments throughout the long day.
Who Should Prioritize This Tour
This experience particularly suits travelers who’ve already spent time acclimatizing in Cusco, nature photographers drawn to dramatic glacial scenery, and anyone seeking a genuinely less-crowded alternative to more heavily trafficked destinations like Rainbow Mountain, while still delivering comparably spectacular high-Andean scenery.
A Final Practical Note
Since this tour demands significant physical exertion at extreme altitude across a full day, arriving well-rested and properly hydrated the night before genuinely impacts how much you’ll enjoy the experience. The 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour rewards travelers who treat it as the serious high-altitude adventure it is, rather than a casual sightseeing day.
