Ausangate Trek: 7 Lakes Guide, Where To Stay & Why Visit
- May 27
- 7 min read
Tucked away close to Cusco and off the tourist trail, Ausangate is a hiker's dream. With a 5-day loop, summit opportunities for experienced mountaineers and the famous Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike we recommend adding it onto your Peru Itinerary.
Ausangate Mountain stands tall at 6,384m, making it the highest in the Cusco Region and a spectacle to see.
The iconic Ausangate trek circuit features glacial lakes, llama herds and snow-capped peaks, although if you don’t fancy a 5 day trek this region is still worth a visit and the 7 lakes of Ausangate are nothing short of spectacular.
To make your visit to this region even more special we recommend staying in a mountain house, complete with a fire, and the most incredible views you’ll ever have. This is truly one of the most unique places we’ve stayed!
Read on to find out everything you need to know about visiting the Ausangate area, the 7 Lakes of Ausangate and where to stay to make this trip unforgettable.
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Why Visit Ausangate?
Ausangate sits in the shadow of Cusco's tourist trail and most visitors skip past it. That's exactly what makes it special. Close enough to Cusco to add onto any Peru itinerary, yet far enough to feel completely off the beaten path.
Known as one of Peru's best hiking regions, the Ausangate area has something for every ability level. The 7 Lakes of Ausangate deliver spectacular scenery without the multi-day commitment however the 6-day Ausangate trek circuit is one of the great Andean loops and popular within the hiking community.
Even beyond the trails, this place is simply stunning. Shimmering lakes in impossible shades of turquoise and green, rolling hills and peaks so dramatic they don't look entirely real.
To make the most of a visit, skip the nearby town of Tinki for accommodation and head straight for the mountain house above it. An Airbnb unlike any other called the Mountaineers House. Think roaring fire, cosy hot chocolates and crisp mountain air.
El Siete Lagos Hike (Seven Lakes of Ausangate Trek)
While the Seven Lakes trail is accessible via guided tours, one of the best things about staying at the Mountaineers House is that the trailhead is right on your doorstep meaning you can head off at your own pace, no guide needed.
Below we've included a trail map, or you can follow the route on AllTrails.
The seven lakes you'll pass on the trail are:
Laguna Azulcocha
Laguna Otorongo (Macho & Hembra)
Laguna Pucacocha
Laguna Alqacocha
Laguna Comercocha
Laguna Patacocha
From the cabin the hike takes around 3 hours, or closer to 5 hours if you're starting from Pacchanata. The trail itself is straightforward: wide, clearly marked and mostly gravel or dirt underfoot, with nothing technical to navigate.
That said, you're hiking at around 4,500m, so make sure you've properly acclimatised before heading out.
The route takes you deep into the Vilcanota Mountain Range, and the views here are genuinely some of the best in Peru. We took our time, the altitude means it's easy to get breathless, meaning we took lots of breaks to take in the scenery.
If you'd rather take in the views without the full hike, it's also possible to ride part of the route on horseback.
After the hike, the Pacchanta hot springs are the perfect way to unwind.
Ausangate 7 Lake Hike Map
Multi-Day Hikes Around Ausangate
For those wanting to go deeper into the region, there are two standout options worth knowing about.
The most popular is the Ausangate Trek Circuit, a 5 day loop that circumnavigates the base of the mountain. The trail passes through some of the most remote and dramatic Andean scenery in Peru. It’s a 40 mile round trip that overall climbs 7,000 ft in elevation. Most trekkers do this with a guided group, with camps or mountain huts along the route.
For experienced mountaineers, summiting Ausangate at 6,384m is a serious undertaking that requires technical climbing experience, proper equipment and an accredited guide, we recommend Sky High Andes, as the guide, Nate has summited the mountain twelve times!
If you're not ready for either but still want more than a day hike, the 7 Lakes trail combined with a couple of nights at the Airbnb is a perfect way to immerse yourself into the area, and it’s exactly what we did.
Other Things To Do In Ausangate
Pacchanta Hot Springs
After a long day hiking, what better way than to relax in naturally heated hot springs. The Pacchanta springs are perfect for the afternoon and you’ll have a dramatic mountain backdrop. Entrance is 5 soles per person, make sure to bring cash!
Horseback Riding
An alternative to hiking is taking horseback to the seven lakes of Ausangate. This is a good option if you’re worried about hiking at altitude.
We saw lots of horses along the trail and they all looked very well looked after by the local guides.
Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca, known as Rainbow Mountain, is one of Peru's most iconic attractions and sits right on the road to Ausangate, although if you have longer in Peru we’d recommend Pallay Puncho instead, a much quieter alternative to the popular Rainbow Mountain that in our opinion is just as impressive.
Where To Stay In Ausangate
For the most unforgettable experience in the area look no further than The Mountaineers House, an Airbnb run by Nate who also runs Sky High Andes and is a high altitude mountaineering guide in Peru.
Sitting at 4500m we weren’t ready for the views from this house or the cosy fire and the feeling of waking up to the frost that turned everything into a wonderland… don’t worry there are plenty of blankets so you won’t get cold sleeping.
Large windows frame the mountains perfectly so you’re completely immersed in the landscape.
The house sleeps 4 with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, hot water and Starlink WiFi.
Your hosts the Crispin family can make meals or there’s a basic gas stove where you can cook if you prefer plus you can make hot chocolates for the evening.
We drove up in our Toyota 4Runner and the road can be a little rocky in places, if you’d prefer not to drive you can use the horses to transport your stuff up to the house.
Honestly, a few nights here to enjoy your morning coffee with the view will definitely exceed your expectations.
How To Book A Stay At The Mountaineers House
You can reach out to Nate, the owner of the Mountaineers House and Sky High Andes. A company that focuses on specialised trips in Peru and sustainability, not only of the environment but also of the local communities.
To book a stay in the Ausangate Mountains you can contact Nate on WhatsApp: +51 986 347 677, email: skyhighandes@gmail.com or book through Airbnb.
How To Get To Ausangate?
Ausangate is roughly a 3 hour drive from Cusco, following the road towards Ocongate before continuing to the community of Tinki and then on to Pacchanta. We drove ourselves in our Toyota 4Runner which gave us the flexibility to stop along the way. A 4x4 isn't essential but the final stretch of road is rough in places, so something with decent ground clearance helps.
If you'd rather not drive, public buses run from Cusco to Tinki. The journey takes around 3 hours and costs approximately 15 soles. From Tinki you can arrange a local taxi up to Pacchanta.
Best Time to Visit Ausangate
We visited in May, Peru’s winter so be prepared for it to be cold! Especially at night. It also happens to be the dry season which runs from May to September. From November to March it’s Peru’s wet season meaning trails can become muddy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ausangate
How hard is the Ausangate 7 Lakes hike?
The difficulty comes from the altitude, the terrain and path are easy to navigate. If you’re starting from the Mountaineers house then you’ve already saved yourself some of the climb. Remember you’re hiking at 4500m so you’ll easily get out of breath.
How long is the Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike?
From the Mountaineers House the hike takes around 3 hours. If you're starting from Pacchanta village it's closer to 5 hours. Don’t forget to leave time for the hot springs afterwards.
Do you need a guide for the Ausangate 7 Lakes hike?
Not if you're staying at the Mountaineers House. The trailhead is right on the doorstep and the path is clearly marked throughout.
Is Ausangate worth visiting?
Absolutely. It's one of the most dramatic and under visited areas in the Cusco region. The combination of the 7 Lakes hike, the mountain scenery and staying at the Mountaineers House makes it a genuinely unique experience that most Peru visitors completely miss.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Ausangate
If you’re looking for a unique side of Peru, something not everyone else experiences, staying in the Mountaineers House and hiking the 7 Lakes of Ausangate should definitely be on your list.
Crisp mornings looking at snow capped peaks and a warm crackling fire for the cold nights immerses you into the mountain culture that so many Peruvians experience as their daily life.
And while you’re there you can experience some of the best trekking in Peru.
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Peru adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
* We were kindly gifted our stay at The Mountaineers House although all opinions are our own.
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