Tour type: Hiking and adventure

Recommended season: (April – November)

Difficulty: Moderate – challenging

ITINERARY

Cusco – Pacchanta – Cusco

This is a full day tour in the Ausangate region in Cusco, Peru. Our journey will start at 4 am. We will pick you up from your hotel and drive about 3-hours towards Pacchanta which is located at 4200 m / 13779 feet and passes by the Tinke village. The temperatures will be lower than Cusco itself. Once in Pacchanta we will have breakfast. After breakfast and a small break, we will start our hike towards the lagoons in the Ausangate place.

The hike will be about 5 hours and will take you along the path where we will see the different lagoons like Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha y Q’omercocha. That’s not the only highlight; we will also view the snow covered peaks that surround this area. These include Ausangate (6834 m / 22421 feet) Mariposa or Butterfly (5842 m / 19166feet), Jampa (5500 m / 18044 feet), Pucapunta (5740 m / 18832feet), Caracol or Snail Mountain (5625 m / 18454feet), Tinke (5300 m / 17388feet) and the whole Qayangate chain of mountains.

Along the path we will have the chance to see the local flora and fauna from different kinds of birds to vicuñas, llamas and alpacas. The views are breathtaking, and you will have the chance to visit all of the different lagoons while you return along the same pathway. The return will be easier and faster hiking towards Pacchanta again. Once we get to the hiking starting point, we will have our lunch.

Pacchanta has a natural medicinal hot spring that you will be able to use to relax and provide comfort to your sore muscles. This water is medicinal and will be the perfect ending after a great hike. You can enjoy this before having your lunch and then recover yourself while having a great meal.

Once lunch is finished, you will take our transportation back to Cusco, towards your hotel for you to take some well-deserved rest.

Max Elevation: 4850 meters / 15912 feet

Approx. Distance: 15 km

INCLUDED

• Private Transportation
• English and Spanish speaking professional guide.
• Breakfast and lunch
• Service from hotel to hotel
• First aid kit and oxygen
•  

NOT INCLUDED

• Horse service
• Entrance to the hot springs
• Walking poles (rent 5 USD)
•  

WHAT TO BRING?

• Passport
• Proper hiking boots
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• Comfortable trousers
• Sunscreen, sunglasses
• Water
• Your personal medication
• Extra cash 

As mentioned above. We will pass the 4000 meters high elevation (13000 feet). This means that we will be on the highlands of the Ausangate mountain range in Cusco  Peru. Weather at this elevation is quite changeable and known for its cold temperatures, low humidity and lesser oxygen levels (Something recommended is naturalize yourself before the hike at least one day in cusco or semilar areas. Sometimes temperatures during the early morning and night can go to -5°C  / 23°F making this a very cold portion of the hike. During the day and with the sun up, these temperatures will increase to 20°C to 25°C /68°F to 77°F