2 Days
Super 7 Tour, 7 colors mountain and 7 lagoons Ausangate
This two-day journey begins with an early hike to the stunning Rainbow Mountain, followed by a visit to the community of Pacchanta, where you can relax in natural hot springs. On the second day, you’ll trek through the scenic landscapes of Ausangate, exploring the beautiful 7 lagoons, each with unique colors and breathtaking views. The adventure ends with a return to Cusco after a fulfilling trek through the Peruvian Andes.
ITINERARY
Rainbow Mountain
Our tour begins early with a 4:00 AM pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. We will travel for about 3 hours south, reaching the district of Cusipata-Paucarpata in the Quispicanchi Province, where we’ll stop for breakfast. Afterward, a short 10-minute drive brings us to the first control point at the peasant communities of Tintinco and Paucarpata for registration. From there, we will drive another 25 minutes to the second control point at Chillihuani, where our hike to the 7 Color Mountain begins.
The hike, which takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes, follows a trail surrounded by mountains. Along the way, you’ll likely encounter llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and Andean birds. Upon reaching the Vinicunca viewpoint at 5,100 meters, our guide will explain the mountain’s unique topography, ecosystem, and its vibrant colors, which are a result of mineral oxides. From this viewpoint, you can also admire the snow-capped Ausangate Mountain, standing at 6,385 meters, Peru’s fifth-highest peak.
After taking in the breathtaking views and snapping photos, we will descend to our starting point, board our vehicle, and enjoy lunch on the way to the Pacchanta community. We will arrive around 8:00 PM, where you can unwind in the hot springs and spend the night in cabins provided by the local community.
INCLUDES:
- Pre-tour assistance
- Private tourist transportation with oxygen
- Professional guide (English-Spanish)
- Entrance tickets to all tourist attractions
- Walking sticks
- Meals: Lunch in Cusipata, dinner in Pacchanta
- Overnight stay in a local house in Pacchanta
NOT INCLUDED:
Horse rental
Tips
Unspecified services
| Highest Altitude Vinicunca | 5,100 meters above sea level |
|---|---|
| Lowest Altitude | 4,500 meters above sea level |
| Distance Starting Point — Vinicunca | 5 miles (8.05 km) |
| Difficulty | Level 2 |
| Walking Time | 3 hours and 20 minutes |
7 Lagoons — Ausangate
On our second day, we will start at 8:00 AM with a delicious breakfast prepared by the people of the Pacchanta community. This community is known for their activities related to the raising of Andean animals such as alpacas, llamas, and guanacos. They also maintain the hot springs, which originate from the heart of the mountain.
The hike begins at 9:00 AM, and you should prepare your small backpack with essentials (warm clothing, water, snacks, etc.). The guide will provide you with walking sticks, and we will start on a trail that is initially not too steep. We will cross small streams originating from the lake waters and enjoy views of the imposing Ausangate and Callangate snow-capped mountains.
The first lake we’ll encounter is Puca Cocha (4,500 meters above sea level), which means “red lake” in English. The reddish color of this lake comes from iron sediments and other minerals reacting with sunlight. As we continue ascending, we will reach the highest lake on the circuit, Patacocha (4,860 meters above sea level). Its waters are crystal clear and reflect the Callangate and Ausangate snow-capped mountains. From this point, we will have a panoramic view of the Ausangate mountain range and the other lakes. Continuing along the trail, we will descend and get close to the third lake, Alqacocha (4,750 meters above sea level). Here, you’ll see the mighty Ausangate very near the lake.
Qomerococha, the next lake, is further along as we descend in altitude. This lake is known for its turquoise waters, which result from minerals carried by the glacial meltwater. The next two smaller lakes are relatively close to each other, Orco Otorongo (4,620 meters above sea level) and China Otorongo (4,600 meters above sea level), also known as Male Jaguar and Female Jaguar, named after the color of their waters resembling jaguar pelts.
Our last lake is the blue lake, considered by many as the most beautiful of the 7. Its waters provide a clear reflection of the Ausangate mountain, and it’s home to Andean birds like huallatas, Andean ducks, and ibises, among others. We will continue descending back to reach the Pacchanta community, where a delicious lunch awaits (expected arrival at 2:00 PM). After lunch, we will return to Cusco and transfer you to your hotel (around 6:00 PM), concluding our services.
| Highest Altitude Patacocha Lake | 4,860 meters above sea level |
|---|---|
| Lowest Altitude | 4,200 meters above sea level |
| Distance Starting Point—Vinicunca | 4.7 miles (7.56 km) |
| Difficulty | Level 3 |
| Walking Time | 5 hours |
INCLUDES:
- Walking sticks.
- Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
- Transfers in private tourist transportation (equipped with oxygen).
- All entrance tickets to tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
- Entrance to the Pools
- Lunch in Pacchanta.
- Assistance during the whole tour.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Hotel in Cusco.
- Horse rental.
- Tips.
- Other unspecified services.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Wear warm clothing.
- Towel.
- Sandals.
- Sunscreen (Preferably SPF 90+).
- Sunglasses.
- Hat.
- In rainy season, a rain poncho.
- Hiking shoes (hike/trekking).
- Water.
Included
- Pre-tour assistance.
- Transfers in tourist transportation.
- Tourist transportation — equipped with oxygen.
- Assistance during the whole tour.
- Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
- All entrance tickets to tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
- Accommodation in Pacchanta (family house).
- 01 lunch in Cusipata.
- 01 lunch and 01 dinner in Pacchanta.
Not Included
- Hotel in Cusco.
- Horse rental.
- Tips.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Other services not mentioned.