We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 in the morning and head south of the city. We will travel by car for approximately 3 and a half hours until we reach Cusipata, the control point (around 6:00 am) where we will have breakfast. After breakfast, we will continue our journey towards the control point. From this point, we will walk for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on our physical condition.
Upon reaching the Rainbow Mountain, our guide will provide a brief explanation about the mountain and the reason for its colors. After concluding our visit, we will return to the starting point and continue by car to the community of Pacchanta (approximate travel time of 3 hours), where we will have lunch on the way.
We will arrive in the community of Pacchanta at around 8:00 in the evening. You will have the opportunity to relax in its hot springs while stargazing. We will spend the night in Pacchanta in small houses provided by the community.
We will start our day at 8 in the morning. After breakfast, we will begin our hike to the 7 lakes of Ausangate (approximately 5 hours of walking). Our first stop is the Red Lake, also known as Puca Cocha. Next, we will come across Patacocha, which has the clearest waters and is the highest (4750 meters above sea level).
The third lake we will encounter is Alcacocha, from where we will have a panoramic view of the Ausangate mountain range. We will then descend to our fourth lake, Qomerococha or Green Lake. The next two lakes are the smallest in the circuit, Orco Otorongo and China Otorongo, also known as male jaguar and female jaguar.
Finally, we will arrive at one of the most beautiful lakes of the 7, the Blue Lake, where we can see the reflection of Ausangate in its waters (depending on the weather).
We conclude our journey in the community of Pacchanta, where we will have lunch and rest before returning to the city of Cusco (estimated arrival time at 6:00 pm).
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Our tour starts very early. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 AM to travel by car for approximately 3 hours south, reaching the Cusipata — Paucarpata district in the Quispicanchi Province, where we'll enjoy breakfast and fuel up for the journey.
After breakfast, we will continue on a 10-minute drive to the first control point of the peasant communities of Tintinco and Paucarpata, where we will register. From this point, we'll continue on a 25-minute drive to the second control of the peasant community of Chillihuani. Our hike to the 7 Color Mountain begins here, following a path that extends across a plain surrounded by mountains. The hike takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, depending on our physical condition. During the hike, you may encounter alpacas, llamas, guanacos, and some Andean birds.
When we reach the Vinicunca viewpoint (5,100 meters above sea level), our guide will provide an informative explanation about the topography, ecosystem, and the colors of the mountain. The 7 Color Mountain is a natural wonder, the result of oxides from various minerals that form these geological formations. The slopes and peaks display colors ranging from red, purple, green, pink, to yellow, creating a harmonious contrast.
As if that's not enough, you will also have a view of the majestic snow-capped Ausangate Mountain, standing at an impressive height of 6,385 meters above sea level, making it the 5th highest mountain in Peru. At the Vinicunca viewpoint, you can capture memorable photos next to the mountain and admire the beautiful landscape.
After concluding our visit to the 7 Color Mountain, we will walk back to the starting point, board our vehicle, and head to the Pacchanta community (arrival at 8:00 PM), enjoying lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Pacchanta, you will have the opportunity to relax in the medicinal pools and hot springs. We'll spend the night in cozy cabins provided by the local community.
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| 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 |
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 |
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NOT INCLUDED:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Tour Mountain Of 7 Colors And 7 Lakes Ausangate
Transfers And Private Guide
Professional Guide
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