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).
Note: You can also do this circuit by bicycle, which makes the journey more fun on two wheels. We can provide you with either a conventional full suspension mountain bike or a full suspension electric bike to visit the 7 lakes for an additional cost. Please check with your travel advisor if you would like to experience this.
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NOT INCLUDED:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
| Highest Altitude Vinicunca | 16,732 feet (5100 m.a.s.l.) |
|---|---|
| Lowest Altitude | 14,764 feet (4500 m.a.s.l.) |
| Distance Starting Point - Vinicunca | 5 miles (8 km) |
| Difficulty | Level 2 |
| Walking Time | 3 hours and 20 minutes |
Our tour begins very early. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 a.m. to travel by car for approximately 3 hours to the south, reaching the Cusipata - Paucarpata district in the Quispicanchi province where we'll enjoy our breakfast and fuel up for the journey.
After our breakfast, we'll continue on a 10-minute journey to the first control point of the peasant communities of TINTINCO and PAUCARPATA, where we'll register. From this point, we'll continue on a 25-minute trip 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 viewpoint of Vinicunca (16,732 feet or 5,100 m.a.s.l.), 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 the oxides from various minerals that make up these geological formations. The slopes and peaks display colors ranging from red, purple, green, pink, and yellow, creating a harmonious contrast. As if that's not enough, you'll also have a view of the majestic Ausangate snow-capped mountain, standing at an impressive height of 20,945 feet (6,385 m.a.s.l.), making it the 5th highest mountain in Peru. At the Vinicunca viewpoint, you can capture memorable photos beside 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 car, and head to the Pacchanta community (arrival at 8:00 p.m.), enjoying our lunch on the way. Upon arrival in Pacchanta, you'll 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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NOT INCLUDED:
| Highest Altitude Patacocha Lake | 15,039 feet (4,860 m.a.s.l.) |
|---|---|
| Lowest Altitude | 13,780 feet (4,200 m.a.s.l.) |
| Distance Starting Point - Vinicunca | 4.7 miles (7.5 km) |
| Difficulty | Level 3 |
| Walking Time | 5 hours |
For our second day, we'll start at 8:00 in the morning 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 that originate from the heart of the mountain. The hike begins at 9:00 a.m., and you should prepare your small backpack with essentials (warm clothing, water, snacks, etc.). The guide will provide you with walking sticks, and we'll start on a trail that, initially, isn't too steep. We'll 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 (14,764 feet or 4,500 m.a.s.l.), 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 to ascend, we'll reach the highest lake on the circuit, Patacocha (15,039 feet or 4,860 m.a.s.l.). Its waters are clearer, and they reflect the Callangate and Ausangate snow-capped mountains. From this point, we'll have a panoramic view of the Ausangate mountain range and the other lakes. Moving along the trail, we'll descend and get close to the third lake, Alqacocha (15,584 feet or 4,750 m.a.s.l.). Here, you'll see the mighty Ausangate very near the lake.
Our third lake, Qomerococha, is further along as we lose 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 (15,157 feet or 4,620 m.a.s.l.) and China Otorongo (15,092 feet or 4,600 m.a.s.l.), 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'll continue descending to reach the Pacchanta community once more, where a delicious lunch awaits (expected arrival at 2:00 p.m.). We'll return to Cusco after lunch and transfer you to your hotel (around 6:00 p.m.), concluding our services.
INCLUDES:
NOT INCLUDED:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOUR MOUNTAIN OF 7 COLORS AND 7 LAKES AUSANGATE
Transfers and private guide
Professional guide
To start your reservation process please send us the following information:
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