Cusco 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek Review: Is It Worth It?

If you’re thinking about doing the 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek from Cusco, then this review is, well, just for you. The Andes Mountains are really stunning, so a trek sounds cool. Is the 7 Lakes trek genuinely worth the high altitude and physical push? Let’s see!

What to Expect on the Ausangate 7 Lakes Trek

The 7 Lakes Ausangate trek definitely isn’t a walk in the park, just so you know. You’re facing a high-altitude trek near Ausangate Mountain, near to Cusco. Often, people are picked up super early, you know, around 4 AM. This will be a full-day tour. Most tours typically promise breakfast and lunch. Make sure that you’re comfortable with heights of, let’s say, about 15,000 feet. Acclimatization is genuinely really key before you go, like seriously.

So, what does the day usually involve? Typically, it starts with a drive. It’s a lengthy one. From what I understand, it’s probably around 3 hours or maybe a little longer. This depends on traffic and road situations, as you might imagine. Once you actually arrive at the trailhead, that’s when things get genuinely exciting. The views that you’ll discover are so epic! Imagine seeing glacial lakes shining brightly and mountains towering up, sort of thing. The whole route can easily take about 4 to 5 hours of continuous trekking, so pacing yourself is also something that’s pretty important.

The Beauty of the Seven Lakes

So, this trek is named the “7 Lakes” trek, so it is all about actually seeing those lakes, right? Each lake seemingly has its own distinct charm and color. There’s one that has an intense turquoise color that just seems vibrant against the mountains. What I mean is, there’s other ones which are so still, reflecting the sky almost, sort of thing. From what I know, the names of the lakes are often shared, but their significance isn’t really conveyed as part of the general experience. Still, the views on their own are very incredible.

While you actually hike, you’re also going to experience the tough environment that surrounds the Andean region, of course. Look for rugged terrain that seems quite amazing, and spot native wildlife and different birds, very vibrant too. The silence around the high altitudes feels almost unreal, offering time to consider your location. To be honest, you’ll have that, if you are trekking at that kind of altitude.

Food: What Breakfast and Lunch Are Actually Like

So, let’s talk eats! Breakfast and lunch get brought up, you know, in most tour descriptions, yet what can you genuinely count on? Typically, breakfast is somewhat basic, providing something to get you started. Something I learned, anticipate things like bread, jam, or even some fruit, actually. What I’m saying is, don’t expect anything too fancy at that time of the morning.

Now, lunch gets quite better, thankfully. Most of the tours seem to pack it, and what I mean is, you often end up having a set meal served picnic-style somewhere beside the lakes. The most popular fare I hear about involves quinoa or rice, chicken, plus veggies, something I think that hits the mark after the climb up. Based on my experience, tours will absolutely accommodate vegetarians, if it is organized well ahead of time.

Physical Demands and Altitude Sickness

Listen, let’s get straight about how tough this trek might be: I’m being honest. It is up at a very high altitude! Anyone considering it truly needs to understand the demands it makes on you physically. I mean, being at 15,000 feet brings some significant challenges because your body starts reacting to the significantly lower amounts of oxygen that occur naturally at that altitude. Therefore, altitude sickness can be felt. Really unpleasant, trust me. Symptoms, seemingly, can vary. Sometimes you might just have a headache. You might also have lightheadedness, some nausea, and really just feeling generally tired.

Acclimatizing properly before doing any of the hike is also just totally key. Invest about two or three days inside Cusco before going up higher is seriously important. Take it easy on yourself, especially at the beginning. Keep very hydrated; avoid consuming alcohol too, basically. Lots of local guides use coca leaves as a way of alleviating the discomfort too, and, what I mean is, drinking coca tea, might truly help. Recognize when to slow down and never really push past your limits. Also? Considering consulting a physician to get some altitude sickness medicine; that is definitely also something that is important.

What to Pack for the 7 Lakes Trek

Packing the proper gear makes the trek quite easier and safer, right? What I mean is, having layers of clothing makes a difference. The conditions up there are able to change fast. Based on my research, some must-bring pieces that are genuinely key consist of things like hiking boots and moisture-wicking socks. Obviously, right? Warm layers too. What I mean is, take thermals, and a fleece jacket is a good shout too. Do not leave out things like hats and gloves. Even when the sun’s out, the chill at altitude can sting.

Take rain gear too! Even though it seems like clear skies down below, mountain weather can be incredibly tricky! Remember also a high-SPF sunblock (I feel like you already know that, of course). Protecting your skin up there is really important, because what I mean is, the sun radiates, seriously. Bring plenty of water too. Keep hydrated out there; I mean it. It’s useful to also bring a small backpack. It holds things such as extra snacks, first-aid necessities, your camera and all those crucial bits that you can use on the track.

Choosing the Right Tour Operator

Selecting a proper tour is actually important in determining the quality and how enjoyable your overall trek will be. Look up reviews. See those reviews from past trekkers. It sounds obvious, but seeing their stories can provide some really solid insight regarding reliability, how safe the guides are, or even the common quality found in their overall customer care practices. You know, things that should sway you one way or another. Take tours providing small groups to receive just a more personalized approach. What I mean is, it provides time with your guide; what’s more, this is especially really good when it’s important to modify activities. Look to see that their guides do have sufficient credentials in areas of first aid and some altitude awareness know-how for use while facing altitude considerations!

Does the business offer some form of ethical tour options with sustainable tourism strategies and methods. See their determination to keep both our environment and the interests and overall culture, as well, kept inside all practices on said tour as their commitment! Checking out tour deals as compared with their overall services offered as one strategy on tour package comparisons can help you figure out, as you see, which tours are worth paying versus ones providing greater deal or which they think suits individuals’ preferences the very most!

The Best Time of Year to Do the 7 Lakes Trek

Timing is also seriously important. What I mean is, trekking in optimal weather is really beneficial! Based on what I’ve researched, the months of May to September, which actually make up the dry season found in Peru, often come highly suggested in order to traverse it properly! So, that means less rain, plus brighter skies too.

Even within that time range, the overall temperatures tend still shift a great deal due to height as is natural around that area- meaning always taking into consideration things like wearing layering pieces especially really seriously! Going in between those peak- season visits typically leads less densely filled environments and lower total crowds around commonly liked spots for visitors from everywhere.

Is the 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek Worth It? Final Thoughts

Alright, so, in the final analysis, the burning issue arises again. Should one pursue, ultimately, the undertaking on one of seven bodies regarding water found through and including areas along Peru’s mighty Ausangate slopes around Cusco- is such effort just absolutely worth one’s invested energy at days long’s finish given certain commitments with limitations throughout potential trip schedules? I’d offer forth this idea based just strictly solely on subjective elements: If someone harbors within one any deeply firm desires concerning experiencing beautiful scenarios through natural sites combined perfectly via tough hiking type situations when altitude does not seem especially much frightening in nature anyway afterwards likely just by chance one finds its all well and completely well rewarding during some aspects including its final views, too! However one’s that shows even small possible signifiers concerning high altitude ailment- like reactions, those types or that simply prefer something much far quieter in type would usually enjoy others options a whole bunch! Before ever moving firmly through such type travel making fully thought through- all preparations like those concerning acclimatization measures plus thoroughly gathering proper necessary essentials should each become fully undertaken, obviously, beforehand towards having absolutely sure one keeps truly prepared with comfort well preserved across entire escapades from start toward journeys finishing point, also, in fact! This whole Ausangate based, containing various scattered liquid patches based travel absolutely provides a genuine truly unique way via seeing parts far flung deep near Peru where those towering magnificent Andes really provide genuine reminders exactly whom manages entire natural creation completely through itself up near.

#Cusco #Ausangate #7LakesTrek #PeruTravel #AndesMountains