Ausangate 7 Lagoons Hike: Detailed Review of a Cusco Day Trip

So, you’re thinking about visiting Cusco, maybe wanting something way more thrilling than the usual tourist stops? Or maybe you’re scouting for some amazing sights to feast your eyes on. That Ausangate 7 Lagoons hike, it is fast becoming one of the must-do day trips from Cusco, Peru. But very, very before you book, is that the hype truly deserved? I mean, is the gorgeous scenery actually worth the rather intense altitude and physical demand? This write-up gets into my experiences on this hike, covering what you can probably expect, handy tips, and basically whether it’s really worth tacking onto your travel schedule.

What’s the Big Deal About Ausangate Anyway?

Ausangate, so, too it’s almost towering over everything else in the Eastern Andes, it’s really not just any mountain; it’s like a super important, holy one for the Quechua people. Seriously, the peak itself is like a god (or “Apu”) believed to watch over them. That annual Qoyllur Rit’i festival that occurs near the Ausangate mountain is actually one of South America’s biggest indigenous pilgrimages. Getting to know some background, yet very before heading out really adds tons to appreciating the land. The lagoons— they aren’t just shimmering water. They’re typically thought of as gifts, like reflecting the mountain’s soul, as such, that adds depth to your hike and your view.

The 7 Lagoons trek isn’t really your average walk; this circuit shows off some really, really stunning turquoise lagoons, backed by what I see as super dramatic glaciers and rugged peaks. It promises views that just won’t leave your memory. I find that some outfits pitch the Ausangate trip as something more exciting compared to more well-known stuff like Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) or Humantay Lake, those attract way bigger crowds. If escaping loads of other sightseers appeals to you, very then Ausangate it might be exactly what you need.

Booking My Trip: What I Looked For

Alright, when booking this sort of thing, safety it has to be way up on your mind. Very before even comparing prices, so, I really wanted to see reliable outfits featuring qualified guides, those packing first aid kits, and that actually detail what their strategy might be for altitude sickness (since this is something that, if left untreated, can mess you up bad). Very another essential piece I checked was that of good reviews, or better still, recs from traveler buddies or like travel forums. Sustainable and responsible practices are something I really get behind, so too it’s almost I went looking for agencies who take good care of their workers, show lots of respect for those native communities, plus seriously seek ways to lower the effect their travels bring environmentally.

I found lots of tours pitching round trips, what they included, or very how big their groups were, that affected what I ultimately thought a decent value consisted of. Very make sure things are covered, very before going ahead, those pick-up and drop-off spots, whether you get meals included, if entrance fees are additional, along with what kit it involves them lending hikers.

What To Expect on Hike Day: From Cusco and Way Beyond

That morning gets rolling real early – more often than not you’re getting hauled outta bed, probably before sunrise. That ride toward the starting spot is often around three hours, driving mostly, in my view, along the pretty Upper Valley paths. Those views along that way will kind of keep your mind occupied until it actually gets busy.

That actual hike that I found had stretches around 5-6 hours with a total distance right around 10 to 12 km (6-7.5 miles), so expect to be challenged physically. Also, you need to think about that elevation thing; the trail sits at between roughly 4,300 meters (14,100 feet) and 4,900 meters (16,100 feet) which could prove intense assuming you’re barely acclimated, altitude-wise. Very that walking features like moderately steep slopes or even ground across rocks, very I find it always challenges what someone takes away regarding both views and stamina.

A few moments during a hike I did actually became the best highlights; pausing near stunning lakes in different brilliant shades because, let’s admit it, you definitely want photos is totally tempting. Very during parts in a trek I made, there also seemed llamas plus alpacas grazing away casually adding those cute aspects which characterize Andean settings to the hike. Also, don’t discount experiencing just, you know, true tranquility because those wide, stark vistas can give perspective of everything.

Altitude is not a Joke: Getting Ready

Altitude sickness might be very serious around Cusco. So you really need to build up those altitude levels gradually by, let’s just say, hanging around for a few days in the area or similarly high cities before really making an effort in getting active. Listen up; when your body starts making some signals such as like being winded easily, feeling a bit giddy, headaches — then take a chill pill! Prevent really bad things by hydrating way better or taking things somewhat easier on that hike that I did. If you wanna think about some extra assistance from drugs like altitude medication you gotta talk that through first alongside with the medic, very very especially given certain medical things to begin.

Bring stuff to guard from sunstroke due to intense rays reflected at heights — think a wide brimmed-hat along with good sunblock. You likely should wear those hiking footwear which provides really good grip and keeps your ankle feeling good plus very durable warm clothing that I see functions at varying weather stuff really matters here considering conditions will just shift pretty much during a time of that trip.

Lunch with a View: Eats on the Trail

This tour generally features eats and usually packs things you’d take to a picnic so very imagine some pasta/rice blended stuff paired salads coupled and locally sourced items from that terrain! Most outfits think packing something for vegans however assuming there exist nutritional rules probably share what’s needed if registering a place very to provide food agencies can deal very with that stuff.

Hydration proves essential to offset elevation issues then frequently getting bottled drinking water otherwise getting asked about it seems fine depending especially from ecological aspects surrounding plastics’ utilization! Keep yourself full probably through snacking along parts among tracks things featuring dried food (like bars probably) besides perhaps getting natural things such as like coca foliage which neighborhood populations frequently apply probably reducing responses through altitude.

Was That Ausangate 7 Lagoons Hike Worthwhile? A Summary

I suppose the views among such 7 lagoons hiking were like, stunningly awesome but in honesty expect difficult days along elevations besides physical strength being somewhat evaluated, seriously? Very provided things sound all things for your adventures list plus your requirements besides priorities I see no issues because in fairness doing that hike makes total good thing around locations neighboring Cusco locations however! Probably, it needs thinking regarding acclimating plus carefully finding perfect groups along sustainable/ecological principles also guarantee this experience remains incredible by means ensuring lasting well effects towards locations around environments alongside everyone associated.