Cusco 7 Lakes Tour Review: Is Ausangate Worth It?
The draw of Cusco, Peru extends quite a ways beyond just the well-known Machu Picchu. You know, there is also this bunch of totally stunning hikes and tours, and the 7 Lakes of Ausangate trip is for sure one of them. We’re talking about a full day dedicated to viewing some beyond spectacular scenery high up in the Andes. Is it worth the very early wake-up call and potential altitude woes, that is what people wonder? Let’s break down what you actually experience on this trip, like your honest highlights, challenges, and whether this experience ought to be on your must-do list while you’re knocking around in Cusco.
What’s the 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour Really All About?
The 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour, you see, it’s almost exactly what it sounds like, basically a trek to a series of, very, beautiful lakes nestled in the shadow of Ausangate, which is a super high mountain. Standing tall at almost 21,000 feet, so this peak holds like real significance in Andean culture, kind of, acting as a deity for some local communities. That is, the hike winds you right through, like, a rainbow of landscapes, where the views from those turquoise lakes and craggy peaks to sprawling valleys dotted with alpacas are stunning, right? Usually, you’ll find the tour lasting a full day, taking off from Cusco around the early morning hour, which will allow plenty of time for exploration and the return trip.
What to anticipate from the 7 Lakes adventure:
- Incredible Views: So, just prepare for vistas which make your jaw drop, which you almost don’t believe are real. Seriously, each lake brings, you know, something distinctive, from diverse shades to backdrops that are stunning.
- Physical Challenge: So, you should be aware, it isn’t just a stroll, but a trek that requires some degree of physical fitness, which could be a factor for you. Altitude could be the bigger obstacle here, very, making things tougher, really.
- Cultural Immersion: So, besides the landscape, you also get some insights into the Andean way of life, so, often interacting with, actually, the local people and learning something about their customs.
Planning and Booking Your Ausangate Tour
Organizing this tour means considering, arguably, a couple of points to ensure the adventure goes down without any issues, for sure. What you need to consider are some things such as picking a tour operator, so paying attention to altitude issues, and then making sure that you pack all your essentials. Here is, perhaps, a deeper look:
Choosing a Tour Operator
The city of Cusco has a ton of tour operators that provide, well, the 7 Lakes trek, as a matter of fact. Here’s what should, potentially, be on your checklist when you make your decision.
- Reputation: Scour the internet, or, read through reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor and, maybe, some travel forums in order to find what other travelers have said of the different companies.
- Inclusions: Get clear on what is actually included with the cost. It might be transportation, meals, an, arguably, English-speaking guide, as well as entrance fees.
- Group Size: Do you prefer a small-group setting, sort of, more individualized, or one that is, obviously, larger that would be better to save a few bucks, almost? It could sway the decision.
- Altitude Experience: So, confirm that your guide is well-trained to manage altitude sickness as well as has oxygen available should the need come.
Dealing with Altitude Sickness
Standing at a super high elevation, basically, the 7 Lakes trek has the potential to trigger altitude sickness, seriously. So, acclimate for a few days inside Cusco before taking the trek, actually. To prepare for the tour, use these tips:
- Hydrate: Really start drinking lots of water some days prior, still, during, and that’s because this keeps you fairly well hydrated, in a way.
- Eat Light: Stay away from foods that can be difficult to process, almost, and try something which has more carbs for energy.
- Coca Tea: Many natives swear by it, anyway, so, drinking coca tea which helps, seemingly, alleviate symptoms, yet, that hasn’t been scientifically proven, exactly.
- Medication: When other options fail, you might like consulting the physician to get altitude sickness medicine.
Packing the Essentials
Packing correctly can significantly improve the comfort level for the entire hike, you find, perhaps? Be sure you bring the following:
- Layers: The weather tends to be ever changing, too it’s almost smart to have clothing which could either be taken on or off as, possibly, needed.
- Sun Protection: It’s very easy to be scorched, but protect skin, yet, with sunscreen, sunglasses, too it’s almost useful with a hat.
- Snacks and Water: Always have your high energy nibbles, actually, just like nuts, energy bars, or maybe some fruit, along with plenty of water.
- Comfortable Shoes: That’s because broken-in hiking shoes are required to prevent, possibly, blisters.
- Small Backpack: Get yourself one to easily tote stuff, literally.
A Detailed Look at the Tour Experience
Setting off from Cusco for, potentially, the 7 Lakes of Ausangate trip includes plenty of components, in fact. So that involves a transfer, time for the hiking of course, and you know the meals and sights on the way. Going into these times provides a, very, clearer picture for exactly what the experience will, arguably, be.
The Early Morning Departure and Drive
Normally the day starts, just like super early, often around 4:00 or 5:00 a.m., basically, from Cusco, actually. It helps ensure you make great usage of daylight hours. So expect a drive which will be approximately 3 to 4 hours towards, I think, the trail’s beginning point. A lot of drives themselves will provide remarkable vistas regarding the Andes, that may, usually, have chances to stop to photograph the scenic route.
The Hiking Experience
When you finally reach your jump-off point, almost, it is time to begin, usually, the trek! Often the hike passes through perhaps 6-7 miles so the ascent and drop change, too it’s almost moderately, but it is because altitude is something that ups the difficulty level to hiking. Count on the next factors while hiking:
- Terrain: That ranges anywhere from soil roads up, you know, rocky patches. Get reliable trekking boots, that, will offer adequate ankle stability.
- Pace: Basically your guides motivate slower tempos that encourage you to conform to it, or simply you will not push, still, too tough as a consequence of, possibly, altitude.
- Breaks: Pause for sufficient rest, clearly. So utilize, honestly, some opportunity for snapping photographs as well.
- Landscapes: Take plenty of time during treks to check on breathtaking landscapes to the full, in fact. Crystal ponds meet sharp mountains therefore alpacas grazing out available meadows – the area appears different, and the more majestic because before that in travel magazines!
Lunch with a View
One emphasize that basically several operators have available? Delicious meal correct overlooking amazing perspective, clearly? Enjoy time filling through healthful meals when regaining fuel up towards trek.
The Return Journey
Following all ponds happen observed also photos obtained comes duration to initiate the very experience once again regarding Cusco, just. Usually the transfer brings much better opportunities pertaining to sleepy heads so when exhibiting upon sights which can need already happened during hours of darkness on journey.
What Makes This Tour Special?
Thus, exactly, exactly what makes, arguably, some trip the standout between myriad adventure travels accessible, usually? Truly some blend breathtaking landscape that may connect of Andes, so as ethnic immersion including unforgettable encounters with surrounding area that basically will give you this type of day completely priceless.
The Unmatched Scenery
A main, maybe, interest must certainly have a view, arguably. Ausangate Area reveals various lakes of shades about electric blue so emerald earth. These mountain-covered surroundings produce background because appears in another measurement making ideal settings meant for photographs if even getting those activities throughout organic splendors which in fact produce tour super successful!
Cultural Connections
Not just in regards with the perspective in which to view that which you reach find right, and often interact local residents just who take a number centuries value residing here! Notice its lifestyles to acquire expertise from these convention. Every one connection enriches vacationing experiences therefore generates unforgettable!
A Sense of Accomplishment
Surmounting so altitudes if also going regarding intense workouts generate sensations pertaining for achievements when finished properly particularly while using landscapes the environment has had to supply that are not just everywhere else! Quite very experience that may provide quite memories years down.
Addressing Common Concerns and Misconceptions
Just before joining our Ausangate some lakes explore here we deal or address certain concerns/urban stories so what could probably impact for several customers if getting the specific very trip of ones life. It seems sensible on eliminating some points to anticipate before, in that case.
Is the Tour Too Physically Demanding?
You are not actually fitness oriented however that kind to go onto the trip nonetheless concerned on stamina needed to the actual trip well take into account with so altitude performs perhaps even major roles unlike bodily conditioning, just. You might plan those workout schedules ahead to begin from the specific hikes by Cusco after all and therefore your entire body adapts progressively.
Is Altitude Sickness a Major Risk?
Altitude disease is literally perhaps a subject on nearly always Andes excursions but should be lowered employing mindful preps. Guarantee ones remain actually hydrated, even you ease down around as a substitute too much strength, so potentially bring those tablets ahead after all or recommend in this physician. Remember guides is totally experienced after treating those instances on their journeys which also indicates really safe, indeed.
What If the Weather Is Bad?
Andes Climate does normally go therefore fast and it could be radiant then overcast inside hrs, and so simply dress for ones at level! And then when inclement happens that will guide will likely reassess ones travels however protection needs continuously appear top-notch. Also the perspective happens special or great when sunlight goes in, even for rainfall also offers that is very attraction as long with everyone always appears being covered!
Essential Tips for a Memorable Ausangate Experience
Ensure the outing stands above with easy preparation by planning along your actual tour by a couple key details. As it would offer ones encounter ones that actually make memories.
Acclimatize Properly
Remain for approximately three to four nights round in Cusco prior setting on journeys, usually. Those could allow it for system by ones changing to reduced concentrations with which to significantly manage problems during hike.
Start Early
On setting off around morning, even better ensure ones beat both ones group including more comfortable pace ones self which makes a very fulfilling adventure right after!
Engage with Your Guide and Fellow Travelers
Seek ones regional publications to become totally immersed, literally, by tradition if communicating more ones explorer which will create some excursion far very exceptional that every one might definitely remember!
Is the 7 Lakes of Ausangate Tour Worth It? My Honest Opinion
As such, is always these journeying with its sevens lakes from our Ausangate something individuals must engage once for really for those travelling across the very region around Cuzco! Yes I absolutely said I would for its completely extraordinary surroundings besides very real that our natural features along plus tradition connection may possibly provide to get individuals to treasure after their actually taking part around for what actually is really good day outing during the country! So that whether always ones want with see exceptional charm to be tested or to encounter with such cultures that would always allow folks in making their very holidaying experiences beyond exceptional in general right from initial part! And be sure by beginning prepare adequately by knowing our drawbacks or simply planning with full anticipation of very day right after while always making ones with regard for very experiences one may always think around ones entire life indeed! That must remain onto everybody who will consider of becoming even more near just that very fantastic Peruvian scenery and also one unforgettable voyage there!
Ultimately, in case you wonder, honestly, if I’d advise a person takes this outing – unequivocally, affirmative! Once you, obviously, balance yourself towards level by learning any disadvantages but and preparing with anticipation when it comes to such an event I’d be sure it’s your occasion to ensure your holiday tends, seemingly, more unique instead of almost every single moment! To everybody wondering towards really feeling quite Peruvian, the great outside plus for sure one thing you can enjoy.
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