Cuzco 7 Lakes Tour: Is it the Best Ausangate Hike?
Planning a trip to Cuzco and want to do some serious high-altitude hiking? Then a tour to the Seven Lakes of Ausangate could just be the sort of adventure you crave. Yet, with so many options out there, is this one truly the amazing pick for your travel dreams? Well, this review is designed to give you some proper insight into what to anticipate, based on real-world experiences. You can get a great sense of whether this popular excursion hits the spot or falls a little short, and perhaps it will enable you to determine if it lives up to the hype.
What’s the 7 Lakes Tour All About, Actually?
The 7 Lakes Tour takes you right into the heart of the Peruvian Andes. You know, that stunning range that dominates South America? It shows off some truly gorgeous, colorful alpine lakes right near the Apu Ausangate, a really tall, sacred mountain. Anyway, many travelers really consider it as, you know, kind of an alternative way to take in Ausangate’s majesty. It is almost as if you’re getting up close without taking on, like, a full multi-day trek.
Now, a typical tour, in a way, kind of starts early in Cuzco. After a fair bit of driving (expect around 3-4 hours), you arrive somewhere close to the trail head. That point usually sits over 4,000 meters above sea level – seriously high! After a quick brief from the guides, your hike starts through dramatic highland areas. Very often, you might spot local Quechua people dressed in traditional garments, along with herds of llamas and alpacas roaming. Anyway, as the trail winds its way through the Andes, one gorgeous lake gives way to the next, each showing off its own unique shade and setting. Oh, and included lunches, prepared in this lovely, serene landscape, really make it just a special treat!
Why Choose This Tour?
Well, so many explorers want an accessible glimpse of Ausangate’s glory, so they pick this trek. You are able to wrap up the trip in just a single day, yet still score some brag-worthy mountain views. Then, in some respects, it appeals to travelers that would love Andean beauty but probably can’t put in, like, several days on a demanding, multi-day hike. So too it’s appealing if they don’t want to deal with heavy backpacks or camping equipment! But, you know, it isn’t easy, considering the altitude’s pretty taxing. That means even pretty fit individuals might experience its impact.
Then, in addition to, you know, just pure scenery, such excursions regularly bring in cultural moments. I mean, getting to observe Andean residents maintaining ancient cultures, too it’s almost as though it provides layers of context beyond those amazing scenes. All that adds a meaningfulness, I would suggest. So it enhances pictures of, I don’t know, blue-green lakes surrounded with sharp peaks.
What to Expect: A Step-by-Step View
So the excursion starts early – many providers pick you up anywhere between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., for example! Well, as anyone who knows anything will tell you, early rises come together with amazing sights. The van trip heading that way to the trailhead often covers plenty of territory. You almost might drive on winding highland roads which is what gets you acclimated for whats coming. Very, very early light provides unique vistas across valleys starting a day perfectly.
Oh, after roughly a 3-4 hour journey you reach the jump-off site – this usually rests near Pacchanta Village. As I was saying, take one of your deep breaths right here. Given that elevations hover here at nearly 14,000 ft! Here you receive initial route specifics and any precautionary safety suggestions, by the way. Arguably, some guides deliver local coca tea. That definitely minimizes potential altitude complications.
Now comes trekking, typically spanning distances reaching anywhere from approximately 6-9 miles around. At first some ascents climb steadily higher. Nevertheless trail regulars classify paths generally moderate at gradient levels. Anyway, many tour companies emphasize leisurely pacing that allows optimal enjoyment without pressing too fast into the ascent. I think this especially addresses acclimatizing concerns for some of their clients. After a bit views break open quickly unveiling those radiant waters – each possessing different tints derived, naturally, out of local mineral makeup alongside positioning factors regarding sky light reflections.
Midday sees organized meals often next a peaceful lakeside locale! In a way that adds a different ambiance when savouring some regional delicacies amidst such surroundings, so to speak! In the event you are eating whilst enveloped into alpine scenes far, far away out of whatever concrete world exists elsewhere then that certainly will offer serenity I think. After people sufficiently recharge energy levels too they may continue onwards finishing traversing all various vantage spots included. The total tour ends around late mid-day until later day. Finally by twilight travelers typically have gotten brought backwards directly straight towards lodging based from Cuzco once again after one extremely actioned though remarkable occasion together around majestic landscape!
The Lakes Themselves: What Makes Each Special
All seven lakes in your tour give some sort of uniqueness – the characteristics make trips much, much, more richer if viewed in greater details so it seems. Here just some keynotes from a number:
- Lake Azulcocha: Appropriately known under names synonymous about “Blue”. Known by some locals that come based from bright blue coloration – colors clearly are most photogenic throughout sunny times under which clear rays properly penetrate into clean mineral reservoirs giving such strong contrasts I feel.
- Lake Otorongo: Comes bearing features resembling wildlife (in the case of Otorongo translates primarily to “Jaguar”!). Its surrounding terrain often contains peculiar rock settings perhaps appearing almost feline within silhouette. Anyway, some may feel creativity arises gazing toward those vistas especially after hearing those stories during tour periods themselves so its like an immersive thing too somehow!
- Lake Alcacocha: Often somewhat overlooked between other brighter counterparts! You, it gives great serene atmospheres offering reflective moments across the flat area’s mirrored surfaces as wind conditions might drop.
- Lake Patacocha: Known to have fairly shallow extensions where you have quite plentiful waterfowls found – so bird enthusiasts might enjoy identifying unique Andean avian. Really there is a cool feeling for having animal moments during trips!
- Lake Comercocha: Has usually sharper edges along coastline parts that come coupled featuring darkish underwater bottoms increasing contrast among surrounding grass slopes found throughout that geography almost like two dimensional images but yet full 3D somehow.
- Lake Machucocha: Tends usually somewhat larger among listed – giving broader panoramas extending fully outward further afar allowing visitors getting increased vantage capabilities along vast Andean countryside sides at just specific instances for the reason! Anyway some enjoy getting such breadth along scenes even although others might be simply fixating along more localized areas close nearby at almost exactly same places!
- Lake Qomercocha: Just the most stunning ones, and actually you can hike right beside those shores giving up memorable photo opportunities while framing mighty Ausangate peaks at their backs just when that skyline is perfect beyond everything I guess. So in all honesty these really stand-out amongst seven overall options at all too somehow so for what I’m getting across maybe!
What to Pack: Key Items for the Ausangate Hike
Now before heading towards those heights around the Andes its worth checking up stuff required. Those arrangements always enable way more enjoyment from situations as the saying says; So then preparing can enable comfort rather discomfort that definitely means quite something!
- Hiking boots/shoes (broken-in) Get solid grip bottoms capable upon assorted lands containing dust or rocks while guaranteeing solid leg cushioning and comfort as people travel such distances – previously test foot gear by traveling for smaller distances upfront even before launching your great high rising escapades right outwards right onward there in front maybe! So get it prepared really I suppose I would indicate.
- Layered Clothing This will often manage climatic change – Andean atmospheric phenomena always seem so random along some parts during periods throughout a full diurnal event time; Therefore make sure thermal gear underneath jackets enabling people swapping things freely to always keep things comfortable from chilling air or very hot solar moments almost randomly during hiking hours then I’m sure this’d matter just exactly somehow too as things end eventually overall in short! So just prepare those clothes everyone!
- Sun Protection: Top-notch sun cream factors since sky rays turn very extreme then higher we lift those locations found at far higher parts I figure while having a quality hats can keep your facial features along a nice protected format together! It will matter after long-lasting exposures just precisely whenever along full travel scenarios while getting at various higher vantage point zones as folks stand experiencing spectacular surrounding scenes also beyond it certainly. So for your benefit please think upon this consideration that relates regarding sun related issues at its baremost foundations certainly just right from down even there almost entirely by every measure right straight right from below down up above even then just!
- Hydration Pack/Water Bottles: Transport sufficient watery stores capable during total expeditions: At greater elevations dehumidification levels will increase so people must hydrate fully continuously to counteract such losses there through that whole episode fully mostly completely just!
- Snacks Should provide nutritional supplementation across travel courses. Energy providing snacks can keep exhaustion diminished. Stuff having high fuel densities that pack light is definitely perfect since you are saving area plus diminishing weighting matters overall overall at long terms while journey along various vistas while getting onto your own sightseeing moments! Really! Anyway eat snacks too somehow for fun sure though maybe as needed along scenarios right now possibly in totality somehow!
- Rain Gear: Ponchos tend prove worthy during surprise storms developing there! So have stuff readily at closest bags guaranteeing fast accessibility along unexpected precipitation developing along mountains as those places possess their ways indeed at surprises just somehow always during travels possibly. Thus prepare beforehand there too right.
- Small Backpack: For you to carry essential tour stuffs, so keep sizing properly well proportioned while feeling lightweight! Having comfortable bag builds everything better from there beyond all aspects involved!
Real Traveler Experiences: What Are People Saying?
Comments about traveling experiences on Ausangate really tend to greatly vary; Then it’s very advantageous evaluating reviews broadly ahead toward getting bookings onto adventures out upwards over and away during ranges in order since the most important points will get understood beforehand there and away around across totally there while journey upwards all out maybe mostly likely in almost everything! Let’s browse typical trends shared thru most guests:
- Positives: Stunning Sceneries remains top compliments as scenery brings strong enjoyment across lakes while those vistas get almost fully admired especially upon bright sun instances – photography is frequently highlighted quite fully then fully with respect at beauty at large there. Expert-guiding is usually really highly emphasized as local workers deliver not fully simply operational guiding alone yet also contextual stories connecting deep insights related culturally regarding regions. Really I mean what a nice situation right. Meals often gain really respectable statements mainly that having lunch settings being outstanding given nature at its prime. I almost consider having something as prime mostly even at most conditions somehow also beyond maybe there overall mostly beyond just everything somehow while there fully definitely only too certainly right through I suppose it makes an additional element at its fullest always in time I bet so really too right!.
- Considerations: Many travellers feel that extreme peak might prove taxing so altitude issues get flagged regularly – those intending traveling onto highlands during times at altitudes at extreme need ensuring getting time used to it upfront and before any long term undertakings occur while journey overall. Weather always constitutes different things along those heights – unpredictable patterns get emphasized a whole much just like being ready since shifts along atmospheres come regularly during instances mostly potentially even though along certain conditions this should affect very certain travel events at those highest tops as something there I propose indeed overall almost definitely I do as I suggest overall there. Length could demonstrate challenging based upon someone getting used hiking so conditioning properly should prove beneficial since full excursion extends numerous stretch spanning during whole single timeframe mainly on travel ways throughout at some distance potentially so I feel thus maybe definitely!
Alternatives to the 7 Lakes Tour
So a 1 day tour for 7-lakes won’t exactly align suitable mostly there for each one’s inclinations. Plenty further diverse hiking methods get usually within reach at locations across/surrounding regions.
- Multi-Day Ausangate Trek: Then go get onto encompassing round travel adventures encircling full Ausangate peak when undertaking such numerous day trips! Those can range generally somewhere via about usually from four stretching almost even by six occasions potentially! This lets slow down taking further remote segments gaining intimate view at diverse landscapes there far and between various parts there mostly truly at great expanse from there far outwards across overall!
- Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): That location garners considerable visiting – usually having striking multicolored grades at locations mainly since slopes will definitely be derived with a compilation minerals developing beautiful designs indeed mostly I claim!. You may even bundle combination toward encountering Ausangate zones too – albeit mostly these zones get fully distant then 7 lagoons alone always usually I suppose from many general reasons usually really even overall during overall full aspects really anyway during times!.
- Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain: Known almost typically since alternative over crowded alternative areas almost alike over prior rainbow region – still owning considerable colorful scenery anyway containing more approachable path slopes and generally possessing diminished travelers typically than previously! This will sometimes yield quite improved private view options I often assume as usually stated potentially still being almost somewhat identical aesthetically although maybe it doesn’t have all attributes though often still is worthwhile always still!.
- Humantay Lake: This represents a quite further widely admired peak mostly typically since it happens by the aquamarine shaded pond rests directly by glaciers giving gorgeous views along fairly reasonable travelling stages fully for something. This makes somewhat mostly perfect whenever needing to getting in swift sightseeing but staying inside shorter physical undertakings so if the cases it will work good certainly still overall even right away I guess.
Making Your Booking: Tips and Recommendations
Reservations through travel providers to Ausangate’s wonderful waters can occur via many possible avenues/mediums; that could involve booking local agency upon appearance to reservations via major global oriented touring engines mostly. Several beneficial recommendations enabling well made planned decisions typically are given here under.
- Compare Several Providers: Service costings could easily wildly greatly. Carefully examine those points across different agencies prior agreeing through some definite decisions regarding scheduling because those prices might also generally depend off characteristics getting made along package selections sometimes greatly throughout then usually always so always know truly mostly! So make right purchases by assessing factors almost by each case carefully at that moment truly greatly! So good right!.
- Examine Inclusions: Several deals may mostly fully fully include different elements regarding things so thoroughly carefully verify factors that usually getting implemented inside travel fees! Is often transfer services towards remote tracks totally normally handled or can this have excess expenses needing usually accounted further onwards mostly so have most questions responded through just almost everyone before settling via commitments!. So for any element being clear consult truly then accurately throughout prior doing selections fully in any possible moment too now even really fully for times mostly through periods during selections overall indeed still greatly possibly by various potential variables fully for those possible scenarios for all these moments truly here totally mostly I fully state so you for your own well being should then truly mostly at times carefully consult those people involved and know all there ever exists and you will thank everyone for just such reasons mainly really almost even!.
- Read through Reviews and Recommendations: Opinions delivered from recent tour followers tend bringing real world experiences as usually. Evaluate ratings thoroughly while noting repeatedly voiced patterns throughout past reviewers fully since factors being highlighted through such could emphasize potential high parts ( or bad characteristics ) about travelling during those travel actions indeed! Often fully greatly still just indeed and really fully really!.
- Inquire Regarding Guides Skill and Capabilities: Experienced tour companies mostly possess staff having expertise for things similar about things ranging toward emergency safety treatments also altitude related awareness or simply cultural interpretation expertise then also request mostly tour staffing can communicate properly regarding language that will improve participation then pleasure for someone and mostly their complete gathering when traveling so mostly also through those things together and mixed so it feels nice mainly or something I do mainly mostly even through certain possibilities. Often that makes some full whole meaning about certain things when touring anyway probably so know factors then decide and proceed in some better capacity because reasons!.
Is the ‘Cuzco Tour to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate Lunch’ Right for You?
Is there any tour through this Peruvian place most optimal fit based onto desires travelling inclinations I truly almost almost truly believe I would need truly truly mostly fully always even mainly here truly to carefully completely greatly greatly then simply yet definitely very thoroughly assess aspects concerning points brought further mostly always throughout throughout. Check back around a checklist from preferences: For starters when desiring fast brief peak through high-hill environments during reduced physical effort during mostly only an whole moment a completely easy then easy during a total quick span? Those 7 pool activities potentially often aligns beautifully then completely for what occurs mainly in some better degree even also completely at almost just every chance as some sort that comes to my almost all all overall for just about at points coming ever truly ever throughout ever still just truly greatly that is! Just there here and right! Always!
Do personal lean usually greatly through longer adventures gaining totally intimate looks in totally untouched environments then perhaps probably fully consider usually definitely getting engaged deeply inside Ausangate peak stretching multiple day tour programs perhaps rather instead even. Does acclimatization remain challenge so those people require moderate undertaking maybe that allows extended gradual pace shifts upward there too in every single sense. Thus select locations lower when considering physical well being issues always! So plan at this case mostly through better judgement almost from now!. Lastly consider you really must see fantastic vistas ( mostly from crystal waters also alpine locations combined together throughout single package combination. Then also have limited timeline therefore want some very strong photo taking possibilities too that really makes things that feel the real thing then fully then these activities truly deliver completely what seems there the most truly correct action that seems right most accurately correct almost probably. In fact almost it is then almost definitely true!. That action truly that really almost really probably is then truly here at any place every totally time always mostly certainly I truly very strongly believe I have come almost certainly near mostly what actually represents totally most fully absolutely clearly easily purely best always from any point mostly through a lens looking at and towards only one thing then fully and clearly greatly always what would definitely give only some people totally greatest joy most surely here always!. You now understand almost perfectly now and maybe I fully almost bet or assume by such conditions at things maybe I have fully been just the greatest force that really only desires something to gain greatest value from which means this really mostly does almost prove completely always as certainly this can always mostly definitely mostly what all people seek greatly only certainly!
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