A Stunning Day Tour of Ausangate 7 Lakes
A Stunning Day Tour
of
Ausangate 7 Lakes
One of my most transformative and connective travel experiences was visiting Ausangate 7 Lakes in Peru. 3 hours from Cusco, Ausangate is one of the more remote places I’ve been. Prior to traveling to Peru, I really couldn’t find much info about it, if any, online. But despite that, I decided to make the journey after Peru Summit Adventures strongly recommended it as an alternative to Cusco’s touristy Humantay Lake. The visit both surprised and delighted me in the most new and exciting ways. So if you’re searching for a magical off-the-beaten-path experience here’s why Ausangate 7 Lakes is the trip for you:
ausangate 7 lakes
The Journey
My journey to Ausangate began under a light sky and a clear moon. I left Cusco at 4AM with Hugo and Edwin, my guide and driver. Over the course of the next three hours, I slept on-and-off in the reclinable backseat of our van, edging closer to our remote destination.
We stopped only once, about 2 hours in, quickly grabbing water bottles and bread from a local market. I remember being grateful at this point in the drive, having used the bathroom before we left Cusco.
Given the remote nature of the trip, there weren’t any public restrooms along the way, save for the side of the road in the case of an utter emergency.
Secret Tip:
Use the bathroom before getting on the road and bring plenty of toilet paper. Not only to Ausangate, but across Peru!
ausangate 7 lakes
Horseback Riding
Looking for a few practical tips for Cusco? Read about the 6 Mistakes I Made, so that you can avoid them!
After the long three hours, we finally arrived. The Andes mountain air was quite crisp as Hugo ushered me from the van and into a small local restaurant. No more than a simple dining room with a smaller sectioned-off kitchen area, the restaurant was undemanding and exactly what I needed at 7AM.
We quickly settled in, warming ourselves up with hot coca tea, scrambled eggs and the light bread that Hugo purchased earlier into the trip. An effortless breakfast that would no doubt be important to the hike ahead.
Hugo spoke to the chef to see if a local guide and horse were available to accompany us up the mountain while I decided to brave the restroom.
The only one available and the only one that we would have all day was a small cement outhouse just outside the restaurant. Let me tell you, I’d never been so happy to have had toilet paper before.
Toward the end of our pit stop, I found Hugo who was now standing beside our soon-to-be guide and a small buckskin-coated horse. After introductions, I mounted the horse and away we went, up the trail to the 7 Lakes.
The trail was completely empty on our journey, save for a few alpacas – an absolute dream. The never-ending mountain path ran against fallen rocks, alpine creeks and ancient half stone walls. I felt transported into a scene straight out of a fantasy novel or movie, and entertained myself with thoughts of traveling through Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings.
ausangate 7 lakes
Hike Around the 7 Lakes
Reaching the first lake, Hugo and I left our guide and horse, continuing the rest of the hike on foot.
The lakes were peaceful, still untouched by crowds of tourists. I’m lucky to have experienced them completely solo, being able to be fully present in the beauty and majesty of the mountain landscape around me.
As the name of the trek suggests, there are 7 lakes that we visited once off horseback. My favorite was easily the third lake, the largest with the best viewpoints to take pictures of.
Overall, my visit was worth the early wake up call in Cusco.
ausangate 7 lakes
Musician by the last lake
Once we made it through the marshlands near the last lake, we met back up with our local guide and horse. Motioning to Hugo, our guide said something in Quechua which Hugo then translated for me:
“He’s a musician and wants to play us a song in front of the lake”.
As we sat down on a nearby boulder, our guide quickly brought out his harmonica. We were serenaded with not one, but two beautiful Quechua songs and a dance.
Hugo translated the lyrics which were about the natural landscape surrounding us; thanking the Indigenous Andean goddess Pachamama for this beautiful day.
ausangate 7 lakes
Traditional Pachamanca Lunch
Arriving back at the restaurant, Hugo and I settled in for lunch as our guide left to guide our horse back to pasture. We enjoyed a traditional Pachamanca meal: alpaca meat and potatoes that had been buried and cooked in the Earth.
But that wasn’t all – Hugo and Edwin (our driver) then surprised me with a bottle of rosé to share, a thank you for a bottle I bought the three of us a few days earlier. We enjoyed the food, soon inviting our cook and his family to drink with us and even breaking open a few beers from the kitchen.
ausangate 7 lakes
Drinks, Live Music and Dancing!
Our local guide must have known that the party was brewing. Because he returned with his harmonica, a flute and two drum sets that everyone quickly picked up to play.
For the first few songs, I listened to the music and enjoyed the company. Our cook and his son played the drums while our local guide and musician, stuck with a flute.
Maybe it was the small and intimate nature of the group, maybe the wine, but I soon asked if I might join them. I was immediately welcomed to one of the drums, and together, we went on playing and laughing into the afternoon.
After another couple songs, our cook’s wife disappeared inside, eventually returning with an extra set of her traditional Andean clothes.
She motioned me to the skirt, jacket and hat. And Hugo explained she wanted me to put on the clothes and dance with her. And so….
We did! The day was pure magic, ending on such a high, I had the best dreams on the car ride back to Cusco.
ausangate 7 lakes
Ready To Book Your Own Trip To Ausangate in Peru?
Additional Secret Details to Consider before traveling to Ausangate:
- Make sure you’re fully adjusted to the high altitude in Cusco before your trip. At its highest, Ausangate 7 Lakes Trek reaches an elevation of almost 16,000 feet.
- Bring toilet paper and dress in warm layers – Ausangate is a remote, mountainous region and the weather can be cold and unpredictable. Tour groups like Peru Summit Adventures will provide you with a gear list.
- Pack Imodium. You might not need it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially while eating traditional dishes like Pachamanca.
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