7 Lagoons of Ausangate: the complete day-trip guide
Beneath the glaciers of sacred Ausangate lies a string of lagoons in impossible blues and greens. The 7 Lagoons day trip is one of Cusco’s most rewarding — and least crowded — high-altitude escapes.
A string of glacial jewels
The trail links a series of glacial lagoons coloured turquoise and emerald by mineral meltwater, set beneath the ice of Ausangate (6,384 m), the region’s most sacred peak. It is high country, wild and quiet.
The hike and the altitude
This is a high day — the trail runs well above 4,000 m, so acclimatize in Cusco for a few days first and go at a steady pace. Expect cold mornings and strong sun; dress in layers (packing guide).
See the 7 Lagoons tour
A guided day trip to the lagoons of Ausangate.
When to go
The dry season (April–October) brings the clearest water and safest trails. Want more of this range? See the Ausangate 5-day trek.
Frequently asked questions
The trail runs well above 4,000 m beneath Ausangate, so acclimatizing in Cusco beforehand is important.
No — it is one of the quieter high-altitude day trips around Cusco, far less busy than Rainbow Mountain.