Get picked up by your professional guide from your Cusco accommodation from 4-4:30 am. Make the 3-hour drive to Pacchanta all bundled up with an extra warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves as morning temperatures in the area range from 5–9°C. Stop for breakfast and any last-minute things you forgot to buy in Cusco like water and snacks.

From Pacchanta, take in your first views of the magnificent Apu Ausangate Mountains, rising 6,384 meters above sea level. Take some time to prepare your day pack and then begin the trek to the first of the Ausangate Lakes. Hike at a comfortable pace along the steep terrain with a small group and attentive guide who will look out for your safety.

The total hike covers approximately 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) and takes around 4.5 hours, passing through varied terrain and changing altitudes, with beautiful views of several lakes along the way. The highest point of the trek reaches 4,620 meters (15,090 feet) above sea level.

Then trek back to Pacchanta where a fortifying local lunch awaits you. Once you’ve refueled, hop in the nearby hot springs and relax as you take in incredible views of the surrounding highlands. Arrive back in Cusco between 6 and 7 pm.