About this experience
According to the Inca mythology of this mountain and the nearby lakes – among which Sibinacocha stands out – gives birth to the masculine energy that fertilizes Mother Earth, Pachamama. After a long course, the waters are lost in the unknown lands of the Amazon, only to return to fill the lakes and glaciers every night, transformed into the River of Stars or Willkamayu, known in the West as the Milky Way. The Chillca community, composed of llama and alpaca herders, is known as the guardian of these pristine landscapes. From here, you can embark on mountain hikes, spending nights in comfortable lodges or tambos, with Machuracay Tambo standing out, in a trek known as the “Path of the Apu Ausangate.”
At a glance
- Duration: 14 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 14 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
What is included
- Coffee, Breads, butter, juices, cereals, pancakes, butter
- In-Person Guide
- Starter dishes, main dishes
Not included
- Entrance to the thermal baths 10 soles and entrance to the Ausangate 20 soles
- Dinners, drinks
Itinerary and highlights
The collection of lagoons comprising this tourist attraction is fed by the melting snow of the immense Ausangate, the highest peak in Cusco (with its summit reaching 6,384 meters above sea level). The local communities decided to harness the natural beauty of the area by creating a circuit of 7 lagoons: Pucacocha Lagoon, Patacocha Lagoon, Alqacocha Lagoon, Qomercocha Lagoon, Otorongo Orco Lagoon, Otorongo Chinese Lagoon, and Cocha Blue Lagoon.
Every year, on the northern side of Ausangate, the Qoyllur Rit’i festival (Quechua: “star snow”) has been celebrated since time immemorial before the Corpus Christi festival. During this event, thousands of Quechuas make a pilgrimage to the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i in the Sinakara temple (a rock painting). This pilgrimage was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Meeting and pickup information
- Pick-ups are from hotels located in the center of the city of Cusco, if the hotel is very far away you will be met at a point.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Tayra Tours Adventures
Accessibility and practical details
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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