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This single-day tour starts early from Cusco. We drive south towards Ocongate-Tinki, then to Paqchanta, which is the starting point for the hike. This area is known for its high altitude.
The hike itself takes about two hours to reach the four color lagoons: Minaparayoq, Uturungococha, Yanacocha, and Q’omercocha. These lagoons are located at a high elevation and offer views of the Ausangate glacier area. You will see green, wine, black, and turquoise colored lagoons.
After spending time at the lagoons, we will hike back to Paqchanta for lunch. In the afternoon, we return to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel. This tour offers a high-altitude hiking experience to see natural lagoons.
We leave Cusco very early from your Accommodation, adjust to its altitude by exploring through the Native villages. We start 5:00 in a private vehicle driving toward Ocongate-Tinki (3850M/12631,23Ft) southern site of Cusco, arriving then to Paqchanta (4350/14271,65Ft) for our breakfast and start point of the hike, almost 2 hours hiking to four colour Lagoons as Minaparayoq, Uturungucocha, Yanacocha and Q’omercocha, 4730m/15518,37ft. Our guide provides you some recommendations to start the trek to four colour Lagoons. We start the hike to four Colour Lagoons for approximately 2 hrs; surrounding a peaceful landscapes of Ausangate glacier area and the amazing views of the mountain range, then we reach the four colour lagoons, we enjoy the beautiful Green, Wine, black and turquoise colours Lagoons, then 1 and a half hour hiking on our way back to Paqchanta our lunch spot then our convoy returns us to Cusco around 7:00 p.m; We drop you at your hotel. BREAKFAST, LUNCH & SNACK
This tour is a focused day trip designed to take you to the Ausangate Color Lagoons, including Minaparayoq and Uturungococha. It provides an opportunity to experience high-altitude Andean landscapes and unique geological features in a single day. You will spend a significant part of the day driving and hiking.
The climate in the Ausangate region is typical of high-altitude Andes:
The communities in the Ausangate region are primarily indigenous Quechua-speaking people. They maintain traditional lifestyles focused on agriculture and alpaca herding. They are generally resilient and welcoming. Respect their customs and privacy.
This tour is suitable for individuals with a good level of physical fitness and no underlying health conditions that would be worsened by high altitude. It is generally not recommended for very young children or individuals with heart or respiratory issues due to the significant elevation gain.
What is the starting time of the tour? The tour starts very early, typically around 5:00 AM, with pick-up from your accommodation in Cusco.
What is the highest point reached on this trip? The highest point reached is approximately 4730 meters (15,518 feet) at the four color lagoons.
Is food provided during the tour? Yes, breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included in the tour package.
Is transportation included from my hotel? Yes, round-trip private transportation from your hotel in Cusco is included.
What languages does the guide speak? The professional guide speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
What happens if there is an emergency during the hike? An emergency horse is available for each person in case you need assistance during the hike. A first aid kit and oxygen balloon are also carried.
Do I need to be very fit for this tour? This tour is moderately difficult due to the high altitude and walking involved. Good physical condition is recommended.
Are entrance fees for the lagoons included? This is a single-day trip, and any specific local fees would be covered by the “Tourist Pass (entrances fees)” if applicable, but this is not explicitly listed in the inclusions for this specific trip.
What should I wear for this tour? It is recommended to wear layers of clothing, including thermal wear, a warm jacket, waterproof pants, and good hiking boots.
Is tipping expected for the staff? Tipping staff is not included in the tour price and is at your discretion.
Andes Path Peru is a locally-owned and operated family travel agency and tour operator based in Cusco, built on many years of first-hand trekking experience. As a 100% Cusqueñian company with no external shareholders, we are deeply rooted in our community.
Our vision as a local company is to craft small, customized tours and treks that are exclusively operated by our team of local professionals. We are dedicated to providing a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We take great pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. We consider our staff to be our extended family and ensure they receive fair wages for their hard work. We are incredibly proud of our team! Without their dedication, we couldn’t offer the exceptional service and create the lifetime experiences our clients cherish.
Andes Path Peru understands the importance of trusting a reliable and honest operator to plan your adventure of a lifetime in Peru. We invite you to read our outstanding reviews and view our certificates of excellence on TRIPADVISOR! We also come highly recommended by publications such as Conde Nast Travelers and Lonely Planet.
To provide a more customized experience for our guests, Andes Path Peru has a strict policy of limiting our groups to a maximum of 8 people. This commitment to small group sizes is a key factor that distinguishes us from other companies that operate with much larger tour groups.
We are incredibly proud of our guides! They are consummate professionals who are fluent in English. They possess a deep knowledge of and a true passion for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are committed to continuous professional and personal growth, constantly researching to ensure you receive accurate and recognized information about Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun-loving, engaging, and highly educated. Each guide holds a university degree in a relevant field such as Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Trekking with Andes Path Peru is a life-changing journey. We offer a fully portered experience where your comfort and enjoyment are our highest priorities. We are dedicated to making sure you have the best possible holiday in Peru, allowing you to interact with local people, explore breathtaking sites, and rediscover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare delicious meals, set up your tents in quiet locations away from crowded campsites, and take care of you, allowing you to simply sit back and relax.
We provide the following equipment to our porters at no cost: a jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, a canteen, a supportive girdle to protect their backs, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated communities, giving them the opportunity to improve their economic situation and help support their children’s education. We ensure that every one of our porters is treated like family!
The quality of our team (guides, cooks, porters, horsemen) and our top-of-the-line equipment truly makes Andes Path Peru stand out from the competition. For all of our adventure hikes, we include the following:
At Andes Path Peru, we have always believed in the importance of giving back to the local, isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we consistently run social projects and prioritize local hiring.
Andes Path Peru is proud to be able to support our local people. We do more than just employ them; we go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. We are delighted to have this holistic and supportive relationship with our highland employees and their families!