Cusco has a habit of putting you in a bind… but a good one. Mountain or lagoon? Short hike or intense route? Selfie with a turquoise backdrop or an Andean circuit with waters of all colors?
Today, we’re going to resolve one of those dilemmas every traveler faces when they’re halfway acclimatized and eager to trek through the Andes:
Humantay Lagoon or the 7 Ausangate Lagoons?
Both will leave you breathless—one for the climb, the other for their beauty—but they are VERY different experiences. So here we go, point by point, without beating around the bush, with the good, the incredible… and what isn’t always told.
📍 Location: Soraypampa (Mollepata)
🕒 Time from Cusco: 3 hours by road to the trailhead
🏔 Altitude: 4,200 m above sea level
In short: you leave early, climb steeply, and at the end, that electric blue lagoon you’ve seen so many times on Instagram awaits you (and yes, the color is real).
📍 Location: Pacchanta Community (Ocongate)
🕒 Time from Cusco: Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours
🏔 Altitude: Between 4,300 and 4,800 m above sea level
Spoiler alert: after the trip and the hike, you’ll have more than one lagoon to admire, and even a hot spring to finish properly.
💬 Fact that not everyone knows: Pacchanta is one of those places where tourism is just beginning. The local community still lives at its own pace, and that gives it a charm that has been lost elsewhere.
Humantay: Straight to the point (and cardio)
It’s not the longest hike in the world, but the steepness and thin air make many question their life choices. However, reaching the lagoon makes up for it all.
7 Lagunas: Longer, more varied, more epic
The secret is that not everything is a constant slope, and the landscape is constantly changing. Ideal for those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Humantay:
Just one lagoon. But what a lagoon.
Turquoise, as if magic ink had been poured on it, with the snowy Humantay mountain overlooking it. It’s the kind of place where you sit, sigh, and remain silent for a while (before another group of tourists arrives, of course).
📸 Golden tip: Arrive before 9 a.m. if you want to see it calmly and without so many people.
7 Lagoons:
Seven. Really. Each one is different.
Some are green, others are sky blue, one is reddish depending on the season, and snow-capped peaks and Andean silence surround all. It’s as if someone had played a game of mixing paints on top of the mountain.
…and more. Don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize the names; your photos will do the rest.
And just when you think you’ve seen the best… boom! Natural hot springs. No joke.
💡 Bonus: at Pacchanta, you can still chat with the locals, try local cheese, or a freshly brewed muña mate. It’s not just a tour; it’s a complete experience.
⚠️ Note: If you’re traveling to 7 Lagunas without an agency, be sure to arrange transportation from Tinke to Pacchanta. There are no regular buses.
🎒 Pro tip: Bring toilet paper and loose change. In high altitudes, even that becomes a treasure.
Both destinations shine in the dry season: May to October.
Outside of that range, rain can hide the colors of the lagoons or make the road slippery. Don’t ruin your trip because of a few suns’ difference.
Key Question | Humantay | 7 Lagoons |
| Will I have trouble breathing? | Yes, quite a bit if you’re not acclimatized. | Yes, but more gradually. |
| Are there crowds? | Many, especially between 9 and 11 a.m. | Few, even in high season. |
| Is it photogenic? | Very much | so, and more varied. |
| Will my body ache afterward? | Probably yes | Also, but more evenly. |
| Is it worth the effort? | Absolutely | Absolutely |
And if you can do both, even better. Do Humantay first to acclimatize… and then take on the challenge of Ausangate. You won’t regret it.
It doesn’t matter which you choose first. The important thing is not to underestimate altitude sickness, go prepared, and leave everything just as you found it. Remember: you pass, the mountain remains.
And now tell me, are you ready for intense turquoise… or for the rainbow in the form of lagoons?
Search