Activity from Cusco to 7 Lagoons of Ausangate

Seven mountain lakes, one very long day. This early trip from Cusco takes you to the high country below Nevado Ausangate, where seven striking lagoons appear in shades of blue, green, and gray. I like the way the tour combines transport, breakfast, lunch, trekking poles, a bilingual guide, and a visit to Pacchanta’s hot springs for $49.

I also like the range of scenery packed into one outing, from the first climb above Pacchanta to the open highlands around the lagoons. The main drawback is the schedule: pickup begins around 3:30 am, the drive takes about three hours each way, and the hike covers roughly 13 kilometers. This is a rewarding trip, but it is not a gentle sightseeing ride.

Key points before you book

• Pickup begins before sunrise: Hotel pickup runs between about 3:30 and 4:10 am, depending on your address. Wait at reception.
• The walk takes about five hours: Expect an uphill start, flatter highland sections, and a total distance of roughly 13 kilometers.
• Seven named lagoons are included: Azulcocha, Huchuypukacocha, Hatunpukacocha, Tecyacocha, Otorongo Varon, Otorongo Mujer, and Qeyllacocha.
• Meals are part of the price: You receive an American breakfast and a buffet lunch in Pacchanta.
• Two small extra fees apply: Entry to the lagoons costs $7 per person, and the thermal baths cost $2.
• The cold matters: Early temperatures can sit between 5 and 9 degrees Celsius, so warm clothing is not optional.

Why this Ausangate day trip is worth the early alarm

The Ausangate area gives you a very different day from the usual Cusco city tour. You leave the colonial streets while it is still dark and spend the morning heading toward one of the region’s great mountain settings. The reward is not a single viewpoint. It is the steady change from village farmland to broad, open highlands beneath snow-covered peaks.

I especially like that this tour does not stop at the first photogenic lake. The route continues through seven lagoons, each with its own shape and color. The names may be difficult to pronounce, but you will quickly remember the visual differences between them.

The price also works in the tour’s favor. At $49 per person, you receive round-trip transport, a bilingual professional guide, trekking poles, breakfast, lunch, first aid supplies, and oxygen. You still need to add $7 for lagoon entry and $2 for the thermal baths, bringing the likely total to $58 if you use both paid services.

That is a fair price for a full-day outing, especially since transport from Cusco is included. The value depends on your tolerance for a long day and a demanding walk. If you want an easy half-day excursion, this is the wrong choice. If you want dramatic highland scenery without arranging several separate services, it is a practical option.

The 3:30 am pickup from Cusco

The day begins early enough that you should treat the previous evening as part of your preparation. Pickup starts around 3:30 am and can run until about 4:10 am, depending on where you stay. You are asked to wait in your hotel lobby, where the driver or tour representative will look for you in a black jacket and cap carrying the company logo.

The stated meeting point is near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, and the activity finishes back near the center. If your accommodation is included in the pickup area, the transfer comes to your hotel lobby. The provider also says someone will contact you before pickup, which is useful at that hour.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, though the first part of the trip is mainly about staying warm and getting a little more sleep. The temperature during the early hours can be between 5 and 9 degrees Celsius. Bring a warm layer that you can keep on during the drive, rather than expecting the vehicle to make the morning feel comfortable.

The full outing lasts about 15 hours. Return to central Cusco is expected around 7 pm, although mountain roads and group timing can affect the exact arrival. Plan no major evening activity after this tour. Your feet and your sleep schedule will both appreciate the free time.

Breakfast in Pacchanta after three hours on the road

After roughly three hours of travel, you reach Pacchanta. This is the first substantial pause of the day and the place where breakfast is served. An American breakfast is included, giving you a chance to eat before the main walk begins.

The timing makes sense. You leave Cusco too early for a relaxed meal, then stop once you reach the community closest to the trail. I would use this break to eat properly, refill your water if possible, adjust your layers, and make sure your shoes are tied securely.

Pacchanta also matters because it is where you return after the hike. Lunch is served here later in the day, followed by the optional thermal baths. That simple arrangement keeps the day organized: hike first, eat afterward, then soak before the drive back to Cusco.

The tour description does not specify the exact breakfast dishes, so you should not book this expecting a particular menu. Lunch is described as a buffet, which gives you more choice after five hours of walking.

The uphill start toward Azulcocha

From Pacchanta, the route begins with an uphill section. This is the part of the walk that will feel most demanding for anyone still adjusting to the altitude or warming up their legs. The total hike is about five hours round trip, covering approximately 13 kilometers.

The route then moves through plains and highlands before reaching the group of lagoons. That mix is important. You are not walking uphill for the entire day, but you should still expect a sustained mountain outing rather than a short stroll between viewpoints.

The first lake is Azulcocha, located below Humashraju. Reaching it gives you an early payoff, but it is only the opening scene. From there, the route continues to the other lagoons, so do not mistake the first stop for the end of the walk.

Trekking poles are included. That is a useful detail, especially on the uphill sections and during the return. They can help with balance and reduce some strain on your knees, although they do not make the distance disappear.

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. That description should be taken seriously. You need to manage a long walking day, an uphill beginning, cold conditions, and highland terrain. If you are comfortable with several hours of walking, the route is likely manageable. If you rarely hike, this may feel tougher than the price and photographs suggest.

Seven lagoons, seven different views

The appeal of the trip is the sequence of lakes. After Azulcocha, you see Huchuypukacocha, Hatunpukacocha, Tecyacocha, Otorongo Varon, Otorongo Mujer, and Qeyllacocha.

The colors and contrasts change from one lagoon to the next. The supplied information describes shades and contrasts rather than promising one fixed color on every visit. Weather, light, and viewing conditions will affect how each lake appears, so go for the setting as a whole rather than expecting a precise postcard shade.

The lakes sit among the open highlands below Ausangate. That gives the walk a sense of scale that you do not get from a single roadside stop. You have time to see the mountains, pause for photographs, and understand how the lakes sit in relation to one another.

Photography is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. Several people praised the views and the chance to take excellent photos. Bring a phone or camera with enough battery for a full day, but keep your attention on the walking route too. The trail is the priority, and the scenery will still be there at the next stop.

A guide can make a difference here. The group size can reach 20 people, so you should not expect a private mountain walk. Still, a bilingual guide helps with directions, timing, and basic support. The tour includes a first aid box and oxygen, which are sensible provisions for a high-altitude outing.

The positive feedback also points to attentive service. Celinda was specifically thanked for helping with a timely pickup, while Lisbeth was praised for answering questions and recommending the trek. Royier was also thanked for a recommendation connected with the experience. These comments suggest a service team that pays attention to communication, not just transport.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch and hot springs

Once you have seen all seven lagoons, you return to Pacchanta on foot. The return is part of the same roughly five-hour hiking circuit, so your energy level matters. The morning climb may be finished, but the distance back still requires steady effort.

Lunch is waiting in Pacchanta and is included as a buffet. This is one of the tour’s better practical features. You do not need to arrange a separate meal after the walk, and you can sit down before the final activity and drive.

The thermal baths cost an additional $2 per person. That is a small fee, and the timing is appealing after a long hike. You can use the warm water to rest your legs before getting back into the vehicle for Cusco.

The baths are optional, so you are not paying for them if you do not want to use them. You should also remember that the lagoon entrance fee is separate, at $7 per person. These charges are modest, but include them in your budget so the advertised price does not catch you by surprise.

After lunch and the hot springs, transport returns you toward central Cusco. The drop-off is near the Plaza de Armas, with arrival expected around 7 pm.

What the $49 price really includes

The tour’s $49 base price is strong for a 15-hour day. The package covers:

• Air-conditioned transport
• A bilingual professional guide
• Trekking poles
• American breakfast
• Buffet lunch
• A first aid box
• Oxygen

You should add the $7 lagoon entrance fee and the $2 thermal bath fee if you plan to use both. The likely total becomes $58 per person, before any personal purchases.

The included meals improve the value. Food stops can become inconvenient on a long mountain day, especially when the tour starts before dawn. Here, breakfast comes after the drive to Pacchanta, and lunch comes after the hike. That keeps the schedule simple and limits extra spending.

The group limit of 20 people is another factor. This is not a small private departure, but it is also not an open-ended crowd. A group of that size can move efficiently if everyone keeps to the schedule. The tradeoff is less flexibility for long photo stops or a slower personal pace.

The tour also requires a minimum number of people to operate. If that minimum is not reached, you can be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund. Poor weather can lead to the same options. For cancellations made at least 24 hours before the start time, a full refund is available. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this hike from Cusco

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full highland day, enjoy taking photographs, and can handle several hours of walking. It suits people who want more than a scenic drive and who value having meals, equipment, and transport arranged in one booking.

It is also a good fit if you are traveling alone but still want a structured day. One person specifically enjoyed going alone, and the group format gives you a set route and guide support without requiring you to organize a private excursion.

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, cold mornings, or long drives. The three-hour journey to Pacchanta is followed by a five-hour hike and another long ride back. The tour is efficient, but efficiency is not the same as comfort.

You should also be realistic about the altitude and physical effort. The tour requires moderate fitness and includes an uphill beginning. The inclusion of oxygen and a first aid box is reassuring, but those items do not replace sensible preparation or an honest assessment of your stamina.

Practical preparation for the 5 to 9 degree morning

Wear warm layers, since the first hours can be cold. A coat that you can remove later is more useful than one heavy piece that leaves you uncomfortable once the day warms.

Use sturdy walking shoes suitable for a 13-kilometer mountain route. The tour includes trekking poles, but your footwear still needs to give you a secure base. Bring whatever personal water and snack supplies you normally need for several hours outdoors, since the supplied details do not specify additional trail refreshments.

Keep your pickup simple. Wait in the hotel lobby, watch for the black jacket and company-logo cap, and pay attention to the pre-pickup contact. Since pickup times vary by location, do not assume every hotel is collected at exactly 4:00 am.

Finally, protect your phone or camera battery. The highland views and seven lakes are a major part of the day, and you will likely want photographs. At the same time, keep your gear easy to reach and your hands free when the trail becomes uneven.

Should you book the Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour?

Book it if you want striking mountain scenery, a substantial walking challenge, and a low-cost way to reach seven lagoons from Cusco. The included meals, poles, guide, transport, first aid supplies, and oxygen give the $49 price real value, even after adding the $9 in entrance fees.

Skip it if your ideal day begins after sunrise or ends before dinner. This is a 15-hour commitment with an early pickup, a three-hour ride to Pacchanta, and about 13 kilometers on foot.

For the right person, the day offers a memorable look at the Ausangate highlands, with friendly service and strong photo opportunities along the way. I would choose it for the scenery and the value, but only after checking that you are ready for the cold, the altitude, and the distance.

FAQ

What time does the Ausangate tour start?

The stated start time is 4:00 am. Hotel pickup begins between about 3:30 and 4:10 am, depending on the location of your accommodation.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is offered from your hotel lobby. You should wait at reception, and the representative will wear a black jacket and a cap with the company logo.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back in central Cusco, with drop-off near the Plaza de Armas.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 15 hours. Groups are expected to return to Cusco at around 7 pm.

How long is the hike?

The walk takes approximately five hours round trip and covers about 13 kilometers.

Is the hike difficult?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. The route begins uphill, then continues through plains and highlands toward the seven lagoons.

Which lagoons will I see?

The route includes Azulcocha, Huchuypukacocha, Hatunpukacocha, Tecyacocha, Otorongo Varon, Otorongo Mujer, and Qeyllacocha.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes an American breakfast and a buffet lunch in Pacchanta.

Are the lagoon entrance and thermal baths included?

No. Entry to the seven lagoons costs $7 per person, and access to the thermal baths costs $2 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can be offered a different date or receive a full refund.