Ausangate 7 Lagoons Tour 1 day + Buffet Breakfast and Lunch

The mountains change color here. This demanding day trip from Cusco takes you to seven high-altitude lagoons near Ausangate, with blue, turquoise, and green water, plus a soak in Pacchanta hot springs. I like the variety: you get a scenic mountain walk, Andean wildlife, breakfast, lunch, and transport in one $40 package. I also like that the route feels quieter than many Cusco day trips. The catch is the altitude, with hiking between about 4,200 and 4,600 meters, and the early pickup can make the day tiring.

You leave Cusco before sunrise and return around 7:30 p.m., so this is not a gentle outing. One recent booking described the walk as beautiful but difficult at 4,000 meters, while another reported a delayed pickup, poor English from the guide, and breakfast running short. Those details matter: arrive prepared, keep some cash handy, and confirm the pickup point clearly.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lagoons: The route includes Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.
• Very high walking route: You begin near 4,200 meters and climb to roughly 4,600 meters.
• A long Cusco day: Pickup starts from 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., with an expected return near 7:30 p.m.
• Meals are included: Breakfast and lunch are part of the package, though timing can affect availability.
• Pacchanta hot springs: A 50-minute stop lets you swim and rest after the hike.
• Extra fees remain: Budget S/20 for the Ausangate entrance and S/5 for the hot springs.

Leaving Cusco before sunrise

The day begins with hotel or Airbnb pickup between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. Pickup locations include the historic center and Plazoleta de San Blas. The meeting details matter because an early delay quickly affects breakfast and walking time.

The journey to Pacchanta takes about three hours by tourist transport. That is a long ride before any hiking begins, but it also explains why a one-day visit can reach such a remote, high setting without camping. Bring a small daypack with water, sunscreen, rain gear, warm layers, and something to eat in case breakfast is delayed or limited.

The transport returns you to Cusco at the end of the day, finishing at Plaza Regocijo. The schedule is tight. You should expect a full 14 hours from pickup to return, not a relaxed half-day excursion.

Breakfast in Pacchanta, then straight uphill

Pacchanta is the starting point for the walk and the place where breakfast and lunch are served. The morning meal is scheduled for about 40 minutes, giving you time to eat before the climb.

The food is included, which helps keep the $40 price low, but you should not treat the meal as your only fuel. A delayed departure once meant that breakfast was no longer available when the group arrived. Carry snacks and water, especially since the walking route begins at extreme altitude.

From Pacchanta, the route climbs gradually toward the lagoons. The description gives two different time figures: the main schedule allows five hours for the lagoon visit, while the activity notes describe the entire walk as roughly three hours and 12 kilometers. Treat five hours as the safer allowance for the walking portion, stops, photos, and changes in group pace.

The seven Ausangate lagoons

The main reward is the chain of seven lagoons connected by a high mountain route. Their colors can appear blue, turquoise, or green, and some are described as broad natural mirrors. The water, glaciers, and open mountain views give the walk its strong visual appeal.

The route includes:

• Azulcocha
• Otorongo
• Pucacocha
• Alqacocha
• Q’omercocha
• Orqo Otorongo
• China Otorongo

Each name marks another stop, but the value is not only in counting seven bodies of water. You get changing views as you gain height, with each lagoon offering a different shape, color, or reflection. The water can look especially striking against the pale mountain surroundings.

This is also a good place to keep your eyes open for Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas. The animals are part of what makes the outing feel connected to daily highland life rather than just a series of photo stops. Bring a charged phone or camera, but protect batteries and electronics from cold and rain.

The guides lead the walk in English and Spanish and carry a first aid kit. That support is useful on a route where altitude can affect people differently. Still, a guide cannot remove the physical demands. Walk slowly, tell the guide if you feel unwell, and do not try to hide symptoms to keep up with the group.

What 4,200 to 4,600 meters feels like

The biggest issue here is not distance alone. You start around 4,200 meters and reach approximately 4,600 meters, an altitude that can make a short climb feel surprisingly hard. Even fit people may need frequent pauses.

You should be comfortable walking on uneven ground and wearing proper hiking shoes. The supplied information calls the route an adventure tour and gives a distance of about 12 kilometers. That is a serious walk at sea level, and high altitude adds another layer of effort.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, people with recent surgeries, people over 130 kilograms, or people over 95 years old. Travel insurance is also listed among the recommended items. These restrictions are practical warnings, not minor fine print.

The weather can shift, so pack in layers. You may need gloves, a hat, a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, breathable clothing, hiking pants, and rain gear in the same day. At this height, strong sun and cold air can arrive together.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch

After the lagoon circuit, you walk back to Pacchanta. The schedule gives about 40 minutes for the return walk, although the overall route timing suggests you should expect the walking section to take longer depending on conditions and group pace.

Lunch follows in Pacchanta, with another 40-minute block for eating, rest, free time, and shopping. Having a proper meal after the hike is a real benefit. You do not have to search for food in an unfamiliar village, and the included lunch adds value to the package.

The meal service may be basic rather than leisurely. One booking specifically called for improvements to both breakfast and lunch, with breakfast being especially important for this activity. My advice is simple: eat what is available, carry backup snacks, and do not assume the schedule will run perfectly.

The free time may also give you a chance to buy something locally, but personal purchases are not included. Carry cash in soles for small expenses and the two required entrance payments.

Soaking at Pacchanta hot springs

The final stop before the return drive is Aguas Termales Pacchanta. You get about 50 minutes to visit, rest, and swim. After several hours at high altitude, the hot springs provide a welcome change of pace.

Admission is not included and costs S/5. Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals, and a change of clothes. These are easy items to forget when leaving Cusco in the dark, but you will be glad to have them after the hike.

The hot springs are not a substitute for recovery if you are struggling with altitude. If you feel dizzy, ill, or unusually weak, tell the guide rather than pushing through for the swim. The stop is best viewed as a comfortable finish, not another required activity.

The value of $40 per person

At $40 per person, the package offers good value if you want transport, a bilingual guide, breakfast, lunch, first aid support, and hot springs access arranged in one day. The drive alone takes about six hours round trip, and the route reaches a place that would be difficult to organize independently in a single day.

The headline price is not the final cost. Add S/20 for the Ausangate entrance and S/5 for the hot springs, plus snacks, drinks, shopping, and dinner in Cusco. The listed package does not include your last dinner.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you want a private, slow-paced mountain outing, this may feel too structured and rushed. If you want to see the lagoons without arranging several transport connections, the price is attractive.

The overall rating supplied for the activity is 4.2 from four bookings. The strongest praise centers on the scenery, the relative lack of crowds, and the guides’ helpful attitude. The weaker feedback points to pickup delays, limited breakfast, and language difficulty. That is a fair picture of a low-cost group day trip: excellent natural sights, but service can depend on timing and group coordination.

Pickup timing and guide communication

A 30-minute wait at the pickup point was reported, followed by a Cusco departure around 6:00 a.m. That delay caused a late breakfast arrival and reduced time for the planned schedule. Since the pickup begins before dawn, stand somewhere visible, keep your phone charged, and make sure the operator has the correct hotel or Airbnb details.

The guide service is advertised in English and Spanish. One booking found the guide’s English difficult to understand. If you need detailed explanations, ask questions early and confirm key points such as the meeting time, route length, bathroom stops, and what to do if you fall behind.

The walk may feel harder for one person than another. The itinerary should not be treated as a race. A responsible group pace matters, especially when the route begins above 4,000 meters.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to an active visitor who wants a single-day introduction to the Ausangate region and is prepared for high altitude. It suits people who value scenery, wildlife, and a straightforward package more than comfort or flexibility.

You are a good match if you can handle a 12-kilometer walk, tolerate an early start, and accept a long day in shared transport. The hot springs are a strong bonus if you like ending a hike with time in warm water.

I would think twice if you have only just arrived in Cusco and have not adjusted to the altitude. I would also avoid it if you need a leisurely breakfast, precise departure times, a private guide, or an easy walking route.

Pack these essentials:

• Passport or ID card
• Hiking shoes and closed-toe footwear
• Warm layers, gloves, and rain gear
• Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Water and snacks
• Swimwear, towel, sandals, and dry clothes
• Cash in soles
• Daypack and charged smartphone

Weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, explosive substances, strollers, mobility scooters, and scooters are not allowed. Littering is also prohibited.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing remarkable high mountain water and glaciers in one demanding day for a modest price. The seven lagoons, Andean animals, bilingual guide, included meals, and Pacchanta hot springs make this a strong value on paper.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a 14-hour outing with an early pickup, a long drive, high-altitude walking, extra entrance fees, and occasional service problems. Bring food in case breakfast is late, prepare for cold and sun, and confirm pickup details before bed.

For the right person, the scenery will be worth the effort. For anyone seeking an easy Cusco day trip, choose something lower and less strenuous.

FAQ

How much does the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour cost?

The tour costs $40 per person. You must also pay S/20 for the Ausangate entrance and S/5 for admission to the Pacchanta hot springs.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts about 14 hours. Pickup begins between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is expected around 7:30 p.m.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is available from hotels and Airbnb accommodations, with listed pickup options in Cusco’s historic center and at Plazoleta de San Blas.

Which lagoons are included?

The route visits Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

How long is the walk?

The activity information describes the walk as approximately three hours and 12 kilometers. The main schedule allows about five hours for the lagoon visit, walking, sightseeing, and stops.

How high does the route go?

You begin walking at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level and reach about 4,600 meters.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is served there after returning from the lagoons.

Is the hot springs entrance included?

No. Admission to the Pacchanta hot springs costs S/5 and is paid separately.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide service is offered in English and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.