Ausangate 7 Lakes Trek Full Day (Smal group)

The Andes wake up in color. The Ausangate 7 Lakes tour takes you from Cusco to a striking group of mountain lagoons below snow-covered Ausangate, with breakfast, lunch, transport, entrance fees, and a guide included. I like the grand scenery and the chance to visit Pacchanta’s hot springs after the walk. I also like the small-group limit of 10 people, which should make the day easier to manage than a large bus excursion.

The catch is serious: altitude makes this a hard day, not a gentle outing. The hiking itself takes about three and a half hours, but the high setting can slow you down quickly. Service has also been uneven, especially with some outsourced guides and drivers, so you should book this for the scenery first, not for polished tour operations.

Key points before you book

• The day begins around 4:00 a.m. from Cusco, so this is a long outing with an early start and a late return.
• Seven lagoons surround Ausangate, giving you a rare chance to see several high mountain lakes in one walk.
• The trail requires moderate fitness, but the altitude can make it feel much harder than the distance suggests.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome finish, with lunch and the option of bathing in natural hot springs.
• Breakfast, lunch, entrance fees, transport, a guide, first-aid supplies, and oxygen are included, which adds useful value to the $116 price.
• The current score is 3.2 out of 5 from five ratings, reflecting superb scenery but mixed organization and guiding.

Leaving Cusco at 4:00 a.m.

Your day starts before sunrise. Pickup is scheduled for about 4:00 a.m. at your hotel, and you need to be ready at the agreed time with warm clothing already on hand. At that hour, you will not want to hunt for missing socks, gloves, or a fleece.

The drive heads south from Cusco toward Pacchanta. The first part of the day is mostly transport, with about four hours assigned to the journey and first stop. That makes the early departure practical: it gives you enough daylight for the walk and leaves time for lunch and the hot springs later.

This is also the first point where you should judge your own energy. A 13-hour day is not a quick sightseeing trip. You will spend much of the morning in transport, then walk at high altitude, then ride back after the activity. The arrangement works best if you want one big mountain day and are willing to trade sleep for scenery.

The tour provides round-trip transport, but the available details do not specify the vehicle type or exact return time. Pickup is offered, and confirmation is sent when you book. Keep your phone charged, but do not expect every part of the day to run to the minute. One account describes a pickup arriving an hour early, while another raises concerns about fast driving. I would confirm the pickup window clearly before departure.

Pacchanta: the practical gateway to the lakes

Pacchanta is more than a transport stop. It is the small community used as the base for the walk and the place where you return for food and a possible hot-spring soak. The village gives the day a local anchor, rather than making the experience only about taking photos at the lakes.

Breakfast is included, which matters at 4:00 a.m. You should still bring extra snacks and water because food and drinks beyond the stated meals are not included. The available details do not say exactly what breakfast or lunch contains, so do not plan around a special diet unless you confirm it with Peru Grand Travel beforehand.

The village also provides the most appealing comfort of the day. After the hike, you may choose to bathe in the hot springs. This is optional, and the supplied information does not confirm whether the fee is included, so ask before you go. If you have the energy, the soak can be a fine way to loosen tired legs. If you are cold, exhausted, or short on time, lunch may be the better choice.

The three-and-a-half-hour walk to seven lagoons

The walk begins at about 8:30 a.m. and lasts roughly three and a half hours while you visit all seven lagoons. The main prize is variety. Instead of seeing one famous lake and turning around, you get a sequence of waters set beneath the broad presence of Ausangate, the snow-capped mountain that gives the area its identity.

The supplied information does not give a separate name, elevation, or exact route for each lagoon. That means you should not expect a tightly documented interpretive walk with a detailed lake-by-lake program. The promise is simpler: visit seven striking bodies of water and hear about the mysticism surrounding them.

The scenery is the strongest reason to come. One account describes the setting as almost cinematic, with excellent chances for photos and video. That praise rings true as a practical expectation: the high Andes can produce wide views, unusual colors in the water, and a strong sense of open space. Bring a camera if you like, but keep your hands free enough to manage the trail.

The hard part is the altitude. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness, yet one detailed account warns that the height greatly affected the experience and that the route was presented as easier than it felt. That is the key warning here. A three-and-a-half-hour walk at sea level and a three-and-a-half-hour walk near Ausangate are not the same task.

I would prepare for a slow, steady outing. Use the guide’s pace, take breaks when needed, and do not treat the group’s progress as a personal competition. The tour includes a first-aid kit and an oxygen cylinder, which are sensible safety provisions, but they do not remove the need to respect altitude symptoms. If you feel unwell, tell the guide immediately.

The path itself is described as beautiful, but the information does not specify its surface, steepest sections, or bathroom access. You should therefore arrive ready for a demanding mountain route, not a paved promenade. Good shoes, warm layers, sun protection, and water are practical choices based on the early start and exposed high-country setting.

Ausangate scenery, with a dose of Andean meaning

The seven lagoons are not presented only as scenic stops. The tour also points to the mysticism surrounding them, adding a cultural layer to the walk. That can make the experience feel more connected to the place than a simple checklist of viewpoints.

Still, the cultural information may depend heavily on the individual guide. This is where the mixed service record matters. One account praises the guide as excellent for the whole group, while another reports poor care on the route. A separate complaint describes an outsourced guide who offered little assistance. The operator has acknowledged these concerns, but the guide’s name is not provided in the tour details.

When you book, ask directly if Peru Grand Travel will operate the tour itself or use an outside guide. You should also ask how the guide handles altitude, regrouping, and anyone who needs to slow down. Those questions are not fussy. On a high mountain route, good communication can shape the whole day.

Lunch, hot springs, and the return to Pacchanta

After the seven-lagoon route, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. The included meal is one of the tour’s practical strengths, especially after such an early start and sustained walk. One account specifically praises the food as delicious, though the menu is not stated.

You may then choose the hot springs. This option gives the itinerary a pleasant change of pace: hard walking first, warm water and food afterward. The hot springs are not a replacement for preparation, but they do make the full-day format more appealing than a simple out-and-back hike.

The timing is listed as about four hours for this final Pacchanta portion, which includes the return, meal, and onward transport. The exact breakdown is not supplied. Since the overall day lasts about 13 hours, you should expect to reach Cusco late, depending on road conditions and the group’s pace.

What the $116 price really covers

At $116 per person, the tour is not the cheapest possible way to reach the Ausangate area, but the package includes several costs that can add up separately. You receive:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Entrance fee
• Round-trip transportation
• Guide
• First-aid kit
• Oxygen cylinder

That makes the price easier to justify for someone who wants a managed day from Cusco. You do not need to arrange your own long-distance transport, find the trailhead, organize meals, or purchase the stated entrance ticket separately.

The small-group cap of 10 also adds value. It is not a private tour, but it should be more personal than a large coach group. In theory, a smaller group makes it easier to keep people together and adjust the pace. In practice, that benefit depends on the guide.

The weaknesses are just as important. Tips are not included, and any food or drinks beyond breakfast and lunch cost extra. The tour’s mixed service record means you are paying for convenience, but not necessarily a consistently polished operation. For me, the price is reasonable if the included transport and meals save you planning time. It is less attractive if you want close guiding support or a carefully paced mountain experience.

The service questions I would ask first

The most useful pre-booking step is to clarify who will actually run the day. One complaint describes an outsourced guide, reckless driving, an early pickup, and no support along the trail. Another reports poor service from both guide and driver. These are not minor complaints on a 13-hour mountain outing.

At the same time, the service record is not uniformly negative. The guide and food received strong praise in another account, and the operator has responded to the complaints by saying it will improve care and attention. The fair reading is that quality may vary by assigned guide and driver.

Before paying, I would ask:

• Is the guide employed by Peru Grand Travel or an outside company?
• What is the exact pickup window?
• How is the walking pace handled at altitude?
• Is the hot-spring entry included?
• What food is provided at breakfast and lunch?
• What happens if someone cannot complete the walk?

The listing confirms free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. That policy gives you some flexibility, but you should make the altitude decision before the final day.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want dramatic Andean scenery and prefer an organized day from Cusco. It suits people with moderate fitness who are comfortable walking for several hours and who understand that altitude can make the route demanding.

It is also a good choice if you value the full package. Breakfast, lunch, transport, entrance fees, safety supplies, and a guide remove several practical chores. The small group may appeal to you if you dislike big bus tours.

I would be cautious if you are new to high-altitude walking, dislike very early starts, or want a relaxed sightseeing day. The scenery may be spectacular, but the physical cost is real. I would also think twice if careful driving and dependable trail support are your top priorities, given the service complaints.

The original plan for one booking was reportedly changed from the Humantay Lagoon tour to Ausangate because barriers had fallen. That detail is useful: tour substitutions can happen, and you should confirm that Ausangate is the experience you want before departure. Its scenery may be sensational, but it is not automatically an easier substitute.

What to pack for the 4:00 a.m. start

The operator specifically advises warm clothing, and that is the clearest packing message. The day begins before dawn and takes you into a high mountain setting, so layers make more sense than one bulky coat.

I would also bring:

• Water and extra snacks
• Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes
• Sun protection
• A small day bag
• Phone or camera with enough battery
• Any personal altitude or motion-sickness supplies you normally use

The tour provides an oxygen cylinder and a first-aid kit, but those are group safety resources, not substitutes for your own medication or preparation. Food and drinks beyond the included meals are not covered, so pack accordingly.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes Trek?

Book it if your priority is the setting: seven high mountain lagoons, Ausangate views, a small group, and a hot-spring option at Pacchanta. The included meals and transport make $116 a fair working price for a full day from Cusco.

Do not book it casually. The altitude can turn a beautiful walk into a miserable one, and the service record is mixed. Ask about the guide, driver, pickup time, trail support, and hot-spring fee before committing.

My call: this is a scenery-first tour for prepared hikers, not a soft adventure for anyone who simply wants a pleasant day in the Andes. If you can handle the early start and high-altitude effort, the seven lagoons may be worth the trouble. If you need a gentle route or guaranteed hands-on guiding, choose with caution.

FAQ

Where does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour start?

The tour offers pickup from your hotel in Cusco, with a scheduled start time of about 4:00 a.m.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 13 hours, including transport, the walk, lunch, and the return journey.

How long is the walk to the seven lagoons?

The visit to the seven lagoons takes about three and a half hours, beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m.

What level of fitness is required?

The tour recommends a moderate level of physical fitness. The high altitude can make the walk feel more difficult than the stated duration suggests.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included. Other food and drinks are not included.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Cusco is included.

Is the hot-spring visit included?

The itinerary says you may bathe in the Pacchanta hot springs, but it does not clearly state whether the hot-spring entrance fee is included. Confirm this before booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.