Cusco: Ausangate Tour 7 Lagoons full day

The Andes reward early risers. This long day from Cusco brings you to seven colorful lagoons below snow-capped Apu Ausangate, with breakfast, lunch, and hot springs included. I especially like the striking range of water colors, from blue and turquoise to green, and the chance to see alpacas, llamas, Andean birds, and vizcachas along the route. The thermal baths in Pacchanta are also a welcome finish after five hours on foot.

The main drawback is the schedule. You leave around 4:30 to 5 a.m., spend roughly six hours in transport, and return to Cusco around 7:30 p.m. The hike also takes place at high altitude, so you need time to acclimatize and a reasonable level of fitness. This is not a gentle sightseeing outing, even if the hot springs make the final chapter feel forgiving.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lagoons in one high-altitude walk: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo are included on the route.
• Apu Ausangate supplies the drama: The snow-capped mountain gives the walk its grand setting and plenty of photo opportunities.
• About five hours on foot: You ascend gradually, then return to Pacchanta for lunch and a 45-minute break.
• Breakfast, lunch, transport, and a guide are included: That makes the $36 price notably good, though entry fees are extra.
• Hot springs cost S/10: Bring cash for the thermal waters, the Ausangate entry fee of S/20, snacks, and possible horse hire.
• Hotel pickup is limited by location: Pickup is offered from hotels, Airbnbs, and houses in Cusco’s city center and southern part of town, but the tour ends in central Cusco rather than at your hotel.

Why the seven lagoons are worth the long ride

Ausangate is one of the major mountain areas in the Cusco Region, and this tour focuses on its water rather than on ruins or city sights. The reward is a sequence of lagoons with changing colors and shapes. Some are broad and reflective, looking like natural mirrors beneath the mountain peaks.

The colors are described as blue, turquoise, and green, though the exact appearance will depend on light, cloud cover, and weather. That variation is part of the appeal. You are not simply walking to one viewpoint, taking a photograph, and turning around. The route gives you several stops, each with its own view and a new reason to pause.

The named lagoons are Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo. You should not expect a long independent visit at every lagoon. The five-hour walking period includes the ascent, time at the water, and the return to Pacchanta.

For me, the strongest feature is the combination of scale and variety. Apu Ausangate provides the snow-capped backdrop, while the lagoons offer smaller, more detailed scenes. If you enjoy taking photographs, bring spare phone or camera power. The tour specifically promises strong photo opportunities, and you will want time to stop without rushing every shot.

The 4:30 a.m. pickup from Cusco

The day starts before sunrise. Pickup takes place between 4:30 and 5 a.m., with options around central Cusco and the southern part of the city. Listed pickup points include the Main Square, Avenida El Sol, Calle Saphy, Avenida Arcopata, Oval Pachacutec, and several named hotels and guesthouses.

If you stay in an Airbnb, house, or hotel within the stated service area, pickup is available from that type of accommodation. Still, confirm the exact meeting point and time before the morning of the tour. At this hour, small location errors can create a big problem.

The transport ride to Pacchanta takes about three hours. That is a substantial part of the day, but it is the price of reaching a remote mountain area from Cusco. I would use the ride to sleep if possible. You should also eat lightly before pickup and carry water and snacks, since breakfast comes after the drive.

The vehicle is described as tourist transport. The tour does not state the group size, vehicle model, or whether the trip includes frequent comfort stops, so you should not assume a small private van or a highly flexible schedule. This is a full-day shared excursion unless your booking says otherwise.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

Pacchanta is the practical base for the walking section. After the three-hour drive, you stop for a local breakfast, planned for about 30 minutes. This gives you a chance to eat, prepare your daypack, and make sure your clothing is ready for changing mountain conditions.

Do not treat breakfast as your only food for the day. The walking section lasts about five hours, and you should bring snacks as requested by the operator. Simple, portable food is useful during the ascent, especially if the altitude affects your appetite.

Pacchanta also returns as the resting point after the hike. The tour includes lunch there, with about 45 minutes set aside. The available information does not give a menu, but the meal is included as local food. One of the strongest positive points in the feedback is the food, so this part should be more than a token snack, though exact portions can vary.

Five hours toward Azulcocha and the other lagoons

From Pacchanta, the group begins walking uphill. The ascent is gradual rather than described as a single steep climb, but the altitude makes even a moderate incline more demanding. You need to pace yourself and avoid treating the first part as a race.

The first lagoon is Azulcocha, followed by the other named lagoons along the route. The sequence may depend on conditions and the guide’s route for the day. Your guide leads in English and Spanish and provides information during the visit, though the listing does not give the guide’s name.

A useful feature of the walking arrangement is that you may have some freedom to move at your own pace. One piece of direct feedback describes the guide allowing people to walk at their own speed at first, then gathering everyone together to see the lagoons. That can suit a mixed group, since fast walkers are not forced to stop at every step and slower walkers can still regroup for the main sights.

You should not read that as permission to walk far ahead alone. Stay within the guide’s instructions, keep sight of the group, and ask where the next meeting point is. At high altitude, a relaxed pace is usually wiser than trying to gain time.

Along the way, look for Andean birds and the local camelid wildlife. Alpacas and llamas are specifically part of the expected scenery, as are vizcachas, small mountain rodents often seen among rocky areas. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the open route gives you a chance to notice more than just the lagoons.

The tour also includes a guided visit, scenic views, photo stops, and a chance to shop along the way. Shopping is not described in detail, so I would see it as an optional extra rather than a main reason to book. The central attraction is the mountain and water.

What the five-hour walk feels like in practice

The walking section is listed as a five-hour round trip. That includes ascending to the lagoon area and returning to Pacchanta. The tour also allows a 45-minute break and free time, which helps break up the long day.

You need comfortable shoes and proper hiking shoes, not city sneakers with smooth soles. Warm clothing is important because high-altitude conditions can feel cold, even when the sun is strong. Add sunglasses, a sun hat, and rain gear. The instructions say the tour operates rain or shine, so a clear morning is not something to count on.

The altitude is the serious issue. The tour states that you should acclimatize in Cusco before taking part and that the activity is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or high blood pressure. It also asks for good physical condition. Those are not minor warnings.

I would avoid booking this as your first activity immediately after arriving in Cusco. Give yourself time in the city first, and pay attention to how your body responds. If you develop altitude sickness, a five-hour mountain walk is the wrong place to test your willpower.

The operator provides a first aid kit, which is useful but not a substitute for preparation. Carry cash, water, snacks, and any personal medication you need. Do not rely on the included meals to cover every need during the walking period.

Apu Ausangate and the best photo stops

The snow-capped Apu Ausangate is the visual anchor of the tour. The mountain gives the lagoons their scale, and the changing weather can alter the mood of each view. On a clear day, you may get sharp contrast between snow, dark rock, and colored water. Under cloud, the setting may look more subdued but still dramatic.

The tour is built for photography, with stops listed for photos and scenic views along the way. I would carry a phone or camera that is easy to reach, because the best view may appear between the formal stops. Keep it protected from rain and cold, and do not forget that camera time adds to the pace of the day.

The photos are likely to be the lasting souvenir, but do not spend the entire walk looking through a screen. The route also gives you a close look at high Andean terrain, animals, and the changing surface of the lagoons. I like that the tour combines planned viewpoints with the simple act of walking between them.

Lunch, Pacchanta, and the thermal waters

After returning to Pacchanta, you have lunch and then time to rest. The schedule gives about 45 minutes for lunch and another 45-minute break or free period around this part of the outing. The exact order may vary, but the plan is clear: eat, slow down, and recover before the return to Cusco.

The thermal waters are one of the smartest inclusions in the day. After a long climb and descent, soaking in hot water can make the trip feel far more manageable. The entry fee is not included and costs 10 soles, so bring local cash.

You should bring whatever you need for the hot springs, but the supplied information does not specify changing-room arrangements, towel rental, or locker facilities. Do not assume these are included. Pack light, keep valuables secure, and ask the guide where to leave belongings.

The hot springs do not erase the physical demands of the hike. They are a pleasant finish, not a reason to ignore the altitude warning. If you feel unwell, tell the guide rather than trying to push through the bath and the return journey.

Returning to Cusco after a 14-hour day

The return drive takes about three hours, with arrival in Cusco scheduled around 7:30 p.m. The listed duration is 870 minutes, or 14 hours and 30 minutes, so you should think of this as a very long day from door to door. Early pickup, transport, walking, meals, and the thermal bath all add up.

The tour finishes at San Bernardo in Cusco. Hotel drop-off is not included. That is an important practical point, especially if you are staying outside the central pickup area or expect to return directly to your accommodation.

After such a long day, plan a simple evening. I would not schedule a late dinner reservation, airport transfer, or another major activity immediately afterward. Delays are possible on a mountain route, and the stated return time should be treated as an estimate rather than a promise.

Is $36 a good price for this Ausangate day trip?

At $36 per person, the package offers strong value if you want an organized day without arranging several separate services. The price includes hotel pickup within the service area, tourist transport, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, and a first aid kit.

The included meals matter because the tour begins before dawn and lasts all day. Paying for transport, food, guiding, and access to a remote mountain area separately would normally require more planning and could cost more, though the exact comparison depends on your arrangements.

Budget for the extra charges:

• Ausangate entry: S/20
• Thermal waters: S/10
• Horse hire, if you choose to use one
• Snacks
• Dinner after returning to Cusco
• Transport from the San Bernardo finish point to your accommodation

The tour does not include horses, and it does not state a horse price. You should ask before relying on a horse as a backup for the walking route. The key point is that this is a walking tour first, not a horseback excursion.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is available. Those options help if your Cusco schedule is still changing, but the altitude requirement should guide your decision more than booking flexibility.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a big mountain day, colorful lagoons, included meals, and a hot-spring stop at a low price. It suits people who enjoy scenic walking and can handle five hours on foot at high altitude.

It is also a practical choice if you prefer a guide and arranged transport rather than trying to coordinate the route to Pacchanta yourself. The bilingual guiding is useful for an English- or Spanish-speaking group, and the flexible walking pace described in the feedback may help groups with different speeds.

I would hesitate if you have just arrived in Cusco, have a history of altitude sickness, have high blood pressure, or dislike very early starts. I would also skip it if you want a relaxed day with little time in a vehicle. Three hours each way is a lot of road time.

The strongest praise is directed toward the scenery, the food, and the guide’s friendly, professional manner. One piece of feedback also highlights the guide’s light and entertaining approach, while another appreciates being allowed to walk at a personal pace before regrouping. Those details suggest a tour that balances structure with some breathing room, though your exact experience will depend on the guide and the day’s conditions.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour?

Book it if you want maximum scenery for a modest price and you are ready for a demanding, pre-dawn day. The seven lagoons, Apu Ausangate, local meals, and Pacchanta hot springs make a strong package.

Skip it if altitude, long drives, or a five-hour hike are likely to spoil your day. For the right person, this is an excellent value. Just acclimatize first, bring warm and rainproof clothing, carry cash for the S/30 in listed entry fees, and remember that you will need to make your own way back from the central Cusco finish point.

FAQ

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup takes place from approximately 4:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. The exact time depends on your pickup location.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from hotels, Airbnbs, and houses located in central Cusco and the southern part of the city. Listed locations include the Main Square, Avenida El Sol, Calle Saphy, Avenida Arcopata, Oval Pachachutec, and specific hotels and guesthouses.

How long is the tour?

The listed duration is 870 minutes, or about 14 hours and 30 minutes. The planned day begins around 4:30 to 5 a.m. and returns to Cusco around 7:30 p.m.

How long is the walk?

The walk to and from the lagoons takes about five hours in total. The route ascends gradually and includes visits to seven lagoons.

Which lagoons are included?

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

Are meals included?

Yes. A local breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the walk are included. Dinner is not included.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. The Ausangate entry fee is S/20, and entry to the thermal waters costs S/10. Horses are also not included.