Cusco: Ausangate Tour Seven Lagoons + meals

Seven lagoons, one long Andean day. This $34 excursion takes you from Cusco to Pacchanta for a high-altitude hike beneath snow-capped Apu Ausangate. I like the striking blue, turquoise, and green lagoons and the chance to spot alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and Andean birds. I also like that breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, and hot-spring time are built into one low-cost day.

The main drawback is the long road journey. You can spend about six hours in transport, then walk roughly 12 to 13 kilometers with around 500 meters of ascent. Guide quality and vehicle comfort appear uneven, so I would book this for the scenery and price, not for polished service.

Key points to know before booking

• Apu Ausangate is the star: The snow-capped mountain gives the entire walk a powerful Andean setting.
• The hike is longer than the title suggests: Expect about five hours on foot, with some uphill walking and high altitude.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome reward: A local breakfast, lunch, and hot springs break up the demanding day.
• The true cost is higher than $34: Add S/20 for the Ausangate entry ticket and S/10 for the thermal waters.
• Transport takes about three hours each way: A cramped or crowded vehicle can make this an uncomfortable day.
• This is not a beginner stroll: You need time to acclimatize in Cusco and a reasonable level of fitness.

The 4:30 a.m. start from Cusco

Pickup is scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. from your Cusco hotel. You should wait in the lobby, and the guide is supposed to call your mobile phone about 10 minutes before pickup.

That early start is necessary. Pacchanta is around three hours from Cusco by tourist transport, and the walk itself takes about five hours round trip. You return to Cusco around 7:30 p.m., making this a full 14-and-a-half-hour outing.

I would treat the pickup window as flexible. Several people experienced delays, including one pickup that ran about 45 minutes late. Keep your phone on, have your hotel address ready, and avoid scheduling anything important for the evening.

The vehicle is one of the biggest variables. Some departures have used an uncomfortable van with limited legroom and no air conditioning. One account described a group growing from an advertised maximum of 10 people to 27. That may not happen on every departure, but it is worth asking about the expected group size before paying.

The drive is not sightseeing time in the usual sense. You are giving up a large part of the day to reach Ausangate, so this trip makes most sense if you want the seven lagoons specifically. If you dislike early mornings, long drives, or shared transport, the low price may not compensate for the discomfort.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

Pacchanta is the starting point for the walk. Breakfast is served here before you set out, and lunch comes after the hike. The meals are practical inclusions, especially since you leave Cusco before dawn, but do not expect a lavish spread.

Breakfast has been described as simple, and food quality may be less impressive than on other full-day excursions. Lunch receives better marks and provides a useful chance to eat properly after several hours at altitude.

Bring snacks anyway. The supplied information specifically recommends them, and you should not rely on breakfast alone for a five-hour hike. Carry cash as well, since the S/20 park entry and S/10 hot-spring fee are not included.

Pacchanta also gives you an important chance to prepare. Put on your jacket, check your water, adjust your boots, and use the facilities before walking. Once the group leaves town, you will want your hands free for balance and photography rather than searching through a day bag.

Walking the seven lagoons beneath Ausangate

The hike rises gradually from Pacchanta toward the lagoons. The route is described as a five-hour round trip, while some people have recorded the full loop at about 12 or 13 kilometers and 500 meters of ascent.

That distance matters. You might manage the first lagoon comfortably, then feel the altitude and repeated uphill sections later. The walk is not presented as technical, but it is demanding because of the height, cold, sun, and length. The tour is not suitable for people with poor fitness, mobility impairments, altitude sickness, or, according to the operator, people over 60 or pregnant women.

You do not need to rush the scenery. The best part of the day is the changing color of the water and the scale of the mountain country around you. Bring a camera, but also take time to look up. Apu Ausangate is treated as a sacred mountain in Andean culture, and its snow-covered summit gives the outing more meaning than a simple series of photo stops.

The seven named lagoons are:

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

The water shifts between blue, turquoise, and green. Some lagoons are large and smooth enough to act like natural mirrors, reflecting the surrounding peaks and sky when conditions are calm.

The scenery is the strongest reason to choose this tour. The most positive feedback centers on the magnificent views and enjoyable walk. One person described the outing as manageable on foot or by horse, with the option to use a horse if needed during the route. Horses are not included, so you should budget separately if you think you may need one.

Wildlife along the route

The walk is not only about the water. You might see Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas along the way.

These animals add a local sense of place to the hike. Alpacas and llamas are familiar symbols of the Andes, but seeing them in this high mountain setting feels different from seeing them in a city or near a market. Vizcachas, with their rabbit-like shape, can be harder to spot, so keep your eyes on the rocky slopes.

Do not expect a wildlife-focused excursion. The animals are an extra possibility, not a guaranteed part of the day. Your guide may point them out, but guide commentary has been inconsistent, which means you may need to stay alert yourself.

That point is important for the overall experience. Some departures have had guides who explained the route and adapted well between languages. Others provided little information about the lagoons, local people, or the meaning of the area. If cultural explanation matters to you, ask at pickup for clear guidance about the walk and the meeting points.

A guide can make or break this hike

The booking includes an English- and Spanish-speaking guide. In the best account, the guide was easy to understand and adapted to several languages. That is valuable in a group where people may speak French, Italian, English, Spanish, or other languages.

But language service has not been reliable. Some departures had guides with very limited English, even though an English tour was booked. In one serious case, a guide left the vehicle after an argument, leaving the driver with the group. A second guide then took over but offered little instruction, and the group walked without much assistance.

I would not assume this will happen, but I would prepare for a low-explanation format. Learn the seven lagoon names before you go. Save the operator’s contact number. Ask where the group will meet after each section, how long you have at the lagoons, and what to do if you become separated.

Altitude safety is especially important. The operator says you need to acclimatize in Cusco, and that warning should be taken seriously. If you have a headache, nausea, unusual weakness, or trouble breathing, tell the guide at once. The first-aid kit is included, but prevention and honest communication are more useful than trying to push through.

Hot springs at Pacchanta

After the hike, you return to Pacchanta for lunch and a soak in the thermo-medicinal waters. The entry fee is S/10 and is not included in the advertised price.

The hot springs are a smart finish to a long walk. Warm water can feel wonderful after hours in cold mountain air, and the stop gives the day a more local character than simply returning to Cusco. Bring swimwear and a towel, as well as a plastic bag for wet clothes.

Allow enough time for this part of the outing. One departure allowed only about an hour for lunch and the thermal waters, making it difficult to enjoy both. The pools may also be shared with local families, and the facilities may feel informal rather than resort-like. Come prepared for a public bathing experience, not a private spa.

The guide should clearly explain where to change, which pool to use, and when to return to the vehicle. That information has not always been provided well. Keep track of your own departure time, since the bus cannot wait indefinitely for someone still in the water.

Is the $34 price good value?

At $34 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach a remote part of the Cusco Region. The price includes hotel pickup, tourist transport, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, and the hike. For a full day with these inclusions, the basic value is strong.

The actual cost is at least $34 plus S/30 in mandatory listed fees, assuming you enter Ausangate and the hot springs. Horse rental, snacks, and dinner are extra. Hotel drop-off is also not included, so you may need to arrange your own way back to your accommodation after arriving in Cusco.

The value depends on your priorities. I think the tour works well if your main goal is to see the lagoons without paying for a private excursion. The views can justify the price on their own.

I would be less enthusiastic if you expect a small, carefully managed group, a comfortable vehicle, detailed guiding, or a tightly timed program. A private or more expensive departure may offer better control, but that option is not described here, so you would need to compare carefully before booking.

The free-cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms reduce some booking risk, particularly when the weather or your altitude adjustment is uncertain.

What to pack for this 14-hour outing

Pack for cold, sun, rain, and wet clothes. The tour runs in all weather, so a clear morning in Cusco does not guarantee a dry afternoon near Ausangate.

Bring:

• Comfortable, supportive walking shoes
• Warm outdoor clothing and a jacket
• Gloves and a hat
• Sunglasses and sun protection
• Swimwear and a towel
• Water and snacks
• Cash for entry fees and possible horse rental
• A camera
• A small bag for wet swimwear

Wear layers rather than one heavy coat. You may warm up while climbing, then cool quickly when stopping beside a lagoon. Gloves are especially useful for early morning transport and exposed sections of the route.

Good footwear matters more than fashionable clothing. The walk is long, and tired feet will make the return harder. If you are unsure about completing the full route, ask about horse availability before starting, since horses are not included and may not be unlimited.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have already spent time acclimatizing in Cusco, enjoy long hikes, and want dramatic mountain scenery at a modest cost. You should be comfortable with basic transport, shared facilities, and the possibility that the guiding will be more practical than educational.

The tour suits people who want a full day outdoors and do not mind starting before sunrise. It also works for fit visitors who like having food and hot springs included rather than organizing every piece separately.

I would not choose it for a first day in Cusco. The altitude, early departure, five-hour walk, and late return make it a poor introduction to the region. I would also avoid it if you need reliable English explanations, guaranteed small groups, roomy transport, or close assistance throughout the hike.

The most praised part is clear: the hike and scenery. The weakest parts are transport, organization, and uneven guiding. Keep those tradeoffs in mind, and the decision becomes much easier.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the seven lagoons and Apu Ausangate are high on your Cusco wish list, and you accept a long, basic day in exchange for a low price. The colorful water, mountain views, animals, and hot springs offer a memorable combination.

Skip it if you are not acclimatized, have limited fitness, or want a polished guided experience. Before confirming, ask about the expected group size, English-speaking guide, pickup time, and horse availability. At $34, this can be excellent value for scenery, but you should go in ready to manage some details yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour last?

The listed duration is 870 minutes, or about 14 hours and 30 minutes. Pickup is scheduled from 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., with arrival back in Cusco around 7:30 p.m.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Cusco. You should wait in the hotel lobby, and the guide is expected to call your mobile phone about 10 minutes before pickup.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Pacchanta?

The tourist transport takes approximately three hours from Cusco to Pacchanta. The return journey also takes about three hours.

How long is the hike?

The walk takes about five hours round trip. The route has been described as approximately 12 to 13 kilometers, with around 500 meters of elevation gain.

Which lagoons are included?

The named lagoons are Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the hike are included. Dinner is not included.

Are the entry fees included?

No. The Ausangate entry ticket costs S/20, and entry to the thermal waters costs S/10. These fees are paid separately.

Is the tour suitable for people with altitude concerns?

The operator says you need to acclimatize in Cusco and have good physical condition. The tour is not suitable for people with altitude sickness, low fitness, mobility impairments, or pregnant women.