Excursion to Ausangate & 7 lakes with Coca Ceremony |Private|

High Andes scenery comes at a price: altitude. This private day trip from Cusco combines the striking Ausangate lagoons with a coca leaf ceremony, hot springs, breakfast, lunch, and private transport. I like the small private format, which lets your group move at its own pace, and I like the chance to connect with Andean traditions rather than simply stop for photographs.

The scenery around the seven lagoons is the main event. Ausangate’s high mountain setting, wildlife, and vegetation make this a memorable outing for strong hikers. The drawback is the demanding altitude: the route begins around 4,200 meters above sea level, and the long hiking section can be tiring even when the pace is controlled.

A calm guide can make a big difference on a day like this. Alex receives special praise for being polite, well educated, and steady, useful qualities when you are tired and the air feels thin. At $108 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want private transport and meals, but you should be comfortable with a very early, very long day.

Key points at a glance

• The day begins at 4,200 meters in Pacchanta, so altitude is the first thing to take seriously.
• Seven Ausangate lagoons fill the main hiking route, with about 10 kilometers of walking over roughly five hours.
• A coca leaf ritual takes place at the first lagoon, offering a cultural moment tied to Mother Earth.
• Pacchanta’s hot springs follow the hike, giving your legs a welcome break before lunch.
• Private transport and a private guide allow your group to set its own walking rhythm.
• The $108 price includes breakfast, lunch, hotel pickup, oxygen, and first aid supplies, but the entrance fee is extra.

Leaving Cusco for Pacchanta at 4,200 meters

Your transport collects you from your accommodation, preferably within Cusco’s historic center, or from the stated meeting point at Plaza Regocijo. The vehicle is private and air-conditioned, which matters on a full-day outing. You are not waiting for a large group at every stop, and your guide can focus on your party.

Pacchanta sits at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range. The community is also the practical base for the day, with breakfast planned for about 7:30 a.m. The meal is included, along with lunch later in the day, so you do not need to organize food stops yourself.

The important detail is the altitude. At roughly 4,200 meters, the air is much thinner than in Cusco. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and that description should be taken seriously. Even if you regularly walk at home, high-altitude hiking can feel different.

I would treat the first part of the morning as a test of your pace. Walk steadily, avoid rushing, and tell your guide if you need a pause. The private format is especially helpful here because you are not forced to match the speed of a large mixed group.

The first 5 to 6 kilometers toward the lagoons

After breakfast, you head farther into the Andes to begin the route. The first walking section covers about 5 to 6 kilometers before you reach the first lagoon. From there, the full route is described as about 10 kilometers and around five hours of hiking.

That distance is not a casual stroll. You should wear proper hiking shoes, bring a charged camera, and prepare for a long stretch on foot. The reward comes gradually, as the mountain setting opens around you and the lagoons appear among the high Andes.

The scenery is the reason to accept the effort. You will see the seven lagoons in the heart of the Ausangate range, with mountain views, wildlife, and high-altitude vegetation. The supplied information does not assign individual names or colors to each lagoon, so I would focus less on checking off a list and more on the changing shapes, water, and surrounding peaks.

A private hike also gives you room to stop for photographs. The tour specifically encourages you to bring a camera, and this is one of those outings where you will want your phone or camera ready. Keep it charged before departure, since the day runs from early morning until around 7:00 p.m.

A coca leaf ceremony beside the first lagoon

At the first lagoon, the guide performs a coca leaf ritual. You can participate if you wish, using the ceremony as a way to engage in conversation and establish a connection with Mother Earth.

This is not just another photo stop. Coca leaves have an important place in Andean culture, and the ritual gives the day a cultural purpose alongside its natural scenery. The experience is presented as participatory, but you can decide how involved you want to be.

I appreciate that this moment is built into the route rather than added as a rushed explanation at the end. The ceremony offers a pause after the first section of walking, and it lets you consider the setting through a local cultural lens.

Your guide’s manner matters here. A calm, polite guide such as Alex can help the ceremony feel respectful and unhurried. The strongest praise connected with this experience focuses on his character and conduct, not just on the views. That is worth noting because a cultural activity depends heavily on clear guidance and a considerate tone.

Seeing all seven Ausangate lagoons

After the ceremony, you continue to the other lagoons. The route reaches about 10 kilometers in total and takes approximately five hours of walking. Your private group can go at its own pace, one of the clearest benefits of choosing this version of the trip.

That does not make the hike easy. The elevation remains the central challenge, and the length means you should plan on being tired by the end. The tour includes oxygen and a first aid box, which are useful safety provisions, but they do not replace sensible pacing or an honest assessment of your fitness.

I would recommend this outing to people who enjoy mountain walks and are willing to trade comfort for memorable scenery. It is less suited to anyone hoping for a relaxed sightseeing drive with only short walks. The description calls for moderate fitness, but the combination of altitude and distance makes this feel closer to a serious day hike than a light excursion.

The private setting helps in practical ways. You can spend longer at a viewpoint, take photographs without holding up a busload of people, or slow down when the altitude catches up with you. You should still confirm the day’s exact walking plan with the guide, since the route is physically demanding and the pace may need to change.

Returning to Pacchanta’s hot springs

After the lagoon route, you return to Pacchanta for the hot springs. This is a smart ending to the walking portion. After several hours on your feet, warm water gives you a chance to rest before lunch and the long ride back to Cusco.

The hot springs are included in the itinerary, but the provided details do not specify changing facilities, towel service, or how long you will stay. You should ask the operator about those practical points before departure if they matter to you.

The order of the day also helps. The walk comes before the hot springs, so you can enjoy the water as a genuine break rather than rushing away from it to catch the next scheduled stop. Then you have lunch in Pacchanta before beginning the return journey.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the $108 price. That adds real value on a remote, full-day outing, since arranging meals independently would be awkward during a long mountain route. The information describes both meals as included, but it does not provide menus or dietary details, so communicate any food requirements when booking.

The long ride back to Cusco

The group is expected to return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m. The total experience is approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes, although the itinerary also describes it as a 14-hour day. Either way, this is an all-day commitment.

That timing affects how you should plan the rest of your trip. Do not schedule an evening show, restaurant reservation, or important connection too tightly after the tour. Delays can happen on a long mountain day, and you will probably appreciate a quiet evening once you return.

The air-conditioned private vehicle is a meaningful inclusion. You will spend substantial time in transport, and a private vehicle gives your group more personal space than a shared coach. Hotel pickup is included, preferably from the historic center, while the stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. If pickup from your particular accommodation is not convenient, confirm the exact arrangement in advance. The information says the activity is near public transportation, but the main benefit here is the organized private transfer.

What the $108 price really covers

At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see high-altitude scenery near Cusco. The price becomes easier to justify when you count what is included: private air-conditioned transport, a private professional guide, hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a first aid box.

You are also paying for flexibility. A private group can go at its own pace, and that matters more on a 10-kilometer high-altitude hike than it would on a short city tour. If you value space, direct attention from a guide, and less waiting around, the price is reasonable.

The entrance fee is not included. That extra cost should be added to your budget before booking, since the advertised price is not the complete door-to-door expense. The available information does not state the entrance amount, so ask Chullos Travel Peru for the current fee.

The experience is frequently booked well ahead of time, with an average booking lead of about 56 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your Cusco dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Who will enjoy this Ausangate day trip

I would choose this trip if you want three things in one day: dramatic mountain scenery, a meaningful Andean cultural activity, and a private hiking experience. It suits people who are comfortable walking for several hours and who understand that altitude can be more challenging than distance alone.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a focused private day rather than a large group outing. Alex’s calm, courteous style is a strong point if he is assigned to your group, especially during the ceremony and the harder sections of the route.

I would think twice if you have limited hiking fitness, are uncomfortable at 4,200 meters, or want a slow-paced day with plenty of free time. The hot springs soften the schedule, but they do not remove the effort required to reach the lagoons.

Pack for function rather than style. Comfortable hiking shoes are essential, and your camera should be charged. The supplied details do not list clothing, water, or personal gear, so ask the operator what you need to bring and prepare for a long day in exposed high-altitude conditions.

Practical questions before you book

Confirm where pickup will happen, especially if your accommodation is outside Cusco’s historic center. The official meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, and the activity ends there.

Ask about the entrance fee, meal arrangements, hot spring facilities, and any personal items you should carry. Also confirm whether the guide assigned to your group will be Alex if his calm and respectful style is important to you.

Keep your plans flexible on the return evening. The stated return is around 7:00 p.m., but a tour lasting roughly 14 to 14.5 hours leaves little room for a tight schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this Ausangate and 7 Lakes tour if you want a private, physically demanding mountain day with meals, organized transport, a coca ceremony, and hot springs. The seven lagoons and the Ausangate setting provide the visual payoff, while the ceremony adds cultural meaning beyond simple sightseeing.

Skip it if you are seeking an easy excursion or if high altitude is a serious concern. For the right participant, $108 is fair value, particularly because private transport, a private guide, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and first aid supplies are included. Just budget for the separate entrance fee and respect the mountain’s demands.

FAQ

Where does the Ausangate and 7 Lakes tour begin?

Pickup is available from your accommodation, preferably within Cusco’s historic center. The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, F2M9+5X2, Cusco 08002, Peru.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes. The planned return to Cusco is around 7:00 p.m., and the itinerary also describes the day as about 14 hours.

How far do you hike?

The initial walk is about 5 to 6 kilometers. The full hiking route covers approximately 10 kilometers and takes around five hours.

What altitude does the tour reach?

The community of Pacchanta is located at about 4,200 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the tour includes a private vehicle and a professional private guide. Your group can go at its own pace.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch later in the community are included in the tour price.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is not included. Ask Chullos Travel Peru for the current amount before booking.

Can you cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.