From Cusco: Tour Ausangate & 7 Lakes Full Day

The Andes start before sunrise. This full-day trip from Cusco takes you to Pacchanta and the seven Ausangate lagoons, with views of Ausangate, Jampa, and other high peaks along the way. I like the mix of dramatic mountain scenery and local life, especially the breakfast, lunch, and medicinal hot springs included after the walk. I also like the low price of $28, though the long road journey and mixed service reports mean you should book with realistic expectations.

The route covers about 7.5 kilometers according to the planned schedule, but one recent account put the total walking distance closer to 16 kilometers. That difference matters. You should be ready for a serious day at high altitude, not a gentle stroll between viewpoints. Some organized departures have earned praise, including one guided by Wilfredo, while other departures have had problems with transport, communication, and access to the hot springs.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lagoons: Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha form the main walking route.
• Very early start: Hotel pickup begins around 5:00 a.m., with one account reporting a pickup as early as 4:00 a.m.
• Long transfer: The road journey to Pacchanta takes about six hours, so much of this day is spent in the vehicle.
• High Andes wildlife: You might see alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, native birds, and, with luck, an Andean condor.
• Hot springs cost extra: Pacchanta’s medicinal pools are not included in the $28 price and cost S/ 5.
• Service can vary: Good guiding and organization are possible, but transport comfort, English guiding, meal quality, and hot-spring access have not been consistent.

What the day really involves

This tour is best understood as a long mountain outing, not simply a quick attraction from Cusco. You leave before breakfast, ride for hours to Pacchanta, walk for several hours among the lagoons, eat a local lunch, soak if timing allows, then ride back to Cusco.

That structure gives you a chance to see a remote part of the Cusco Region without arranging several separate services. At $28 per person, the basic value is strong: hotel pickup, tourist transport, an English or Spanish guide, breakfast, lunch, and an oxygen balloon are included.

The tradeoff is time. You can expect to leave Cusco at dawn and arrive back at about 7:00 p.m. The return schedule may shift, and at least one departure finished earlier than expected. This is a full day with little spare time, so do not schedule an important evening activity immediately afterward.

The pre-dawn pickup from Cusco

The advertised pickup begins at about 5:00 a.m. You should be ready early, with warm clothing close at hand and your day bag packed the night before.

One serious account described a pickup problem in which the group waited outside a hotel from 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. before the operator arrived. That account also said the actual pickup time had been earlier than expected. Confirm your pickup time and meeting point clearly before bed, especially if the operator contacts you by message.

The first hours are dark and quiet. You will not see much of the scenery at first, but the early start is needed to fit the long drive, lagoon walk, meal stops, and return to Cusco into one day.

The six-hour road to Pacchanta

The drive is a major part of the experience. The stated journey takes roughly six hours, although the exact time will depend on road conditions, stops, and the group.

The reward is the gradual change from Cusco’s urban setting to broad high-Andean scenery. You may see native plants and animals from the vehicle, though the most memorable wildlife sightings are more likely during the walking portion. The route brings you toward Pacchanta, a community known here for its access to the Ausangate lagoons and hot springs.

Transport quality deserves careful attention. One poor account described broken seats, no seat belts, little legroom, cold conditions on the outward trip, and poor ventilation on the return. That is not a small complaint when you may spend around twelve hours in the vehicle altogether. The service may be better on another departure, but you should recognize that transport comfort is a real part of the booking decision.

Breakfast in Pacchanta

Once you reach Pacchanta, the group is scheduled to eat a nutritious regional breakfast. This is useful timing. After leaving Cusco before dawn, you will want something substantial before starting the walk.

The meal is presented as typical of the region, which adds a local touch rather than relying only on packaged food. Still, meal quality may vary. One account described the breakfast as disappointing, so I would treat it as a convenient included meal, not a reason to book the outing on its own.

After breakfast, the guide should explain the route and the plan for the day. Pay close attention here. The walk has several named stops, and the route is long enough that you need to know where the group is going and how much time is available.

Walking the seven Ausangate lagoons

The main circuit is the heart of the day. The planned route covers approximately 7.5 kilometers and takes around five hours, but a recent participant reported 16 kilometers in total. The discrepancy may reflect the approach, extra walking between viewpoints, or a different route on that departure.

You should therefore pack and prepare for the longer figure. Wear sturdy walking shoes, carry water, and bring layers. The tour reaches high Andean country, where conditions can feel cold even when the sun is bright. The supplied oxygen balloon is an emergency support item, not a substitute for acclimatization or sensible pacing.

The lagoons are known by their Quechua names:

• Azulqocha
• Orco Otorongo
• China Otorongo
• Puqacocha
• Alqacocha
• Qomercocha
• Patacocha

The appeal is the variety of water colors and mountain settings along one route. You are not stopping at a single viewpoint, taking a few photographs, and leaving. The walk lets you see several pools in relation to the surrounding peaks, with the scenery changing as you move.

The mountains named on the route include Ausangate, Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke. Ausangate is the major visual anchor. The mountain gives the area its scale and helps explain why this outing feels so different from the usual Cusco day trips.

One positive account praised the beauty of the route and said the walk was manageable, with few steep sections compared with other excursions from Cusco. That is encouraging, but it should not be taken as a promise of an easy walk. The altitude, cold, length, and early start can make a moderate route feel demanding.

Animals along the route

The walk also gives you a chance to see animals associated with the high Andes. Alpacas and llamas are specifically noted, along with vizcachas, small rabbit-like rodents often seen on rocky slopes. Native birds are another possibility.

The Andean condor is the most exciting potential sighting, but it is described as a matter of luck. You should not book this trip expecting a guaranteed condor view. Bring patience and keep your eyes on the ridgelines rather than watching only the next lagoon.

This part of the outing has value beyond photographs. The wildlife, grazing animals, and high mountain setting give you a better sense of the living environment around Ausangate. The route is not just a line connecting blue pools.

The guide makes a major difference

The planned service includes a professional guide in English or Spanish. In the best case, the guide gives clear information about the lagoons, keeps the group together, and sets a pace that works for different abilities.

Wilfredo received direct praise for managing the group well and explaining the sights. That is exactly what you need on a route where people may spread out, especially if the walk is closer to 16 kilometers than 7.5.

However, English ability and guiding standards may not be consistent. One account said the guide did not speak English and did not accompany the group during the trek, creating confusion about the correct path. This is a serious concern. If you do not speak Spanish, confirm that an English-speaking guide will be present and actively lead the walking portion.

Another account complained that the guide hurried the group without a clear reason. A fast pace can reduce your time at the lagoons and make the day less enjoyable. Ask at the start how long the group will spend at each stop and what happens if someone walks more slowly.

Lunch and the Pacchanta hot springs

After completing the lagoon circuit, the plan is to return to Pacchanta for a local lunch. The meal is included, which adds useful value to a $28 tour and saves you from having to find food in a remote community.

Again, expectations should be practical. One poor account described a cold lunch with too little fish for the group, leaving some people with mostly side dishes. That may have been a one-off problem, but it shows why you should carry a small snack in case the meal is late or limited.

The hot springs are one of the most appealing features of the day. Pacchanta’s medicinal pools offer a warm place to rest after several hours of walking in the cold highlands. Admission costs S/ 5 and is not included in the tour price, so carry local currency.

Do not assume the soak is guaranteed. One departure did not allow enough time for the hot springs, despite them being part of the expected plan. The schedule may be tight, traffic may delay the group, or the guide may make a different decision. If the hot springs matter to you, ask before departure whether the stop is confirmed and how much time is reserved for it.

Is $28 a good value?

At $28, this is an inexpensive way to reach an area that would otherwise require separate transport, meals, and planning. The price includes pickup in Cusco, transport to Pacchanta and back, a guide, breakfast, lunch, and an oxygen balloon.

You still need to budget for the S/ 20 entrance fee to the seven lagoons and the S/ 5 hot-spring admission. Water, alcoholic drinks, horse rental, accommodation, and travel insurance are also excluded. The real price remains modest, but it is not a fully all-inclusive day.

The value depends on what you care about most. If your priority is reaching Ausangate cheaply and seeing several lagoons in one day, the package makes sense. If you need comfortable transport, dependable English guiding, a guaranteed hot-spring visit, and carefully timed meals, the low price comes with more risk.

Horse rental is not included, and the information does not state its price or availability on the day. If you are unsure about walking the full route, ask the operator about this before booking rather than counting on a horse as a backup.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want striking mountain scenery, can handle a pre-dawn start, and accept a long road journey. It suits people who prefer a packed day and want to combine walking, local food, wildlife possibilities, and hot springs in one outing.

It may not suit you if you dislike long bus rides, need reliable comfort, or have a fixed evening appointment in Cusco. It is also a poor fit if you want a slow walk with plenty of time at every lagoon.

Your preparation matters. Acclimatize in Cusco before attempting a high-altitude outing, bring warm layers, wear proper walking shoes, carry water, and keep small snacks in your bag. The tour provides meals, but the meal reports are mixed. Keep your passport, phone, and valuables secure, and consider travel insurance, which is recommended but not included.

The booking terms are flexible: cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is helpful if weather, health, or altitude adjustment might affect your plans.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the low cost and the chance to see seven lagoons near Ausangate matter more to you than polished logistics. The scenery, local setting, wildlife possibilities, and Pacchanta hot springs can make this a memorable Andes day.

I would pause before booking if you need certainty. The overall rating is 4.1 from 16 ratings, but the experience ranges from very well organized to deeply frustrating. Confirm the pickup hour, English guide, walking distance, transport condition, meal arrangements, and hot-spring time before you pay.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate and seven lagoons tour last?

It is a one-day tour. Pickup begins around 5:00 a.m., and the planned return to Cusco is approximately 7:00 p.m.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is provided from your hotel in the city of Cusco.

How long is the journey to Pacchanta?

The stated journey to Pacchanta takes approximately six hours.

How long is the lagoon walk?

The planned walking route covers about 7.5 kilometers and takes around five hours. One account reported approximately 16 kilometers in total, so you should prepare for a longer walk.

Which lagoons are included?

The route visits Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha.

Which mountains can you see?

The route offers views of Ausangate, Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke.

What animals might you see?

You might see native birds, alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and, with luck, an Andean condor.

Are meals included?

Yes. The tour includes one breakfast in Pacchanta and one local lunch.

Are the lagoon and hot-spring entrance fees included?

No. The seven-lagoon entrance fee is S/ 20, and Pacchanta hot springs cost S/ 5. Both are paid separately.

Is an English-speaking guide available?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Spanish. Because guide language and participation have varied, confirm that an English-speaking guide will lead your departure if needed.