Hike 7 lagoons of Ausangate

Snow, color, and a very early alarm. I like this tour because it reaches seven named lagoons in one morning, and I like the simple value: transport, breakfast, lunch, walking sticks, and hot springs are included for $35. You also get a small group capped at 15 people, which is a sensible size for a mountain walk.

The main drawback is the long day. You leave Cusco around 4 to 5 am, spend about three hours getting to Pacchanta, walk for roughly three hours, and then ride three hours back. This is a good choice if you have moderate fitness and want a full-day mountain outing, but it is not a relaxed sightseeing trip.

Five things to know before booking

• The route visits seven named lagoons: Pukaqocha, Pataqocha, Alqa Qocha, Q’ome Qocha, Orq’o Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Blue Qocha.
• Pacchanta is the base: You have breakfast there before walking and lunch there after the hike.
• Hot springs are part of the stop: Free time is provided after lunch, so bring what you need for a soak.
• The day starts early: Pickup begins between 4 and 5 am, depending on your hotel location.
• Budget for the entrance fee: Bring 20 Peruvian soles in cash for entry to the seven lagoons.
• The walking section takes about three hours: The route passes snowy scenery and multiple lagoons, so sturdy footwear and a steady pace matter.

Why this $35 Ausangate trip offers good value

At $35 per person, this is priced as a budget day trip rather than a private mountain adventure. That price includes hotel pickup, tourist transport, breakfast, lunch, walking sticks, and a first aid kit. You still pay 20 soles in cash for entry to the lagoon area, but the included meals and transport keep the total cost fairly modest.

I like that the tour includes both food stops. An early breakfast in Pacchanta gives you a chance to eat before walking, while lunch afterward means you do not need to carry a full day’s food. The walking sticks are useful too, especially if you are more comfortable with support on uneven ground.

The value depends heavily on your attitude toward time. About six hours of the day are spent traveling between Cusco and Pacchanta. That is a lot of road time for a three-hour walk, but it is also the practical price of reaching a remote mountain area from the city.

You should also keep 20 soles ready for the entrance fee. It is easy to overlook a small cash charge when booking a low-cost tour, and there is no reason to start the day hunting for an ATM.

The 4 to 5 am pickup from Cusco

Pickup begins between 4 and 5 am, with the exact time based on your hotel location. The stated meeting time is 5 am, so I would treat that as the safe planning point and be ready early.

This early start serves a clear purpose. The drive from Cusco to Pacchanta takes about three hours, and the walking route still needs to fit into the morning and early afternoon. You arrive in Pacchanta for breakfast before setting off, rather than using the first part of the hike to find food.

Hotel pickup makes the start easier, particularly if you are staying in central Cusco. The return trip ends a block from the Plaza de Armas, not necessarily at your hotel, so plan for a short walk or local ride at the end of the day.

The transport is described as tourist transport, but no vehicle type is specified. The important point is that this is a road-based group outing with a long transfer in each direction. If you dislike early starts or extended rides, this tour may feel tiring before the walking even begins.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the trail

Pacchanta is more than a transfer point. It is where you have breakfast, prepare for the route, and receive instructions from the guide.

That short preparation period matters. You can eat, organize your water and personal items, adjust your footwear, and make sure you have your walking stick before leaving. The guide gives instructions before the walk begins, so pay attention to the expected pace and route.

The tour description does not specify the breakfast menu, the exact trail surface, or the facilities available in Pacchanta. I would therefore keep your expectations practical. Breakfast is included as part of the tour, but it should not be treated as a full restaurant meal with a long menu.

This is also the best point to confirm the day’s timing. The walk lasts about three hours, lunch follows in Pacchanta, and free time is then provided for the hot springs.

Seven lagoons, seven names, and a three-hour walk

The main attraction is the chain of seven lagoons associated with Ausangate. The route begins with Pukaqocha, followed by Pataqocha and Alqa Qocha. You then continue to Q’ome Qocha, Orq’o Otorongo, China Otorongo, and finally Blue Qocha.

The names help you understand the outing. This is not a single viewpoint where you take one photograph and return to the bus. The plan is a connected walk through a series of bodies of water, with snowy scenery along the way.

The supplied description does not give a separate stop length at each lagoon. That means you should not assume long, private viewing periods at every site. The walk itself is the experience, and the guide will manage the group’s movement so the full route fits into the available time.

I would use the three hours sensibly. Take photographs, but keep moving when the group moves. If you stop for too long at the first lagoon, you may have less time later in the route. A small group of no more than 15 people should make it easier to hear instructions and stay together.

The route is described as passing among snowy areas and lagoons. That combination gives the outing its appeal. You are not simply riding to a lookout, taking a quick picture, and leaving. You are walking through a high mountain setting with several distinct stops.

At the same time, the supplied details do not promise a particular water color on the day of your visit. Names such as Blue Qocha suggest how the sites are identified, but weather and light can affect how any lagoon appears. Go for the route and the setting, not for a guaranteed postcard shade.

What the walking section demands

The tour asks for a moderate level of physical fitness. That is the clearest guidance available, and you should take it seriously.

You will walk for approximately three hours after breakfast, then return to Pacchanta for lunch. The route includes snowy surroundings, and the tour provides walking sticks, which suggests that support may be useful on the trail. The exact elevation gain and trail difficulty are not provided, so I would not label this an easy stroll.

You do not need to be an expert hiker based on the information given, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours in a mountain setting. If you know that long walks tire you quickly, the early start and long transport time may make the day harder.

Wear shoes suitable for walking. The tour does not state that special equipment is provided beyond walking sticks and a first aid kit. Bring personal items you normally need for a long outdoor excursion, and keep your belongings manageable during the three-hour route.

The group size limit of 15 is helpful. It is large enough to keep the price low but small enough to avoid a huge procession. Still, the guide controls the pace, so this is not the right outing if you expect to wander independently between the lagoons.

Lunch and hot springs in Pacchanta

After visiting the lagoons, you walk back to Pacchanta for lunch. This gives the day a useful rhythm: breakfast before the trail, a three-hour mountain walk, then a proper meal when you return.

After lunch, you have free time for the hot springs. This is one of the strongest features of the schedule because it gives your legs a chance to rest before the return ride. It also makes the outing feel like more than a simple point-to-point hike.

The details do not say how long the hot spring visit lasts, whether entry is included, or what changing facilities are available. The schedule says you will have free time, so consider it an included opportunity rather than a guaranteed long soak.

Bring what you need for the hot springs and keep your expectations flexible. The return to Cusco begins at about 2:30 pm, so the free period cannot continue indefinitely. Listen for the guide’s meeting instructions and be ready to leave on time.

The long return to Cusco

The group begins the return journey at approximately 2:30 pm and arrives in Cusco around 5:30 pm. The drop-off point is a block from the Plaza de Armas.

That return timing is useful for planning dinner or an evening activity, but I would not book anything with a strict start time soon afterward. Mountain roads, group departures, and the long transfer can make the schedule feel tight even when the tour runs normally.

Ending near the Plaza de Armas is convenient. You can walk into the historic center or arrange a short ride back to your accommodation. Hotel drop-off is not promised at the end, so do not assume the vehicle will return you directly to your door.

The whole outing lasts about 12 hours. From pickup before dawn to arrival in central Cusco, this is a full commitment. I would avoid placing it immediately before another demanding excursion.

Service, safety, and the small-group setup

The tour includes a guide, walking sticks, tourist transport, and a first aid kit. Those details are modest but important. You have someone providing instructions before the hike, basic support for walking, and a first aid kit available for minor problems.

The group maximum is 15 people. That limit supports a more manageable walk than a large coach group, especially when the route includes seven separate lagoon stops.

The available service feedback praises friendly staff, safe equipment, and good value, though one comment concerns an ATV outing rather than this lagoon hike. I would treat those points as positive signs about the operator’s general service, not as proof of details that are specific to the walking route.

Another comment praises the idea of the outing but notes that short stops can limit exploration on a different activity. That is a useful general reminder for this tour: you are joining a timed group itinerary. You will see all seven lagoons, but you may not have unlimited time at each one.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a low-cost way to see several mountain lagoons from Cusco and you are comfortable with a very early start. It suits people who prefer a planned route, included meals, and transport rather than arranging every part independently.

It is also a good fit if you like variety in one day. You get a road journey, breakfast in Pacchanta, a three-hour walk, seven lagoon stops, lunch, hot springs, and a return to the city.

I would be more cautious if you want a slow hiking day or long periods of quiet at each lagoon. The schedule is fixed, and the ride takes about three hours each way. People who need a late start, private pacing, or a detailed trail briefing in advance may want to ask the operator more questions before booking.

The English-language option is useful if you want instructions and explanations in English. The tour confirmation is received at booking, and the activity is listed for people with moderate fitness.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate hike?

Book this tour if your priority is value and variety. For $35, you receive pickup, transport, two meals, walking sticks, a guide, a first aid kit, access to a seven-lagoon route, and free time for hot springs, with only the 20-sol entrance fee added.

Skip it if a 12-hour day with six hours of transport sounds worse than the scenery sounds good. This is a practical, budget-friendly mountain outing, not a leisurely escape. Go prepared for the alarm, the road time, and a timed three-hour walk, and you will be in a much better position to enjoy Ausangate.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours, from early morning pickup in Cusco until arrival back in the city at about 5:30 pm.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins between 4 and 5 am, depending on the location of your hotel. The stated start time is 5 am.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Pacchanta?

The drive from Cusco to the community of Pacchanta takes about three hours.

How long do you walk?

The walking portion takes approximately three hours and visits seven lagoons.

Which lagoons does the route visit?

The route includes Pukaqocha, Pataqocha, Alqa Qocha, Q’ome Qocha, Orq’o Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Blue Qocha.

Are meals included?

Yes. The tour includes one breakfast and one lunch. Breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is provided after returning from the lagoons.

Are the hot springs included?

The schedule provides free time for the hot springs after lunch. The supplied details do not specify whether any separate hot spring entrance fee is included.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. You should carry 20 soles in cash for entry to the seven lagoons.

Where does the tour end in Cusco?

The tour ends about one block from the Plaza de Armas at approximately 5:30 pm.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.