Private Tour to the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate

The Andes save their best colors for early risers. This private day trip from Cusco takes you to Pacchanta and the seven highland lagoons of Ausangate, with a local guide, meals, transport, and time to walk at your own pace. I like the small private setting and the chance to stop for photos without keeping up with a large group. I also like the simple local rhythm: breakfast before the hike, lunch after it, and optional hot springs at the end.

The main drawback is the effort involved. You leave Cusco at 04:00, spend about five hours walking, and return around 18:30, so this is a long and demanding day. The cold, steep sections, extra entrance fee, and possible need to rent a horse deserve serious thought before you book.

Five things to know before you go

• The day begins at 04:00 in Cusco: Early pickup allows time to reach Pacchanta, but you will need to be ready before sunrise.
• The hike takes about five hours: Two hours lead uphill to the viewpoint, followed by roughly three hours exploring the lagoons and returning to Pacchanta.
• The private format gives you control: Your group can set its own pace and stop for photos without a larger party waiting.
• Meals are included: Breakfast in Pacchanta comes before the walk, and lunch follows the hike.
• Hot springs cost extra: Pacchanta’s thermal pools are an optional add-on at S/5.00.
• Bring money for the entrance fee: The seven lagoons entrance costs PEN20 per person, separate from the tour price.

Why the Ausangate lagoons are worth the long day

The seven lagoons are the reason to make this trip. Each pool has its own shade of blue or green, and the water can reflect the sky and surrounding peaks. The effect changes with the light, so the same lagoon may look different from one stop to the next.

The setting also has a strong feeling of distance from city life. You get open mountain views, cold wind, quiet trails, and the chance to see alpacas along the route. This is not a quick roadside photo stop. You reach the main viewpoint on foot, then spend more time moving among the lakes and their surroundings.

I like that the experience is not only about taking pictures. The guide can share stories about Ausangate, Andean traditions, local legends, and the spiritual importance of the region. That context gives the scenery more meaning. The mountains are not just pretty backdrops. They are part of a living cultural setting.

The private arrangement helps here. If you want to pause beside the water, take several photographs, or walk quietly for a few minutes, you are not tied to the pace of a large group. The guide can also offer help on steeper parts of the trail. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this version of the trip.

A 04:00 pickup and the ride to Pacchanta

Your day starts with hotel pickup in Cusco at 04:00. An air-conditioned vehicle is provided for the round trip, and the drive takes you toward Pacchanta, the village used as the base for the hike.

The early start is practical, not glamorous. You gain more daylight for the walk, but you also lose part of the night. Plan your evening before the tour carefully, and do not treat this as a casual late-start outing. The trip description gives an approximate duration of 12 hours, yet the schedule lists pickup at 04:00 and arrival in Cusco around 18:30. In real terms, you should prepare for a full day of roughly 14 and a half hours, including transport.

That difference matters. You may feel tired before the hike even begins, especially if you have recently arrived in Cusco or are still adjusting to the local conditions. I would avoid placing another major activity on the same evening.

Once you reach Pacchanta, breakfast is served. This is more than a pleasant extra. Eating before the uphill walk gives you a chance to take in calories and settle into the day before the physical work begins. The included breakfast also means you do not have to arrange food during the early drive.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the trail

Pacchanta is the starting point for the walking portion of the trip. After breakfast, you begin the climb toward a viewpoint over the seven lagoons.

The route to the viewpoint takes about two hours. That is a sustained walk, not a short stroll, and the ascent makes it the first real test of the day. You should have a moderate fitness level and be comfortable walking for several hours. Good boots are especially important because the trail includes steep sections, and the ground conditions may not always feel easy underfoot.

Handmade walking sticks are included. They can help with balance and reduce some strain on the climb, particularly when the route becomes uneven or steep. A horse is not included, but you can rent one directly from an arriero for S/80 to S/90. That option may be useful if you find the uphill portion too difficult or if your energy fades during the day.

The presence of a horse option does not make the hike effortless. It is best to think of the ride as a practical backup, not as a guarantee that you can skip all walking. Ask about availability directly at the time of the tour if you think you may need one.

Reaching the viewpoint above the seven lagoons

After about two hours, you reach the viewpoint. This is the first big reward of the hike, with a broad look over the group of lakes and the snowy peaks of Ausangate.

The view works because of its scale and color. The lagoons are not all identical. Some appear blue, others green, and their reflections add another layer as the sky changes. Alpacas along the trail bring movement to an otherwise quiet setting.

Take your time here. The private format means you can stop for photographs without feeling that you are holding up a busload of people. You can also simply sit and look, which may be the best use of the viewpoint. The quiet is a major part of the appeal.

The cold deserves respect. The information supplied for this tour specifically advises warm layers and sturdy boots, and that advice is worth following. Even when the scenery looks inviting, wind and exposure can make the viewpoint feel harsh. Pack clothing you can adjust as you walk, rather than relying on one heavy layer.

Three more hours among the lakes

The route does not end at the viewpoint. You then continue for roughly three more hours, exploring the different lagoons and their surroundings before returning to Pacchanta.

This longer section is where the tour earns its reputation as a full hiking day. You get more than one panoramic stop. The walk lets you see the water from changing angles and notice how the colors shift across the area. The silence, wind, mountain peaks, and animals along the route create a strong sense of being away from the noise of Cusco.

Still, the five-hour walking total should guide your decision. If you rarely hike, the route may feel tiring even if you are enthusiastic about the scenery. A moderate fitness level is required, and the private format cannot remove the physical demands of distance, ascent, and cold.

The guide’s role matters during this part. A good guide can help you judge your pace, offer support on steep sections, and explain the cultural meaning of the area. You may also have room for quiet time. The best moments may be the ones when the guide gives you space to absorb the surroundings rather than filling every pause with facts.

Some groups may enjoy a small picnic by the water, and a simple pause beside a lagoon can make the day feel more personal. Do not assume that a picnic is a standard included feature, however. Breakfast and lunch are included, while a separate picnic is not listed as part of the formal package.

Lunch and the Pacchanta hot springs

After the walking circuit, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. This timing makes sense. You have spent several hours on the trail, and a proper meal gives you the chance to recover before the drive back to Cusco.

Lunch is included in the $120 per-person price, along with breakfast, transport, a bilingual professional guide, first aid equipment, and handmade walking sticks. That package is useful because you do not need to arrange separate food, transportation, or trail support.

The hot springs are optional. Pacchanta is known for thermal pools with thermo-medicinal properties, and entry costs S/5.00. This is a small extra charge, but you should remember to carry local currency if you want to use them.

The pools are a sensible way to finish a strenuous hike, though not everyone will want another activity after five hours of walking. If you are tired, lunch and a rest may be enough. If you still have energy, the hot springs provide a gentler end to the active part of the day.

Is $120 a fair price?

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Ausangate lagoons. The value comes from the private service and what is bundled into the day.

You receive round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast, lunch, a bilingual professional guide, a first aid kit, and walking sticks. You also avoid joining a large group, which gives you more control over breaks, photographs, and walking speed.

The costs outside the package are clear. The seven lagoons entrance fee is PEN20 per person. Hot springs cost S/5.00 if you choose them. A horse costs S/80 to S/90 if rented directly from the arriero. These amounts are not large compared with the tour price, but they affect your final budget.

I think the price makes the most sense for people who value convenience and privacy. If you are happy managing transport, meals, and timing yourself, a cheaper shared option may appeal. If you want a dedicated vehicle and guide for your own group, the extra cost buys comfort and flexibility on a very long day.

The private format is also useful for mixed-ability groups. One person may want to stop often for photos, while another may prefer to keep moving. A private guide can adjust more easily than a fixed group schedule.

What to pack for the Ausangate route

The basic packing list is simple, but each item matters.

• Warm layers for cold conditions and wind
• Good hiking boots
• Water and any personal snacks you prefer
• Sun protection suitable for a long day outdoors
• Local currency for the PEN20 entrance fee and optional S/5 hot springs
• Extra money if you may rent a horse
• A camera or phone with enough battery for repeated photo stops

The supplied details specifically advise warm layers and good boots. Follow that advice. The scenery may tempt you to pack lightly, but comfort on the trail matters more than saving a little space.

The tour includes a first aid kit, which is reassuring, but it does not replace your own preparation. Bring any personal medication you need and tell the guide about concerns before the walk begins.

Who should book this private day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want dramatic mountain scenery, colorful lakes, alpacas, and a quieter outing away from Cusco. It is especially well suited to couples, families with older children, friends, or small groups who want to set their own rhythm.

It also suits people who care about cultural context. The guide can explain Andean traditions, legends, and the spiritual importance of Ausangate, adding meaning beyond the photographs.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you dislike early starts or long hikes. The 04:00 pickup, approximately five hours on foot, cold conditions, and late return make this a demanding day. If you want a relaxed sightseeing trip with little walking, choose something else.

The horse option offers some flexibility, but you should not book on the assumption that the entire route will be effortless. The tour requires moderate fitness, and the private setting helps with pace but does not change the terrain.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour?

Book this tour if the idea of walking among blue and green mountain lakes appeals more than a comfortable morning in bed. You will pay for a long day, but you receive private transport, meals, a guide, and the freedom to stop when the scenery deserves your attention.

I would make the call based on two questions: Can you manage a five-hour mountain walk, and are you willing to start at 04:00? If the answer is yes, the seven lagoons offer some of the most striking scenery around Cusco, with the added pleasure of quiet trails and local cultural insight. If not, the physical demands may overshadow the beauty.

FAQ

What time does the tour begin and end?

Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is scheduled for 04:00. Arrival back in Cusco is estimated at around 18:30.

How long is the hike?

The walk takes approximately five hours. About two hours lead uphill to the viewpoint, followed by roughly three hours exploring the lagoons and returning to Pacchanta.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike begins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided after the walk, when you return to Pacchanta.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entry to the seven lagoons costs PEN20 per person and is paid separately.

Can I rent a horse?

Yes. Horses can be rented directly from the arriero for S/80 to S/90. Horses are not included in the tour price.