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

Ausangate’s seven lakes are the main event here, but the coca leaf ceremony gives this long mountain day a more personal shape. At the first lake, your guide leads a simple ritual intended to connect you with Mother Earth. You may participate, or simply observe respectfully.

I like the private format, since your group can move at its own pace instead of keeping up with a large crowd. I also like the finish: hot springs in Pacchanta, followed by lunch, are welcome after roughly five hours of hiking. The drawback is the altitude. At 4,200 meters, this is a demanding day even if the trail distance looks manageable.

Key points to know

• Seven lakes at 4,200 meters: The high setting brings broad Andean views and colorful mountain water.
• A coca leaf ritual at the first lake: Your guide creates time for a cultural moment, not just a photo stop.
• About 10 km of hiking: Plan on roughly five hours on foot, with an earlier 5 to 6 km approach.
• Pacchanta hot springs afterward: The thermal pools offer a practical rest after the hike.
• Private transport and guiding: Only your group participates, with hotel pickup preferred in Cusco’s historic center.
• $108 per person with meals included: Breakfast, lunch, transport, guide, oxygen, and first aid support are covered, but the entrance fee is extra.

Ausangate’s seven lakes, reached from Pacchanta

This excursion takes you from Cusco to the community of Pacchanta, at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range. The community sits at about 4,200 meters above sea level, so the altitude affects the day from the moment you arrive.

That number matters more than the mileage. A 10 km walk at low elevation can feel routine. The same distance high in the Andes can require a slower pace, more rest, and steady attention to how your body feels. The tour is marked for people with a moderate fitness level, but I would treat that as a real requirement rather than a casual suggestion.

You begin with transport from your accommodation, preferably inside Cusco’s historic center. The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, and the activity ends back there. A private vehicle with air conditioning is included, which makes the long road journey more comfortable and gives your group a quieter ride than a shared bus.

The route leads to Pacchanta, where breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m. This is useful timing. You can eat before the main walk and avoid starting the hike on an empty stomach. Breakfast and lunch are both included, along with a first aid box and oxygen.

The oxygen is not a substitute for acclimatization or medical care, but its presence is sensible on a high-altitude outing. The important preparation still happens before tour day: allow yourself time in Cusco to adjust, and do not assume that a private vehicle makes the mountain walk easy.

The first 5 to 6 kilometers into the Andes

After breakfast, you head farther into the Andes on foot. The description gives an initial hiking distance of 5 to 6 km before continuing through the lake area. The full walking portion is listed as about 10 km and roughly five hours.

Expect a day shaped by open mountain views, high elevation, and changing scenery rather than a series of built attractions. The appeal is the setting itself: the Ausangate range, the lakes, and the sense of being well outside Cusco’s streets and plazas.

Wear comfortable hiking shoes with good support. This is one of the clearest practical points for the day. You should also carry whatever personal water, sun protection, and extra layers you normally need for a high mountain walk, though the supplied information does not specify a packing list.

The private arrangement helps here. If you need to slow down, pause, or take more time with photographs, the guide is working with only your group. That does not remove the physical challenge, but it gives the day a more flexible rhythm.

Bring a fully charged camera. The tour specifically highlights the photo opportunities, and you will want time to stop at the lakes rather than rush past them. A private guide can help with that balance, keeping the walk moving while allowing room for pictures.

The coca leaf ceremony beside the first lake

At the first lagoon, the guide performs a coca leaf ritual. The purpose is to create a conversation and connection with Mother Earth, and you can take part if you choose.

This is an important feature because it gives the excursion a cultural moment tied to the place itself. You are not simply arriving, taking a picture, and moving on. The ritual asks you to pause and recognize the setting in a way that is more reflective than a standard sightseeing stop.

Participation should be respectful and guided by your tour leader. If you are not familiar with the tradition, listen carefully and follow the guide’s direction. The supplied information does not describe the exact words or steps, so do not expect a fixed performance with a detailed script.

The guide matters greatly during this part of the outing. Alex is specifically praised for being calm, polite, and highly educated, and those qualities suit a ceremony that calls for patience and care. The tour may assign a different guide, but the experience is handled best when the leader explains what is happening without turning it into a rushed photo opportunity.

After the ceremony, the route continues to the other lagoons. The lakes are set among mountain scenery, wildlife, and high-altitude vegetation. Because conditions and visibility can change, the exact colors and appearance of each lake may vary during your visit. The consistent feature is the scale of the setting and the long views across the Ausangate region.

Five hours among seven mountain lakes

The lake circuit is the heart of the excursion. You visit seven lagoons, with about 10 km of walking in total and approximately five hours on the trail.

That combination makes this more than a quick viewpoint stop. You need to be ready for sustained walking at elevation, with enough energy left for the return. The tour’s wording allows you to go at your own pace, which is a major benefit for a private group. It also means you should communicate clearly with your guide if you need a break.

The route offers repeated photo opportunities, but the experience is not only about collecting seven separate pictures. The appeal comes from the way the lakes sit within the larger Ausangate setting. Your attention shifts between water, mountain slopes, open sky, and signs of wildlife and plant life.

At the same time, the scenery does not make the trail effortless. The altitude can cause fatigue, and five hours of hiking is a substantial block of the day. Anyone expecting a short stroll should choose a different excursion. If you already enjoy long walks and have adjusted to Cusco’s elevation, the private format makes this option easier to manage.

The guide is also important for pacing and orientation. A good leader can explain what you are seeing, keep the group together, and notice when the altitude is affecting someone. The strong praise for Alex gives you a useful standard: calm and polite guidance is especially valuable when the weather, terrain, or breathing makes the day feel harder.

Pacchanta hot springs after the hike

The return to Pacchanta brings one of the day’s most practical rewards: time in the hot springs.

The pools are not treated as a separate sightseeing attraction so much as a chance to rest after the lake walk. That order works well. After several hours on foot, warm water can help you relax before the meal and the drive back to Cusco.

The supplied details do not give the exact length of the hot springs visit or describe the facilities, so keep expectations measured. You should see it as a simple recovery stop rather than a full spa visit.

Lunch follows in Pacchanta. Since breakfast and lunch are included, you do not need to arrange your main meals separately during the outing. The meal also arrives at a sensible point, after the demanding section of the day.

The sequence makes this excursion feel more complete than a simple out-and-back hike. You have a mountain walk, a cultural ritual, a thermal break, and a meal before the long return. Still, the day remains long. The planned return to Cusco is around 7:00 p.m., after approximately 14 to 14.5 hours away from the start.

What $108 per person really covers

At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Ausangate lakes, but the price includes several items that can add up separately.

You receive private round-trip transportation, a private professional guide, hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, a first aid box, and oxygen. Only your group participates, and the vehicle has air conditioning. For a full-day trip from Cusco with meals and private service, that is a reasonable package if you value comfort and control over the schedule.

The entrance fee is not included. Since no amount is provided, you should confirm the current cost before booking and budget for it separately. This is the main price detail that could alter the final value.

A private tour is most worthwhile for a couple, family, or small group that wants to stay together and adjust the pace. If you are traveling alone and prefer the lowest possible cost, a shared outing may be cheaper, though it would not offer the same control.

The 99 percent recommendation rate and a five-star score from 80 ratings point to a consistently strong experience. I would place the greatest weight on the repeated praise for the guide’s manner, particularly the description of Alex as calm, polite, and extremely well educated. At high altitude, a composed guide is not a minor luxury.

Timing, meeting point, and cancellation terms

The activity begins with pickup from your accommodation, preferably in Cusco’s historic center. The listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, identified as F2M9+5X2, Cusco 08002, Peru. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement with Chullos Travel Peru after booking.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. It is near public transportation, which may help if you need to continue elsewhere in Cusco after returning, though the late arrival means you should keep evening plans flexible.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local time.

Who should book this Ausangate excursion?

I would choose this outing if you want the seven lakes but prefer a private day with meals, transport, and a guide already arranged. It suits people who enjoy mountain walking, value cultural context, and want the freedom to set a slower pace.

It is also a good fit if you want more than a fast photo stop. The coca leaf ceremony adds a moment of meaning, while the Pacchanta hot springs give the day a comfortable finish.

I would hesitate if you are not acclimatized to altitude, dislike long drives, or want an easy sightseeing day. The 10 km hike and roughly five hours on foot are the central facts. The hot springs come after the work, not instead of it.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if the combination of seven high-altitude lakes, a coca leaf ritual, and Pacchanta hot springs sounds worth a very long day. The private format, included meals, private vehicle, oxygen, and flexible pace give the $108 price solid value, though you still need to pay the entrance fee.

Skip it if your main goal is a relaxed day near Cusco or if you have not allowed time to adjust to the elevation. For fit hikers who want Ausangate scenery without arranging every detail themselves, this is a well-rounded choice. Chullos Travel Peru provides the structure, while the private format leaves room to experience the mountains at your group’s speed.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate and seven lakes tour take?

The excursion lasts approximately 14 to 14.5 hours. The planned return to Cusco is around 7:00 p.m.

How far will I hike?

The hiking portion is about 10 km and takes approximately five hours. The route begins with an initial 5 to 6 km walk before continuing to the other lagoons.

What altitude does the tour reach?

The community of Pacchanta is located at about 4,200 meters above sea level. The provided information does not specify a separate altitude for each lake.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the tour includes a private vehicle and a professional private guide.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta, planned for about 7:30 a.m., and lunch are included.

Is the entrance fee included in the price?

No. The entrance fee is not included, and its amount is not specified in the provided tour details.