From Cusco: Tour Ausangate & 7 Lakes Full Day

The best part of this day is the sudden change from Cusco streets to the stark high Andes around Ausangate. You will walk past seven colored lagoons, with snow-covered peaks, alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and perhaps a condor adding life to a very open setting. I like the chance to see several remote-looking lagoons in one outing, and I like that the day ends with Pacchanta’s hot springs rather than one last hurried photo stop.

The main caution is the schedule. Pickup begins around 5:00 a.m., the ride is long, and the walking can be more demanding than the 7.5 km figure suggests. One recent account described about 16 km of walking in total, while another reported a rushed day, a cold lunch, and no hot springs visit. You should confirm the exact plan, vehicle, and spring stop before booking.

Key points to know before you go

• Seven lagoons in one high-Andean circuit: Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha give the walk plenty of variety.
• Ausangate is the star of the view: You may also see Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke peaks along the route.
• Pacchanta adds local flavor: Breakfast, lunch, and medicinal hot springs are built into the day, though the springs should be confirmed.
• The ride takes a large share of the day: Pickup is early, arrival back in Cusco is planned for about 7:00 p.m., and transport quality can affect your comfort.
• The price is low, but extras matter: At $28, the tour includes transport, guide, breakfast, lunch, and oxygen, but lagoon admission and hot springs cost extra.
• Guide quality matters: English and Spanish guiding is offered, and Wilfredo received specific praise for keeping his group together and explaining the sights.

Why the Ausangate Seven Lakes day is appealing

Ausangate is one of the most striking parts of the Cusco Region for simple mountain scenery. This is not a town-and-ruins tour. It is a day of open sky, cold air, broad mountain views, and water changing color from one lagoon to the next.

The seven stops give the walk a clear purpose. You are not simply following a trail to one viewpoint and turning back. Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha each form part of a wider circuit, with the peaks of Ausangate, Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke around you.

I especially like the wildlife possibilities. Alpacas and llamas are part of the everyday scene, while vizcachas may appear among the rocks. A condor is not guaranteed, but the open mountain setting gives you a fair chance to watch for one. The appeal here is not a single famous photo. It is the steady rhythm of walking, looking, and noticing small changes in the high Andean world.

The tour’s rating is 4.1 from 16 reviews, which points to a generally worthwhile outing with some real weaknesses. The most positive account praised the beauty of the day and guide Wilfredo’s handling of the group. That same account warned that the walk reached about 16 km in total, a useful detail for anyone judging the day by the advertised 7.5 km route alone.

The 5:00 a.m. start from Cusco

Pickup begins at about 5:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco. This is not a gentle morning tour. You will need to be ready before sunrise, and the planned return to Cusco is around 7:00 p.m., making this a full day from darkness to evening.

The ride toward Pacchanta takes several hours. The route itself is part of the experience, since you will pass through high Andean scenery and have a chance to watch the vegetation and animal life change as the journey continues. Still, you should be honest with yourself about the transport time. A six-hour trip is a lot of sitting before you even begin the walk, and the same trip back can leave you tired.

Transport is included in the $28 price, but vehicle comfort appears to be inconsistent. One very unhappy account described broken seats, no seat belts, cold conditions on the way out, and poor ventilation on the return. That is a serious concern, especially on a long mountain road. I would ask the operator how many people will be in the vehicle and whether the bus has working seat belts before paying.

There was also a report of a pickup confusion, with the planned time apparently changing from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. and the group waiting in the cold. That is not a small inconvenience at this hour. Reconfirm your pickup time and meeting point the evening before, and keep your phone available.

Breakfast and the Pacchanta briefing

Pacchanta is the starting point for the walking circuit. Once you arrive, the tour includes a typical local breakfast and a short break. Your guide should use this time to explain the route, the day’s timing, and what to expect on the trail.

The breakfast is useful rather than luxurious. It gives you food before several hours of walking, which matters at high altitude and in cold conditions. One account called the breakfast disappointing, so I would treat it as a basic included meal, not a reason to book the tour.

Pacchanta is also where the day’s practical choices become clear. You can hear how long the group expects to walk, ask about the hot springs, and confirm the return plan. If you need a horse for part of the route, horses are not included and must be arranged separately.

The tour includes an oxygen balloon. That may provide reassurance, but it is not a substitute for taking the walk seriously. Your own pace, clothing, water, and attention to how you feel matter more than an emergency item carried in the vehicle.

Walking the 7.5 km lagoon route

The stated circuit covers about 7.5 km and takes around five hours to explore. One positive account put the total walking distance closer to 16 km, so I would not plan this as a short stroll. The difference may reflect extra walking around the lagoons, group movements, or the way the route was measured, but it is worth asking the guide for the exact distance on your departure day.

The route is valuable because it gives you time to see the area from more than one angle. You will stroll beside the lagoons, stop for views, and move through broad mountain country rather than rushing from one bus stop to another. The exact walking effort depends on the pace set by the group and the conditions that day.

One person described the walk as manageable, with few steep climbs and less altitude than some other Cusco-region excursions. Another described the whole outing as rushed, with the guide repeatedly urging the group onward. These accounts can both be useful. The route may not be technically extreme, but the altitude, cold, early start, and length can still make it tiring.

A good guide should help you keep a steady pace without turning the day into a race. Wilfredo was specifically praised for explaining the sights and managing the group well. The English guiding standard, however, may vary. One account said the guide did not speak English and failed to stay with the group, creating a risk of getting lost. If English explanation is important to you, confirm that your assigned guide will actually lead in English rather than assuming the language option guarantees it.

What you see around the lagoons

The water is the main visual reward, but the setting around it makes the stops memorable. The lagoons are spread beneath peaks associated with Ausangate and the surrounding mountain chain. Light, clouds, and weather can change the appearance of the water during the day, so the same lagoon may look different when you return your attention to it later.

Azulqocha begins the list, followed by the paired names Orco Otorongo and China Otorongo. Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha complete the circuit. The names are easy to lose track of, so I would focus less on memorizing them and more on noticing the colors, reflections, rock, grass, and mountain shapes around each stop.

The wildlife adds a welcome break from the views. You may see alpacas and llamas close to the route, while vizcachas can blend into rocky areas. A condor is possible but never promised. Bring patience and keep your eyes on the ridgelines rather than expecting a guaranteed animal encounter.

This is a nature-focused day, not a cultural tour with long explanations about local history. The most authentic moments come from the small details: herding animals, the high-altitude vegetation, the quiet between groups, and the sight of Pacchanta as a working community rather than just a starting point.

Lunch and the Pacchanta hot springs

After the lagoon circuit, you return to Pacchanta for a local lunch. The meal is included, which helps the price look strong, but standards may vary. One account reported a cold lunch and not enough fish for everyone, leaving some people with mostly side dishes. I would keep expectations modest and carry a small snack in case the meal is delayed or simple.

The hot springs are one of the tour’s best ideas. After a cold, long walk, warm medicinal water can make the return journey much more pleasant. Admission costs S/ 5, separate from the tour price, and the stop is listed as part of the planned finish.

Do not assume the spring visit is guaranteed without checking. One account said the group was not allowed to visit, despite repeated references to the hot springs during the day. Ask at breakfast whether the pools are open and how much time is reserved for them. If the guide says the schedule is too tight, you will want to know early rather than after five hours of walking.

The springs are not just an extra attraction. They are part of the value equation. A low-cost day with a proper warm soak feels very different from a low-cost day that ends with a rushed meal and an immediate bus ride.

Is $28 good value?

At $28 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach an area that would be difficult to visit independently in one day. The price includes hotel pickup in Cusco, tourist transport to Pacchanta and back, an English or Spanish guide, breakfast, lunch, and the return transfer to the city center.

You still need to budget for the S/ 20 entrance fee to the seven lagoons and S/ 5 for the hot springs. Water and alcoholic drinks are not included, and neither is a horse. Accommodation, insurance, and personal expenses are also separate.

Even after those fees, the package can be good value if the transport and timing work as promised. Organizing a private ride to Pacchanta, arranging meals, and finding the trail on your own would likely require more planning. The low price does mean you should accept some limits. You are buying shared transport and a fixed group schedule, not a private mountain day.

The biggest question is not the ticket price. It is what happens to your time and comfort. A reliable vehicle, a guide who stays with the group, a full lunch, and enough time for the hot springs make this a strong bargain. Poor transport or a shortened program changes the calculation quickly.

Who should book this full-day outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to the Ausangate area, enjoy walking in open mountain country, and prefer a guided day with meals and transport arranged. It suits people who want scenery more than museum stops or city sightseeing.

You should also be comfortable with an early start and a long day. The route may have fewer steep climbs than some other high-altitude excursions, but the combination of distance, altitude, cold, and several hours in a bus is not trivial.

This is less suitable if you need a relaxed pace, dependable hot-spring time, strong English commentary, or high standards in transport. It may also frustrate you if you measure a tour by precise timing. The advertised return is around 7:00 p.m., but accounts of rushed departures and an early return suggest that the actual day can vary.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Cusco plans are still moving, but they do not solve the practical questions about pickup and vehicle quality. Ask those questions before the cancellation window closes.

My booking advice

I would book this tour for the seven-lagoon scenery and low price, but only after confirming four points: the exact pickup time, the walking distance, the English-speaking guide, and whether the Pacchanta hot springs are definitely included in the day’s schedule.

If you get a well-organized guide such as Wilfredo, the day can deliver a lot: striking Ausangate views, local food, wildlife, seven lagoons, and a warm finish. If transport is poorly maintained or the group is pushed along, the long journey can overshadow the scenery.

For the best chance of enjoying it, bring warm layers, sturdy walking shoes, water, and a snack. Treat the $28 fare as a budget shared tour with excellent scenery, not a polished private excursion. That is a fair trade if you know the limits before you go.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour last?

The tour lasts one day. Pickup begins at about 5:00 a.m., and the planned return to Cusco is around 7:00 p.m.

How far is the walking route?

The stated lagoon circuit is approximately 7.5 km and takes around five hours. One account described about 16 km of total walking, so you should confirm the exact distance with the guide.

What meals are included?

One breakfast and one lunch are included. Water and alcoholic drinks are not included.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. Entrance to the seven lagoons costs S/ 20, and admission to the Pacchanta hot springs costs S/ 5.

Is an English-speaking guide available?

Yes. Live guiding is offered in English and Spanish. Confirm the language of your assigned guide before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is included, along with tourist transportation between Cusco and Pacchanta and the return to Cusco city center.