Cusco: Ausangate Tour Seven Lagoons + meals

Ausangate’s seven lagoons offer the kind of high Andean scenery that makes you stop talking and reach for your camera. Snow-capped Apu Ausangate towers above blue, turquoise, and green pools, while alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and Andean birds add life to the route. I like the excellent views and the chance to soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs after the hike.

I also like that the $34 price covers Cusco pickup, tourist transport, breakfast, lunch, and a bilingual guide. The catch is the long day: a dawn departure, roughly six hours of driving, and a five-hour walk at high altitude. Transport and guiding have also been uneven, so you should book this for the scenery first, not polished service.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lagoons: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.
• A serious day out: Expect about 14 hours and 30 minutes from pickup to return, with a hike of roughly 12 to 13 kilometers.
• High-altitude hiking: The route includes about 500 meters of ascent and is not a good first hike in the Andes.
• Pacchanta hot springs: The thermal pools are a welcome finish, but entry costs 10 soles extra and your time there may be limited.
• Meals included: Breakfast and lunch are covered, though the breakfast can be quite simple.
• Service can vary: Some departures have had late pickups, crowded vans, group changes, and little guiding in English.

Why the Ausangate lagoons are worth the long day

The main reason to choose this trip is simple: the setting is spectacular. Ausangate is one of Peru’s great sacred mountains, known in Quechua tradition as an apu, or powerful mountain spirit. You do not need a lecture to appreciate it. The sight of snow and rock above a chain of cold mountain pools does much of the work.

The lagoons change color from one stop to the next. Some appear blue, others turquoise or green, and several are broad enough to reflect the surrounding peaks like natural mirrors. Colors will depend on sunlight, clouds, and the season, so do not expect every pool to look exactly like a brochure photo.

The route is also more than a string of viewpoints. Along the way, you may see alpacas and llamas grazing near the trail, vizcachas darting among rocks, and Andean birds overhead. These details make the walk feel like a visit to a living highland environment rather than a quick photo stop.

I would choose this outing for its scenery and sense of place. I would not choose it if your main goal is a relaxed day with a carefully managed small group.

From Cusco at 4:30 a.m. to Pacchanta

Pickup is scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. in Cusco. You wait in your hotel lobby, and the guide is supposed to call your mobile phone about 10 minutes before pickup. Keep your phone on and close at hand. Several departures have had delays, and one pickup reportedly ran 45 minutes late.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours in tourist transport. This is the least glamorous part of the day. The journey is long, and comfort depends heavily on the vehicle and the size of the group. Some departures have used vans with limited legroom, no air conditioning, and seats that were difficult to recline without crowding the person behind.

That matters because you are not simply sitting through a short transfer. You still have a long hike ahead, followed by another three-hour ride back to Cusco. If you are tall, prone to motion sickness, or need extra space, ask about the transport before paying.

The group size may also change. The advertised experience suggests a small group, but one departure grew to 27 people after groups were combined. A larger group can slow the walk and make it harder to get direct help at altitude.

A simple breakfast before the climb

Breakfast takes place in Pacchanta before the walk begins. It is included, which is useful at this hour, but you should keep expectations modest. The meal has been described as simple, especially compared with food provided on other full-day excursions.

Bring a few snacks anyway. The information for this outing specifically recommends snacks, and that is good advice for a five-hour mountain walk. Carry water as well, even though it is not listed among the required items. You will be happier having your own supply than hoping to find food along the trail.

After breakfast, the hike begins with a gradual climb. The route is described as a five-hour round trip, though the full circuit has also been estimated at about 12 to 13 kilometers with roughly 500 meters of ascent. That is a substantial walk, especially at altitude.

The phrase ascend little by little is important. This is not presented as a technical climb, but it is still demanding. A gradual trail can feel tough when every step is taken in thin mountain air.

The seven lagoons, one by one

The route visits seven lagoons, each with its own name and shape. The order can vary, but you should expect to see Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

Some pools are wide and open, while others feel more enclosed by rock and mountain slopes. Their blue, green, and turquoise tones are the visual reward for the climb. Several look like mirrors when the water is calm, giving you strong photo opportunities without needing elaborate equipment.

The route’s beauty is also its practical challenge. You spend much of the day outdoors with little shelter from sun, wind, rain, or cold. Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, gloves, a warm jacket, and proper outdoor clothing. The weather can shift quickly, and the tour runs in rain or shine.

I recommend taking photos early and often, but do not let the camera set your pace. The altitude is not the place to rush for one more picture. If you start feeling unwell, tell the guide immediately and slow down.

What the guide adds, and where the service may fall short

A professional guide in English and Spanish is included. At its best, the guide should help you follow the route, explain the lagoons and local surroundings, watch the pace, and assist if altitude becomes a problem.

The experience has not always reached that standard. Some departures had guide changes after breakfast, with groups combined and limited explanation of the route. In one case, the main guide left the vehicle after an argument, leaving passengers with a driver who did not speak English. Another group completed much of the walk without useful instructions or information about the area.

Language ability may also vary. The booking promises English and Spanish, but some departures had only broken English or no practical English support. If you do not speak Spanish, confirm the guide language at the start and stay close to the group.

This is a major consideration for a high-altitude hike. You should not need a lecture at every lagoon, but you do need clear directions, timing, and safety guidance. The best reports describe a guide who explained things clearly and adapted to different languages. The weaker departures felt more like transport plus a walk with little interpretation.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch

After the circuit, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. The lunch has generally been a stronger part of the food service than breakfast, and it is included in the price. It gives you a proper chance to eat before the final part of the day.

Timing can be tight. The stated plan is lunch followed by the hot springs, and one departure allowed about an hour for both. That leaves little room if the hike runs late, the group is large, or lunch service takes time.

You may want to decide in advance what matters most. If the thermal pools are your priority, avoid lingering too long at lunch. If you are tired, hungry, and cold, a proper meal may be more valuable than a short soak.

Pacchanta’s thermal waters

The hot springs are a welcome finish after several hours on foot. The water is described as thermo-medicinal, and the chance to rest in a warm pool gives the day a different rhythm after the cold mountain trail.

Entry is not included. The listed cost is 10 soles, so keep Peruvian cash ready. A towel and swimwear are also on the packing list. You should expect a local bathing setting rather than a private spa. The pools may be shared with local residents and children, and changing arrangements may be basic.

That is part of the character of the stop, but it may surprise anyone expecting a quiet resort. The schedule can also be too short for a leisurely soak. If the hike or meal runs behind, the hot springs may become optional in practice.

Is $34 good value?

At $34 per person, the package is inexpensive for a full day in the Cusco Region. Pickup, transport, breakfast, lunch, and a guide are included, while many similar outings charge separately for meals or transfers.

The value is strongest if you want an affordable way to reach Ausangate without arranging private transport. A three-hour drive each way would be expensive and complicated to organize on your own. The included meals also help keep the total cost predictable.

You still need to budget for the Ausangate entrance fee of 20 soles and the thermal waters at 10 soles. Horses are not included either. A horse may be available if you need assistance on part of the trail, but the price and availability are not specified, so do not count on it as a guaranteed backup.

The low price also comes with tradeoffs. Vehicle quality, group size, punctuality, and guide performance may not be consistent. I see this as a budget scenic excursion, not a premium trekking day.

Who should book this hike?

You should consider it if you have already spent time acclimatizing in Cusco and can handle a long mountain walk. A reasonable level of fitness is important. The route is not described as suitable for beginners, and the combination of distance, ascent, cold, sun, and altitude can be tiring.

This is not recommended for people with altitude sickness, limited mobility, low fitness, or pregnancy. The supplied conditions also list people over 60 as unsuitable, though age alone does not determine hiking ability. If you are older and fit, ask the operator for a clear assessment before booking rather than relying only on the general age restriction.

You will get more from the trip if you enjoy open-air scenery, do not mind a pre-dawn start, and can tolerate a long ride in a basic vehicle. You should be comfortable carrying your own water, snacks, clothing, and camera.

What to pack for the Ausangate day

Bring comfortable hiking shoes with dependable grip. Add sunglasses, a sun hat, a warm hat, gloves, a jacket, and layered outdoor clothing. You need swimwear and a towel for Pacchanta’s thermal pools.

Carry cash for the two extra entrance fees, plus snacks and personal spending. Take a camera, but protect it from rain and cold. The tour operates regardless of weather, so a waterproof layer is sensible even if the morning starts clear.

Most important, arrive acclimatized. Cusco itself sits high, and the Ausangate region is higher still. Give yourself time in Cusco before attempting this walk, and do not treat the early start as a substitute for preparation.

Should you book Mapis Explorer’s Ausangate tour?

Book it if the seven lagoons and mountain scenery are your main goal, and you are willing to accept basic transport and variable guiding in exchange for a low price. The positive side is powerful: striking water colors, Ausangate views, local animals, included meals, and hot springs at the end.

Think twice if you need punctual pickup, a guaranteed small group, strong English interpretation, or comfortable transport. The scenery has earned the strongest praise, but the organization has not been equally reliable on every departure.

For a fit, acclimatized visitor on a budget, this can be a memorable day. I would confirm the guide language, group size, transport, and hot-spring schedule before booking. Go for the mountains, pack for a hard day, and keep your expectations about service modest.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour last?

The activity lasts 870 minutes, or about 14 hours and 30 minutes. Pickup is scheduled from 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., with arrival back in Cusco around 7:30 p.m.

How long is the hike?

The walk takes about five hours round trip. The full route has also been described as roughly 12 to 13 kilometers with about 500 meters of ascent.

Which lagoons will I visit?

The named lagoons are Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is provided after returning from the route.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. The Ausangate entrance costs 20 soles, and entry to the thermal waters costs 10 soles. Horses are also not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English and Spanish. Guide language ability may vary by departure, so confirm this before setting out.