From Cusco: Ausangate Route – 7 Lagoons Tour + Meals

The Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour gets you into the high Peruvian Andes for a long, demanding day beneath one of the region’s great snow-capped mountains. From Pacchanta, you hike past blue, green, red, and turquoise lagoons, then soak in hot springs with Ausangate still close by.

I like two things here: the scenery is the real deal, with open highland views, mountain air, and very little between you and the peaks; and the price includes both breakfast and lunch, which matters on a 14-hour outing. The main drawback is the organization and transport. A booking account described an old, dirty minibus, weak communication, and a group that became split during the hike.

Key points to know before booking

• Pacchanta sits at 4,200 meters, so this is a high-altitude outing, not a casual walk in the park.
• The hike takes about five hours round trip and is described as medium difficulty.
• Five lagoons are named, including Azulcocha, Pukacocha, Oq’ecocha, Alqacocha, and Q’omercocha, with other lagoons visited along the way.
• Breakfast, lunch, transport, and a bilingual guide are included, but the lagoon and hot spring fees are extra.
• The Pacchanta hot springs follow the hike, making them a useful place to rest before the ride back.
• The day begins between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. and ends in Cusco at about 6:30 p.m.

Leaving Cusco before sunrise

Pickup is scheduled between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. from hotels in Cusco’s historic center. The guide should call or write about 15 minutes before arrival, and you are asked to wait roughly 10 minutes in the hotel lobby.

That early start is not just a minor inconvenience. You are traveling to Pacchanta, in the district of Ocongate, and the route takes much of the morning. By the time the group reaches the community, you will already have spent several hours on the road.

The pickup rule is narrow. If your accommodation is outside the historic center, the included hotel pickup may not apply. Confirm this before paying, since an early-morning taxi can change the true cost of the trip.

Transportation is one area where you should keep expectations modest. The vehicle has been described as old and dirty, and one account raised concerns about slow mountain driving, phone use behind the wheel, and a driver change during the journey. That does not prove every departure will have the same problem, but it is a fair reason to ask how transport is handled before booking.

Breakfast at Pacchanta, with Ausangate ahead

Pacchanta is the practical base for the hike. The community sits at the foot of Nevado Ausangate, at about 4,200 meters above sea level. That altitude shapes the entire day. Walking can feel much harder here than the same distance at a lower elevation, and the cold, strong sun, and thin air all matter.

Breakfast is included and served before the hike. It is a useful part of the package rather than a decorative extra. You have an early start, a long ride, and several hours on foot ahead, so eating before setting out is important.

The guide gives a short briefing and explains the key instructions for the route. Since the group may spread out over the trail, pay close attention at this point. Ask where the group will regroup, what to do if you walk more slowly, and how the return route works.

The provided information does not name the guide, so you should not expect a particular person or request one by name. English and Spanish guiding are available.

Five hours among the Seven Lagoons

The walk begins at about 8:00 a.m. and takes roughly five hours round trip. It is described as a medium-level hike. That wording is worth taking seriously. This is not presented as a technical climb, but it is still a long walk at high altitude.

The route visits several lagoons with different colors. Named stops include:

• Azulcocha
• Pukacocha
• Oq’ecocha
• Alqacocha
• Q’omercocha

Q’omercocha is also listed in some materials as Q’omercocha, and the route includes other lagoons beyond the five named here. Color can change with light, weather, minerals, and viewing angle, so do not expect every pool to look exactly like a postcard at every moment.

The scenery is the strongest reason to make this trip. You get broad views of the Peruvian Andes, snow-capped peaks, open highland terrain, and the mass of Ausangate within the Vilcanota mountain range. The setting feels much wilder than a short viewpoint stop because the hike takes you from one body of water to another.

You will also have chances to photograph Andean plants and animals, though no particular species are promised. Bring your camera, but protect it from cold and moisture. The sun at this altitude can be fierce even when the air feels cold, so sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are not optional extras.

The biggest practical issue is group control. One account described the walking group becoming separated, with no guide available to explain the correct way. If you are hiking at the front or back, keep the guide or a clear group of walkers in sight. Do not assume every junction will be obvious.

What the lagoons are really worth

The seven lagoons are not seven separate attractions with seven large facilities. Their appeal comes from the setting: colored water, high mountains, open ground, and the chance to see Ausangate from several angles.

I like this type of outing because the reward is spread across the whole walk. You are not simply driven to a viewpoint, given ten minutes for photos, and returned to the vehicle. The route asks you to earn the views with several hours on foot.

That said, the tour gives no detailed breakdown of how long you stay at each lagoon or exactly which seven are visited on a given day. Weather and walking pace may affect the order and timing. If you want a fixed photography schedule or a private hiking pace, a group day trip may feel too loose.

The area is also exposed. There is no promise of shelter, and the recommended packing list tells you what matters: warm clothing, comfortable clothes, hiking shoes, water, sun protection, a hat, and sunglasses. Wear layers so you can adjust as the day changes.

Do not bring a large bag or luggage. Alcohol, drugs, alcoholic drinks in the vehicle, littering, explosive substances, and nudity are not allowed. These rules are basic, but they fit a remote mountain route where space, safety, and cleanliness matter.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch and hot springs

After the walk, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. Like breakfast, lunch is included in the tour price. The meal gives the day a useful rhythm: you hike first, eat afterward, then have time to rest before the return drive.

The hot springs are one of the best details in the schedule. Pacchanta’s pools offer a warm place to sit after five hours on the trail, and the timing makes sense. You are not trying to squeeze in a bath before hiking. You finish the walk, eat, and then relax.

The hot spring entrance costs 5 soles, paid separately. The lagoon entrance costs 20 soles, also paid on site. Together, these add 25 soles to the advertised price. At $28, the tour remains inexpensive for a full day with transport, two meals, and a guide, but the advertised amount is not the final activity cost.

Bring what you need for the hot springs, but do not bring a large bag. The provided information does not specify changing-room arrangements or towel service, so you should confirm those details before departure if they matter to you.

The long ride back to Cusco

The return journey begins in the afternoon, with arrival in Cusco expected at about 6:30 p.m. This is a full 14-hour day, and the ride back can feel long after the hike.

That timing affects how you should plan the rest of your evening. Do not book a tight dinner reservation, evening bus, or other fixed activity in Cusco. The schedule is approximate, and mountain roads, group pace, and vehicle issues can all affect the return.

The transport concern deserves extra weight because this is not a short transfer. You spend several hours in the minibus, including the outward and return journeys. Even an excellent route can feel less enjoyable if the vehicle is uncomfortable or the driving feels unsafe.

Price, meals, and what you really pay

The base price is $28 per person. For a day that includes hotel pickup in the historic center, tourist transportation, an English or Spanish guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, and an oxygen bottle, that is a low price.

The extra fees are clear:

• Seven Lagoons entrance: 20 soles
• Pacchanta hot springs: 5 soles

You should also budget for anything not specifically listed. The package does not include services outside the program.

The value is best for someone who wants a group excursion and does not need luxury transport or a highly customized hiking plan. Meals remove two practical tasks from a very early day, and the hot springs provide a pleasant finish. The price is less attractive if the vehicle is uncomfortable or if poor group management leaves you unsure of the route.

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those policies help if your Cusco plans are still changing, but they do not solve the main questions about the vehicle and trail supervision. Ask those questions before you commit.

Altitude, fitness, and safety

At 4,200 meters, this outing is not suitable for everyone. It is specifically not recommended for pregnant women, people with heart or respiratory problems, people with vertigo, people with recent surgeries, people with visual impairment, and people prone to motion sickness.

The tour includes a first aid kit and an oxygen bottle. Those are useful safety items, but they do not make the hike easy or remove the risks of altitude. Follow the guide’s instructions, walk at a steady pace, and be honest about your condition.

The route is described as medium difficulty, with a five-hour round trip. You need hiking shoes rather than casual city footwear. Comfortable clothes, warm layers, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are all specifically recommended.

The high sun can catch you off guard. The cold may encourage you to cover up, but exposed skin can still burn. The best approach is simple: warm layers for the morning, sun protection for the open trail, and enough water for the walk.

Who will like this tour most?

I would choose this trip if you want a low-cost way to see Ausangate and are willing to spend nearly the whole day on the road and trail. It fits hikers who enjoy open mountain scenery, colorful lagoons, basic group transport, and a hot spring stop afterward.

It is also a good match if you value included meals. Breakfast and lunch make the early start easier, and you do not need to organize food in a remote community.

I would hesitate if you need careful one-to-one guiding, dependable premium transport, a slow private pace, or a precise schedule. The reported group separation and vehicle complaints are not small details on a long mountain day.

This is also a poor choice if you are not prepared for altitude. A beautiful route does not compensate for breathing trouble, severe discomfort, or feeling unsafe far from Cusco.

Should you book the Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour?

Book it if your priority is big Andean scenery at a low price. The route delivers the main attraction: a long walk among colorful lagoons beneath Ausangate, followed by lunch and Pacchanta’s hot springs.

Before booking, confirm the pickup location, vehicle condition, guide arrangements, and how the group stays together on the trail. Bring the 25 soles for entrance fees, wear real hiking shoes, and plan for a very long day.

My verdict is cautious but positive for fit hikers on a budget. The scenery and hike are the strong points. The organization and transport are the reasons to ask questions first.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour take?

The full activity lasts about 14 hours. Pickup begins between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is expected at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is included for accommodations in Cusco’s historic center. The guide is expected to call or write about 15 minutes before pickup, and you should wait around 10 minutes in the hotel lobby.

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located at about 4,200 meters above sea level, at the foot of Nevado Ausangate.

How long is the hike?

The hike takes approximately five hours round trip. It is described as a medium-level hike.

Which lagoons does the route visit?

Named lagoons include Azulcocha, Pukacocha, Oq’ecocha, Alqacocha, and Q’omercocha, along with other lagoons on the route.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike and lunch after the hike are included.

How much do the entrance fees cost?

The Seven Lagoons entrance fee is 20 soles, and the Pacchanta hot springs cost 5 soles. Both are paid separately on site.

What languages are available for the guide?

The tour offers a live guide in English or Spanish.