Cusco: Ausangate Tour 7 Lagoons full day

The high Andes make an unforgettable day. This full-day trip from Cusco takes you to Pacchanta, beneath snow-capped Apu Ausangate, for a five-hour walk among seven blue, turquoise, and green lagoons. I like the mix of serious mountain scenery and a soak in thermal waters afterward. I also like that breakfast, lunch, transport, and a bilingual guide are included. The main drawback is the long day: you leave around 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. and return close to 7:30 p.m.

At $36 per person, this is a strong-value outing if you want a full Andean experience without arranging several separate services. You should still budget S/20 for the Ausangate entrance and S/10 for the thermal waters. Altitude and fitness matter here, so this is not a good choice if you are dealing with altitude sickness or high blood pressure.

Key points at a glance

• Seven very different lagoons: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo bring changing shades of blue, turquoise, and green.
• Apu Ausangate views: The snow-capped mountain gives the walk its grand setting and provides some of the day’s best photo opportunities.
• Five hours on foot: The route is a round trip from Pacchanta, with gradual uphill walking and scenic stops along the way.
• A warm ending: After lunch, you can relax in Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters.
• Good inclusions for the price: Hotel pickup, tourist transport, breakfast, lunch, guide, and a first aid kit are covered.
• A very early and very long day: Transport takes about three hours each way, so plan for roughly 14.5 to 15 hours away from your hotel.

Why the Ausangate 7 Lagoons day is worth considering

Ausangate is one of the great mountain areas near Cusco. The appeal here is not a single viewpoint or one famous photo stop. You spend much of the day moving through open high-Andean scenery, with a large snow-covered peak nearby and a chain of small and large lagoons below it.

I like the way the day combines effort with comfort. You work for the views during the uphill section, then finish with lunch and hot springs rather than simply returning to a bus after the walk. That balance makes the tour easier to recommend than a hike that offers only scenery.

The price also makes sense. For $36, you receive round-trip tourist transport from Cusco, a local breakfast, lunch, a guide in English and Spanish, and hotel pickup. The entrance fees are extra, but even after adding S/20 for Ausangate and S/10 for the thermal waters, the package remains inexpensive for such a long day.

There is a tradeoff. The low price comes with a packed schedule and a shared transport experience. You will spend about six hours on the road, and the walk is not a short stroll. If you want a relaxed morning or a private pace, this will feel demanding.

The 4:30 a.m. pickup from Cusco

Pickup runs from about 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. The service covers hotels, Airbnbs, and houses in the city center and southern part of Cusco. Several central pickup points are listed, including the Main Square, Avenida El Sol, Calle Saphy, Avenida Arcopata, Oval Pachacutec, and Hotel Golden Inca Cusco.

You should confirm the exact meeting point and be ready early. At this hour, small delays can affect the whole schedule, and the supplied timing suggests a broad pickup window rather than one universal departure minute.

Bring a small day bag with warm clothing, snacks, water if needed, rain gear, sun protection, and cash. You will want your hiking shoes on or close at hand. The combination of cold morning air, strong sun, possible rain, and high altitude calls for layers rather than one bulky coat.

Breakfast in Pacchanta after three hours on the road

The bus ride to Pacchanta takes about three hours. That is a long first leg, but it gets you to the starting point without needing to organize separate transport into the Ausangate area.

Breakfast in Pacchanta lasts about 30 minutes and is included. This is a useful stop because you begin the hike soon afterward. A local meal also gives the morning a more grounded feel than simply eating snacks from Cusco.

Do not expect a leisurely café breakfast. The schedule has a five-hour walk ahead, so use the stop to eat, visit the facilities if available, adjust your layers, and check that you have your essentials. Carrying a few extra snacks is still sensible because the included meals do not cover the entire day.

The five-hour route to seven lagoons

The walk begins in Pacchanta and climbs gradually toward the lagoons. The full walking time is listed as about five hours round trip. That figure is important: this is a real hiking day, not a bus tour with a few quick stops.

The route includes photo stops, guided sections, scenic views, and time to walk at your own pace. One useful detail from the tour experience is that the guide may initially allow people to move at their own speed before bringing the group together to see the lagoons. That gives you some freedom, while still keeping the main sightseeing organized.

The exact difficulty can vary with weather, your acclimatization, and how your body handles the altitude. No elevation figures are supplied, so you should not rely on a specific altitude estimate. Instead, take the warning seriously: spend time acclimatizing in Cusco before booking this hike, and do not treat the gradual ascent as easy simply because it is not described as steep.

Azulcocha and the first change of color

Azulcocha is one of the first named lagoons on the route. Reaching the first lake gives you a clear sense of the day’s rhythm: climb, stop, look, photograph, and continue.

The lagoons are noted for blue, turquoise, and green tones. Light, weather, and your viewing angle will affect how strong those colors appear. I would bring sunglasses not only for comfort but also because the open mountain setting can be bright.

Otorongo and Pucacocha

Otorongo and Pucacocha continue the chain of water views. Some of the lagoons are large enough to act like natural mirrors, reflecting the surrounding peaks and sky when conditions allow.

These stops are where you will want to slow down. The tour is long, but rushing from one lagoon to the next would defeat much of its value. If the guide gives you a little room to walk independently, use it carefully. Keep track of the group and return when asked.

Alqacocha and Q’omercocha

Alqacocha and Q’omercocha add more variety to the route. The appeal is the sequence itself. You are not looking at one lake and then retracing your steps immediately. The changing colors and different sizes help the walk feel like a series of discoveries.

The scenery is especially suited to photography. Bring a charged phone or camera, but also keep one layer dry and available. The tour operates rain or shine, and weather protection is part of the basic kit you should carry.

Orqo Otorongo and China Otorongo

The final named lagoons are Orqo Otorongo and China Otorongo. By this point, you will have spent several hours walking at altitude, so the last part may feel more tiring than the first.

The payoff is the full set of seven lagoons and the broad view back toward the Ausangate area. Snow-capped Apu Ausangate gives the route its scale. The lakes provide color close to you, while the mountain supplies the larger frame.

Wildlife along the route

Keep your eyes open for Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas. These sightings are not promised at a particular stop, and you should not expect a wildlife-focused excursion. Still, they add life to the walk and give you reasons to look away from the most obvious photo point.

Alpacas and llamas are part of the working and natural character of the high Andes. Vizcachas, small rabbit-like animals associated with rocky areas, can be harder to spot. Walk quietly when you can, and let the guide point out anything nearby.

The 45-minute pause and return to Pacchanta

After the lagoon route, the schedule includes about 45 minutes for a break and free time before lunch. This is a useful buffer after five hours on foot. You can catch your breath, adjust clothing, and enjoy the setting without immediately sitting down for a meal.

Because the exact pace can depend on the group and conditions, do not assume every minute will feel leisurely. The morning starts early, the walk is substantial, and the return drive still lies ahead.

Lunch and Pacchanta’s thermal waters

Lunch lasts about 45 minutes and is included. Food is one of the tour’s praised features, and one short assessment specifically noted the tasty meal. That matters on a day with this much walking and driving. A warm local lunch gives you time to refuel before the final activity.

After lunch, you can enter the thermo-medicinal waters in Pacchanta. Admission costs S/10 and is not included in the tour price. The pools provide a welcome change from the cold, exposed conditions on the hike, though you should bring or wear something suitable for changing.

I like this part because it is more than a convenient finish. Pacchanta is known in the tour for its hot springs, and the soak gives you a chance to rest in a local setting rather than spending the whole day on a trail and inside a vehicle. Still, the water stop is not a replacement for a proper rest day. You remain on a long schedule.

The three-hour return to Cusco

The return by tourist transport takes about three hours, with arrival in Cusco expected around 7:30 p.m. The finish point is San Bernardo, Cusco 08002, rather than a guaranteed hotel drop-off.

That last detail matters. Hotel pickup is included, but hotel drop-off is not. Plan how you will get from San Bernardo to your accommodation, especially if you are tired after the hike. The arrival time can also affect dinner plans, so do not schedule an important evening activity immediately afterward.

What the $36 price really covers

At $36, this tour is priced for value rather than privacy. The package covers:

• Hotel pickup from eligible areas
• Tourist transport
• English and Spanish tour guidance
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• A first aid kit

You pay separately for the S/20 Ausangate entrance ticket and the S/10 thermal waters entrance. Horses are also not included, so you should not assume a horse option forms part of the standard price.

The total cost remains attractive, especially since transport and two meals are included. The main question is not simply cost. It is whether you want to spend a full day on a scheduled group outing. If you do, the inclusions reduce the need to arrange separate meals, transport, and entrance payments.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. These terms can be helpful in Cusco, where altitude problems may appear after you arrive. You should still check the current conditions when booking.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A long day in the Ausangate region
• Strong mountain scenery and colorful lagoons
• A guided route instead of arranging transport yourself
• A reasonably priced trip with breakfast and lunch
• A hot spring stop after a demanding walk
• English or Spanish guiding

This tour suits people in good physical condition who have already begun acclimatizing in Cusco. It is less suitable for anyone with altitude sickness, high blood pressure, or limited walking ability.

It may also work well if you want a photo-heavy day. The lagoons can look like natural mirrors, and the snow-capped Apu Ausangate creates a strong backdrop. Just remember that good photographs are a bonus, not a reason to ignore the weather or your own pace.

What to pack for the Ausangate day

Use hiking shoes with a secure sole. Comfortable shoes alone are not enough for a five-hour mountain walk.

Pack warm clothing, a sun hat, sunglasses, snacks, rain gear, and cash. Layering is the practical choice because the day can shift from cold morning conditions to strong sun, then back to cool air during the return.

A small first aid kit is supplied, but you should still carry any personal medication you need. Since altitude sickness is specifically listed as a concern, pay attention to how you feel and tell the guide if you become unwell.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour?

Book it if you want a low-cost, full-day mountain outing with seven lagoons, a bilingual guide, included meals, and hot springs at the end. The combination of excellent scenery, well-liked food, and a cheerful professional guide gives the trip real appeal.

Skip it if you have not acclimatized, dislike early starts, or want a short and gentle excursion. The 5:00 a.m. departure, five-hour hike, six hours of driving, extra entrance fees, and lack of hotel drop-off all require planning.

For the right person, this is a very good-value way to see the Ausangate area in one demanding but rewarding day.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour last?

The activity duration is listed as 870 minutes, or about 14.5 hours. Pickup begins around 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is expected around 7:30 p.m.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Pacchanta?

The tourist transport takes approximately three hours each way.

How long is the hike?

The walk takes about five hours round trip. The route includes a gradual ascent and visits to seven lagoons.

Which lagoons are visited?

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

Is breakfast included?

Yes. A local breakfast in Pacchanta is included and lasts about 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is scheduled for about 45 minutes after the walk.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Entry to the thermal waters costs 10 soles and must be paid separately.

Is the Ausangate entrance fee included?

No. The Ausangate entrance ticket costs 20 soles and is paid separately.

Is hotel drop-off included?

No. Pickup is included for eligible accommodations in central and southern Cusco, but the tour finishes at San Bernardo in Cusco.