Cusco: Ausangate Tour Seven Lagoons + meals

Snow, lakes, and hot springs in one long day. This Ausangate excursion pairs striking views of snow-covered Apu Ausangate with seven high-altitude lagoons, a local breakfast, lunch, and time in Pacchanta’s thermal waters. I like the range of the day: you get a serious mountain walk and a warm soak afterward. I also like the price, $34 per person, though the early start, long bus ride, extra entrance fees, and uneven guiding make this a tour to choose with care.

The biggest consideration is the physical demand. The walk is described as five hours round trip, while practical reports put the loop at roughly 12 to 13 kilometers with about 500 meters of uphill gain. Altitude acclimatization is essential, and transport quality and guide service may not be consistent.

Key points to know before booking

• Apu Ausangate views: The snow-capped mountain provides the dramatic backdrop for much of the day.
• Seven named lagoons: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo offer blue, turquoise, and green water.
• A demanding high-altitude walk: Expect around five hours on foot, with reports of a 12 to 13 kilometer route and 500 meters of ascent.
• Breakfast, lunch, and hot springs: Meals are included, but the food quality can be basic. Thermal-water admission costs extra.
• Very early and very long day: Pickup is scheduled from 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., with a return to Cusco around 7:30 p.m.
• Low-cost, basic service: At $34, this is good value if transport and guiding run well, but you should not expect a polished small-group operation.

The 4:30 a.m. departure from Cusco

The day begins before sunrise. Pickup from hotels in Cusco is scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., and you are asked to wait in the lobby. The guide is supposed to call your mobile phone about 10 minutes before arrival, so keep your phone charged and audible.

This early start is not just an inconvenience. The journey to Pacchanta takes about three hours by tourist transport, and the return trip takes roughly the same amount of time. You are spending a large part of the day on the road to reach the high country around Ausangate.

I would build in patience from the start. Pickup delays have occurred, including a delay of around 45 minutes, and some departures have involved collecting several groups. The advertised small-group feel may not always hold. One reported group grew to 27 people after different groups were combined.

The transport deserves attention. Some departures have used a cramped, worn vehicle with little legroom and no air conditioning. A reclining seat could make the space behind it unusable. That matters on a three-hour mountain journey, particularly when you are already tired from the early wake-up.

At the same time, not every departure has been troubled. Several people rated the outing very highly, especially for the scenery and the walk. I would treat transport as a weak point to accept only if the low price is important to you.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

After the drive, you reach Pacchanta, a small high-altitude starting point for the walk. Breakfast is served here before you set off.

The meal is included, which is useful because you need fuel for a long hike. Still, you should keep your expectations modest. Some meals have been described as simple or below the standard of food provided on other full-day outings around Cusco.

Bring snacks anyway. The packing list specifically recommends them, and you will appreciate having something familiar during the climb. You should also carry cash for the Ausangate entrance fee, listed as S/ 20, and for the thermal baths, listed as S/ 10.

Breakfast is also your best moment to check the plan. Confirm the walking route, the meeting point, the timing for lunch, and where the hot springs are located. This is especially important because guide communication has not always been clear.

Seven lagoons beneath Apu Ausangate

From Pacchanta, the route rises gradually toward the lagoons. This is not a quick photo stop beside a road. The main activity is the walk, and the route can take around five hours round trip.

The seven lagoons are:

• Azulcocha
• Otorongo
• Pucacocha
• Alqacocha
• Q’omercocha
• Orqo Otorongo
• China Otorongo

Their appeal comes from variety. Some are blue, some turquoise, and others green. A few are broad enough to reflect the surrounding peaks like natural mirrors. With Apu Ausangate behind them, the colors and snow make this one of the most striking mountain outings available from Cusco.

You should not expect every lagoon to look identical in every kind of weather. Light, clouds, and the condition of the water affect the colors. On a clear day, you will want your camera ready, but take time to watch your footing too. The route is the experience, not just the final collection of photographs.

The walking figures deserve a sober reading. A five-hour outing at altitude is a serious effort, and the 12 to 13 kilometer distance reported for the loop makes it unsuitable for anyone looking for an easy stroll. One account gives the total ascent at about 500 meters. That may sound modest at sea level, but it feels different at high elevation.

The route can be completed on foot or with a horse if needed. Horses are not included in the price, so arrange and pay for one separately if you decide you need that option. Do not wait until you are exhausted before considering your limits.

Wildlife along the route

The walk gives you a chance to see more than water and mountains. The listed wildlife includes Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas.

The animals are part of what makes the route feel like a real high-country outing rather than a series of viewpoints. Alpacas and llamas may appear along the route, while vizcachas, small rabbit-like Andean mammals, can be harder to spot. Keep your camera ready, but do not count on a wildlife show.

This is also where a good guide can make a major difference. A guide who explains the area, points out wildlife, and gives clear altitude and route advice adds real value. Unfortunately, guide quality has varied. Some departures have had little or no explanation about the lagoons, local life, or the place itself.

Language is another practical issue. The activity is sold with English and Spanish guiding, but English ability has not always matched that promise. Some English-speaking groups received only broken English or were left with a driver who did not speak English. If detailed interpretation matters to you, ask at the beginning who will lead the hike and what language they can comfortably use.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch

After the lagoon circuit, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. This is welcome after the long walk, and lunch is included in the $34 price.

The meal appears to be more dependable than breakfast. One account specifically found lunch tasty, even though there was not enough time afterward to enjoy the thermal baths. You should still regard the food as practical tour fare rather than a food-focused experience.

Timing can be tight at this point. The stated plan is lunch followed by the hot springs, but delays in the morning, a slow group, or a long hike can reduce the time available. Ask how much time you have for eating and bathing before you sit down. If the guide gives vague answers, keep an eye on the clock yourself.

Pacchanta’s thermal waters

The thermal baths are the day’s reward. After several hours on foot, warm water can ease tired legs and make the long return to Cusco more pleasant.

Admission is not included. The listed cost is S/ 10, so keep local currency available. You also need swimwear and a towel. A warm change of clothes will help after you leave the water, especially if the afternoon weather turns cold.

The hot springs are not presented as a private or quiet spa. Conditions can be local and informal. Clear directions from the guide are important, since one account described confusion about which pool to use and an uncomfortable situation involving children and local bathers.

You may get only about an hour for lunch and the thermal baths combined if the schedule has slipped. That is enough for a short soak, but not always enough for a leisurely meal followed by extended bathing. If the springs are a major reason for booking, this tour’s variable timing is worth considering.

What $34 really buys you

At $34, the tour is inexpensive for a full-day excursion that includes Cusco pickup, tourist transport, a bilingual guide in principle, breakfast, lunch, and a first-aid kit. The scenery alone can make the fare worthwhile if you get a smooth departure and a good hiking group.

The price does not cover everything. Budget for:

• S/ 20 for entry to the Ausangate area
• S/ 10 for the thermal waters
• Horse hire, if you need one
• Dinner after returning to Cusco
• Any snacks or extra drinks

You also do not receive hotel drop-off. The stated arrival in Cusco is around 7:30 p.m., but you will need to make your own way from the final drop-off point.

This is a low-cost shared tour, not a premium private trip. The value is strongest for an independent, fit visitor who mainly wants access to the scenery and does not need polished service. The value is weaker if you need reliable English, a spacious vehicle, a small group, or detailed cultural interpretation.

Altitude, fitness, and what to pack

You need time to acclimatize in Cusco before attempting this outing. The operator specifically warns against joining if you have altitude sickness, and the physical demands make that warning important.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people over 60, or people with a low level of fitness according to the stated conditions. Those limits are blunt, but the route is genuinely demanding. If you are unsure about your ability, speak with a medical professional before booking rather than relying on a horse as a complete solution.

Wear comfortable walking shoes with good support. Pack warm outdoor clothing, a jacket, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, and sun protection. High-altitude weather can change quickly, and the tour runs in rain or shine.

For the thermal waters, bring swimwear and a towel. Add snacks, water, cash, and a camera. Dress in layers so you can adjust as the temperature changes. Comfortable clothes help on the long ride, but you still need proper protection for the hike.

The guide and group experience

The guide is meant to provide the structure that holds this long day together. In the best version of the tour, you receive pickup assistance, route instructions, information about the lagoons, help with altitude concerns, and clear directions at the thermal baths.

That standard has not been reliable. Some outings have involved a guide change, groups being combined, little introduction, and no explanation of what would happen next. In one serious case, a guide conflict left English-speaking passengers with a driver who could not communicate in English. A replacement guide then led the group without giving meaningful instructions.

There have also been positive experiences. A guide was praised for being understandable and adapting to different languages, and the walk was described as beautiful and manageable on foot or horseback. That contrast tells you something important: this experience can be excellent when the guide and transport arrangements work properly, but service consistency is a real concern.

The group itself may affect your day. A larger group can slow the pace and make it harder to hear instructions, though it may also make the walk feel more social. If you prefer to stop often for photographs, confirm that the group will not be rushed.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you are already acclimatized, physically fit, comfortable with a long shared ride, and mainly interested in mountain scenery. The seven lagoons, snow-covered Ausangate, Andean animals, and hot springs create a memorable combination for a modest price.

It suits people who can handle basic meals and variable organization. You should be ready to take responsibility for your own water, snacks, clothing, cash, and pace.

I would not choose it if you have altitude concerns, limited mobility, low fitness, or strong expectations of comfort. I would also hesitate if clear English guiding is central to your plans. A private or better-organized alternative may cost more, but the extra money could buy a more dependable vehicle, smaller group, and stronger support.

Should you book it?

Book this tour for the scenery and the chance to see seven high-altitude lagoons in one day, not for luxury or guaranteed polish. At $34, it offers strong value when the main guide, vehicle, and timetable all work as planned.

Before paying, be honest about the 12 to 13 kilometer hike, the 500 meters of ascent, the early departure, and the three-hour ride each way. Confirm the language of the guide, ask about the expected group size, and keep enough cash for both entrance fees. If you can accept those conditions, this is a worthwhile low-cost route to Apu Ausangate. If you need comfort and close attention, spend more elsewhere.

FAQ

What time does the tour leave Cusco?

Hotel pickup is scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. You should wait in the hotel lobby, and the guide is expected to call your mobile phone about 10 minutes before pickup.

How long does the full excursion last?

The activity duration is listed as 870 minutes, or about 14 and a half hours. The schedule describes a return to Cusco at approximately 7:30 p.m.

How many lagoons will I visit?

The route includes seven lagoons: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

How difficult is the walk?

The walk lasts about five hours round trip. Practical route information places the distance at roughly 12 to 13 kilometers with about 500 meters of elevation gain, so you need good fitness and time to acclimatize.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the walk are included. Dinner is not included.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No. Entry to the Ausangate area costs S/ 20, and entry to the thermal waters costs S/ 10. Horses are also not included.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Guide communication has not always been consistent, so confirm the language arrangements before departure if this is important to you.