Excursion to Ausangate 7 lakes from Cusco.

High lakes, thin air, long day. The Ausangate 7 Lakes excursion gives you a close look at some of Peru’s most striking high-altitude scenery without committing to a multi-day trek. I like the range of colors, from blue and turquoise to green, and I like that breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, and a short hot-springs visit are included. The main concern is organization, especially the early pickup and the challenge of managing one mixed-ability group at roughly 15,000 feet.

This is a 15-hour mountain outing from Cusco, priced at $28.50 per person. That is a low price for a full day with two meals and transport, but you should treat it as a basic group excursion rather than a polished private tour. The 4.9 rating from 116 reviews and 97 percent recommendation rate point to a strong sightseeing experience, though the operation has had some serious communication problems.

The essential facts at a glance

• Seven named lagoons: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.
• Very early start: Pickup from hotels in Cusco’s historic center is scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m.
• Five-hour hike: The walk is described as a round trip from Pacchanta, with a gradual ascent and several steep sections.
• High altitude matters: The route reaches about 15,000 feet, making the hike much harder than the same distance at sea level.
• Meals and hot springs included: Breakfast and lunch are provided, followed by about 45 minutes in Pacchanta’s hot springs.
• Small maximum group: The stated maximum is 15 people, but one guide may still be responsible for walkers moving at very different speeds.

Leaving Cusco before sunrise

Your day begins while Cusco is still dark. The scheduled hotel pickup window is 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., and the ride to Pacchanta takes about three hours in an air-conditioned tourist vehicle.

The pickup applies to hotels in the historic center. This detail matters because the operation may ask you to walk to a meeting point or café rather than collect you directly at your door. One couple had to walk about 13 minutes to a café for a 4:30 a.m. departure, and they were not told this until they went to the operator’s office.

I would confirm the exact meeting point, pickup time, vehicle details, and emergency contact before going to bed. The communication problem described in one account was not a minor delay. The couple waited outside in temperatures around 5°C, made repeated calls, and did not receive help until after 5:00 a.m. A transfer car eventually arrived, but the bus driver had not received their details.

That kind of confusion is especially unpleasant before a high-altitude hike. I would not rely only on messages through the booking platform. Ask for the information through the company’s stated communication channel and keep the local phone number handy.

Once you are moving, the three-hour ride is useful for sleep, but it also makes this a very long day. You leave early, hike for around five hours, eat lunch, use the hot springs, and return to Cusco at about 7:30 p.m. This is not a gentle half-day outing.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

Pacchanta is the practical base for the excursion. After the drive, you have breakfast before starting the hike. Breakfast is included, as is lunch later in the day, which helps make the $28.50 price good value.

Do not expect the meal stop to be the main event. Its real purpose is to give you food before walking at high altitude. Eat enough, drink what you can, and use the stop to adjust your clothing. The morning can be cold, while the sun may feel strong once you begin climbing.

The hike rises gradually at first, but the altitude changes the experience. A route that might feel moderately difficult closer to sea level can become very hard here. One person described the elevation as about 15,000 feet and found the pace difficult enough to take a horse partway up.

The tour asks for a moderate fitness level. That is a fair warning, but it does not fully explain how the altitude affects the walk. You may be fit and still need to move slowly, stop often, and watch your breathing. The guide’s first-aid kit and oxygen are sensible inclusions, but they do not remove the need to respect the conditions.

Seven lagoons with seven different moods

The main attraction is the group of seven lagoons around Ausangate. You visit Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

The colors are the reason this route is so popular. Depending on the light and mineral content, the water appears blue, turquoise, or green. Some lagoons are broad and reflective, creating the natural-mirror effect that makes the photographs so appealing.

I like that the walk gives you more than one viewpoint. You are not traveling for a single overlook, taking one photograph, and turning back. The changing colors and shapes keep the route interesting, while the open high-country setting gives you a strong sense of distance and scale.

The area also supports Andean wildlife. Along the way, you might see alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and Andean birds. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they add life to a route that can otherwise feel stark and exposed.

Your guide is important here. A strong guide can explain the lagoons, help with photographs, and keep an eye on people who are struggling. The guide praised in the feedback was friendly, informative, and willing to spend extra time helping with photos. That personal attention can make the stops feel less rushed.

The one-guide problem on a mixed-ability hike

The greatest weakness is group management. The maximum group size is 15, but the bigger issue is not simply the number of people. It is the difference between fast walkers, slow walkers, and people riding horses.

One guide had to divide attention between people who wanted to move quickly, people who were walking slowly because of the altitude, and people using horses. At one point, the slower hikers were told the guide needed to remain with the faster group and that they should meet back at the restaurant by 1:00 p.m.

That is not ideal on a demanding route. You should not feel abandoned because your pace is slower, especially when altitude is the reason. The guide may be doing the best possible job with limited support, but the setup would be better with two guides, one for the faster group and one for the slower group.

If you want a relaxed pace, ask in advance how the group will be handled. Do not assume that a maximum of 15 people means close personal supervision. The actual pace may be set by the quickest walkers unless the operator has a clear plan.

Horses can help, but they do not solve the whole route

A horse may be useful on the climb if the altitude makes walking difficult. One account gives a price of 100 soles for the ride up. This is an additional expense, and it is not listed as part of the tour price.

The important catch is that the horse only helps on the ascent. You still need to hike the final 5 to 7 kilometers back down. That makes the horse a partial solution, not an easy way to avoid the route.

I would think of it as an option for saving energy early in the hike. It may help you reach the upper lagoons, but you still need enough strength and balance for the return walk. Ask the guide or local staff about the current arrangement and cost before setting out.

Lunch and 45 minutes in Pacchanta’s hot springs

After the hike, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. The food received strong praise, and having a proper meal after five hours on the trail is a real benefit. It also means you do not need to carry a full day’s food supply.

Then you get about 45 minutes in the hot springs. The water was described as roughly 90°F, which is warm but not especially hot by the standards of Andean thermal pools. I would view this as a pleasant way to rest rather than the main reason to book the excursion.

Some people may enjoy soaking tired legs. Others may find the water underwhelming, especially after expecting a very hot bath. Bring whatever swimwear and changing items you need, but keep the stop in proportion. The lagoons and mountain route are the heart of the day.

After the springs, you board the vehicle for the return to Cusco. Arrival is expected around 7:30 p.m., though a full-day mountain schedule can shift with road conditions and group pace.

Is $28.50 good value?

At $28.50, this is inexpensive for a 15-hour outing. You receive transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, a first-aid kit, and oxygen. The value is especially good if you want to see Ausangate’s lagoons without arranging private transport and meals yourself.

The price does not include the entrance fee or additional expenses. The entrance amount is not stated, so you should budget for a separate payment. A horse, if you choose one, also costs extra, with 100 soles given as the reported price for the uphill ride.

The low price also helps explain why you should keep expectations practical. This is a shared excursion with a small stated maximum, not a private vehicle and custom-paced trek. If the group moves well and communication works, the value is excellent. If pickup details are mishandled or the group has very different abilities, the savings may feel less important.

What to pack for a 15-hour mountain day

The supplied details do not give a formal packing list, but the route and altitude make a few needs clear. You should prepare for cold early-morning conditions, strong sun, a long walk, and changing comfort levels.

Bring:

• Warm layers for the pre-dawn pickup and high-altitude stops
• Comfortable hiking shoes
• Water and any personal snacks you need
• Sun protection
• Rain protection if local conditions call for it
• Spare clothing for the hot springs
• Cash for the entrance fee and possible horse ride

Keep your daypack light, but do not pack as if this were a short viewpoint visit. The hike lasts about five hours round trip, and the return walk remains important even if you use a horse on the way up.

Who should book this Ausangate excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want dramatic high-altitude scenery, have a reasonable level of fitness, and are comfortable with a very early start. It suits people who value the chance to see seven lagoons, eat local meals, and rest in Pacchanta without paying for a private arrangement.

You should think twice if you dislike tight schedules or need a guaranteed slow pace. The altitude can be punishing, and the one-guide setup may not work well for a group with sharply different abilities. A private tour or a company that specifically provides two guides could be worth the extra money for some hikers.

The experience also suits photographers. The water colors change from lagoon to lagoon, and several pools reflect the surrounding mountains like mirrors. Just remember that the most impressive photographs require the physical effort to reach the viewpoints.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity has a maximum of 15 people. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Because pickup confusion has caused real stress, I would treat confirmation as only the first step. Reconfirm the meeting place and departure details before the excursion, especially if your accommodation is not a hotel directly inside the historic center.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour for the scenery and price, but only after confirming the pickup arrangements. The seven lagoons, Andean animals, included meals, and Pacchanta hot springs create a full and memorable day for very little money.

The decision comes down to your tolerance for basic group logistics. If you can handle a long day, high altitude, and a possibly uneven pace, this is a strong budget option from Cusco. If you need polished communication, close supervision, or a reliably slow hiking group, pay more for an operator with two guides and firmer pickup procedures.

FAQ

How long is the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour from Cusco?

The excursion lasts approximately 15 hours. Pickup begins between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is expected at about 7:30 p.m.

Where does the tour pick up passengers?

Pickup is provided from hotels in Cusco’s historic center. The exact meeting point should be confirmed before departure because some pickups may require you to walk to a nearby café or meeting location.

How long is the hike?

The hike lasts about five hours round trip from Pacchanta. You ascend gradually to the lagoons and then return to Pacchanta.

Which lagoons are visited?

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

What meals are included?

Breakfast and lunch are included. Breakfast takes place in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is served after returning from the lagoons.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is listed as an additional expense, and the exact amount is not provided.

Are the hot springs included?

Yes. The tour includes about 45 minutes in the hot springs at Pacchanta after lunch.

How difficult is the hike?

A moderate level of physical fitness is required, but the high altitude makes the route much harder than a similar walk at sea level. The route reaches about 15,000 feet, and horses may be available for part of the uphill journey at an additional cost.

What is included in the $28.50 price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup in the historic center, a professional guide, a first-aid kit, oxygen, breakfast, and lunch. Additional expenses and the entrance fee are not included.