Excursion to Ausangate & 7 lakes with Coca Ceremony |Private|

High Andes, seven lakes, one long day. This private Ausangate excursion gives you a close look at the remote Pacchanta area without asking you to manage transport, meals, or navigation on your own. I like the private vehicle and guide, and I especially like the chance to take part in a coca leaf ceremony beside the first lake. The main consideration is the altitude: the hike begins at about 4,200 meters, so this is a serious mountain day, not a casual stroll.

I also like the hot springs in Pacchanta after the hike, a welcome reward before lunch and the drive back to Cusco. The price of $108 per person is reasonable for a private 14-hour-30-minute outing with breakfast, lunch, hotel pickup, oxygen, and a first aid kit, though the entrance fee is extra. Guide Alex has earned particular praise for being calm, polite, and highly educated, qualities that matter when the air is thin and the day is long.

Key points to know before booking

• The hike starts at 4,200 meters: Plan for a moderate physical challenge and take the altitude seriously.
• The coca ceremony happens at the first lagoon: You can participate in a traditional ritual connected with Mother Earth.
• The day begins early and ends late: Breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m., with a return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m.
• Pacchanta adds hot springs and lunch: The thermal pools give you time to relax after the mountain walk.
• It is genuinely private: Only your group joins the activity, and you can move at your own pace.
• Bring proper hiking shoes and a charged camera: The lakes, mountain views, wildlife, and vegetation provide the day’s best photo chances.

Leaving Cusco for Pacchanta at 4,200 meters

The excursion begins with pickup from your accommodation, preferably inside Cusco’s historic center. The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, at F2M9+5X2 in Cusco, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book. A private vehicle with air conditioning handles the long road journey toward Pacchanta.

That private setup is more useful here than it might be on a short city tour. You are facing roughly a full day away from Cusco, and the drive is only the beginning. With your own vehicle and guide, you avoid waiting for a large group and have more control over the pace once the hiking starts.

Pacchanta sits at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range. The community is the base for the day’s walk and the place where you will eat breakfast, return for the hot springs, and have lunch. The route’s setting is its central appeal: high Andean mountains, open slopes, lagoons, wildlife, and vegetation, rather than built attractions or city streets.

The altitude deserves honest attention. At 4,200 meters, even a person who is normally fit may find the effort harder than expected. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness, and that is a fair description. You should be ready for a long hiking day at high elevation, not simply a vehicle-based sightseeing trip with a few photographs.

Breakfast before the seven-lagoon walk

Breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m. in the community of Pacchanta. It is included, along with lunch later in the day, so you do not need to arrange separate meals for the excursion.

The practical value of breakfast is clear. You will need food before heading farther into the Andes, especially with several hours of walking ahead. The meal is described as nutritious, though the exact menu is not provided. I would still treat it as a useful start rather than assume it will replace any personal snacks you prefer to carry.

From Pacchanta, the group heads into the mountains to visit seven Ausangate lagoons. The initial walk is described as 5 to 6 kilometers. Once you reach the first lagoon, the guide performs the coca leaf ritual, and you can take part if you wish.

The coca leaf ceremony beside the first lagoon

The coca ceremony gives this excursion a cultural purpose beyond collecting photographs. The ritual is intended as a way to speak with and connect to Mother Earth. Taking part lets you pause and recognize the spiritual meaning that the mountains and lakes hold in Andean life.

You should approach this part with respect and an open mind. It is not presented as a staged show or a separate performance. It takes place beside the first lagoon, within the setting you came to see, and your guide leads the ritual. The information provided does not specify every step, so you should allow the guide to explain what participation involves.

This moment also helps break up the physical rhythm of the walk. Instead of rushing from one viewpoint to the next, you have a reason to stop, listen, and pay attention to the place itself. For many people, that may be the most distinctive part of the outing.

Five hours among Ausangate’s seven lagoons

After the ceremony, you continue to the other lagoons. The full hiking portion is described as about 10 kilometers and approximately five hours. The wording also mentions an initial 5 to 6 kilometer walk, so you should ask the operator how those distances are counted when you confirm your booking. In practical terms, prepare for substantial walking either way.

The lakes are the visual reward. You will have repeated views of water surrounded by the high Ausangate range, along with Andean vegetation and wildlife. The exact colors and conditions can change with weather and light, so your camera is worth carrying, but do not let photography turn the entire walk into a race for the next viewpoint.

The private format is a real advantage on this section. You can go at your own pace rather than being tied to a large group’s fastest or slowest walker. That does not remove the demands of altitude, but it should make the day feel more manageable. A private guide can also keep the experience focused on your group’s interests, including the ceremony and time for photographs.

The guide’s role matters here. Alex is praised as calm, polite, and extremely well educated, and those qualities are exactly what I would want on a high-altitude walk. A calm guide can keep the day organized without making you feel hurried, while good communication helps you understand the cultural and natural setting.

The tour includes oxygen and a first aid box in the vehicle or with the guiding service. Those are sensible safety provisions, but they should not be mistaken for protection against altitude problems. The best preparation is still pacing yourself and recognizing your own limits. The supplied information does not give a medical altitude policy, so ask the operator directly if you have health concerns.

Returning to Pacchanta for hot springs and lunch

The route returns to Pacchanta after the lagoon walk. The hot springs are one of the smartest features of the schedule. After several hours on foot, a soak provides a chance to rest before the meal and the long journey back to Cusco.

The hot springs are included in the stated itinerary, but the information does not specify how long you will have there or whether any separate facility charge applies. Confirm those details if soaking time is especially important to you. Still, their placement at the end of the hike makes sense, and they add a different kind of experience to a day that otherwise centers on walking and mountain views.

Lunch follows in Pacchanta and is included in the price. As with breakfast, the menu is not specified. The meal is useful because the return drive to Cusco is still ahead, and you will want time to eat rather than finish the hike and immediately climb into the vehicle.

This stop also gives the day a more balanced shape. You see the mountains on foot, take part in a cultural ritual, then return to the local community for food and relaxation. That is more satisfying than a schedule built only around quick photo stops.

The long return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m.

The tour expects to return to Cusco at about 7:00 p.m. With breakfast around 7:30 a.m. and a return in the evening, you should keep the rest of your day free. This is not a good choice for a morning appointment, evening show, or tightly planned connection.

The long duration is both a strength and a drawback. You get enough time for the lakes, the ceremony, the hot springs, and both meals. At the same time, the day demands an early start, many hours on the road, and a high-altitude hike. I would book it on a day when you can rest afterward.

Pickup is easiest from accommodation in or near Cusco’s historic center. The advertised end point is back at the meeting point, so make sure you know if your accommodation pickup is confirmed or if you must return to Plaza Regocijo after the activity.

What the $108 price includes

At $108 per person, the value depends mainly on how much you appreciate the private arrangement. The cost includes:

• Private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional private guide
• Hotel pickup
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Oxygen
• First aid box

For a private day lasting about 14 hours and 30 minutes, that package is strong. You are paying for transport, guiding, two meals, and a small group experience rather than simply buying access to a viewpoint. The ability to set your own pace adds value, particularly on a route where altitude can affect people differently.

The entrance fee is not included. No entrance price is provided, so budget for that separate charge and confirm the current amount before departure. This is the one clear cost gap in the advertised package.

The private format also makes the price easier to justify for couples, families, or a small group that wants to share one vehicle. For a solo participant, the per-person cost may feel less attractive, but the included transport and guide still remove a lot of planning from a remote day trip.

The excursion is booked, on average, 56 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last moment if your Cusco dates are fixed, especially if you want a private departure on a particular day.

Who should choose this Ausangate experience?

I would recommend this tour to someone who wants more than a quick mountain photo and is prepared for a demanding day. You should be comfortable walking for several hours and understand that 4,200 meters can make ordinary exertion feel much harder.

It suits people who value cultural context as much as scenery. The coca ceremony is not an optional decorative extra in the schedule. It is a central part of the visit, and you should be willing to treat it as a meaningful local tradition.

The excursion also fits you if you prefer privacy and flexibility. A private group can move at its own pace, take photographs without a crowded schedule, and spend the day with one guide rather than joining a large departure.

I would think twice if you want a light outing, dislike long drives, or have only one day in Cusco and need a gentle introduction to the region. The altitude and duration make this a poor match for anyone seeking a relaxed half-day activity.

Wear comfortable hiking shoes, keep your camera charged, and plan your clothing around a high mountain setting. The supplied details do not give a packing list, weather forecast, or exact trail conditions, so ask the operator what to expect before departure.

Should you book this private seven-lakes tour?

Book it if you want a full Andean day with seven lagoons, a coca ceremony, hot springs, meals, and private transport in one package. The strong rating of 5 out of 5 from 80 reviews and the 99 percent recommendation rate support the tour’s appeal, while Alex’s praise for his calm and polite guiding gives the experience a reassuring personal touch.

Do not book it simply because the price looks low. The real test is your comfort with a 4,200-meter start, a hike of about 10 kilometers and five hours, and a return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m. If that sounds manageable, this is a well-rounded and fairly priced way to reach the Ausangate lagoons without handling the logistics yourself.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead, as well as late changes, are not refunded or accepted.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, F2M9+5X2, Cusco 08002, Peru. Hotel pickup is included, preferably from accommodation within Cusco’s historic center.

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes. It is expected to return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m.

How high is the starting point?

The community of Pacchanta, where the hike begins, is located at about 4,200 meters above sea level.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the private format lets you go at your own pace.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m. in Pacchanta, and lunch is served after the return from the lagoons.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is not included in the tour price. The amount is not specified in the provided details, so confirm it before departure.