Cusco: Ausangate Tour Seven Lagoons + meals

Big views demand an early start. This full-day trip from Cusco takes you to Pacchanta, below snow-capped Apu Ausangate, for a demanding circuit past seven high-altitude lagoons. I like the combination of striking blue, turquoise, and green water with a soak in Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal pools. I also like that breakfast and lunch are included, which matters on a day that can last about 15 hours. The main concern is transport and guiding: several departures have involved crowded vehicles, late pickups, group changes, and limited English explanations.

You leave Cusco around 4:30 to 5 a.m. and return at about 7:30 p.m. The walking route is described as five hours round trip, while some participants completed a 12 to 13-kilometer circuit with about 500 meters of ascent. That makes this a serious mountain day, not a gentle sightseeing outing. Acclimatization and fitness are essential, and the tour provider does not recommend it for people with altitude sickness, low fitness, mobility impairments, pregnancy, or those over 60.

Key points before you reserve

• Seven named lagoons: The route includes Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.
• Apu Ausangate views: The snow-capped mountain provides the high point of the scenery, both literally and visually.
• A five-hour mountain walk: Expect uphill and uneven ground, with reports of roughly 12 to 13 kilometers and 500 meters of ascent.
• Pacchanta hot springs: The thermal pools are a welcome finish, but the entrance fee is separate and the time available may be limited.
• Two meals included: Breakfast comes before the hike and lunch after returning to Pacchanta.
• Low headline price: The $34 fare is attractive, but you still pay S/20 for the Ausangate entrance, S/10 for the hot springs, and extra if you need a horse.

Leaving Cusco before dawn

The day begins with hotel pickup between 4:30 and 5 a.m. You are asked to wait in the hotel lobby, and the guide should call your mobile phone about 10 minutes before pickup. That sounds tidy on paper, but timing has not always been tidy in practice. One departure involved a wait of about 45 minutes, so I would keep your morning free and avoid scheduling anything important before the tour vehicle arrives.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours by tourist transport. This is a long road journey before you even put on your walking shoes. The quality of that ride matters a great deal, and this is the weakest part of the experience for some groups.

Complaints have included an overcrowded van, limited legroom, dirty or worn interiors, and no air conditioning. In one case, reclining a seat left the person behind with almost no room. If you are tall, prone to motion sickness, or uncomfortable in cramped vehicles, bring water, a snack, and a light layer you can adjust easily.

The transport experience has not been identical on every departure. Some people had a smooth enough ride and went on to enjoy the walk. Still, the mixed record means you should book this mainly for the Ausangate area and the price, not for polished transport service.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

Pacchanta is the base for both the hike and the thermal baths. After the drive, you stop for breakfast before starting the walk. Breakfast is included, but it has been described as simple, and some departures received better food on other Cusco day trips.

That does not make it useless. A basic meal is welcome after leaving Cusco in the dark, but I would still pack snacks. The tour specifically suggests bringing them, and the walking section can last several hours at altitude. Carrying extra food also gives you control if breakfast is smaller than expected or if the group leaves quickly.

The meal arrangement is one of the tour’s better practical features. At $34, having breakfast and lunch included keeps the base price low. You just need to remember that the S/20 Ausangate entrance charge and S/10 thermal bath charge are not part of that price.

Walking the Seven Lagoons route

The hike climbs gradually from Pacchanta toward the lagoons. The route is presented as a five-hour round trip, but the physical effort is more important than the clock. Reports describe a circuit of around 12 to 13 kilometers with approximately 500 meters of ascent, so I would treat the day as a proper high-altitude hike.

The reward is variety. The lagoons are not all the same size or color. Some appear blue, others turquoise or green, and some are broad enough to reflect the surrounding mountains like natural mirrors. On a clear day, the snow-covered bulk of Apu Ausangate gives the route its sense of scale.

The seven stops are:

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

The water colors depend on light, weather, and viewing angle, so do not expect every pool to look exactly like a polished photograph. That is part of the appeal. You move through a changing series of high mountain views rather than stopping at one single viewpoint.

The route also gives you chances to see Andean wildlife. Alpacas and llamas are specifically part of the expected scenery, and you might spot Andean birds and vizcachas along the way. The animals are an added pleasure, but the mountain setting remains the main reason to come.

Bring a camera, but do not let the camera turn the walk into a race. The route is best enjoyed at a steady pace, with time to look around and manage your breathing. The tour is not recommended for people with altitude sickness or low fitness, and that warning should be taken seriously. You will be far happier with a slower day and a sensible pace than with an ambitious sprint to the final lagoon.

Why the guide makes a major difference

A good mountain guide should do more than point toward the next lagoon. You need clear instructions about the route, regrouping points, altitude, weather, and where to go after the walk. This is where the service has been inconsistent.

Some departures had a guide who adapted well to different languages and made the activity easy to follow. Other groups received little explanation about the lagoons, local surroundings, or the walking route. In one especially poor departure, a guide left after a dispute, leaving the driver with passengers who spoke English. A second guide took over later, but the group then walked with very little assistance.

There have also been reports of guide changes and groups being combined. One booking expected a maximum of 10 people but ended up in a group of 27. A larger group can make the walk feel less personal, and it can slow the pace or make it harder to hear instructions.

The language promise is English and Spanish. In practice, English ability has varied from clear and adaptable to very limited. If you need detailed English commentary, confirm this before paying and make sure your phone has the provider’s contact number. I would also ask who will meet the group in Pacchanta and how the group will be identified after breakfast.

The scenery is strong enough to carry a weak guiding experience, but it should not have to. Explanations and safety instructions are especially important at altitude.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch

After the lagoon circuit, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. This meal has received better comments than the breakfast, with one account describing it as tasty. It is a useful part of the package, since you will have been walking for several hours and may not want to search for food in a small mountain town.

The schedule can feel tight at this point. One departure allowed about an hour for lunch and the hot springs together, which was not enough time for everyone to enjoy both. The written plan puts lunch before the thermal baths, so you should be ready to eat promptly and change into swimwear without wasting time.

I would carry your swimsuit, towel, and a dry layer near the top of your day bag. You do not want to dig through luggage after a long walk, especially if the group is already preparing to leave.

Soaking in Pacchanta’s thermal pools

The hot springs are the tour’s simplest pleasure. After cold air, uphill walking, and a long descent, sitting in warm thermo-medicinal water can feel exactly right. The pools provide a change of pace and let you rest before the drive back to Cusco.

The entrance costs S/10 and is paid separately. Swimwear and a towel are not provided in the listed inclusions, so bring both. The experience is local and functional rather than a private spa visit. One account described confusion about which pool to use, along with children and local bathers sharing the area. That may not suit someone expecting a quiet resort setting.

The pools are best viewed as a public hot spring stop, not a luxury finish. Your time may also be shortened by lunch delays, group organization, or the long return drive. If the hot springs are your main reason for booking, ask the operator how much time is normally allocated there.

The return to Cusco and the true length of the day

After the pools, the vehicle returns to Cusco, with arrival scheduled around 7:30 p.m. The listed duration is 870 minutes, or 14 hours and 30 minutes, which matches the description of an early morning departure and evening return.

This is not a good day to plan a night bus, a formal dinner, or an early morning flight the next day. You may be tired from the altitude and the five-hour walk, and the road journey can be uncomfortable if the vehicle is crowded.

Hotel pickup is included, but hotel drop-off is not. You will need to arrange your own way back from the final drop-off point. Dinner is also excluded, so budget for an evening meal after returning to Cusco.

What the $34 price really covers

The $34 price is appealing because it covers the main framework of the day:

• Hotel pickup
• Tourist transport
• English and Spanish guide service
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• First aid kit

You then add S/20 for the Ausangate entrance and S/10 for the thermal waters. Horses are not included, and the tour does not guarantee that a horse will solve every part of the route. If you think you may need one, ask about availability and cost before departure.

At the base price, I see good value for someone who wants access to the area without arranging private transport, meals, and a guide separately. The value drops if you expect a small group, dependable English commentary, comfortable transport, or a generous hot spring visit.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now-pay-later terms make the booking less risky. Still, flexibility does not fix a poor fit. First decide if you are ready for the altitude, distance, and very long day.

Packing for altitude, sun, and changing weather

The tour operates rain or shine. Mountain weather can shift, so pack for more than the sunny photographs suggest.

Wear comfortable shoes with reliable grip, comfortable clothing, and outdoor layers. Bring a jacket, gloves, sunglasses, a sun hat, and another warm hat if needed. Swimwear and a towel are required for the thermal pools.

Cash is important for the two entrance fees and any optional horse arrangement. Add water, snacks, a camera, and sun protection. You should keep valuables and extra clothing in a day pack that is easy to carry for five hours.

Acclimatize in Cusco before attempting this outing. The tour specifically warns about altitude, and the combination of cold, sun, uphill walking, and a long day can be punishing if you have just arrived.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend it to a fit hiker who wants dramatic mountain scenery, colorful lagoons, local meals, and a hot spring stop at a low price. It is also a practical choice if you want transport from Cusco and do not want to organize the Pacchanta journey yourself.

You will probably enjoy it most if you can tolerate a basic vehicle, a large group, and some uncertainty in the guiding arrangements. The strongest parts are the walk, the lagoon views, the Ausangate setting, the wildlife sightings, and the chance to soak afterward. The weakest parts are transport comfort, communication, organization, and the limited time sometimes available at the pools.

I would not choose it for a relaxed sightseeing day, a polished small-group experience, or a dependable English-language cultural tour. It is also a poor match if you have altitude problems, limited fitness, mobility restrictions, are pregnant, or fall into the provider’s stated over-60 exclusion.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the seven lagoons are your priority and you accept that the $34 price comes with basic logistics. The scenery has the power to make the day worthwhile, and the better departures combine a beautiful walk, satisfying lunch, and a welcome soak.

Before booking, confirm the pickup time, English guide availability, likely group size, transport arrangement, and time planned for the thermal pools. Bring cash, snacks, warm clothing, swimwear, and realistic expectations. If you want comfort and close personal guiding, pay more for a private or smaller-group option. If you want Ausangate scenery on a budget and you are ready for a hard mountain day, this can be a strong buy.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour last?

The listed duration is 870 minutes, or about 14 hours and 30 minutes. Pickup is scheduled from 4:30 to 5 a.m., with arrival back in Cusco around 7:30 p.m.

How long is the hike?

The walking portion is described as five hours round trip. Some completed routes have been described as approximately 12 to 13 kilometers with about 500 meters of ascent.

What lagoons are visited?

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

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is served after returning from the lagoons. Dinner is not included.

Are the entrance fees included?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English and Spanish. The provider asks you to wait in your hotel lobby, and the guide should call your cellphone about 10 minutes before pickup.