From Cusco: Tour Ausangate & 7 Lakes Full Day

The Andes put on a fine show. This long day from Cusco takes you to Pacchanta and the seven high-altitude Ausangate lagoons, with bright water, snowy peaks, alpacas, and a soak in medicinal hot springs. I like the low $28 price and the chance to see a quieter side of the Cusco Region beyond the usual ruins. I also like that breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, and oxygen are included.

The catch is the very long day and mixed service record. You may leave as early as 4 or 5 a.m., spend many hours on the road, and walk farther than the advertised 7.5 kilometers. Bring patience, warm layers, and enough money for the separate entrance fees.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lagoons in one circuit: Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha are visited on foot.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome reward: After the walk, you have the chance to relax in community hot springs for S/ 5.
• The route may feel longer than advertised: The planned walk is listed as 7.5 kilometers, but one positive report put the total walking distance at about 16 kilometers.
• The price is unusually low: At $28, the tour covers hotel pickup, transport, a guide, breakfast, and lunch, but entrance charges add S/ 25.
• The scenery is the main event: Ausangate, Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke form the mountain backdrop.
• Service can vary: One guide, Wilfredo, received warm praise, while other reports raised concerns about transport, pace, language, and hot spring access.

Why Ausangate and the seven lakes are worth your day

The Ausangate area gives you a very different view of the Cusco Region. Instead of focusing on carved stone and colonial streets, this trip is about open high-Andean scenery, cold air, grazing alpacas, and water changing color beneath huge mountains.

The seven lagoons are the visual prize. Their names are Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha. You should not expect seven identical pools. The appeal is the sequence: each stop gives you another angle, another patch of color, and another mountain line behind it.

I especially like the chance to see Ausangate itself, one of the major peaks in the area. Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke also appear along the route. The views are broad and exposed, so this is a trip for people who enjoy natural scenery more than a tightly packed list of monuments.

The wildlife adds life to what can otherwise feel like a stark setting. Keep your eyes open for native birds, llamas, alpacas, and vizcachas. An Andean condor is possible, but not guaranteed, so treat it as a lucky extra rather than a promised sight.

A 4 or 5 a.m. start from Cusco

Pickup begins very early, with the stated schedule starting at 5 a.m. One report says the actual pickup was 4 a.m., followed by a long wait in the cold after the vehicle failed to arrive on time. Confirm your pickup hour and meeting point before bed, and do not assume the published time will be the exact collection time.

The day ends with an expected return to Cusco at about 7 p.m. That gives you roughly fourteen hours from departure to arrival. The description also refers to a journey of about six hours, which appears to cover the long road time connected with reaching Pacchanta and returning to Cusco.

This timing matters. You will not have much room for delays, a slow group, or an extended stop. If you have dinner plans, an evening bus, or a morning flight the next day, keep your schedule loose.

The drive is part of the experience. You pass through high Andean scenery with flora and fauna along the way. Still, the road time can be tiring, especially if the vehicle is crowded or poorly maintained.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the walk

Once you reach Pacchanta, the group has a regional breakfast. It is described as nutritious, followed by a short rest and a briefing from the guide.

This is a useful pause. You have already spent a long time getting there, and the briefing gives you a chance to understand the walking plan before setting off. Eat enough, drink water, and use this stop to adjust your clothing. Conditions at altitude can change quickly, and you will want easy access to warm layers.

The meal quality may be basic. One report described the breakfast as disappointing, so I would treat it as fuel rather than a culinary highlight. If you need a particular diet, the provided information does not promise special meal arrangements. Ask before booking.

The seven-lagoon walk and its real difficulty

The planned circuit covers about 7.5 kilometers and is expected to take around five hours. That sounds manageable on paper, but the high-altitude setting and the full day on the road change how it feels.

A positive report described the walk as about 16 kilometers in total. That may include extra walking between stops, access points, or the return to Pacchanta. The safest approach is to prepare for the longer figure, not the shorter one.

The route is said to have few steep climbs compared with other excursions from Cusco. That is good news, but it does not make the walk easy. You are still spending hours outside at high altitude, with limited shelter and a demanding start to the day.

Your guide should help keep the group together and explain the sights. Wilfredo received specific praise for handling the group well and providing explanations. That kind of leadership matters here, especially when people in the same group walk at different speeds.

There is also a serious service concern to keep in mind. One report said the guide did not speak English and failed to accompany the group closely enough, creating confusion about the route. The advertised languages are English and Spanish, but actual language ability can vary by guide. If clear English instruction is essential for you, confirm this directly before paying.

Mountain views from Ausangate to Tinke

The best part of the walk is not a single stop. It is the changing relationship between the lagoons and the surrounding peaks.

Ausangate provides the main visual anchor. The other named mountains, including Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke, help give the route a sense of scale. The water, rock, snow, and open sky create the sort of setting where you should slow down for photographs, even if the group schedule is pressing ahead.

The word brilliant is fitting for the water on a clear day. Do not expect the same color in every weather condition. Clouds, light, and the angle from which you see each lagoon can change the effect.

The phrase about witnessing a thousand miracles is a little grand, but the basic idea is sound. This is a place where small details matter: a bird crossing the sky, an alpaca herd against the peaks, or a vizcacha sitting among the rocks.

The route is not designed as a quiet private walk. You are part of an organized day trip, and the guide may need to move the group along to meet the return schedule. If you want long periods of solitude or plenty of time at every lake, a private outing would likely suit you better, though that option is not included here.

Wildlife along the high Andean route

The trip includes a chance to see several animals associated with the region. Alpacas and llamas are the most likely sights, while vizcachas may appear near rocky areas. Native birds are also part of the scenery.

The Andean condor is the most exciting possibility, but the tour does not guarantee one. Bring patience and keep scanning the open sky. A guide who knows the area may help point out wildlife, but sightings depend on luck and conditions.

These details give the walk more meaning than a simple checklist of lagoons. You are seeing a working highland environment, not just a viewpoint built for photographs. The animals also help you understand how people and livestock share this difficult terrain.

Lunch, hot springs, and the return to Cusco

After the lagoon circuit, you return to Pacchanta for a local lunch. Food is included, which makes the $28 base price attractive. Yet you should keep expectations modest.

One report said the lunch arrived cold and did not contain enough fish for everyone, leaving mainly side dishes. That is a clear warning that meal service may not be consistent. I would bring a small emergency snack, especially if you have a large appetite after five hours of walking.

The medicinal hot springs in Pacchanta are meant to be the day’s recovery stop. Admission costs S/ 5, and this fee is not included. A warm soak after a cold mountain walk sounds like exactly the right finish.

But access is not guaranteed in practice. One report said the group was not allowed to use the hot springs, even though the guide had discussed them throughout the day. Before you set out, ask the guide if the springs are open and confirm when the group will go. Carry a swimsuit and towel only if you are prepared for the possibility that the visit may not happen.

After lunch and the optional hot springs, the vehicle returns to Cusco. Arrival is scheduled for about 7 p.m. The return ride may feel long, but it closes a full day that combines road scenery, hiking, wildlife, food, and bathing.

What the $28 price really covers

At $28 per person, this is a budget-priced way to reach a place that would be awkward to visit independently in one day. The price includes hotel pickup in Cusco, tourist transport to Pacchanta and back, an English or Spanish guide, breakfast, lunch, and an oxygen balloon.

The oxygen is a useful precaution at high altitude, but it should not be treated as a substitute for acclimatization or medical care. You are responsible for judging your own fitness and buying travel insurance, which is recommended but not included.

The unavoidable extra charges are:

• Seven Lagoons entrance: S/ 20
• Pacchanta hot springs: S/ 5

That brings the known total to $28 plus S/ 25, before water, alcoholic drinks, or a horse. The horse option is not included, and no price is given. If you think you may need one, ask about the cost and availability in advance.

For the transport, I would ask practical questions before booking. One report described broken seats, no seat belts, little legroom, cold air on the way out, and poor ventilation on the return. That account may not describe every departure, but it is too specific to ignore.

Who will like this day trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a low-cost introduction to the Ausangate area and can handle a very long day. It suits hikers who prefer broad mountain views, open nature, and a moderate route with few major climbs.

It also works well if you want transport and meals arranged for you. You do not need to plan the road journey to Pacchanta, find the lagoon route, or organize lunch on your own.

I would be more cautious if you need dependable English guiding, comfortable transport, or a fixed schedule. The mixed reports about pickup times, vehicle condition, guide support, lunch, and hot spring access suggest that the experience can vary.

You should also think carefully about altitude and walking distance. The route may feel reasonable compared with harder Cusco excursions, but a five-hour walk after a long pre-dawn drive is still a physical day. Good shoes, warm clothing, water, sun protection, and snacks are sensible basics.

The cancellation terms are useful if your plans remain uncertain: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Check the available start time for your date, since the exact pickup hour appears to vary.

Should you book Chullos Travel Peru?

Book this Ausangate and 7 Lakes tour if your priority is scenery at a very low price and you are comfortable with a long, basic, group day. The seven lagoons, Ausangate views, wildlife, and Pacchanta hot springs give you plenty of value when the operation runs well.

I would book only after confirming four things: your exact pickup time, the guide’s English ability if needed, the expected walking distance, and whether the hot springs will be included in the day’s schedule. Bring S/ 25 for the two entrance fees, plus water and snacks.

The overall rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 16 ratings, with particularly warm praise for organization in one case and for guide Wilfredo in another. That points to a worthwhile experience for flexible hikers, but not a polished luxury outing. If you can accept a little uncertainty in exchange for a $28 price, it is a sensible budget choice. If comfort and precise service matter more than cost, look for a smaller or private option.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate and seven lakes tour last?

The tour lasts one day. Pickup begins around 5 a.m., although one reported pickup was scheduled for 4 a.m., and return to Cusco is expected at about 7 p.m.

How far is the walk?

The stated lagoon route covers approximately 7.5 kilometers and takes around five hours. One report described about 16 kilometers of total walking, so prepare for a longer distance.

Which lagoons are included?

The route visits Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha.

What mountains can I see?

The views include Ausangate, Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. The seven lagoons entrance costs S/ 20, and Pacchanta hot springs admission costs S/ 5.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes one breakfast and one lunch. Water and alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

The advertised guide languages are English and Spanish. Actual English ability may vary, so confirm the language support before booking if this is important to you.