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

Ausangate’s seven lagoons give you a full day in the high Andes, not a quick roadside viewpoint. From Pacchanta, you hike among the mountain country around Ausangate, visit a string of striking lakes, share a coca leaf ritual with your guide, then warm up in hot springs before lunch. The altitude is the main story here, so the views come with real physical demands.

I like two things right away: the private format lets you set your own pace, and the day includes both an active hike and a proper soak at Pacchanta. A private vehicle, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a first aid kit are also included. The catch is the height: Pacchanta sits at about 4,200 meters, and the hike covers roughly 10 km over about five hours.

Key points at a glance

• Seven lagoons near Ausangate: Visit several high-Andes lakes in one extended outing from Pacchanta.
• Coca leaf ceremony: At the first lagoon, your guide leads a traditional ritual connected with Mother Earth.
• 4,200-meter starting point: The elevation makes fitness and acclimatization important.
• Private, flexible hiking day: Only your group takes part, so you can move at your own pace.
• Hot springs after the hike: Pacchanta provides a welcome place to warm up before lunch.
• Long but well-equipped outing: Breakfast, lunch, private transport, oxygen, and a first aid box are included.

Why the Ausangate lakes make a demanding day worthwhile

I see this trip as a high-altitude hiking day with a cultural element, rather than a simple sightseeing tour. The seven lagoons sit in the Andes around the Ausangate mountain range, and the route takes you well beyond Cusco’s streets and nearby archaeological sites.

The setting is the main reward. You’ll see mountain terrain, lakes, wildlife, and high-country vegetation as you move from one lagoon to the next. The tour does not reduce the area to one photo stop. It gives you several hours to walk through it.

That also means you should take the physical side seriously. The day starts in Pacchanta at about 4,200 meters above sea level. At that height, even a moderate trail can feel hard. You do not need to be an extreme hiker, but the stated requirement of moderate physical fitness is meaningful.

I would not book this as your first active outing after arriving in Cusco. Give yourself time to adjust to the altitude, and be realistic about your stamina. The private format helps because you are not tied to the pace of a large group, but it does not make the air thinner.

From Cusco to Pacchanta at 4,200 meters

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation, preferably inside Cusco’s historic center, or from the meeting point at Plaza Regocijo. The tour uses a private vehicle with air conditioning, which matters on a very long day. You are looking at about 14 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish, with a return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m.

The drive takes you away from the city and toward the community of Pacchanta, at the foot of the Ausangate range. The morning meal is served there at about 7:30 a.m. Breakfast is included, and that is useful rather than decorative. You have a substantial walk ahead, so arriving fed is part of managing the day well.

The transport is one of the strongest practical points. You do not have to arrange separate taxis, coordinate a public bus, or find your way back after a tiring hike. A private vehicle also gives your group a quieter start and finish than a shared excursion would.

The long duration is worth noting before you book. A 14-hour day can feel tiring even when the route goes well. You should expect an early departure, several hours on foot, a hot spring stop, lunch, and a return drive that brings you back in the evening.

Walking the first 5 to 6 kilometers

From Pacchanta, the route heads into the Andes. The description gives an initial walking distance of 5 to 6 km, followed by a total hike of about 10 km over roughly five hours. I would plan for a substantial walking day, not a short stroll with a few viewpoints.

At this point, the right shoes matter. The tour specifically recommends comfortable hiking shoes, and I agree. You want footwear that can handle a full day of walking and gives you a steady step on changing ground. No technical climbing equipment is listed, but ordinary street shoes would be a poor choice for this outing.

Your private guide leads the group toward the first lagoon. Because the tour is private, you can ask to slow down, pause, or take in the views without worrying about holding up a busload of people. That does not remove the distance, but it can make the effort feel more manageable.

Bring a charged camera. The route offers repeated photo opportunities, and the seven lagoons give you more than one chance to stop for a good view. Still, do not let the camera turn the hike into a race. At 4,200 meters, steady pacing is more useful than speed.

A coca leaf ceremony at the first lagoon

At the first lagoon, the guide performs a coca leaf ritual. You can take part in the ceremony, which is presented as a way to speak with and connect to Mother Earth.

This is an important part of the day because it places the hike in an Andean cultural setting. The lakes are not treated only as scenery. The ceremony gives you a moment to pause, pay attention, and recognize the spiritual meaning the natural world can hold in local tradition.

You should approach it with respect and an open mind. Participation is offered, not presented as a physical requirement for continuing the hike. If you prefer to observe quietly, you can make that clear to your guide.

The quality of this moment will depend heavily on the guide. Alex is specifically praised for being calm, polite, and extremely well-educated, and those are useful traits during a ceremony as well as on a demanding mountain walk. A calm guide can explain what is happening without making the ritual feel rushed or staged.

Visiting the seven Ausangate lagoons

After the first lagoon and ceremony, you continue toward the other lakes in the heart of the Andes. The route is the central event of the excursion. You are not simply driven between stops. You walk through the high country, with the surrounding wildlife and vegetation forming part of the experience.

The seven-lagoon format gives the day variety. Each stop creates another chance to see the relationship between water, mountains, and open highland terrain. The exact appearance of the lakes can vary with conditions, so I would focus less on expecting one particular color and more on the total route.

The stated hiking distance is about 10 km, taking approximately five hours. That is a serious walk at elevation. Take the word moderate seriously when judging your fitness. If you regularly handle long walks but are not used to altitude, the height may be the bigger challenge. If you have difficulty with extended walking, this may not be the right outing.

Oxygen is included, along with a first aid box. Those are sensible safety provisions, but they are not a substitute for taking altitude symptoms seriously. If you feel unwell, tell the guide promptly. The private setup makes that conversation easier because the day centers on your group.

Returning to Pacchanta for hot springs and lunch

After the mountain walk, you return to Pacchanta. The hot springs are a smart part of the schedule. After several hours on foot in high country, soaking in warm water offers a change of pace and a chance to rest before the meal.

I like this pairing because the hot springs are not an unrelated extra. They give the day a natural finish. First you work for the views, then you get time to relax. You should still remember that the tour is not finished afterward. Lunch follows, and then you have the return trip to Cusco.

Breakfast and lunch are included. The food is described as nutritious breakfast and delicious lunch, but no menu is provided, so I would not book this based on a particular dish. The value is in having meals arranged during a remote, full-day excursion.

The hot spring stop also helps balance the tour for people who like active sightseeing but do not want every hour spent walking. You get culture, scenery, hiking, bathing, and meals in one long day.

What the private format changes

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That is more than a label. It changes how the day can feel.

On a shared excursion, the slowest and fastest walkers usually move according to the same schedule. Here, you have more room to set your own pace, ask questions, and pause for photographs. The guide can focus on your group rather than dividing attention among a large crowd.

I especially value the private arrangement on a high-altitude route. People respond differently to the elevation, and your group may need more time than expected. The guide can adjust the rhythm within the practical limits of the day.

The tradeoff is price. At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Ausangate area, especially if you are traveling alone. But the cost includes private transport, a private guide, hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a first aid box. For a small group that values control and comfort, the package offers solid value.

The entrance fee is not included, so budget for that separately. The amount is not specified here, and you should confirm it before departure.

Who should book this Ausangate excursion

I would recommend this to you if you want a full-day Andes outing and prefer a private guide over a large shared group. It is a good fit for people who enjoy long walks, want more than a photo stop, and appreciate a cultural activity tied to the setting.

It also suits a small group with mixed hiking speeds. The ability to move at your own pace can make a real difference, though everyone still needs to manage the full route.

I would hesitate if you have just arrived in Cusco and have not adjusted to the altitude. I would also think twice if a five-hour, 10 km hike sounds unpleasant at sea level. The tour is not designed as an easy scenic drive.

Pack comfortable hiking shoes and charge your camera before leaving. Since the day begins and ends in Cusco, bring what you need for a long outing, but do not expect a short return. The private vehicle, meals, first aid box, and oxygen make the logistics easier, while the distance and elevation remain the main challenges.

The tour is highly rated, with a 5.0 rating from 80 reviews and 99 percent of travelers recommending it. The praise for Alex points to the kind of guide you want here: calm, polite, and able to handle both the cultural and practical sides of the day.

My call: a strong choice for prepared hikers

I would book this tour if I had already spent enough time in Cusco to handle 4,200 meters and wanted a focused day in the Ausangate region. The seven lagoons, coca ceremony, Pacchanta hot springs, and private transport create a well-rounded experience.

I would skip it if I wanted a relaxed half-day, disliked long drives, or was not ready for a demanding high-altitude walk. The best value comes when you use the private format well: set a sensible pace, ask questions, take breaks, and let the guide shape the day around your group.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

Pickup is available from your accommodation, preferably within Cusco’s historic center. The listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, F2M9+5X2, Cusco 08002, Peru.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Cusco.

How long does the excursion last?

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

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level.

How far do you hike?

The route initially involves 5 to 6 km of walking, followed by a total hike of about 10 km over approximately five hours.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the tour is operated with a private vehicle and private guide.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included in the excursion.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is not included in the listed price.

What happens during the coca ceremony?

At the first lagoon, the guide performs a coca leaf ritual connected with speaking to and establishing a connection with Mother Earth. You can participate in the ritual.

What is included for safety?

The excursion includes a first aid box and oxygen. You should still have a moderate level of physical fitness for the hike.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $108 per person. The entrance fee is additional.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.