Cusco: Ausangate Tour 7 Lagoons full day

The real draw here is the chain of seven high mountain lagoons below snow-capped Apu Ausangate. Their colors shift from blue to turquoise to green, and several are broad enough to reflect the surrounding peaks like natural mirrors. The scenery is the main event, but the day also gives you a warm meal and a soak in Pacchanta’s thermal waters.

I like the way the tour combines a demanding but clearly planned five-hour walk with a relaxing hot-springs stop. I also like the price: $36 includes transport, breakfast, lunch, a guide, and a first-aid kit. The tradeoff is the long day, roughly 14 and a half hours, with about six hours spent on the road and a hike that requires acclimatization and good fitness.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lagoons: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.
• Apu Ausangate views: You get repeated photo stops facing one of the Cusco region’s most impressive snow-covered peaks.
• Five-hour round-trip walk: The route rises gradually, but altitude can make even a steady path feel strenuous.
• Pacchanta hot springs: Your soak comes after the hike, making it a useful way to rest tired legs.
• Low headline price: At $36, the tour offers strong value, but you should add 20 soles for the Ausangate entrance and 10 soles for the thermal waters.
• Very early pickup: Collection runs from 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., with hotel and accommodation pickup in central and southern Cusco.

Why the seven lagoons are worth the long day

The Ausangate area rewards you with variety rather than one single viewpoint. The seven lagoons differ in size and color, with blue, turquoise, and green water appearing along the walking route. Some are large and still, giving you the mirror effect that makes mountain photography so satisfying.

You will visit Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo. The names can blur together by the end of a full day, so keep your attention on the changing colors and the relationship between the water, open slopes, and snow-capped Apu Ausangate.

The tour also gives you a chance to look beyond the lagoons. Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas may appear along the way. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they add a welcome bit of life to a route mainly known for its water and mountain views.

I would bring a phone or camera with extra battery power. The schedule includes a photo stop and scenic views throughout the walk, so you will likely use your camera often. Sunglasses and a sun hat matter here too, since bright high-altitude light can make an exposed walk tiring.

Leaving Cusco before sunrise

Pickup takes place between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. from a wide selection of locations, including the Main Square, Avenida El Sol, Calle Saphy, Avenida Arcopata, Oval Pachacutec, and several listed hotels and guesthouses. Pickup is also available from hotels, Airbnbs, and houses in the city center and southern part of Cusco.

You should confirm your exact pickup point and be ready before the earliest stated time. At this hour, breakfast at your accommodation may not be available, which is one reason the included morning meal in Pacchanta is useful.

The ride to Pacchanta takes about three hours by tourist transport. That is a substantial portion of the day, but it is the practical cost of reaching the Ausangate area from Cusco. Bring a warm layer for the early ride, along with water and a small snack.

The tour is sold as an 870-minute experience, or about 14 hours and 30 minutes. The stated schedule has you returning to Cusco around 7:30 p.m., so plan on a full day away from your room. Do not schedule a train, flight, or important evening appointment for the same night.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the walk

Pacchanta is your starting point for the hike. The tour includes a local breakfast, scheduled for about 30 minutes. This is more than a convenient meal. After a pre-dawn pickup and three hours on the road, you need food before tackling a five-hour route.

Use this stop to adjust your clothing and organize your pack. You will want your hiking shoes on, rain gear close by, and cash accessible for the required entrance fees. The information provided does not specify the breakfast menu, so you should not expect a particular dish. The useful point is that breakfast is included and served near the start of the walk.

Pacchanta is also where you can think honestly about your condition. You should already have spent time acclimatizing in Cusco. The tour is not suitable for people with altitude sickness, and it is also listed as unsuitable for people with high blood pressure.

The five-hour Ausangate walk

From Pacchanta, you begin walking and ascend little by little toward the first lagoon. The gradual rise is helpful, but it does not remove the effects of altitude. Good physical condition is required, and you should keep a steady pace rather than treating the first section like a race.

The route lasts about five hours round trip. Along the way, the guide takes you to the seven lagoons and points out scenic views. One useful feature is that you may have some freedom to walk at your own pace at first, then regroup to visit the lagoons together. That arrangement can suit people who prefer a slower rhythm, though you still need to stay aware of the meeting points and guide instructions.

The main challenge is not simply distance. High altitude can make an ordinary uphill walk feel much harder, and weather can change. The tour runs in rain or shine, so rain gear is not an optional extra. Comfortable shoes are listed among the essentials, but hiking shoes are also recommended. For this route, choose the sturdier option.

The tour does not include horses, although horses are available as a separate cost. This may matter if you are unsure about managing the full walk. Ask about the option before setting out, rather than waiting until you are already tired. The supplied details do not state the horse price or exactly which section it covers.

Seven stops, seven different views

The lagoons are the heart of the outing. Azulcocha and the other named waters are presented as a sequence, so the appeal comes from seeing several colors and shapes in one journey rather than stopping at one famous viewpoint.

Otorongo, Pucacocha, and Alqacocha are part of the route, along with Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo. Some lagoons are small and color-focused, while others spread out like natural mirrors. The precise appearance can change with weather and light, which is part of the reason the same place can photograph differently from one stop to the next.

Apu Ausangate provides the larger setting. The snow-capped peak gives the route a powerful focal point, especially when it appears behind the colored water. You will have time for photographs during the guided visit and at scenic points along the way.

Do not judge the walk only by the first lagoon. The route is designed to continue through a collection of viewpoints. Pace yourself, take water breaks, and save some energy for the return journey.

Lunch, hot springs, and the return to Cusco

After the walking portion, you return to Pacchanta for a 45-minute break and free time, followed by a 45-minute lunch. Lunch is included, which keeps the day’s basic costs low and saves you from having to carry a full meal.

The exact menu is not specified, but the food has been well received, and the tour’s local breakfast and lunch are among its practical strengths. If you have dietary restrictions, confirm them before booking rather than assuming the included meal can be changed.

The thermal waters come after lunch. Entry costs 10 soles and is not included in the $36 tour price. This is a sensible order: the hot springs offer a chance to rest after the five-hour walk, rather than asking you to hike again after soaking.

Bring a swimsuit and a small towel if you want to use the pools, though these items are not listed in the official packing guidance. Since that detail is not confirmed, check with the provider before departure if you need to know what is supplied.

After the hot springs, you board the tourist transport for the three-hour journey back to Cusco. The stated finish point is San Bernardo, Cusco 08002, rather than your hotel. Hotel drop-off is not included, so arrange your own final ride or walk if your accommodation is elsewhere.

Is $36 a good value?

At $36 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach a remote mountain area for a full day. The price includes hotel pickup, tourist transport, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, and a first-aid kit.

You should budget extra for the 20-sol Ausangate entrance fee and the 10-sol thermal-water entry. Horses are also extra, and dinner is not included. Hotel drop-off is excluded, so you may have a small transport cost at the end of the day.

Even with those additions, the package offers good value if you want transport and meals handled for you. A private outing would likely give you more control over pace and timing, but this shared day keeps the cost down. The price is especially attractive for people who want the seven-lagoon route without arranging separate transport to Pacchanta.

The main value question is time. You are paying not only $36 but also most of one day, an early start, a long ride, and a physically demanding walk. If you have limited time in Cusco and are more interested in museums, nearby ruins, or a shorter outing, the schedule may feel too heavy.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This outing suits you if you want big mountain scenery, colorful water, wildlife sightings, and a long day outdoors. It is a good match for hikers who have already acclimatized in Cusco and are comfortable walking for about five hours at altitude.

It also works well if you prefer a simple package. Pickup, transport, guide services, breakfast, and lunch are arranged in advance, leaving you to focus on clothing, fitness, photos, and the route.

It is less suitable if you have altitude sickness, high blood pressure, or limited walking ability. The tour takes place rain or shine, and no easy alternative route is described. People who dislike early starts or long vehicle rides should think twice.

The guide service is offered in English and Spanish. One useful feature is the balance between some freedom to walk at your own pace and regrouping for the lagoon visits. That can make the group experience feel less rigid, though the exact group size is not provided.

What to bring for Ausangate

Pack for changing conditions and a long day away from Cusco. The essential list includes:

• Hiking shoes and comfortable clothing
• Warm layers
• Rain gear
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Snacks
• Cash for the 20-sol entrance fee and 10-sol thermal-water fee
• Water and a phone or camera

The official advice also stresses acclimatization and good physical condition. Take that seriously. A five-hour walk beside beautiful lagoons is still a high-altitude hike, not a casual stroll.

The tour operates in all weather. A clear morning may turn wet later, and a cloudy day can still produce strong sun. Bring the rain layer even if the forecast looks friendly.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour?

Book it if you want seven colorful lagoons, snow-capped Ausangate views, and a hot-springs finish at a low price. The included meals and transport make the $36 cost appealing, and the route offers more variety than a single viewpoint.

Skip it if you are not acclimatized, have altitude sickness or high blood pressure, or want a short and gentle day. The 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. pickup, three-hour ride each way, five-hour walk, and late return demand real stamina.

For the right person, this is a strong Cusco day trip: ambitious, scenic, and practical. Pack warm clothing, carry cash, protect yourself from sun and rain, and treat the hike as the main commitment. The thermal waters are the reward at the end, not a substitute for being ready to walk.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour last?

The activity is listed as 870 minutes, or about 14 hours and 30 minutes. Pickup is scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., with arrival back in Cusco around 7:30 p.m.

What does the $36 price include?

The price includes hotel pickup, tourist transport, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, a first-aid kit, breakfast, and lunch.

What extra fees should I budget for?

The Ausangate entrance fee is 20 soles, and entry to the thermal waters costs 10 soles. Horses, dinner, and drop-off at your hotel are not included.

How long is the hike?

The walk takes about five hours round trip. You gradually ascend from Pacchanta and visit seven lagoons along the route.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from hotels, Airbnbs, and houses located in central and southern Cusco. The listed pickup points include the Main Square, Avenida El Sol, Calle Saphy, and several hotels and guesthouses.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.