Cusco: Ausangate Tour 7 Lagoons full day

The seven lagoons of Ausangate give this long day its real reward. Near the foot of snow-capped Apu Ausangate, you walk through high Andean scenery to pools shaded in blue, turquoise, green, and mirror-like tones. It is a big day in the mountains, not a quick photo stop.

I like two things here: the tour combines a serious high-altitude walk with a soak in Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters, and the $36 price covers transport, breakfast, lunch, and a bilingual guide. I also like the loose walking rhythm, since the guide can let you go at your own pace before bringing the group together at the lagoons.

The main drawback is the schedule. Pickup begins around 4:30 a.m., the drive takes about three hours each way, and the five-hour walk can be hard at altitude. You also pay extra for the Ausangate entry, hot springs, and any horse you choose.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven lagoons in one high-altitude circuit: See Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.
• A five-hour walk after a three-hour drive: The route is rewarding, but you need good fitness and time to acclimatize in Cusco.
• Pacchanta makes the long day worthwhile: Breakfast comes before the walk, lunch follows it, and hot springs offer a welcome rest afterward.
• Wildlife is part of the outing: Keep watch for Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas along the route.
• The low price has a few add-ons: Budget S/20 for the Ausangate entry and S/10 for the thermal waters, plus cash for optional horses.
• Pickup is broad but the finish is central: Hotel, Airbnb, and house pickup is offered in central and southern Cusco, while the tour ends at San Bernardo rather than at your hotel.

Why the seven Ausangate lagoons are worth the effort

Ausangate is one of the great mountain figures of the Cusco Region. The snow-capped Apu rises above a remote highland setting, and the lagoons below it give the walk a clear purpose. You are not simply hiking to one viewpoint, taking a picture, and turning around. The route links seven bodies of water, each with its own color and shape.

Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo form the heart of the day. Their shades can appear blue, turquoise, or green, and some spread wide enough to reflect the surrounding mountains like natural mirrors. Exact color will depend on the weather and light, so you should enjoy the scene rather than expect a fixed postcard image.

I especially like the changing scale. Some lagoons are broad and open, while others feel more contained. The gradual climb lets you see the high country unfold in stages, instead of presenting everything at once.

This is also a good outing for people who enjoy small details. Alpacas and llamas may be near the route, and Andean birds and vizcachas can appear along the way. Wildlife is not guaranteed at a particular spot, so keep your eyes open and your camera ready without letting the search distract you from the mountains.

The 4:30 a.m. start and the road to Pacchanta

Pickup runs from about 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. from selected points in Cusco. The service can collect you from hotels, Airbnbs, and houses in the city center and southern part of the city. Since the pickup list includes many specific locations, check your exact meeting point before the morning begins.

The transport ride to Pacchanta takes roughly three hours. That is a serious amount of road time, but it is the tradeoff for reaching a highland area far outside Cusco. You should expect a very early start, a long day seated in a tourist vehicle, and a return journey of similar length.

I suggest organizing clothing and snacks the night before. At that hour, you will want warm layers ready rather than buried in a suitcase. Sunglasses, a sun hat, hiking shoes, comfortable shoes, and rain gear all belong in your day bag. The tour runs in rain or shine, so a waterproof layer matters even if Cusco begins the morning clear.

The high elevation makes acclimatization more than a polite suggestion. Spend time in Cusco before attempting this walk, and do not treat the low price as a reason to ignore the altitude warning. This outing is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or high blood pressure.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

After the drive, the group stops in Pacchanta for a local breakfast of about 30 minutes. It is a short meal, but it gives you a chance to eat before the five-hour round trip on foot.

I like this order. Starting the walk after breakfast is far more practical than relying only on snacks during a long ascent. Still, bring your own snacks, as the provided breakfast is one meal rather than an all-day food plan.

Pacchanta is also where you return for lunch and the thermal waters, so it serves as the day’s base. You do not need to carry a large meal into the mountains, but you do need to keep water and small snacks close at hand.

Five hours among the high Andean lagoons

The walk begins gradually, with a steady ascent toward the first lagoon. The pace is not described as a race, and the guide may give you some freedom to walk at your own speed before gathering everyone to see the lagoons. That arrangement can work well for a mixed group, since strong walkers do not have to stop every minute while slower walkers can take needed pauses.

Do not mistake a gradual climb for an easy walk. At high altitude, even a modest incline can feel demanding. Good physical condition is required, and you should use the early part of the route to judge how your body is responding.

The full walking portion lasts about five hours round trip. Along the way, the guide provides a tour of the area, points out scenic views, and allows time for photographs. The promise of the best photos of your life is marketing language, but the setting does give you plenty of strong photo opportunities: reflective water, colorful lagoons, open mountain views, and the snowy bulk of Ausangate.

A phone or camera is useful, but warm clothing and rain protection are more important. Weather can shift quickly in the highlands, and a bright morning does not guarantee a dry afternoon. Sunglasses and a hat also help in exposed conditions.

The route includes a shopping stop in the listed schedule, but no detailed information is provided about what is sold or how long that stop lasts. Bring cash if you want to make purchases, and keep some cash for the required entry charges and thermal pool fee.

What makes each lagoon different

The seven names can blur together during a long day, so it helps to think of the route as a sequence of color and shape changes rather than seven identical stops.

Azulcocha suggests the blue tone found in several of the pools. Otorongo and Pucacocha add more variety to the route, while Alqacocha and Q’omercocha continue the chain of high mountain water. Orqo Otorongo and China Otorongo complete the set.

The supplied details do not assign a precise color or viewpoint to every lagoon, so I would not promise that each one will look dramatically different. The clear point is that the route includes blue, turquoise, and green water, with some lagoons broad enough to reflect the sky and mountains.

Your guide is most useful here for keeping the route organized and helping the group gather at the main viewing points. One especially practical feature is the balance between free walking and group meeting times. You can find your own rhythm, then reconnect for explanations and shared viewpoints.

Allow time for photos without stopping in unsafe places or falling far behind. The walk is long, and the group still has lunch, hot springs, and a three-hour return drive ahead.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch and hot springs

After the lagoon circuit, you return to Pacchanta for a 45-minute lunch. Lunch is included, along with breakfast, which makes the $36 price more useful than a bare transport-and-guide package. You still need to bring snacks, but the main meals are covered.

The hot springs follow lunch. Entry costs S/10 and is not included in the advertised price. After a long walk, the thermal waters are more than a pleasant extra. They give your legs a chance to rest before the ride back to Cusco.

I would plan your expectations carefully. The hot springs are a recovery stop, not a full spa treatment. You should also carry cash because the thermal entry fee is paid separately. A towel is not listed among the required items, so check the arrangements before departure rather than assuming one will be supplied.

The schedule includes about 45 minutes of free time and walking around this part of the day. That gives you a little breathing room, but the overall program remains tightly packed. Three hours on the road, breakfast, five hours of walking, lunch, and hot springs add up to a full 870-minute outing, or about 14 hours and 30 minutes.

The return to Cusco and the practical end point

The return drive takes about three hours, with arrival in Cusco expected around 7:30 p.m. The finish point is San Bernardo, Cusco 08002, rather than a hotel drop-off.

That last detail matters. Pickup is included, but hotel drop-off is not. If your lodging is elsewhere, plan for the short trip back from San Bernardo after a very long day. Do not schedule a late evening activity that depends on an exact arrival time, since mountain roads, weather, and the pace of the group can affect the day.

The transport itself is tourist transport, and the price includes the vehicle, guide, breakfast, lunch, and a first aid kit. The first aid kit is a useful basic safeguard, but it does not replace taking altitude seriously or carrying what you need for changing weather.

Is $36 a good value?

At $36 per person, this is a strong value if you want to see the seven lagoons without arranging separate transport, meals, and guiding. The price includes the largest practical costs: the three-hour trip each way, bilingual tour guidance, breakfast, lunch, and pickup.

The extras are modest but should be added to your mental budget. The Ausangate entry is S/20, thermal waters cost S/10, and horses are optional and priced separately. Dinner is not included, and you pay your own way after the tour ends at San Bernardo.

The real question is not only the price. It is whether you want to spend nearly the entire day on this one mountain outing. If you have limited time in Cusco and want an easy half-day activity, this is the wrong choice. If you want a full highland day with a demanding walk and a soak at the end, the package makes practical sense.

Who should choose this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have already spent enough time in Cusco to adjust to the altitude, enjoy long walks, and want mountain scenery rather than a city tour. It suits people who like a clear physical goal, plenty of photo stops, and a simple local meal before relaxing in hot water.

It is also a good fit if you value convenience. The operator handles early pickup, transport, breakfast, lunch, guiding, and the return to Cusco. You only need to prepare properly and pay the small entry fees.

I would hesitate if you have altitude problems, high blood pressure, poor fitness, or little patience for long vehicle rides. The five-hour walk and six hours of transport make this a demanding day. Horses are available as an extra, but you should not assume one is included or that it will remove every challenge.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. The guide’s role includes leading the route and bringing the group together at the lagoons. The relaxed approach to walking can help, but you still need to stay aware of the meeting points and the planned timing.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Availability determines the starting time, though pickup is generally scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m.

Bring:

• Hiking or other sturdy, comfortable shoes
• Warm clothing
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Rain gear
• Snacks
• Cash

The tour operates rain or shine. Pickup is available from accommodation in central and southern Cusco, but the service does not include hotel drop-off at the end. Check both your pickup location and your return plan before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the thought of seven colorful mountain lagoons, snow-capped Ausangate, and Pacchanta’s hot springs sounds worth a very early start and a five-hour walk. At $36, it offers a lot for the money, especially with both meals, transport, and a bilingual guide included.

Skip it if you are not acclimatized, have high blood pressure, or want a relaxed sightseeing day. The best reason to choose this outing is not simply the low price. It is the combination of remote mountain scenery, wildlife, a real walk, and hot springs at the end. Add the S/20 entry fee, S/10 thermal fee, optional horse cost, and return transport from San Bernardo, then decide if that full day matches your energy and plans.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour last?

The activity lasts 870 minutes, or about 14 hours and 30 minutes. Pickup begins around 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is expected around 7:30 p.m.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Pacchanta?

The tourist transport takes about three hours each way. You should plan for roughly six hours of driving during the full-day outing.

How long is the walk?

The walk to visit the lagoons lasts about five hours round trip. The route ascends gradually from Pacchanta.

Which lagoons are included?

The route visits Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. A local breakfast in Pacchanta is provided before the walk, and lunch is served after returning from the lagoons.

Do I need to pay extra for the entry fees?

Yes. The Ausangate entry costs S/20, and entry to the thermal waters costs S/10. Horses are also separate, and dinner is not included.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at San Bernardo, Cusco 08002. Hotel drop-off is not included.