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

Ausangate’s seven lagoons give you a full day in the high Andes, far beyond Cusco’s city streets. You’ll start at about 4,200 meters above sea level, hike through the mountains, and pause at the first lagoon for a coca leaf ritual with your private guide. The views are the main event, but the altitude is part of the deal.

I like the private vehicle and guide, since you can set your own walking rhythm instead of trying to keep up with a large group. I also like the simple rhythm of the day: breakfast, mountain hike, coca ceremony, hot springs, and lunch. The main concern is the altitude and the long day. A 5 to 6 km opening walk followed by a roughly 10 km route over about five hours calls for a moderate fitness level.

Key points to know before booking

• Ausangate begins at 4,200 meters: The elevation matters as much as the distance, so comfortable hiking shoes and a sensible pace are essential.
• Seven lagoons fill the hiking portion: You first walk 5 to 6 km, then continue through the mountain area for a total hiking time of about five hours.
• The coca ceremony adds cultural meaning: At the first lagoon, your guide leads a ritual where you can take part and connect with Mother Earth.
• Pacchanta gives the day a welcome finish: After the hike, you can soak in hot springs before lunch in the community.
• Private means only your group participates: You have a professional private guide, a private vehicle with air conditioning, oxygen, and a first aid box.
• The $108 price covers the big practical pieces: Breakfast, lunch, transport, hotel pickup, and guiding are included, but the entrance fee is not.

From Cusco to Pacchanta at 4,200 meters

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation, preferably inside Cusco’s historic center. The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement before departure if your lodging is outside that area. From there, the private vehicle heads toward Pacchanta, a community at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range.

The drive is not just a transfer. It moves you from Cusco’s colonial core into the high Andes, where the air is thinner and the setting becomes much more open. The vehicle has air conditioning, which is useful after a long day outside, though the most important comfort feature is having your own group rather than sharing space with a large party.

Breakfast is served in Pacchanta at about 7:30 a.m. It is described as nutritious, and it gives you a proper base before the walk. Since the hiking begins high above sea level, this meal matters. You do not want to treat the route like a casual city stroll.

The tour includes oxygen and a first aid box. That does not remove the need to respect the altitude, but it does show that the operator has planned for a high-mountain outing. You should still judge your own condition honestly and tell the guide if you need a slower pace or a break.

The first 5 to 6 kilometers toward the lagoons

After breakfast, you head farther into the Andes on foot. The initial section is about 5 to 6 km before reaching the first lagoon. The route is described as a hike through the mountains, with wildlife and vegetation along the way.

At this point, the value of a private tour becomes clear. You are not tied to a fixed group pace, and the guide can adjust the walk to your party. That does not make the route easy, but it makes the experience more personal and less rushed.

Wear proper hiking shoes. The tour specifically recommends comfortable footwear, and that is sound advice for a route that totals about 10 km and lasts around five hours. Bring a camera with a full battery, too. The seven lagoons and surrounding mountain views are the sort of sights you will want to photograph, though you should keep your attention on the path while walking.

The high altitude can make every uphill stretch feel longer than expected. Even people who are comfortable walking at home may notice the difference at 4,200 meters. I would treat the distance as a guide rather than a challenge to beat. The private format lets you go at your own pace, so use that advantage.

A coca leaf ceremony beside the first lagoon

When you reach the first lagoon, the guide performs a coca leaf ritual. You can participate in the ceremony, which is intended as a conversation and connection with Mother Earth.

This is an important part of the experience because it gives the walk a cultural focus beyond taking photos. The lagoons are not presented only as scenic stops. The ceremony asks you to pause, pay attention to where you are, and recognize the meaning of the mountains in Andean tradition.

You should approach this moment with respect and an open mind. Participation is offered, not something you need to force. If you are unsure what to do, your guide can explain the steps and help you follow along.

One guide praised in the available feedback is Alex, described as calm, polite, and extremely well-educated. That combination suits this sort of outing. A quiet, clear guide is more useful here than someone who rushes through a ritual or fills every pause with talk.

Visiting all seven Ausangate lagoons

After the ceremony, the route continues to the other lagoons. The full hiking section is about 10 km and takes approximately five hours. The lagoons sit in the heart of the Andes, surrounded by mountain scenery, wildlife, and vegetation.

The appeal is variety. You are not walking to one viewpoint, taking a quick photo, and turning back. The route links several bodies of water, with the changing views providing the reason to keep going. The supplied details do not give each lagoon a separate name or describe the exact colors, so you should not expect a precise checklist of individual features. The strength of the outing is the overall sequence.

This is also where the tour demands the most from you. Five hours on foot at high altitude is a serious outing, even if the pace is moderate. The word moderate in the fitness guidance should be taken seriously. You need to be comfortable walking for several hours and prepared for the thin air.

A private guide helps, but it cannot change the physical facts. If you are looking for a short viewpoint visit with very little walking, this is not the right choice. If you enjoy a demanding mountain day and want time to stop, look, and take photos, the format is much better suited.

You will want to keep your camera ready, but do not let photography turn the walk into a race. Take pictures at sensible stops, then put the camera away and watch your footing. The route’s value comes from being present in the mountains, not from collecting a hurried set of images.

Pacchanta hot springs after the walk

Returning to Pacchanta for hot springs is a smart part of the schedule. After several hours of walking, a soak gives your legs a chance to rest before lunch.

The hot springs also make the day feel complete. The outing begins with the community of Pacchanta, moves into the mountains, and then returns to the community for recovery and food. You are not simply dropped back into the vehicle immediately after the final lagoon.

The supplied details confirm that you can enjoy the hot springs, but they do not specify how long the soak lasts or whether towels are provided. Ask the operator if those details matter to you. The same applies to the entrance fee, which is not included in the $108 price.

Lunch follows the hot springs and is included. That is useful after a long hike, since you will not need to arrange a separate meal. Breakfast and lunch are both covered, along with hotel pickup, transportation, guiding, first aid supplies, and oxygen.

What the $108 price really covers

At $108 per person, the cost is easier to assess as a private full-day package than as a simple transport ticket. You are paying for a private vehicle with air conditioning, a professional private guide, pickup, breakfast, lunch, and the ability to walk at your own pace.

The price becomes stronger if your group values privacy and flexibility. Only your group participates, so you are not paying for a private-style experience while being placed into a large walking party. You also avoid arranging separate transport to Pacchanta, finding a guide, and organizing meals.

The missing piece is the entrance fee. Because the amount is not provided, you should confirm the current charge and payment method before setting out. That extra cost does not necessarily make the tour poor value, but it should be included in your budget.

The advertised duration is approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes, while the schedule describes a return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m. Either way, plan on giving the entire day to the excursion. This is not an activity to squeeze between other Cusco plans.

The 99 percent recommendation figure and 5 out of 5 rating from 80 reviews suggest strong satisfaction, with Alex’s calm and polite guiding style singled out in particular. Ratings are only one part of the decision, though. The physical demands and high altitude remain more important than any score.

Who will get the most from this Ausangate day

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a full mountain outing with a private guide and a cultural element. It suits people who are comfortable with a moderate hike, want time for photos, and like the idea of ending the day in hot springs rather than returning straight to Cusco.

It is also a good fit for a small family group or friends who prefer their own vehicle and pace. The private structure gives you more control over stops and walking speed, though everyone in the group still needs to manage the altitude.

I would be more cautious if you have limited hiking experience or are not comfortable spending about five hours on foot. The tour does not present the route as easy, and the elevation can make the distance feel harder. A private guide can support you, but you should not book it expecting a relaxed sightseeing drive.

The activity is also best for people who value a quieter, more reflective cultural moment. The coca ritual is not a quick photo stop. It is a chance to participate in a local tradition and think about your connection to the natural world.

Practical details for a smoother day

Wear comfortable hiking shoes, not casual sneakers if you have a sturdier option. Charge your camera before leaving, since the seven lagoons offer repeated photo opportunities and the day is long.

Confirm pickup if your accommodation is not in Cusco’s historic center. The listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, and hotel pickup is included, but the preferred pickup area is the historic center.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. It is operated by Chullos Travel Peru and is confirmed at the time of booking. Public transportation is nearby, but the included private vehicle is the practical way to handle a day that begins and ends in Cusco.

Should you book this private Ausangate excursion?

Book it if you want seven high-altitude lagoons, a coca leaf ceremony, and Pacchanta hot springs in one long day. The private vehicle, private guide, included meals, and flexible pace make the $108 price reasonable for a group that values comfort and control.

Skip it if you want a short, gentle outing or if the combination of 4,200-meter elevation and roughly 10 km of hiking sounds uncomfortable. For the right walker, this is a strong Cusco day trip with memorable views, a meaningful cultural pause, and a useful hot-spring finish.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

The listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo in Cusco, at F2M9+5X2, Cusco 08002, Peru. Hotel pickup is included, preferably from accommodation within Cusco’s historic center.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes. The schedule states that you return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m.

How much walking is involved?

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

How high is the Ausangate area?

The community of Pacchanta is located at about 4,200 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the hot springs are included.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a private vehicle and professional private guide. The tour also includes oxygen and a first aid box.