From Cusco: Tour Ausangate & 7 Lakes Full Day

The real prize here is the high-Andean scenery. Seven lagoons, giant Ausangate views, alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and maybe a condor make this a strong choice for anyone who wants a full day in open country rather than another afternoon around Cusco. I especially like the local breakfast and lunch, plus the chance to finish with Pacchanta’s hot springs.

I also like the price: $28 covers transport, a guide, breakfast, and lunch, which is hard to ignore. The catch is the very long day and some uneven service. One recent guest praised guide Wilfredo, while another said the English support was poor and the group was rushed. Confirm the pickup time, bus condition, guide language, and hot-spring stop before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lagoons: Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha.
• A very early start: Hotel pickup is advertised from 5:00 a.m., though one booking had a 4:00 a.m. pickup and a long wait.
• The walk may feel longer than advertised: The route is listed as 7.5 kilometers and about five hours, but one guest reported 16 kilometers total.
• Ausangate is the star of the view: You may also see Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke mountains.
• Food and hot springs shape the day: Breakfast and lunch are included, but the S/20 lagoon fee and S/5 hot-spring fee are extra.
• Service can vary: Wilfredo received specific praise, but transport and guiding drew serious complaints in other accounts.

Why the Ausangate seven lagoons are worth the long ride

Ausangate is one of Peru’s great high-mountain regions, and this tour gives you a quick way to reach it from Cusco. You are not coming for museums, Inca walls, or polished resort comforts. You are coming for broad views, cold air, strange-colored water, and the feeling of being far above ordinary daily life.

The lagoons are the main event. Their names are Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha. The water colors can look different from one pool to the next, depending on minerals, light, weather, and the angle of your view. I would not expect seven perfectly bright, postcard-blue lakes every day, but the sequence of lagoons gives the walk variety.

The mountains give the route its scale. Ausangate is the best-known peak, joined by Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke. You will also have a chance to look for alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, native birds, and perhaps an Andean condor. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than the reason to book.

The 5:00 a.m. pickup and six-hour road journey

Your day begins early, with hotel pickup in Cusco advertised from 5:00 a.m. That means a dark start, a packed schedule, and little room for a slow breakfast at your hotel. One important warning: a guest reported being told to wait from 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. after the pickup time changed, so confirm your exact meeting time directly before bed.

The trip toward Pacchanta takes roughly six hours according to the supplied plan, though the wording appears to refer to the overall road travel rather than one single stretch. The full day runs from early morning until about 7:00 p.m., so you should think of this as a 14-hour outing, not a relaxed day trip.

This long ride is part of the experience. You get views of the high Andes and a chance to see how quickly Cusco’s urban setting gives way to open mountain scenery. It is also the part most likely to test your patience. A complaint described broken seats, no seat belts, poor temperature control, and very little legroom. Those details are serious enough that I would ask the operator about the vehicle before paying, especially if comfort and safety matter to you.

The tour includes tourist transport between Cusco and Pacchanta, as well as transport back to central Cusco. An oxygen balloon is also listed. That does not replace sensible altitude planning, but it may reassure you that the operator expects the high elevation to be a real factor.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the walk

When you reach Pacchanta, you get a typical regional breakfast before walking. The meal is included, and that matters because you are starting a high-altitude hike after a long road journey. Eat what you can, drink water, and use the short break to prepare your day pack.

The guide is supposed to explain the route and the plan at this point. The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Wilfredo was singled out for handling the group well and explaining the sights, which is encouraging. But another guest said the guide did not speak English and did not stay with the group during the walk. Since the quality of the guide changes the whole experience, ask at pickup who will guide the English-speaking participants.

You will also need to pay the S/20 entrance fee for the seven lagoons. This is not included in the $28 price. Bring Peruvian soles if possible, along with water, warm layers, sun protection, and a small snack. Water and alcoholic drinks are not included.

The five-hour circuit through seven lagoons

The walking portion is described as approximately 7.5 kilometers and about five hours. One guest counted 16 kilometers for the full walk, so I would prepare for the longer figure rather than assume this is a short stroll. The difference may reflect the route taken, extra walking between viewpoints, or the total distance there and back.

The route is in high Andean country, where cold, sun, wind, and altitude can make a moderate path feel harder. One positive account described the walk as manageable, with few steep climbs and less altitude than some other Cusco-area outings. That is useful context, but it does not make the walk easy for everyone. Your own response to altitude, not just the number of kilometers, will decide how tiring the day feels.

The tour description calls the activity a walk through nature, and that is the right way to picture it. You move between open viewpoints and lagoons rather than following a city path with frequent services. Take your time when you can, but stay with the group. One complaint said the guide repeatedly hurried the group and another said the group nearly followed the wrong route after being left without proper guidance. Those are not minor concerns on a remote mountain walk.

The lagoon names add character to the route. Orco Otorongo and China Otorongo refer to paired lagoons, while Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha add more stops to the circuit. The appeal is not only each individual pool. It is the changing relationship between water, rock, grass, and the surrounding peaks as you keep moving.

If you enjoy photography, this is a day for patient looking rather than nonstop snapping. Clouds may change the colors. Sun can make the water shine, while shade can turn it darker and more subdued. The wide mountain views are as important as the lagoons themselves.

Wildlife and the changing mountain views

The route gives you a chance to see native birds and several familiar Andean animals. Alpacas and llamas are the most likely sights listed for the trip, while vizcachas may appear among rocky areas. The Andean condor is possible with luck, but you should not count on one.

Ausangate is the visual anchor, yet the other mountains keep the views from feeling repetitive. Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke are all named as part of the panorama. Your guide should help identify them and explain what you are seeing, which is one reason language ability matters here.

The phrase walking in nature is witnessing a thousand miracles may sound grand, but the basic idea is fair. In a place this open and exposed, small things become memorable: a bird crossing the sky, a llama grazing near a trail, or sunlight reaching one lagoon while another remains gray. You get the best from the route if you allow time for those details instead of treating the day as a race to collect seven photos.

Lunch in Pacchanta and the promised hot springs

After the lagoon circuit, you return to Pacchanta for a local lunch. It is included in the tour price, which makes the $28 cost attractive. Still, food quality and portions may vary. One complaint described a cold lunch with too little fish for the group, leaving some people with mostly side dishes. I would keep a snack in your bag and avoid expecting a restaurant-style meal.

The planned reward is Pacchanta’s medicinal hot springs. The admission fee is S/5, paid separately. After several hours on foot and a long ride, the hot pools make practical sense: they offer a chance to warm up and rest before the trip back to Cusco.

But do not treat the hot springs as guaranteed unless the operator confirms them on the day. One guest said the group was not allowed to visit, despite repeated references to the stop. Since the entrance fee is small but the stop is a major reason to book, ask two direct questions: Is the hot-spring visit included in the schedule, and will there be enough time to use the pools?

A swimsuit, towel, and dry change of clothes would be sensible if you plan to enter. The supplied details do not state whether towels are provided, so assume they are not.

Is $28 good value for a full day in the Andes?

At $28 per person, this tour is priced for value. You receive hotel pickup, transport, an English or Spanish guide, breakfast, lunch, and an oxygen balloon. You still pay S/20 for the lagoons and S/5 for the hot springs, and you must cover your own water and drinks.

The low price becomes especially appealing if the vehicle is sound, the group stays together, and the guide delivers the promised language support. Transport alone over a long mountain route has real value, and arranging this journey independently may be difficult.

The tradeoff is that a bargain tour can be less polished. The supplied accounts range from excellent organization to a severe complaint about missed pickup, cramped seating, temperature problems, rushed pacing, and weak guiding. That wide gap tells me to book with realistic expectations and confirm the basics before departure.

The overall score of 4.1 from 16 ratings suggests a generally positive experience, but the small number of ratings and the sharp difference between them make the score less useful than the details. A well-run day could be memorable. A poorly managed one could make the same scenery feel exhausting.

Who should book this Ausangate day tour?

I would point this tour toward you if you want major mountain scenery, can handle an early start, and prefer an affordable group outing to a private custom trip. It suits people who enjoy walking, open spaces, animals, and unusual natural sights more than luxury transport or a slow timetable.

It may not suit you if you need reliable seat belts, generous legroom, a guaranteed English-speaking guide, or a relaxed pace. It is also a poor choice if you have not adjusted to Cusco’s altitude or if five hours of high-country walking sounds uncomfortable.

Before you leave Cusco, confirm:

• The exact pickup time and meeting point
• The name and language of your guide
• The expected walking distance
• The condition and safety features of the vehicle
• The amount of time reserved for the hot springs
• Whether lunch will include a full portion for everyone

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make it easier to keep plans flexible. Travel insurance is recommended, and you should arrange it before your trip.

Final call: book it for the scenery, but verify the details

I would book the Ausangate seven lagoons tour if the operator confirms the pickup, guide language, vehicle, walking distance, and hot-spring stop. The combination of seven lagoons, Ausangate views, Andean wildlife, included meals, and a $28 price is genuinely appealing.

I would choose another option if recent answers about those points are vague. The natural setting is the reason to go, but remote scenery cannot make up for a missed pickup, unsafe transport, or a guide who leaves you unsure of the route. Go prepared for a long, cold, high-altitude day, and you give yourself the best chance of enjoying one of the Cusco region’s most striking outings.

FAQ

What is included in the Ausangate seven lagoons tour?

The tour includes hotel pickup in Cusco, tourist transportation between Cusco and Pacchanta, return transport to central Cusco, an English or Spanish professional guide, breakfast, lunch, and an oxygen balloon.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $28 per person.

How long does the tour last?

It is a one-day tour, beginning with early morning pickup and returning to Cusco at approximately 7:00 p.m.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup is advertised from 5:00 a.m. One supplied account reported a 4:00 a.m. pickup time, so confirm your exact time with the operator before departure.

How long is the walk?

The route is described as approximately 7.5 kilometers and about five hours. One guest reported walking 16 kilometers in total, so you should prepare for a longer walk.

Which lagoons will I see?

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

Are the entrance fees included?

No. Entrance to the seven lagoons costs S/20, and admission to Pacchanta hot springs costs S/5.

Is the hot-spring visit included?

The schedule describes relaxation in Pacchanta’s medicinal hot springs, but the admission fee is separate. One supplied account said the group was not able to visit, so confirm the stop before booking.

Is the tour available in English?

The tour is advertised with live guiding in English and Spanish. Because guide language has been reported as inconsistent, confirm that an English-speaking guide will be assigned to your group.