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

Ausangate’s seven lakes make a demanding day trip from Cusco feel like a journey into a quieter, higher Peru. You hike among Andean peaks, pause for a coca-leaf ceremony with your guide, then return to Pacchanta for hot springs. I like the private format, which lets your group set a more personal pace, and the included breakfast, lunch, and round-trip transport.

The trade-off is the altitude: Pacchanta sits at 4,200 meters, and the walk is about 10 km over roughly five hours. That is a serious day, not a casual stroll, so give yourself time to adjust to Cusco’s elevation and be honest about your fitness.

The details to know before you book

• Pacchanta is high: The community sits at 4,200 meters, at the foot of the Ausangate range.
• The walk takes time: Plan for about 10 km on foot and roughly five hours of hiking.
• You visit seven lakes: The route passes a series of lagoons among Andean vegetation and wildlife.
• A coca ritual is part of the day: At the first lagoon, your guide leads a ceremony connecting participants with Mother Earth.
• Food and transport are included: The tour provides a private air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast, lunch, hotel pickup, a guide, oxygen, and a first-aid kit.
• The entrance fee is extra: The listed $108 per person does not include admission.

Leaving Cusco for the high Andes

The day starts early and runs long. The full excursion lasts about 14 hours and 30 minutes, with a return to Cusco around 7 p.m. Your transport collects your group from your accommodation, preferably in Cusco’s historic center, and drives to Pacchanta. The listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, so confirm your exact pickup arrangement when you book.

The private, air-conditioned vehicle is more than a convenience on a day this long. You avoid coordinating a shared group and can travel with your own party, while your guide can focus on your questions and needs. The tour includes a professional private guide, a first-aid kit, and oxygen. Those are useful provisions for a remote outing at high elevation, though they do not remove the need to pace yourself.

The drive takes you from Cusco to the community of Pacchanta, at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range. At 4,200 meters above sea level, you are already at a height that can make ordinary exertion feel harder. If you are still getting used to Cusco, consider that before committing to a five-hour hike. There is no need to treat the day as a race.

Breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m. in Pacchanta. A meal before the walk is practical, particularly when the route is long and the air is thin. Breakfast and lunch are included, so you do not need to arrange those meals yourself. The tour details do not specify the menu, so ask the operator if you have dietary requirements.

Walking among Ausangate’s seven lakes

The main event is a hike into the Andes to visit seven lagoons. The route description first gives an initial stretch of 5 to 6 km, then describes the hike as 10 km and about five hours in total. Treat 10 km as the practical estimate for the day’s walk, and confirm with the operator if the exact route distance matters to you.

The lakes are the reason to make the effort. You move through the heart of the Andean range, with high mountain views, local vegetation, and wildlife along the way. The supplied details do not name the lagoons or promise particular wildlife sightings, so think of the appeal as the changing sequence of lakes and mountain scenery rather than a checklist of guaranteed photo stops.

A private tour suits this route well. You are traveling only with your own group, and the stated benefit is that you can go at your own pace. That does not shorten the distance or lower the altitude, but it can make the day feel less pressured. You can take time for photos or pause when needed, while keeping in mind that your guide still needs to lead the group through the planned route.

Bring comfortable hiking shoes, as the tour recommends. The route is not presented as technical, but five hours on foot calls for footwear you trust. Charge your camera before leaving Cusco: the lakes and the mountain setting offer plenty of reasons to stop and take pictures. Pack for a strenuous outdoor day, and ask the operator what else to bring, since the available details do not specify a full gear list.

The guide’s role matters here. A guide named Alex is associated with the experience, and his style is described as calm, polite, and well educated. You may not be assigned Alex, so confirm the guide if that is important to you. In any case, a private guide adds value by leading the route and explaining the places you pass, not simply getting you from one lake to another.

Taking part in the coca-leaf ceremony

At the first lagoon, your guide performs a coca-leaf ritual. You can join in, using the ceremony as a way to speak with and connect to Mother Earth. It gives the walk a cultural pause as well as a change of pace, and it is a distinctive part of the day rather than an add-on at the end.

The description does not spell out each step of the ritual, so go in ready to listen and follow your guide’s lead. Participation is offered, not required. If you have questions about the meaning of the ceremony, a private setting gives you a natural chance to ask without feeling you are holding up a large group.

This is also a good moment to stop thinking only about distance. The point is not merely to tick off seven lakes. You are walking through a place with cultural meaning as well as striking scenery, and the ceremony offers a way to acknowledge that connection. Your guide can help give the moment context, although the exact explanation will depend on the guide and the conversation.

Hot springs and lunch back in Pacchanta

After the hike, you return to Pacchanta for the community’s hot springs, followed by lunch. The springs are a welcome change after hours on foot, and they give you a chance to rest before the drive back to Cusco. The tour details do not say how long you spend bathing or whether any hot-spring fee is included, so check those points if they affect your plans.

Lunch is included, but no menu is provided. It is useful to have a meal arranged after a demanding walk, especially when the return journey still lies ahead. Keep some energy in reserve for the ride back rather than assuming the day ends when you reach Pacchanta.

The tour is scheduled to arrive in Cusco around 7 p.m. That makes it a full day from pickup to return, and it is wise not to plan a tightly timed evening commitment. The advertised duration is approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes, so traffic or other delays could affect the exact return time.

What the $108 price covers, and what it does not

At $108 per person, the price includes a private vehicle with air conditioning, hotel pickup, a professional private guide, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a first-aid kit. For a private outing lasting most of the day, those inclusions make the price easier to assess than a bare transport fare. You are paying for a guided experience and a meal plan as well as the drive.

The main extra cost explicitly listed is the entrance fee. Its amount is not given, so add that to your budget and ask the operator how it is paid. The hot springs are part of the itinerary, but the information does not confirm whether admission to them is covered. Confirm that too rather than assuming it is included.

The tour is booked, on average, 56 days ahead. That suggests planning early is sensible, especially if your dates are fixed, but it is an average rather than a booking rule. The activity is private, meaning only your group participates. That is a meaningful advantage if you want a more flexible pace or prefer not to share a long, high-altitude day with strangers.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside the 24-hour window are not accepted, and cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded. The cut-off follows local time.

Who should choose this Ausangate day trip

I would consider this tour if you want a substantial mountain hike without arranging transport, meals, and a guide separately. The combination of seven lakes, the coca-leaf ceremony, Pacchanta’s hot springs, and a private vehicle gives the day more texture than a simple out-and-back hike. It is especially appealing if you value having your own group and the freedom to manage your pace.

It is less suitable if you are looking for an easy outing or have not prepared for high altitude. The walk is about 10 km and five hours, and the starting community is already at 4,200 meters. Moderate fitness is recommended, but fitness alone does not guarantee that you will feel comfortable at that elevation. Take altitude seriously and avoid booking this as a recovery day after a late night or a rushed arrival.

The experience has a 5-star rating from 80 reviews, with 99 percent of travelers recommending it. That is a strong signal of satisfaction, and the specific praise for Alex’s calm, polite manner and subject knowledge points to the value of a good guide. Still, the best guide for you is one who communicates clearly and adapts to your group, so ask about guide assignment if you have a preference.

Book it if the high-altitude walk is part of the appeal, not an obstacle you hope to overlook. You get a full day in the Ausangate region, a cultural ceremony, and a restorative stop in Pacchanta, with transport and meals handled. If 10 km at 4,200 meters sounds like too much, choose a gentler Cusco outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate and seven lakes tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes. It is expected to return to Cusco around 7 p.m.

How high is Pacchanta?

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

How long is the hike?

The route is described as about 10 km in total, taking roughly five hours. The itinerary also describes an initial stretch of 5 to 6 km.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the tour includes a private guide and private vehicle.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and lunch are included. Breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m. in Pacchanta.

Is the entrance fee included in the price?

No. The entrance fee is listed as not included. The amount is not specified.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup from your accommodation is included, preferably within Cusco’s historic center. Plaza Regocijo is also listed as the meeting point, so confirm your exact pickup details.

Is the coca-leaf ceremony part of the tour?

Yes. At the first lagoon, the guide performs a coca-leaf ritual, and you can participate.

Are hot springs included in the itinerary?

Yes. The group returns to Pacchanta for the hot springs after hiking. The information does not state whether any hot-spring admission fee is included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded.