Cusco: Ausangate Tour 7 Lagoons full day

Ausangate’s snow-capped summit and seven high-altitude lagoons make this a striking day out from Cusco. You travel to Pacchanta, hike among blue, turquoise, and green waters, then return to town for lunch and a soak in the thermal springs.

I like two things in particular: the route links seven distinct lagoons with views of the mountain, and the day ends in Pacchanta’s hot springs, a welcome pause after five hours on foot. Breakfast and lunch are included, which helps make the early start easier.

The trade-off is the length and altitude. You leave between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., spend about six hours in the vehicle, and walk for five hours; you should acclimatize in Cusco first. The Ausangate and hot-spring entry fees are extra.

The details worth knowing

• Seven lagoons, one long walk: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo are the day’s main sights.
• Pacchanta is the base: You have breakfast before hiking, then return for lunch and the thermal waters.
• The schedule runs from dawn to evening: Pickup starts at 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.; the return to Cusco is expected around 7:30 p.m.
• Wildlife adds variety: Look out for Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas along the way.
• Budget for two entry fees: The Ausangate fee is S/ 20, and thermal waters cost 10 soles. Neither is included in the $36 price.
• Your guide speaks English and Spanish: The walk may begin at your own pace, with the group gathering later to see the lagoons together.

Before dawn, Cusco gives way to Pacchanta

Pickup is offered from accommodation in central Cusco and the southern part of the city, including hotels, Airbnbs, and houses. The stated pickup window is 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. If you are staying beyond those areas, confirm your pickup arrangements before booking.

The tourist transport takes about three hours to reach Pacchanta. That is a substantial ride each way, so the day is partly a road trip, not just a hike. The return journey is also listed at about three hours, with arrival in Cusco expected around 7:30 p.m. You finish at San Bernardo in Cusco, not with a hotel drop-off.

Breakfast in Pacchanta lasts around 30 minutes. It is a practical start before the walk, and a useful reason to avoid eating too heavily before the drive if early travel does not suit you. Breakfast and lunch are included; dinner is not, so plan on finding an evening meal once you are back in town.

Seven lagoons below Apu Ausangate

The walk lasts about five hours round trip. You ascend gradually from Pacchanta, visiting the lagoons one after another. The route is built around changing water colors: blue, turquoise, and green, with some lagoons large enough to reflect their surroundings like natural mirrors. The snow-capped Apu Ausangate provides the mountain backdrop.

The named stops are Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo. The appeal is not just reaching one famous viewpoint. You get a sequence of waterside stops, each with a different color or scale, plus scenic views along the way. Bring a camera, but keep enough attention for uneven ground and the climb.

The guide leads in English and Spanish. One useful detail about the walking rhythm is that you may have freedom to go at your own pace at first, then regroup to see the lagoons together. That can suit a mixed group, but do not treat the walk as an independent hike: stay aware of the guide’s instructions and meeting points.

You may spot Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas along the route. These are wild and grazing animals, not a promised close encounter, so a little patience and a watchful eye are better than expecting a posed photo. The mix of wildlife and water makes the walk more varied than a simple out-and-back trek.

The altitude matters more than the distance alone suggests. The tour advises acclimatizing in Cusco and having good physical condition. It is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or high blood pressure. If you are unsure how you will manage exertion at altitude, take that warning seriously and consider a less demanding outing.

Pacchanta’s meal and thermal waters

After the walk, you return to Pacchanta for a 45-minute break and then a 45-minute lunch. The meal is included, and food is one of the small but meaningful parts of the day: after an early start and several hours of walking, you do not have to arrange lunch yourself. You still need to bring snacks for the trail, as recommended.

The hot springs are the final treat before the ride back to Cusco. Entry costs 10 soles, paid separately. The planned free-time and walking break is 45 minutes, so think of the soak as a short recovery stop rather than a long spa visit. Pack what you need for changing, and keep cash handy for the fee.

The order makes sense: walk first, eat and rest afterward, then return to the city. It also means the springs come late in a very full day. If you are tired, you may appreciate the chance to sit and warm up; if you want a long, leisurely soak, the timetable may feel tight.

What $36 covers, and what it does not

At $36 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup, tourist transport, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, a first aid kit, breakfast, and lunch. That is a useful bundle for a day with a long transfer and a guided five-hour walk. You do not need to arrange your own transport to Pacchanta or find meals there.

The added costs are easy to overlook. The Ausangate entrance fee is S/ 20, and entry to the thermal waters is 10 soles. Horses are not included, and dinner is your responsibility. The price of horses is not specified, so ask locally or with the provider if you think you may need one.

Consider the value in terms of the whole day, not just the walk. Transport takes about six hours in total, and the tour also provides meals, a guide, and the hot-springs stop. If you want a short excursion, this is poor value for your time. If you want to see the seven lagoons without organizing the transport and route yourself, the included services make the price more compelling.

Mapis Explorer operates the tour. The group size is not specified, so do not assume a small-group experience. The schedule gives 21 possible pickup locations, while the pickup service is described as covering accommodation in central and southern Cusco. Confirm the exact meeting point that applies to you.

Pack for cold starts, sun, and changing weather

The tour runs rain or shine. Bring warm clothing for the early departure, comfortable shoes or hiking shoes for the five-hour walk, and rain gear in case conditions change. Sunglasses and a sun hat are also recommended. At altitude, you may want layers you can adjust as the day warms or cools, rather than one bulky garment.

Bring snacks and cash. Cash covers the two stated entry fees, and snacks help bridge the time between breakfast and lunch. The first-aid kit is provided, but the tour details do not specify what personal medication or equipment you should carry, so bring what you normally need for a hike.

The walk’s gradual ascent does not make it effortless. You are on your feet for hours and at altitude, so acclimatize in Cusco before setting out. A free-cancellation option is available up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve without paying immediately, but those flexible booking terms do not change the physical demands of the day.

Is this the right Ausangate day trip for you?

I would consider this tour if you have acclimatized in Cusco, enjoy a long walk, and want a full day of mountain scenery rather than a quick photo stop. The seven lagoons, wildlife, and hot springs make for a varied outing, while included meals and transport keep the logistics manageable.

I would look elsewhere if you have altitude sickness, high blood pressure, limited stamina, or little time to recover after a 14.5-hour outing. Be realistic about the early pickup, long drive, extra entrance fees, and lack of hotel drop-off. If those are acceptable, this is a practical way to visit the lagoons with a guide and finish the day in Pacchanta’s thermal waters.

FAQ

How long is the Ausangate Seven Lagoons tour?

The stated duration is 870 minutes, or 14.5 hours. Pickup begins between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., with arrival back in Cusco expected around 7:30 p.m.

How long does the walk take?

The walk around the lagoons takes about five hours round trip.

Which lagoons are included?

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

What meals are included?

Breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner is not.

Are the Ausangate entrance fee and hot springs included?

No. The Ausangate entrance fee is S/ 20, and entry to the thermal waters costs 10 soles.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Spanish.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from accommodation in central Cusco and the southern part of the city, including hotels, Airbnbs, and houses. Confirm your exact pickup point before the tour.

Where does the tour finish?

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

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable or hiking shoes, warm clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, snacks, rain gear, and cash.

Is the tour suitable for people with altitude sickness or high blood pressure?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or high blood pressure. It also advises acclimatizing in Cusco and having good physical condition.