Cusco: Excursion to Ausangate 7 Lagunas + lunch

The draw here is a string of seven lagoons beneath snowy Ausangate, reached on foot at more than 4,200 meters above sea level. The day pairs a demanding high-altitude walk with a soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs, giving you both an active outing and a chance to rest before the ride back to Cusco.

I like that breakfast and lunch are included, and that the route visits seven named lagoons rather than just one viewpoint. I also like the contrast of walking in the Andean high country and finishing with a dip in Pacchanta’s hot springs.

The trade-off is real: you leave before dawn, walk about 10 kilometers, and spend time at considerable altitude. The tour is not suitable for everyone, and the entrance fees for the lagoons and hot springs are extra.

Key points to know before you go

• Seven lagoons, one high-altitude route: The circuit visits Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azul Cocha.
• Expect a long day: Pickup is between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., with a return to Cusco at about 6:30 p.m.
• The walk is the main event: The tour covers roughly 10 kilometers, with more than two hours of hiking to reach the lagoons.
• Hot springs cost extra: Set aside 2 USD or 5 soles for Pacchanta’s hot springs, plus 5 USD or 15 soles for the lagoon entrance.
• Meals are covered: Breakfast comes in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch follows the hot-springs stop.
• Pack for a high, changeable day: Bring comfortable shoes, a daypack, snacks, a camera, and cash. The tour runs as weather permits.

Seven lagoons beneath Ausangate

The seven lagoons sit south of Cusco beneath Ausangate, one of the region’s snowy Andean peaks. Snowmelt feeds the lakes, and the route strings them together into a walking circuit: Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azul Cocha.

That sequence is the tour’s main appeal. Rather than making a single stop and turning back, you walk from lagoon to lagoon, with the mountain setting as a constant backdrop. If you enjoy days built around walking and scenery, this offers a fuller sense of the area than a quick roadside photo stop.

The altitude deserves equal billing with the views. The lagoons are more than 4,200 meters above sea level, and the route includes more than two hours of hiking. The stated total walk is about 10 kilometers. Those numbers matter: even a distance that sounds manageable at lower elevations can feel more demanding up high.

This is not the best choice if you want a relaxed sightseeing day with little walking. It is a better fit if you are comfortable spending much of the day outdoors and can manage a sustained walk at altitude. The tour specifically excludes pregnant women, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, people over 80, and babies under one year.

Before dawn: Cusco pickup and the drive to Pacchanta

Your day starts early, with hotel pickup between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. Pickup is offered at hotels near or inside Cusco’s Historic Center. The early start helps make room for the drive, the walk, the hot springs, and meals in a single day, but it is still worth planning for a very long outing.

Tourist transport takes you to Pacchanta, where breakfast is served before the hike. Having a meal included is useful on a schedule that begins before most people would normally eat. You will still want snacks in your daypack, since they are specifically recommended and the walking portion takes time.

A professional guide leads the outing, with English and Spanish listed as available languages. The provider is Amaru Explorer SAC. No individual guide name is specified, so if you need a particular language, confirm availability when arranging your tour rather than assuming which guide will lead your departure.

The pickup area is limited to the Historic Center and nearby hotels. If you are staying farther out, check whether you can meet the vehicle at a convenient point. At the end of the day, the drop-off is near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, not necessarily at your hotel.

Walking the circuit: seven lakes and a high-altitude pace

After breakfast in Pacchanta, you head toward the Andean range and begin the walk to the first lagoon. The guide takes you along the circuit to the remaining lakes. The day’s route is described as approximately 10 kilometers, with more than two hours of hiking to reach the lagoons.

The names give the walk a sense of progression: Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azul Cocha. The lakes are fed by melting snow from Ausangate, a detail that links the scenery directly to the mountain above. You are not just looking at seven separate bodies of water; you are walking through an area shaped by the mountain’s snow and meltwater.

At this altitude, your pace matters more than your ambition to cover ground quickly. Stay with the guided route and use the stops to take in the surroundings, rather than treating the circuit as a race. The tour information does not give a fixed walking pace or specify how long you spend at each lagoon, so expect the guide to manage the schedule across the group and the day’s conditions.

The weather can affect the experience. The outing takes place in sunny weather or as conditions permit, so the route is not a guarantee of a clear-sky day. Bring a camera, but keep your attention on the footing as well as the views. Comfortable shoes are essential, and a daypack gives you a practical place for water, snacks, and anything else you need during the walk.

Pacchanta’s hot springs: a welcome pause, at extra cost

After the lagoon circuit, you return to Pacchanta for the hot springs. This stop gives the day a different rhythm: after a long walk in the high country, you can relax in the thermal water before lunch and the journey back to Cusco.

The hot-springs entrance is not included in the tour price. It costs 2 USD or 5 soles, so bring cash and allow for this small extra. The lagoon entrance is also separate, at 5 USD or 15 soles. Together, those fees add 7 USD, or 20 soles, to the advertised price if you pay in dollars or soles respectively.

The soak is optional in practical terms, since it has a separate entrance fee. If you would rather skip it, the tour details do not say what alternative time or activity is offered, so ask the provider before booking if that choice matters to you. If you do plan to go in, remember that you will need cash for the fee.

Breakfast, lunch, and the real cost of the day

At 43 USD per person, this is a fairly complete day trip: transport, a professional guide, breakfast, and lunch are included. You also get a guided route that links seven lagoons, rather than arranging transport and meals separately. For someone who wants the logistics bundled into one long day, that is the main value.

The price does not cover the two entrance fees. Budget another 7 USD, or 20 soles, for access to the lagoon circuit and hot springs. Food beyond the included breakfast and lunch is also excluded, which is why bringing snacks makes sense. The full spend is still easy to estimate before you go, as long as you account for those fees.

Meals are served in Pacchanta: breakfast before the walk and lunch after the hot-springs stop. The meal details are not specified, so don’t book on the assumption that a particular menu, dietary option, or drink is included. If you have dietary needs, check with the provider ahead of time.

Is the long day worth it for you?

This excursion suits you if you want to see Ausangate’s high-altitude lakes, are comfortable with a roughly 10-kilometer walk, and like the idea of ending with hot springs. The included meals, round-trip transport, and guide make it straightforward to organize from Cusco, while the seven-lagoon route gives the day a clear purpose.

It is less suited to you if you want a late start, a short walk, or a flexible itinerary with lots of time in Cusco. The 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. pickup and approximate 6:30 p.m. return turn this into a full-day commitment. Add the altitude and the extra entrance fees, and it is best approached as a demanding outing rather than a casual excursion.

If the route appeals but you are unsure about the walking or the conditions, ask the operator about the day’s expected pace and weather before booking. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later offer some flexibility, but they do not change the physical demands of the hike.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The tour is listed at 43 USD per person. The entrance fees for the lagoons and hot springs are not included.

How much extra should I budget for entrance fees?

The lagoon entrance costs 5 USD or 15 soles, and the hot-springs entrance costs 2 USD or 5 soles. Together, that is 7 USD or 20 soles.

How long is the excursion?

It is a one-day tour. Pickup is between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is about 6:30 p.m.

How far do you walk?

The walk is approximately 10 kilometers. The hike to reach the lagoons takes more than two hours.

What is the altitude of the lagoons?

The lagoons are located at more than 4,200 meters above sea level.

Which lagoons are included on the circuit?

The route visits Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azul Cocha.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is served after the return to Pacchanta. Other food is not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels near or inside Cusco’s Historic Center. The return drop-off is near the Plaza de Armas.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

English and Spanish are listed as available languages.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, snacks, cash, and a daypack. The tour runs in sunny weather or as conditions permit.