Cusco: Excursion to Ausangate 7 Lagunas + lunch

Ausangate’s seven lagoons offer one of the Cusco region’s biggest mountain days without requiring a multi-day trek. You leave the city before sunrise, reach the high Andes, and walk from lagoon to lagoon beneath snowy Ausangate. The water comes from melting snow, giving the route a clear sense of place.

I like the combination of a serious high-altitude hike and a hot-spring soak at Pacchanta. I also like that breakfast, lunch, transport, and a professional guide are included, which keeps the day simple. The main drawback is the altitude: the route reaches more than 4,200 meters and covers about 10 kilometers, so this is not an easy sightseeing outing.

Key points at a glance

• Seven named lagoons: Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azulcocha form the day’s walking circuit.
• A 4,200-meter-plus route: You will hike in the high Andes, where altitude matters more than distance alone.
• Pacchanta hot springs: A warm soak follows the walk and gives your legs a welcome break before lunch.
• Early hotel pickup: Collection near or inside Cusco’s Historic Center takes place between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m.
• Meals included: Breakfast comes in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch follows the hot springs.
• Extra entrance costs: Budget $7 more, or about 20 soles, for the lagoon and hot-spring entrances.

Why Ausangate’s seven lagoons make a strong day trip

The Ausangate region lies south of Cusco, under the snowy Ausangate mountain. Its lagoons are fed by melting snow, so this is not simply a string of pretty ponds. You are seeing water sources shaped by the high Andes and walking at an altitude above 4,200 meters.

The route visits seven lagoons: Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azulcocha. Each name gives the route a useful rhythm, because you are not walking toward one single viewpoint and then turning around. You continue from one body of water to the next, with the guide leading the way through the circuit.

The scenery is the main reason to book this day. You get broad mountain views, high open ground, and the sight of Ausangate above the lagoons. The setting feels far removed from Cusco’s streets and Inca stonework. If you want a day focused on open mountain scenery rather than ruins, this is a good contrast to the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu.

Leaving Cusco between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m.

The day starts early. Pickup is provided from hotels near or inside the Historic Center, normally between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. The exact pickup time depends on your location and the day’s arrangements, so keep your phone available. The guide is expected to contact you shortly before reaching your hotel.

An early start is necessary because the tour returns to Cusco at about 6:30 p.m. You should expect a full day, not a relaxed half-day trip. Pack what you need the night before, including comfortable shoes, snacks, cash, a camera, and a small daypack.

Transportation to and from the hotel is included. At the end of the excursion, you will be dropped off near the Plaza de Armas. That is useful if you are staying in or around the center, though you should still allow time to walk back to your accommodation after a long day on your feet.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the high-altitude walk

The first main stop is the community of Pacchanta. Breakfast is included here before you head toward the seven lagoons. This is a practical part of the schedule, since you leave Cusco too early for a normal hotel breakfast.

Do not treat this as a long restaurant stop. The purpose is to eat, gather your things, and prepare for the walk. You will want to use this moment to organize your water, camera, layers, and snacks. Cash is also useful, since the two entry fees are not included in the tour price.

Pacchanta is also where you return later for the hot springs and lunch. That makes it the day’s base point, with the mountain walk placed between two stops in the community.

The 10-kilometer circuit around the seven lagoons

After breakfast, the guided hike begins. The total walk is approximately 10 kilometers, and the description gives more than two hours for reaching and visiting the lagoons. The exact time on the trail can depend on the group and weather, but you should plan for a substantial outing.

The order starts with the first lagoon and continues through the rest of the circuit. You will see Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azulcocha. The names are worth noting before you go, since they help you follow the route and remember the stops afterward.

At this altitude, a 10-kilometer walk can feel much harder than the same distance at sea level. The high point is more than 4,200 meters, and the route is described as a hike rather than a drive-up viewpoint. Comfortable shoes are essential. A daypack is better than a large suitcase, and snacks give you something practical to eat between the included meals.

The tour is not suited to everyone. It is specifically listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, people over 80, and babies under one year. Even if you do not fall into one of those categories, think honestly about your comfort with a high-altitude, full-day walk before booking.

What makes the lagoons worth the effort

The appeal here is not a single monument or one carefully framed photo stop. The value comes from the changing sequence of lagoons and the sense of moving through the high Andes under Ausangate. You get time to look around rather than simply stepping out of a vehicle for a few minutes.

The snowy mountain is an important part of the setting. The lagoons are connected to the mountain’s melting snow, which gives the day a natural story: water begins high above, collects in the mountain basin, and appears in a series of lakes below the peak.

Your guide provides the structure for the visit in English or Spanish. That matters on a route with several named stops, especially if you want more than photographs. The information supplied does not name individual guides or give a group size, so do not book this expecting a particular guide or a private walk.

Weather will affect the day. The excursion operates in sunny weather or as conditions permit. Bring layers and protect your camera, but also understand that poor conditions can change the comfort of the hike and the quality of the views.

Pacchanta hot springs after the walk

After completing the lagoon circuit, you return to Pacchanta for the hot springs. This is the tour’s most welcome piece of timing. You complete the demanding section first, then have a chance to sit in warm water and rest your body.

The entrance to the hot springs is not included. It costs $2, or 5 soles. Bring cash in small denominations if possible. The supplied information does not give a changing-room layout, towel policy, or pool details, so you should not assume that towels or other extras are provided.

The soak is not a replacement for the hike, but it changes the feel of the day. Instead of ending tired beside the vehicle, you get a clear pause before lunch and the ride back to Cusco. If you are choosing this tour mainly for the lagoons, the hot springs are a useful bonus. If you dislike shared bathing facilities, you may find this less appealing.

Lunch, the return drive, and the real cost

Lunch follows the hot springs in Pacchanta. Breakfast and lunch are included, along with the tourist transportation, hotel pickup, return transport, and professional guide. Food not mentioned in the inclusions is extra, so bring snacks for the road and trail.

The advertised price is $43 per person. Add $5 for the seven-lagoon entrance and $2 for the hot springs, making the basic day cost about $50 per person. In local currency, the listed fees are 15 soles for the lagoons and 5 soles for the hot springs. Prices can be stated in both currencies, so carry enough cash for the amount requested locally.

For a full day with two meals, transport, guiding, mountain access, and the hot springs, that price is reasonable if you want a straightforward organized trip from Cusco. It is less attractive if you already have transport to Pacchanta or prefer to set your own pace. The value is strongest for someone who wants the logistics handled and does not want to arrange a high-altitude outing independently.

The return to Cusco is expected at about 6:30 p.m., with drop-off near the Plaza de Armas. Do not schedule a tightly timed evening activity immediately afterward. The day begins before dawn and includes a long road journey as well as the hike.

What to pack for Ausangate

Pack lightly, but prepare for a long day outdoors. The most useful items are:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A small daypack
• Snacks
• Cash for the two entrance fees
• A camera
• Clothing suitable for changing mountain weather

The activity specifically recommends these items. Since the route rises above 4,200 meters and the tour runs in sunny weather or as conditions permit, practical layers are sensible. The supplied details do not promise water, towels, trekking poles, or specialized equipment, so arrange anything you consider essential before departure.

Who should book this Cusco excursion?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a full day of mountain scenery, can manage a 10-kilometer hike, and like the convenience of included meals and transport. It is especially useful during a Cusco stay when you want something very different from archaeological sites.

You should think twice if you are not comfortable with high altitude, early starts, or a long day away from the city. The route is not described as an easy walk, and the altitude above 4,200 meters can make the distance feel demanding.

The tour is available with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. It includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility if your Cusco plans are still changing.

Should you book the Ausangate seven-lagoon tour?

Book it if the combination of high Andes scenery, seven lagoons, and a hot-spring soak sounds more appealing than another day among ruins. The $43 base price is fair once you add the $7 in entrance fees, particularly because breakfast, lunch, transport, and a guide are included.

Skip it if you want a gentle outing or need a late morning start. The 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. pickup, 10-kilometer walk, and altitude make this a demanding day. For prepared walkers who want a direct, organized route to Ausangate’s lagoons, it offers a lot of scenery and a satisfying finish in Pacchanta.

FAQ

Where is the Ausangate seven-lagoon excursion located?

The excursion takes place in the Cusco Region of Peru, south of Cusco, near the snowy Ausangate mountain and the community of Pacchanta.

How long does the tour last?

It is a full-day excursion. Pickup takes place between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., and return to Cusco is expected at about 6:30 p.m.

How far do you hike?

The walking circuit is approximately 10 kilometers, and reaching and visiting the lagoons takes more than two hours.

What are the names of the seven lagoons?

The circuit includes Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azulcocha.

How high are the lagoons?

The lagoons are located at an altitude of more than 4,200 meters.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is served after returning to Pacchanta and visiting the hot springs.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. The entrance to the seven lagoons costs $5 or 15 soles, and the Pacchanta hot springs cost $2 or 5 soles.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Spanish.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from hotels near or inside Cusco’s Historic Center, with final drop-off near the Plaza de Armas.