Cusco: Ausangate Tour 7 Lagoons full day

This full-day Ausangate outing is interesting because you trade Cusco streets for high Andean scenery, with the mighty Apu Ausangate looming over a chain of 7 Lagoons and a soak in hot springs at the end.

I love how much you get for the money: hotel pickup, transport, a guide in English and Spanish, plus breakfast and lunch along the way. I also love the photo potential, because the lagoons shift colors (blue, turquoise, green) and some look like natural mirrors.

One drawback to plan for is the altitude reality. This is not a light stroll, and it is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or high blood pressure, plus the day runs long from about 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Early 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. pickup so you hit the trail with the best light
• Seven named lagoons with noticeably different colors and reflective surfaces
• A 5-hour round-trip walk with gradual ascent and plenty of viewpoints
• Wildlife spotting like alpacas, llamas, Andean birds, and vizcachas
• Hot springs in the plan to recover after the walking (thermal entry is extra)

Why Ausangate 7 Lagoons feels like a real high-Andes day

This is the kind of day that starts before sunrise and ends when you are ready for bed. You will ride up from Cusco, walk between lagoons fed by glacial water, then unwind in hot springs after lunch. It is simple, outdoorsy, and very “Peru” in the best sense: lots of nature, not lots of talk.

What makes it special is the mix of big scenery and small details. You get the dramatic snow-capped Apu Ausangate backdrop, then you get close enough to see how the lagoon colors can look totally different from one stop to the next. When the wind calms, some of them really do resemble mirrors.

Timing, pickup, and what the day will feel like

You get picked up from your accommodation in Cusco, usually somewhere in the 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. window. Then you transfer for about 3 hours by tourist transport to the town of Pacchanta.

From there, the day becomes steady and physical: breakfast, then a gradual ascent walk that totals 5 hours round trip. After the lagoons, you head back to Pacchanta for lunch, then hot springs, and finally the return ride that brings you back to the Cusco area around 7:30 p.m.

That schedule matters because it shapes what kind of traveler you need to be. If you like early starts and long days, you’ll enjoy it. If you want a late breakfast and a leisurely pace, this will test your patience and your legs.

The ride to Pacchanta: breakfast and altitude reality

The drive to Pacchanta is part of the experience. It’s not just transportation, it is time to get your layers organized and your mind set for altitude and cold.

Once you arrive, you get local breakfast (about 30 minutes). This is practical fuel before the hike, and it also gives you a chance to settle your stomach before you start walking. With Cusco already at altitude, the tour specifically asks that you acclimatize and have a good physical condition, so don’t treat the start as casual.

If you feel even slightly off (headache, dizziness, unusual fatigue), take that seriously. This tour is not suitable for altitude sickness, and the high-altitude nature of the day is not something you should “push through” as a personal challenge.

The big walking moment: seven lagoons and a gradual ascent

The main event is a hike that lasts about 5 hours round trip, starting from Pacchanta. The ascent is described as gradual, but you will still be walking at elevation, on uneven ground, with cold air and potentially changing weather.

Along the route, you will visit multiple lagoons with colors that range across blue, turquoise, and green. Some look large and mirror-like, which means your photos can look sharply reflective if there’s little wind. Even if conditions are rough, the colors often still pop against the snow-capped scenery.

You will hit the lagoons in a set sequence, including:

• Azulcocha
• Otorongo
• Pucacocha
• Alqacocha
• Q’omercocha
• Orqo Otorongo
• China Otorongo

A useful way to think about these stops is that each one is a different “composition.” The names are helpful, but what you’ll actually notice is how the color and surface finish change. Some views will be wide and airy, while others feel more intimate because you are close enough to see the water’s sheen.

Apu Ausangate views and the wildlife you might actually spot

The Apu Ausangate is the big visual anchor of the day. You are out there long enough that you will see the mountain from different angles as you move along the route and stop for photos.

And you are not walking through a dead zone. The tour includes time and opportunity to spot Andean birds, plus alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas. Vizcachas are especially fun because they can look like little energy pellets when they pop up and scurry away.

This is another reason you should bring sunglasses and a hat. Even when the air feels cold, the light can be strong. And when the sun hits the snow and water, it’s when you’ll want your eyes protected and your camera ready.

Getting grouped up: photo stops, guided moments, and time to breathe

You should expect a mix of structured and flexible time. There are guided parts of the route where you learn what you are seeing, and there are also photo stops where you can step aside and compose your shot.

One thing I appreciate in how this tour is run is that the guide may give a bit of freedom at the start, then you regroup later to see the lagoons together. That keeps it from feeling like you are trapped in a single slow line the whole time, while still making sure you do not miss the best viewing angles.

There is also a break/free time period back in the area where you can reset for a bit. That matters because by the time you reach the return to Pacchanta, you will already have been walking for hours.

Lunch in Pacchanta: refuel before the soak

After you finish the lagoon circuit and return to Pacchanta, you get lunch (about 45 minutes). Lunch is included, and it is the kind of meal you’ll be grateful for after a cold hike.

A practical note: eat like you plan to keep moving. Even if the temptation is to go slow afterward, you still have hot springs time later and a long ride back to Cusco.

If you are the kind of person who gets snacky, bring extras from your own bag too. The tour mentions bringing snacks, which is exactly what you’ll want if you get hungry between breakfast and lunch.

Hot springs after the hike: how to recover smart

After lunch, you relax in hot springs. The thermal waters entry costs extra (listed as 10 soles), so you will want cash ready if you haven’t brought a prepaid plan.

This part of the day is not just a luxury, it is recovery. Hot springs can help your body loosen up after a long, high-altitude walk. You will feel it most in your calves and feet.

Pack for comfort. Bring something you can change into, and plan for cold air even if the water feels warm. Rain or shine is part of the deal on this tour, so your best comfort plan includes waterproof layers and a way to keep your camera and electronics protected.

Price and logistics: what you really pay for

The tour price is listed at $36 per person, and that number covers some very real costs: hotel pickup, tourist transport, a guide in English and Spanish, plus local breakfast and lunch. It also includes a first aid kit, which is reassuring in remote high-altitude terrain.

What is not included is also important. You should budget for:

• Ausangate ticket: S/ 20.00
• Hot springs entry: 10 soles
• Horses (not included)
• Drop-off at your exact hotel (return is to San Bernardo, Cusco)

That “drop-off” detail is small but meaningful. If you are staying near the center, it might be easy to connect from San Bernardo. If you are farther out, you may want to plan how you get back to your lodging.

Overall, the value is strong if you want a guided, full-day circuit with meals and transport handled. The extras are mostly about access and comfort, not about the main experience.

What to bring, so the cold does not ruin your photos

The tour gives a clear packing list, and I agree with it. For this kind of high-altitude hike, dressing smart beats dressing pretty.

Bring:

• Warm clothing (layers)
• Comfortable shoes and hiking shoes if you have them
• Rain gear (because it runs rain or shine)
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Snacks (helpful between meals)
• Cash (for ticket and hot springs)
• Hiking essentials, like anything you normally need for a cold day outdoors

If you forget gloves or a warm hat, you’ll still probably finish, but the experience will feel harsher than it needs to. Cold hands make it harder to handle your camera and harder to stay relaxed.

Weather, pace, and the rain-or-shine mindset

This tour happens rain or shine. That means you should assume conditions can change quickly, with wind on exposed sections and wet ground that can slow your pace.

The hike is described as an ascent little by little. Still, you should walk with control, not bravado. The combination of elevation and uneven terrain can make you feel more tired than you expect, even when the slope looks manageable.

A calm mindset helps here. Stop when you need to. Take photos when the water is mirror-like, but do not rush every stop, because your legs will pay you back later.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This one fits travelers who want a guided high-altitude nature day and can handle a full day schedule. It is a good match if you enjoy outdoors walking, want iconic mountain views, and like the idea of visiting multiple lagoons rather than just one big viewpoint.

It is not suitable for:

• People with altitude sickness
• People with high blood pressure

Also, be honest about your hiking comfort. The route includes a 5-hour round-trip walk. Even with a gradual ascent, you should be comfortable moving for that long, at altitude, in cold conditions.

If you want something gentler, or you are unsure how your body reacts to elevation, it might be smarter to choose a less demanding day. Here, the whole point is the hike.

Practical photo tips for seven lagoons and reflective water

You will have chances for photos during the lagoon circuit and there are photo stops built in. Here’s how to get better shots without making the day harder.

First, prioritize sharpness over complexity. If you try to capture everything, you will end up with the same photo seven times. Instead, pick one lagoon stop where the surface looks calm, then capture it in a few angles.

Second, protect your gear from cold. Cold hands cause mistakes. Keep your camera wrapped and accessible so you can shoot fast and put it away.

Third, use the mountain as a constant reference. The Apu Ausangate backdrop helps anchor your pictures, even when the lagoon looks simple. When the water reflects sky and snow, those images become the ones you’ll show later.

Finally, don’t underestimate timing. Early in the day, light can be clearer. That’s one reason the early pickup matters, even if you’re not thrilled about waking up before the rooster.

Should you book Cusco Ausangate 7 Lagoons?

I’d book it if you want a full-day, guided high-Andes walk with a payoff of snow-capped mountain views, seven named lagoons in shifting colors, wildlife sightings, and a hot springs recovery at the end. You’ll also get real logistics handled for you: pickup, transport, guide in English and Spanish, and meals.

Skip it if you know you react badly to altitude, if you have high blood pressure, or if you are not comfortable with a 5-hour round-trip hike in cold, possibly wet conditions. This is not a casual nature walk.

One last decision helper: if you like seeing a place multiple ways in one day, the lagoon circuit plus the soak is a strong combo. If you prefer to save your energy for slower days in Cusco, you might want a different style of outing.

FAQ

What time is the hotel pickup in Cusco?

Pickup is typically scheduled between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

How long is the walking portion?

The walk lasts about 5 hours round trip.

What lagoons will I visit?

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

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included (local breakfast in Pacchanta, and lunch after returning).

What extra costs should I budget for?

The Ausangate ticket is listed as S/ 20.00, and entry to the thermal waters is 10 soles. Horses are also not included.

Is this tour suitable if I have altitude sickness or high blood pressure?

No. It is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or for people with high blood pressure.