From Cusco: Tour Ausangate & 7 Lakes Full Day

This is one of those Cusco day tours that trades city sights for big, quiet Andean scenery and a hike that feels honest and hands-on. You walk past a chain of high lagoons, with Ausangate and other peaks in view, while the guide points out what you should notice up close.

I especially like the full day structure (early pickup, real breakfast, then the lagoon circuit) and the fact that you get a built-in nature guide who can also talk to you in Spanish and English. It’s also good value for the long transport day, because you’re not just dropped off.

One drawback to keep in mind: the itinerary can feel fast. On some departures, people reported being rushed and, in at least one case, missing the hot springs part even though it was described. So go in ready to move at an early pace, and confirm what will happen on your specific date.

Key things to know before you go

• Early start from Cusco at 05:00 so you can reach Pacchanta and start walking while the light is best.
• Seven lagoons in one circuit, visiting Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha.
• Approx 7.5 km on paper, with about five hours of walking, but plan your legs for more if your group pace or stops expand.
• Oxygen balloon included, a practical touch for high-altitude comfort.
• Meals are included (breakfast and lunch) but expect simple, local style food.
• Hot springs cost extra (S/ 5), and timing matters for whether you make it fully.

Why the Ausangate Seven Lagoons hike feels like a high Andean front-row seat

If you have ever wanted Cusco to feel less like a base for day tours and more like a doorway into the real Andes, this route does that. The scenery is dominated by cold air, changing light, and that intense high-altitude stillness where even your breathing sounds louder. You’re not staring at a viewpoint from behind a fence. You’re walking through the place.

The big payoff is that the hike is built around a chain of water and stone, not just a single “photo stop.” You move from lagoon to lagoon and you get different colors and moods as the mountains shift behind you. That’s why the tour is sold as miracles and crystals and lagoons, because it really is a sensory day.

And yes, the mountains are the main characters. Ausangate is the headline, but you also look out for peaks like Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke. The guide’s job is to make you notice those named features instead of just enjoying them as background.

Your day plan from 05:00 Cusco pickup to a 19:00 return

The schedule is built around distance. The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 05:00 am. Then you head toward Pacchanta by car for about six hours. That’s a long ride, so treat it like part of the experience, not just travel time.

Once you arrive, you’ll get breakfast typical of the region in Pacchanta. After that, there’s a short pause where the guide gives you the details you need for the walking section and what to watch for.

The walking part is the centerpiece. After breakfast and briefing, you start the lagoon circuit that covers about 7.5 km and takes around five hours. You’ll visit all seven lagoons in the route order listed by the tour. When the circuit ends, you return to Pacchanta.

Then comes the reset: a local lunch and time to relax in the medicinal hot springs. Finally, you get back on the road to Cusco, arriving at about 19:00.

A practical note: your day is long. Even though the hike itself is not an all-day grind, the schedule means you’ll want to be ready for an early wake-up and a late return.

Pacchanta breakfast, guide briefing, and the altitude support you get

Pacchanta is where the tour switches gears from “ride” to “walk.” Breakfast matters here because you’re going to spend hours at altitude and you need energy that sits well. The tour includes one breakfast and then later one lunch, so you’re not scrambling for food mid-route.

The tour also includes an oxygen balloon. That doesn’t magically remove altitude, but it’s a comfort item if someone in your group feels the effects. It’s the kind of inclusion you’ll appreciate on a day that starts early and ends late.

Guide quality is a real factor on this kind of trek. On one positive departure, the guide Wilfredo was praised for how well he explained things to the group. That matters because names like Azulqocha and Orco Otorongo are useful only if someone helps you connect the names to what you’re actually seeing.

On the flip side, some departures have been criticized for poor pacing or not keeping the group together closely enough during the trek. So if you’re the type who wants a steady, guided experience, arrive on time, pay attention during the briefing, and do not assume your group can wander.

The 7 lagoons circuit: Azulqocha to Patacocha, plus named peaks

This is the heart of the day. The tour is set up as a route that visits seven lagoons, each with a chance to spot animals and take in the mountains from slightly different angles.

Here’s what you’ll be looking at along the way:

• Azulqocha
• Orco Otorongo
• China Otorongo
• Puqacocha
• Alqacocha
• Qomercocha
• Patacocha

Those names are not random. They’re part of the local way of mapping the area. On a well-run trek, you’ll stop long enough to notice water color, how the slopes sit around the lagoons, and where the light hits. On a rushed trek, you get less time to slow down and really see.

You’ll also have repeated chances to look at the mountain lineup mentioned by the tour: Ausangate, plus Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke. Don’t just glance. Pick one peak and watch how it shifts behind the lagoon line as you walk.

About walking difficulty: on paper it’s about 7.5 km and about five hours. In practice, you’ll feel it more because it’s high altitude and because you’re on uneven ground. One person felt it was manageable, with not too many steep sections, and said the altitude felt less intense compared to other Cusco-area excursions. That’s encouraging, but keep your expectations flexible. The route length can also feel longer depending on breaks, photo stops, and how the group moves.

Wildlife spotting is the quiet reward for good pacing

This hike includes a wildlife checklist, and it’s not just marketing. As you walk, you may see:

• native birds
• alpacas and llamas
• vizcachas
• and, with luck, the Andean condor

The trick is to pace yourself so you can actually look. If you hike too fast, you’ll miss the small stuff: a distant call, a vizcacha frozen by a rock, or the moment alpacas move from grazing to watching you.

If you’re hoping for the condor, remember that spotting it is luck. The best approach is attitude: keep your eyes up, listen, and stop when your guide tells you to. Don’t fight the rhythm of the group. You’ll see more by pausing than by rushing through.

Also, this is a trek in working Andean country. Be respectful of animals and don’t chase them for photos. You’re visiting their home.

Lunch in Pacchanta and the medicinal hot springs question

Lunch is included after you finish the lagoon circuit. Based on how these rural stops are usually handled, it’s likely simple and local. That’s not a problem, but it is worth knowing that food quality can vary by day and by how much time the group has.

The hot springs are also part of the story. The tour includes time to relax in the community’s medicinal hot springs, but there are two practical details:

• you pay the hot springs entrance (S/ 5.00) separately
• timing affects whether you get the full hot springs experience

One departure was described as not allowing visitors to visit the hot springs as promised, even though the guide talked about them. That doesn’t mean it will happen to you. But it does mean you should ask your guide early in the day: will there be hot springs time today, and how long?

If you can, bring small bills or coins for the entrance fee. It avoids last-minute friction when everyone is tired and cold.

Price and value: what $28 covers, and what you still pay

The advertised price is $28 per person for a full day. For that, you get:

• hotel pickup in Cusco
• transportation Cusco to Pacchanta and back
• transportation Pacchanta to Cusco city center
• professional guide (Spanish and English)
• oxygen balloon
• 1 breakfast and 1 lunch
• plus the tour guiding for the lagoon circuit

What’s not included:

• entrance to the 7 lagoons (S/ 20.00)
• Pacchanta hot springs (S/ 5.00)
• saddle horse
• water or alcoholic beverages
• travel insurance (recommended)
• accommodation in Cusco

So the true cost isn’t just $28. You should plan for lagoon and hot springs entrance fees on top. Still, the math can work well because most of the heavy lifting is included: guide, food, long transport, and altitude support.

Now the value question that matters most is not just cost. It’s whether the day flows well. Some negative feedback focused on rushed timing, cold food, and group management. That’s not something you can measure before you book, so the smartest move is to read the day as a “high-altitude hike with shared logistics,” not a luxury spa day.

Comfort, safety, and the realities of an early cold morning bus ride

This tour starts at 05:00 am, and that means the ride out can be chilly. One group reported getting cold on the outbound trip. Another group reported returning with poor airflow, so don’t rely on comfort.

Pack for cold even if Cusco feels mild when you leave your hotel. Bring layers and something warm for your legs and hands. At this altitude, wind can cut fast.

About transport details: there have been reports of unsafe-feeling vehicle conditions on one departure (like lack of seatbelts and damaged seats). I can’t guarantee your bus will match that story, but it’s enough to justify practical prep. Choose a seat that feels stable, keep your bag secured, and bring a layer for warmth.

The other comfort variable is group handling on the trek. Some feedback said the guide pressured the group to move quickly and didn’t stay close enough to support navigation. Your best protection is focus. Listen carefully during instructions, keep aware of the pace, and do not drift far from the front of your group.

Who this tour suits best, and who should reconsider

This is a solid fit if you:

• want a one-day high-Andes hike without booking multiple tours
• enjoy mountains and lagoons more than museums
• can handle an early wake-up and a long transit day
• prefer a guided trek with a clear route and named stops

It might be less ideal if you:

• need a slow, no-pressure hiking style
• are sensitive to early starts and long vehicle time
• expect the hot springs to be guaranteed no matter the schedule
• are very dependent on detailed English guidance and find yourself frustrated when communication is uneven

If you’re doing this after other Cusco treks, you may find the altitude and walking feel manageable compared to bigger climbs, but don’t use that as permission to underpack or underprepare.

Tips to make the most of your day, without overthinking it

Here are the practical moves that pay off with this exact itinerary.

First, plan your effort. The route is about 7.5 km, but the day includes early pickup, six hours of travel, and breaks. Some people have reported higher total walking distance than the route length printed on paper. Use that as a reminder to go steady.

Second, bring payment for entrances: S/ 20 for the lagoon access and S/ 5 for hot springs. You will likely want to handle this quickly when you arrive.

Third, pack for cold. Even if you’re tough, your hands and knees will notice at altitude. Layers help. A warm hat and gloves can make the difference between “great day” and “why am I shivering.”

Fourth, set expectations for lunch. The included meals are part of value, but they may not be fancy. If you’re picky about food temperature, consider bringing a snack of your own, but keep in mind the tour includes at least breakfast and lunch.

Finally, during the briefing, confirm how hot springs time will work. If it depends on finishing on schedule, listen and ask a clear question then, not when you’re already tired.

Should you book the From Cusco Tour Ausangate & 7 Lakes Full Day?

Yes, you should book it if your priority is a guided high-Andes day that hits the seven lagoon circuit and puts you in front of Ausangate and nearby peaks, with breakfast, lunch, and the oxygen balloon included.

I’d still book with a realistic mindset. This is a full-day trek with early pickup and shared logistics. The main risks are not the scenery, they’re the flow of the day: potential rushing, simple meals, and the hot springs timing depending on the schedule. If you show up early, dress for cold, and keep your expectations grounded, the experience can be excellent.

If you hate uncertainty, ask your operator questions before you go. The question that matters most is hot springs timing on your date. If they give you a clear answer and you’re ready for a long day, this tour is a strong way to spend one day in the Cusco region beyond the usual circuit.

FAQ

What time is pickup from my hotel in Cusco?

Pickup starts at 05:00 am from your hotel in Cusco.

How long is the walking portion and how far is it?

The lagoon circuit walk is about five hours and covers approximately 7.5 km.

Which lagoons are included on the tour?

The tour visits Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes one breakfast in Pacchanta and one local lunch after the lagoon circuit.

Are the 7 lagoons and Pacchanta hot springs included in the price?

No. Entrance to the 7 lagoons costs S/ 20.00, and Pacchanta hot springs entrance costs S/ 5.00.

Do I need to pay for saddle horse or transport by myself?

Saddle horse is not included. Transportation Cusco to Pacchanta and back is included, along with transportation from Pacchanta to the city center in Cusco.

What does the tour include for high altitude support?

An oxygen balloon is included as part of the tour.