Ausangate 7 Lagoons Tour 1 day + Buffet Breakfast and Lunch

The real draw here is the high-altitude chain of seven lagoons beneath the Ausangate glaciers. Their colors shift between blue, turquoise, and green, and several are broad enough to reflect the surrounding peaks like natural mirrors. You get a full Andean day for $40, including transport, a guide, breakfast, lunch, and hot springs time.

I like the efficient route from Pacchanta and the chance to see alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and Andean birds without committing to a multiday trek. I also like the finish: a soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs after walking at 4,200 to 4,600 meters. The main caution is the altitude, along with an early pickup that may run late and food service that can suffer if the group arrives behind schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lagoons: Visit Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.
• High but short: The route reaches about 4,600 meters and covers roughly 12 kilometers, making altitude more important than distance.
• Very early start: Pickup begins between 4:30 and 5 a.m., with about three hours on the road each way.
• Meals included: Breakfast and lunch are provided in Pacchanta, though a late departure could affect breakfast availability.
• Hot springs finish: You get about 50 minutes for swimming and rest at Pacchanta’s thermal pools.
• Good value with extra fees: The $40 price covers the main services, but you still need about S/20 for the lagoon entrance and S/5 for the hot springs.

Why the seven lagoons are worth the long day

Ausangate is one of Peru’s great high mountain areas, but you do not need a weeklong trek to see its best-known water scenery. This day trip gives you a compact taste of the region, with a gradual climb from Pacchanta to a set of lakes formed among the glacial peaks.

The lagoons are not all the same. Azulcocha gives you the blue-toned opening view, while Otorongo and Pucacocha add different shades as the light changes. Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo complete the circuit. The appeal is the variety: some pools are small and intensely colored, while others spread out like polished mirrors.

The word lagoon can sound gentle. This is not a lowland stroll beside calm water. You begin around 4,200 meters and climb to about 4,600 meters, where every uphill section takes more effort. The route is described as roughly 12 kilometers, with the walking portion listed at about three to five hours depending on how the schedule counts stops and the return.

That difference matters. You should budget for the full five-hour sightseeing block, not just a quick walk. The guide will pause for views, photographs, and explanations, and the pace may change if someone in the group is struggling.

A pre-dawn departure from Cusco

Pickup begins between 4:30 and 5 a.m. from hotels or Airbnbs, with listed meeting options in Cusco’s Historic Center and at Plazoleta de San Blas. The day ends around 7:30 p.m., with drop-off at Plaza Regocijo, so this is a 14-hour outing, not a casual morning excursion.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours by tourist transport. That is a large part of the day, but it is the price of reaching this remote highland area and returning to Cusco in one day.

I would treat the pickup window as a window, not a promise of an exact departure. A documented booking had a half-hour wait at the pickup point and did not leave Cusco until around 6 a.m. That delay meant breakfast was no longer available on arrival. If your schedule is tight, ask the provider to confirm the pickup point and timing the day before, and carry a snack in your daypack.

The transport is included, as is hotel pickup in the morning. The information does not specify vehicle size, group size, or seat arrangement, so you should not assume a small private van. For a long day on mountain roads, bring water, a light snack, and clothing you can adjust as temperatures change.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

Pacchanta is the starting community for the hike. The planned breakfast stop lasts about 40 minutes, giving you time to eat before the climb and prepare your daypack.

Breakfast is important here, not decorative. You are about to walk at an altitude that can make even a normal effort feel demanding. Eat what you can, drink water, and use the stop to organize sunscreen, gloves, rain gear, and layers.

There is one practical weakness: breakfast service may not hold if the group arrives late. Since a delayed departure previously led to no food being left for one booking, do not rely on the included meal as your only early-day fuel. Pack something simple from Cusco.

Pacchanta also returns later in the day for lunch, shopping, and the thermal pools. The community is more than a bus stop. It is the place where the walking, food, local purchases, and hot springs all connect.

Walking at 4,200 to 4,600 meters

The hike begins gradually, but the altitude is the central test. The route climbs from approximately 4,200 meters to 4,600 meters, far higher than Cusco. You can be fit and still feel the thinner air.

The best approach is a slow one. Keep your breathing steady, take short steps, and do not race to stay beside the fastest person in the group. The guide is expected to lead in English and Spanish and provide permanent assistance, but one booking recorded that the guide’s English was difficult to understand. If you need clear instructions, ask direct questions and confirm the meeting point before leaving each stop.

The route includes scenic views, guided sightseeing, and photo stops. You will have chances to look at the lakes rather than simply march past them. Still, do not confuse a guided walk with a technical mountain trek. No climbing equipment is listed, but sturdy hiking shoes are essential because the ground can be uneven and conditions can change.

The route information gives two time figures: the main schedule allows about five hours for the lagoon visit, while the practical note describes the entire walk as about three hours and 12 kilometers. The safest reading is to plan for a substantial half-day on foot, with extra time for stops and group pace.

Wildlife along the route

The scenery is only part of the reward. Along the way, you may see alpacas and llamas grazing in the open highlands, as well as vizcachas, the rabbit-like Andean mammals that often blend into rocky slopes. Andean birds are also part of the expected wildlife.

These sightings are not guaranteed, so keep your camera ready but do not let it set the pace. A zoom lens or a charged smartphone can help. The tour provides a broad mountain setting rather than a wildlife guarantee, and the animals may be at a distance.

The quiet moments between lagoons can be just as appealing as the main viewpoints. You get a sense of how animals and local communities share this high, exposed region. That is a more grounded experience than simply arriving at a famous viewpoint, taking one photograph, and leaving.

The return to Pacchanta and a proper lunch

After the lagoon circuit, you walk back to Pacchanta. The return may feel easier because the route is familiar, but fatigue and altitude can make it just as demanding. Keep water close and use the guide’s pace rather than trying to finish quickly.

The schedule allows about 40 minutes for lunch, free time, and possible shopping. Lunch is included, which adds real value to the $40 cost. You avoid finding food in a remote community at the end of a tiring walk, and you get a chance to sit down before the final activity.

The short lunch period means you should not expect a long restaurant meal. It is a practical refueling stop. Food quality can vary, and one booking specifically suggested that the breakfast and lunch could be improved. I would see the meals as useful inclusions rather than the reason to book the tour.

If you want local goods or small purchases, this is the time to carry cash. Personal expenses are not included, and the tour recommends cash among the items to bring.

Pacchanta hot springs after the hike

The final stop in Pacchanta is the hot springs, with about 50 minutes for swimming and rest. This is a smart ending after a high-altitude walk. Warm water gives you a chance to loosen up before the long ride back to Cusco.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals, and a change of clothes. The admission fee is not included and costs S/5, so keep small cash handy. You will also want to protect dry clothing from wet towels during the bus ride.

The hot springs are not an optional extra buried in the schedule. They are one of the strongest reasons this tour works as a one-day outing. Without them, the day would finish with a tired walk and a three-hour ride. With them, you get a clear pause before returning to the city.

Fifty minutes is enough for a soak, but not an extended spa visit. Follow the timing carefully so the group can leave on schedule.

Is $40 a good price?

At $40 per person, this is a strong package if the transport and meals operate as planned. The price includes a guide in English and Spanish, tourist transport, morning pickup, breakfast, lunch, a first-aid kit, and ongoing assistance.

You still need to add the S/20 Ausangate entrance fee and S/5 hot springs admission, plus personal spending. That makes the real cost higher than the advertised price, though still reasonable for a full day with roughly six hours of road transport, guided mountain access, two meals, and thermal pools.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want a private vehicle, flexible timing, or a quiet custom pace, this may not be the right format. If you want a relatively inexpensive way to reach Ausangate, eat on the route, and return to Cusco the same day, it offers a lot.

The rating attached to the booking is 4.2 out of 5 from four ratings. The strongest praise focuses on the scenery, the guides’ effort, and the low crowd level on one October visit. The weak points are practical: delayed pickup, missed breakfast, and limited English communication in one case. Those details should shape your expectations.

What to pack for this particular day

Pack for sun, cold, rain, swimming, and a long ride. The weather can change quickly at high altitude, and the list of suggested items is unusually broad for good reason.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Hiking shoes with closed toes
• Comfortable hiking clothes and pants
• Warm layers, gloves, hat, and sun hat
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Rain gear
• Water and a daypack
• Swimwear, towel, sandals, and a change of clothes
• Cash for entrance fees and personal expenses
• Charged smartphone or camera
• Travel insurance details
• Toiletries and insect repellent

You do not need to bring everything on the long general list. Focus on footwear, layers, water, sun protection, rain protection, and hot springs supplies. A GPS or map can be useful, but the tour includes a guide.

Weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, explosives, strollers, mobility scooters, and scooters are not allowed. Littering is also prohibited.

Who should book this hike?

I would recommend this tour to an active visitor who wants a one-day introduction to Ausangate and is prepared for a high-altitude walk. It suits people who value dramatic scenery, wildlife, a guided route, and a hot springs finish more than a leisurely schedule.

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, people who have had recent surgery, people over 95, or anyone over 130 kilograms. Those restrictions are stated by the operator, but the altitude deserves attention even if none applies to you.

The hike can be difficult at 4,000 meters, as one Dutch booking put it plainly. You should not book it as your first physical activity after arriving in Peru if you already know you struggle with altitude. The tour does not list a slow private option, so ask about group pacing if that is important to you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms help if your Cusco schedule is still shifting, but they do not remove the need to prepare for the altitude.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lagoons Tour?

Book it if you want maximum scenery in one long day and accept an early start, a demanding high-altitude walk, and possible variability in pickup and meal service. The seven lagoons, mountain setting, wildlife, included transport, and hot springs make the package good value at $40 plus the two small entrance fees.

I would not choose it if you need exact departure timing, polished English explanations, or a relaxed walk. For everyone else, pack breakfast insurance in the form of a snack, dress for rapid weather changes, and treat the climb as the main event. The lakes reward patience, but the altitude sets the rules.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour last?

The full activity lasts about 14 hours. Pickup begins between 4:30 and 5 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is planned for around 7:30 p.m.

Where can I be picked up in Cusco?

Pickup is available from hotels and Airbnbs. The listed pickup location options include Cusco’s Historic Center and Plazoleta de San Blas.

Where does the tour finish?

The scheduled finish is Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.

How long is the drive to Pacchanta?

The tourist transport takes about three hours from Cusco to Pacchanta and about three hours for the return journey.

How long is the walk to the lagoons?

The main schedule allows about five hours for the Ausangate 7 Lagoons visit. The practical information describes the walk as roughly three hours and 12 kilometers, so you should plan for a substantial half-day on foot.

How high does the hike go?

The walk begins at about 4,200 meters above sea level and reaches approximately 4,600 meters.

Which lagoons are visited?

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

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is planned in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is provided after returning from the lagoons.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. The Ausangate entrance ticket costs S/20, and admission to the Pacchanta hot springs costs S/5.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide service is offered in English and Spanish.