Excursion to Ausangate & 7 lakes with Coca Ceremony |Private|

Ausangate’s seven lagoons give you a full day in Peru’s high Andes, far beyond the usual Cusco sightseeing circuit. You’ll start near Pacchanta at 4,200 meters, walk among glacial lakes and mountain wildlife, then return to the village for hot springs and lunch.

I like the private format, since you can move at your own pace instead of being tied to a large group. I also like the coca leaf ceremony, which adds a respectful local element to the mountain visit rather than making the day only about photographs.

The main consideration is the altitude and length. You’ll hike for about five hours, with the walking distance described as 5 to 6 kilometers initially and about 10 kilometers overall. This is not a gentle sightseeing stop, and a moderate fitness level is important.

Key points to know before booking

• 4,200-meter starting point: Pacchanta sits high in the Andes, so the altitude matters as much as the distance.
• Seven Ausangate lagoons: You’ll visit a chain of mountain lakes surrounded by highland wildlife and vegetation.
• Coca leaf ceremony: At the first lagoon, your guide leads a ritual connected with Mother Earth, and you may take part.
• Private vehicle and guide: Your group travels alone, with hotel pickup and the freedom to set a comfortable pace.
• Hot springs after the hike: Pacchanta’s thermal pools offer a welcome pause before lunch and the drive back.
• Early start, long return: Breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m., and you should expect to reach Cusco around 7 p.m.

Reaching Pacchanta before the crowds and the cold

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation, preferably inside Cusco’s historic center, or at the meeting point at Plaza Regocijo. A private vehicle with air conditioning handles the journey to Pacchanta, a community at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range.

The early departure is part of the deal. The full outing lasts about 14 hours and 30 minutes, so this is a serious day trip rather than a quick add-on to your Cusco plans. You’ll want a good night’s sleep beforehand and a simple breakfast only if you need something before the included meal.

Pacchanta sits at about 4,200 meters above sea level. That number deserves attention. Even a fit person can feel short of breath at this height, and the cold, sun, wind, and uneven ground can make the walk harder than the distance suggests.

I like that breakfast is planned in the community at around 7:30 a.m. It gives you food before the hike and places part of the day in a local setting instead of treating Pacchanta only as a parking area.

The exact driving time is not provided, so you should allow for a long road journey on both ends of the walk. The reward is access to a remote mountain area without arranging transport, meals, a guide, and emergency supplies separately.

The first steps toward Ausangate’s seven lagoons

From Pacchanta, you’ll head into the Andes on foot. The route is described as 5 to 6 kilometers at first, followed by a total walk of about 10 kilometers over roughly five hours. The wording suggests that the full hiking portion reaches around 10 kilometers, so prepare for a substantial mountain walk.

The seven lagoons are the main reason to book this outing. They sit among the Ausangate mountain range, with open high-altitude views and native wildlife and vegetation around the route. The attraction is not a single viewpoint that you photograph and leave. You’ll keep moving from one lake to another, seeing how the scenery changes across the route.

Your guide leads the walk and can help set the pace. That matters more here than it would on a city tour. In a private group, you can take a slower rhythm, pause for photographs, or spend more time at a viewpoint without waiting for a busload of people.

The supplied feedback specifically names Alex as a calm, polite, and well-educated guide who helped make the views memorable. Guide assignments can vary, so you should not assume Alex will lead every departure. Still, the comment gives you a useful standard: on a high-altitude day, a steady guide with a calm manner is a real advantage.

Bring sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes. The tour itself specifically advises comfortable footwear, and that is practical advice rather than a formality. You’ll be walking for hours on mountain ground, not strolling on a paved promenade.

A coca leaf ceremony beside the first lagoon

At the first lagoon, the guide performs a coca leaf ritual. You may participate as a way to engage in conversation and establish a connection with Mother Earth.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the day. The ceremony gives the mountain visit a cultural purpose and invites you to pause before continuing to the other lakes. If you have only seen coca leaves discussed as a high-altitude aid, this offers a different cultural context.

You should approach the ritual with attention and respect. Participation is offered, not presented as a requirement. The provided details do not specify the exact form of the ceremony or how long it lasts, so your guide will set the tone on the day.

I like this element because it slows the pace. Seven lagoons can easily become a checklist of photo stops. A short ceremony at the first lake gives you a reason to look around, listen, and recognize that these mountains have meaning beyond their appearance.

The tour includes oxygen and a first aid box in the vehicle or with the guiding operation. That is reassuring at this altitude, but it does not remove the need to judge your own condition. If you feel unwell, tell your guide promptly rather than trying to push through the route.

Five hours among high mountain lakes

After the ceremony, you continue to the remaining lagoons. The route is described as passing through the heart of the Andes, with wildlife and vegetation around the lakes. You should expect open views, strong light, and changing weather conditions rather than forest shade or built facilities.

This is the part of the day for which a charged camera is useful. The tour specifically recommends bringing one, and the seven-lake route offers repeated chances for photographs. You can capture the water, the mountain range, and the wider setting, but keep your camera secure and remember that the walk comes first.

The private setup helps here. On a shared excursion, a fixed pace can be frustrating when altitude slows you down. With only your group participating, you have more control over pauses and effort, though the route still has to fit the day’s schedule.

The physical demand is the biggest weakness for some people. The tour asks for moderate fitness, and I would take that seriously. The distance may sound manageable at sea level, but 4,200 meters changes the calculation. If you are not used to long walks or high altitude, this may feel more demanding than expected.

The tour information does not state whether horses are available, how steep each section is, or the precise elevation gain. You should therefore prepare for a genuine mountain hike and not count on an easy alternative if the route becomes tiring.

Pacchanta hot springs after the hike

After visiting the lagoons, you return to Pacchanta for the hot springs. This is a smart order for the day. You get the strenuous portion finished first, then have a chance to relax before lunch and the drive back to Cusco.

The thermal pools are not just a pleasant extra. After hours of walking in high mountain air, warm water can make the return portion more comfortable. You should bring whatever swimwear and towel arrangements you need, since the provided details do not confirm whether towels are supplied.

The entrance fee to the attraction is not included in the price. The information does not state the amount, so ask about the current cost when booking or before departure. This is a small but important budget detail, especially since the tour price does not cover every admission.

You’ll then have lunch in Pacchanta. Breakfast and lunch are included, which improves the value of a day that would otherwise require you to arrange food during a remote excursion. The meals are described as nutritious breakfast and delicious lunch, but no menu is specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish.

What the $108 price really covers

At $108 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach the Ausangate area. It is also not an apples-to-apples comparison with a basic shared bus excursion.

The price includes a private vehicle, a professional private guide, pickup from your hotel, breakfast, lunch, a first aid box, and oxygen. For a private day lasting about 14 and a half hours, that package can make good sense if you value comfort, personal attention, and not having to coordinate several separate services.

The private vehicle is particularly useful because the day includes a long road journey, a remote starting point, and a late return to Cusco. You are paying for transport and organization as well as the walk itself.

The value is strongest for couples, families with older children who can handle the hike, and small groups who want control over the pace. If you are traveling alone, $108 buys privacy but may feel less economical than a shared departure.

Remember to budget for the entrance fee, which is excluded. You should also plan for personal hiking supplies, suitable clothing, and any additional snacks or drinks you want beyond the included meals.

Who will enjoy this private Ausangate day

I would choose this tour if you want a full mountain day and consider the journey part of the attraction. It suits you if you are comfortable with an early start, several hours of walking, high altitude, and a return to Cusco around 7 p.m.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a quieter cultural experience. The coca ceremony, local breakfast and lunch, and stop in Pacchanta make the day feel more connected to the community than a simple viewpoint transfer.

The private format is helpful for mixed-pace groups. You can discuss breaks with your guide and avoid being locked into the speed of a large party. That flexibility is one of the clearest reasons to pay more.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want a short, relaxed outing or if you are uncertain about your ability to walk at 4,200 meters. The hot springs come after the hike, not instead of it. The day is built around physical effort.

The tour has a published rating of 5 out of 5 from 80 ratings, with 99 percent of customers recommending it. Those figures suggest strong overall satisfaction, while the specific praise for Alex points to the value of a calm guide on a demanding route. They should not change the basic decision: altitude and fitness matter more than a high score.

Practical preparation for a long day above Cusco

Wear comfortable hiking shoes with a secure sole. Pack warm layers, rain protection, sun protection, and a fully charged camera. The information does not provide a packing list, but the altitude and mountain setting make flexible clothing a sensible choice.

Keep the first part of the walk slow. You do not need to prove anything on the opening stretch, and a measured pace gives you a better chance of enjoying the later lagoons.

Pickup is intended for accommodations preferably within Cusco’s historic center. If you are staying elsewhere, confirm the pickup arrangement before the day begins. The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, and the activity ends back at that meeting point.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Should you book the seven lagoons and coca ceremony?

Book it if you want a demanding but rewarding Andes day, with private transport, a personal guide, seven mountain lakes, a coca ceremony, hot springs, and meals included. The price is reasonable for a private 14-hour service, especially when shared with a small group.

Skip it if your priority is a light excursion, a late start, or a short drive from Cusco. The high altitude and five-hour walk are central to the experience, not minor details.

For the right person, this is a strong choice: physical, scenic, culturally specific, and organized without turning the day into a rushed group procession.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven-lakes tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes. The stated return to Cusco is around 7 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is available from your accommodation, preferably within Cusco’s historic center. The listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.

Is the tour private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

How much walking is involved?

The hike initially covers about 5 to 6 kilometers. The full hiking portion is described as about 10 kilometers and takes approximately five hours.

What altitude does the hike reach?

The community of Pacchanta, where the tour begins, is located at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is planned for approximately 7:30 a.m. in Pacchanta, and lunch is served after the hot springs visit.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is not included in the tour price.