The hike to the seven Ausangate lagoons starts before sunrise, and the payoff is worth it. I love the combination of a hands-on guide with real logistics (early pickup, vehicle ride, trekking poles, breakfast and lunch) and the chance to see seven high-altitude lagoons with totally different looks as you walk from Pacchanta up toward Nevado Ausangate.

The main thing to plan around is the cold and the effort. You’ll start around 3:30 to 4:10 am (depending on where you’re staying), temperatures can be about 5° to 9°C, and you’re looking at a moderate trek of about 5 hours round trip covering roughly 13 km—plus you pay extra for lagoon entry and thermal baths if you want them.

Quick Take: What Makes This Tour Work

• Ultra-early pickup in Cusco: hotel lobby pickup, then you’re moving fast before sunrise.
• Breakfast in Pacchanta: fuel up before the uphill section of the hike.
• A focused 13 km trek: about 5 hours round trip on a route that mixes uphill, plains, and highlands.
• Seven named lagoons, not just one stop: Azulcocha and six more named lakes along the way.
• Comfort and safety extras: air-conditioned transport, trekking poles, first aid box, and oxygen.
• Hot springs included after lunch: you’ll have time to warm up before heading back to Cusco.

4am Pickup in Cusco: What the Start Really Feels Like

This tour is built around an early start because the mountains don’t care about your sleep schedule. Your guide picks you up from your hotel between 3:30 and 4:10 am—it depends on how close your lodging is to the pickup route—so wait at the reception area. The meeting point is Plaza de Armas, and the start time is listed as 4:00 am.

When the day begins this early, the cold is real. You’re stepping into the pre-dawn air at around 5° to 9°C. This is where a good packing plan matters more than fitness. Wear layers you can manage on the move, and keep gloves and a hat in reach. The tour includes oxygen and a first aid box, which is reassuring at this altitude, but it doesn’t replace smart clothing.

There’s also something practical here: you’re not left guessing. The transfer company contacts you before pickup, and the driver is described clearly (black jacket and a cap with the company logo). That reduces the usual morning stress.

Pacchanta Breakfast Stop: Fuel Before the Uphill

After about 3 hours of travel, you arrive in Pacchanta. This is your breakfast stop, so use it like a warm-up, not just a meal. At high altitude and early hours, food helps you keep your energy steady before the main trek begins.

Then you drive on with the itinerary, and the hiking phase starts. The route begins with uphill travel first. You’ll gradually shift from climbing to flatter sections and highland terrain, which is helpful if you pace yourself instead of sprinting at the start. This kind of rhythm is often the difference between finishing feeling strong and finishing tired.

Nevado Ausangate and the Trek Setup

The itinerary includes a stop at Nevado Ausangate, which is your first major mountain context for the day. This matters because you’re going from the vehicle into a long stretch of walking without wasting time. The guide sets expectations early: you’re heading toward a set of named lagoons with a specific route and timing.

The tour supports the trek in a few useful ways. You get trekking poles, and that’s not just a nice extra—it can help a lot on uneven ground and during descents when your legs are already working. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which helps later when you’re warm and then dry on the way back. Small comfort details like that add up over a day that runs about 15 hours total.

Finally, group size is capped at 20 travelers. In a hike like this, it’s easier to keep track of people and move at a safer pace when the group isn’t huge.

Hiking the 7 Ausangate Lagoons: The Real Reason to Go

This is the heart of the experience. It’s about 5 hours walking round trip, roughly 13 km, and the route takes you up first, then through plains and highland segments. You’ll reach seven lagoons in an order that includes short visual pauses long the way—enough time to get your bearings and take photos without turning it into a long, slow shuffle.

Lagoon by Lagoon: What to Look For

1. Azulcocha

You’ll see Azulcocha first, described as at the foot of Humashraju. The name itself hints at the color, and visually it’s one of those locations where the water looks different as the light changes.

1. Huchuypukacocha

This one adds contrast as you move along. Pay attention to how the setting shifts around the lake rather than expecting one single look all day.

1. Hatunpukacocha

Expect a strong sense of openness here—again, it’s not just the water. It’s the way the highland terrain frames each lagoon.

1. Tecyacocha

By this point you’ll be into a steady hiking rhythm. I like this stage because you’ve warmed up, but you still have enough energy to appreciate the variations in the scenery.

1. Otorongo Varon
2. Otorongo Mujer

These two lagoons are close enough to compare the feel of each, but distinct enough to keep you from getting bored.

1. Qeyllacocha

Often, the last lagoon feels like the one that makes everything click. After hours of walking and shifting viewpoints, you get a finale that feels earned.

A key note: the tour lists an extra $7 per person for entering the 7 lagoons of Ausangate, which is not included in the price. You’ll want to confirm you’re set to pay that on the day, or you might miss the access piece that makes the route official.

Lunch Back in Pacchanta: Back to Ground Level Comfort

After you finish seeing the lagoons, you return to Pacchanta. At that point, you’re waiting for a local lunch, listed as a buffet. This is where you refuel properly—don’t hold back just because you feel like you should be done with food. After long cold hours and a climb, you want recovery calories, not just a snack.

Lunch is also a mental reset. You’ve spent the day focused on steps, pacing, and breath. Sitting down with real food helps your body cool down in a controlled way before the next part of the day.

Hot Springs After Lunch: A Smart Way to Recover

Once lunch is done, the itinerary includes time for hot springs. The thermal baths are listed as not included, with an additional $2 per person, so this depends on whether you choose to pay at the site. If you do go, treat it like recovery gear: warm water, slow movement, and time to get comfortable again before the drive back.

This is also a good moment to reflect on the trek. The hot springs aren’t the main event, but they can be the difference between a sore return and a genuinely manageable one.

Getting Back to Cusco: Arrive Near Plaza de Armas

You’ll take transport back to Cusco after the hot springs. Groups typically arrive around 7 pm, and you’re dropped off near Plaza de Armas in the city center. That end point is convenient because you can head straight to dinner or walk to your next plan without extra transfers.

One practical tip: because your day runs so long, plan a low-key evening. Even if you feel great, you’ll probably want a quiet meal and an early night. Long cold starts and altitude effort catch up later.

What You’re Paying For: The Value Breakdown

The price is $49 per person, and for the core experience—transport, guide, breakfast, lunch, trekking poles, plus oxygen and first aid—this is fairly strong value.

Here’s the part you should calculate into your total:

• $7 per person for entering the 7 lagoons
• $2 per person for thermal baths

So, if you do everything listed on the day, you’re likely paying a bit more than the base price. Still, the structure is cost-efficient because so much is covered: you’re not organizing transportation, guiding, and meals separately.

What I like most about the value is the safety and comfort package. Having oxygen included is especially meaningful on a long day that starts in the early cold. The tour also keeps the group size limited to 20, and that’s often when you start to feel the difference—less chaos, easier pacing, and more attention from staff.

Guides and Attention to Detail: The Human Advantage

The tour description promises a bilingual professional guide, and the experience is clearly staffed for attention. Names like Celinda, Lisbeth, and Royier show up in how people talk about the operation—helping with timing, answering questions, and keeping the group safe and on track.

This matters because the hike is long enough that you need guidance, not just directions. A good guide helps you:

• understand when to pace on uphill sections
• stay steady when you’re tired
• handle cold and breath control early in the morning
• keep the group moving without rushing

Even if you’re an experienced hiker, this kind of guidance reduces mistakes. It’s less about heroics and more about finishing strong.

Who Should Book This and Who Might Skip It

This is a good fit if you want:

• a full day with a clear goal: seven lagoons
• guided support with real hiking basics (poles, oxygen, first aid)
• enough structure to take the guesswork out of the day

It’s best for people with moderate physical fitness, because the trek is around 5 hours and about 13 km, with an uphill start. If you’re new to hiking, you’ll want to be honest about your ability to handle steady walking at altitude and in cold conditions.

It might not be ideal if:

• you hate very early starts
• you struggle with sustained uphill walking
• you’re unwilling to add the extra on-site costs for lagoon entry and thermal baths

Should You Book the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate Tour?

If you’re in Cusco and you want one unforgettable highland day with structure, this is a smart booking. The base price covers a lot of the hard parts—transport, guide, meals, trekking poles—and then you add the lagoon entry and baths if you want the full experience.

My call: book it if you can handle cold mornings and a moderate trek. The timing, the names and sequence of the lagoons, and the built-in recovery (lunch plus hot springs) make it feel like a complete outing rather than a half-finished plan.

If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you want a day where the main event is walking to seven specific lakes with a guide managing the details? If yes, you’ll likely love it.

FAQ

What time does the tour pick me up in Cusco?

Your guide picks you up from your hotel between 3:30 and 4:10 am, depending on where you’re staying. The listed start time is 4:00 am.

How long do I walk and how far is it?

You walk for about 5 hours round trip, covering about 13 km total.

Where do we stop during the day besides the lagoons?

You’ll arrive in Pacchanta for breakfast, return to Pacchanta for lunch, have time for hot springs, and then go back to Cusco near Plaza de Armas. The itinerary also lists a stop at Nevado Ausangate.

Are the 7 lagoon entrance fees included in the price?

No. Entering the 7 lagoons of Ausangate costs $7.00 per person and is not included.

Are the thermal baths included?

No. Access to the thermal baths costs $2.00 per person and is not included.

What’s the fitness level needed?

The tour is suitable for travelers with moderate physical fitness.

Is the tour in English and do I get pickup from my hotel?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and pickup is offered from your hotel lobby.