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

The best part of this long day is the combination of seven Ausangate lagoons and a traditional coca leaf ceremony high in the Andes. You hike among mountain wildlife and vegetation, pause to connect with Mother Earth, then warm up in Pacchanta’s hot springs.

I like the private vehicle and guide, since you can go at your own pace rather than keep up with a large group. I also like the practical finish: breakfast before the walk, lunch afterward, and oxygen and first-aid supplies carried along. The drawback is clear: at 4,200 meters, this is a serious walking day, not a casual photo stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lakes at 4,200 meters: The lakes sit beneath the Ausangate mountain range, with broad Andean views and changing colors.
• A coca leaf ceremony: Your guide performs a ritual at the first lagoon, and you may take part in a respectful connection with Mother Earth.
• A private pace: Only your group joins the activity, giving you more control over walking speed and photo stops.
• Pacchanta hot springs: The thermal pools come after the hike, a welcome way to rest before lunch.
• A very long day from Cusco: The outing lasts about 14 hours and 30 minutes, with the return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m.
• Good value at $108: Transport, guide, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a first-aid box are included, but the entrance fee is extra.

Why Ausangate’s seven lakes make a strong day trip

Ausangate is not a quick outing from Cusco. It is a full-day trip into the high Andes, with the community of Pacchanta serving as the base for the walk. At about 4,200 meters above sea level, the setting is the main event: open mountain country, high lakes, and the Ausangate range surrounding you.

The seven lagoons give the walk a clear purpose. You are not simply hiking toward one viewpoint, then turning around. The route takes you farther into the mountains, with several bodies of water to see along the way. The changing surroundings help break up the effort, especially during the longer section of the hike.

I would book this for the scenery and the cultural element, not for convenience alone. The drive from Cusco takes up much of the day, and the walking is substantial. Still, the combination is unusual. You get a high-altitude mountain route, a coca ceremony, hot springs, and two meals in one private excursion.

The tour is highly rated, with 99 percent of participants recommending it and a five-star rating from 80 reviews. One guide named Alex has been praised for being calm, polite, and extremely well educated. Guide assignments can vary, but that detail matters if a thoughtful, steady guide is important to you.

Starting in Cusco and reaching Pacchanta

The activity begins at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco, with pickup from your accommodation preferred within the historic center. A private vehicle with air conditioning handles the round trip. That is useful here because the day is already long, and you can begin and end without arranging separate transport.

The group leaves Cusco early and heads to Pacchanta. Breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m. in the community. This is more than a minor convenience. Eating before a high-altitude walk gives you a proper start, and it means you do not need to carry your entire day’s food.

The timing also explains the tour’s length. You spend the morning reaching Pacchanta and preparing for the walk, several hours on the route, time at the hot springs and lunch afterward, then the return drive to Cusco. The expected return is around 7:00 p.m.

Your pickup location matters. The stated preference is accommodation within Cusco’s historic center, while the listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking so the first part of the morning is simple.

Breakfast at 4,200 meters

Breakfast in Pacchanta gives you a chance to eat before walking into the mountains. The meal is included, as is lunch later in the day. The tour does not list the exact dishes, so you should not book it expecting a specific menu.

The high elevation is the bigger issue. At 4,200 meters, even a moderate walk can feel harder than the distance suggests. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and that wording should be taken seriously. You will want comfortable hiking shoes, steady pacing, and enough patience for a route that may feel demanding.

The private format helps. You can walk at your own pace, take photographs, and pause when needed without holding up a large group. That does not remove the altitude, but it can make the effort more manageable.

The vehicle carries oxygen and a first-aid box. These supplies are reassuring, but they are not a substitute for taking the altitude seriously. If you are concerned about how you will handle the elevation, ask the operator before booking.

The first 5 to 6 kilometers toward the lakes

From Pacchanta, the route heads into the Andes. The initial hiking section is described as 5 to 6 kilometers, followed by a longer account of a 10-kilometer hike lasting about five hours. The safest way to plan is to expect a substantial walking route of roughly 10 kilometers overall, with the exact path and distance clarified by your guide.

The first lagoon is an important pause. Here, the guide performs the coca leaf ceremony. Coca leaves have a long cultural role in the Andes, and this ritual is presented as a way to begin a conversation and establish a connection with Mother Earth.

You may participate. That makes the ceremony more personal than a quick explanation from the guide, but participation should remain respectful and comfortable for you. You are not required to treat it as a performance. Listen to the guide’s instructions and take part only as much as feels appropriate.

This moment also gives the walk a cultural focus. The outing is not only about collecting photographs of high lakes. It includes a local ritual tied to the place you are visiting, which adds meaning to the route.

Seeing all seven Ausangate lagoons

After the first lagoon, you continue to the other lakes in the heart of the Andes. Wildlife and mountain vegetation surround the route, while the Ausangate range provides the larger setting. The supplied information does not assign individual names or colors to each lake, so I would avoid booking this with a fixed expectation of seeing a particular shade at every stop.

Instead, think of the appeal as variety across the route. You move through high mountain terrain, see a sequence of lakes, and have time to photograph the views. The private setup is especially helpful here. Your group can spend more time at a viewpoint if the conditions are good, or move along if the weather changes.

Bring a fully charged camera or phone. The tour specifically calls out the photo opportunities, and you will have several points along the walk where stopping makes sense. Comfortable hiking shoes are also essential. The route is long enough that ordinary city shoes would be a poor choice.

The five-hour estimate for the main hike is useful when judging the day. You should be ready to walk for much of the morning and into the afternoon, rather than expecting a short stroll between transport stops. The guide leads the route, but your own pacing and preparation still matter.

Pacchanta hot springs after the walk

Returning to Pacchanta for the hot springs is one of the smartest features of the schedule. After several hours on foot, warm water offers a natural break before lunch. It also keeps the day from ending on the hardest part of the outing.

The hot springs are included in the sequence of the excursion, but the listed inclusions do not separately confirm whether any local entrance charge applies to the pools. Since the tour states that an entrance fee is not included, ask the provider exactly what that fee covers before departure.

The springs are not the main reason to book this experience, but they improve the overall rhythm. You spend the first part of the day climbing into the high Andes, walk between the lakes, then return to the community for rest and food. That is a better finish than turning straight around after the final viewpoint.

Lunch follows at Pacchanta. Like breakfast, it is included, though no menu is specified. By this point, having a meal already arranged saves time and avoids searching for food in an unfamiliar community after a demanding walk.

What $108 includes, and what it does not

At $108 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want a private day rather than a basic group transfer. The price includes round-trip transport, a private professional guide, hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a first-aid box.

The private vehicle is a meaningful part of the price. You are not only paying to reach the trailhead. You are paying for a dedicated vehicle and guide for a long day, with more flexibility over pace and stops.

The missing item is the entrance fee. That means the advertised price is not the final cost of every part of the day. Ask how much the entrance charge is and whether it is paid in cash or by another method, since the supplied details do not specify either point.

The tour is booked, on average, 56 days in advance. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your Cusco dates are fixed, particularly if you need a private departure. Confirmation is received at booking.

Who will get the most from this private outing

I would choose this tour if you want three things in one day: high mountain scenery, a cultural ritual, and hot springs. It suits people who prefer a private guide and who value a flexible pace more than a short schedule.

It is also a good choice for photographers. The seven lakes provide repeated viewpoints, and the private format gives you more freedom to stop for pictures. Charge your camera before leaving, since the day is long and power access is not mentioned.

This is less suitable if you want an easy excursion from Cusco. The altitude, the 10-kilometer route described, and the five-hour hiking estimate make it a demanding outing. You should have a moderate fitness level and be comfortable wearing hiking shoes for several hours.

Families or groups with very different walking abilities should think carefully. A private tour allows your own group to set the pace, but everyone still has to deal with the same elevation and route. The guide can help manage the day, but the experience remains physically active.

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Cusco. That is convenient after a 14-hour-plus schedule, though you should expect to be tired by the time you return.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

The activity lasts approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes. The itinerary gives a return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m., so keep the evening free rather than scheduling a timed dinner, show, or transport connection.

The excursion is private, and only your group participates. It is near public transportation, although round-trip pickup is already arranged as part of the experience. Pickup is preferred within Cusco’s historic center, with Plaza Regocijo listed as the start and end point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Ausangate seven lakes tour?

Book it if you want a full, private mountain day with more than scenery. The coca leaf ceremony gives the route a cultural center, and the hot springs make the return to Pacchanta feel worthwhile. At $108, the included vehicle, guide, meals, and safety supplies make the price reasonable, though you must add the entrance fee.

Skip it if you are looking for a relaxed sightseeing trip or if high-altitude walking is a concern. The honest choice is to treat this as a serious Andes hike with a rewarding finish, not as a simple excursion. For a fit visitor who wants seven lakes, a local ritual, and a private pace, it is a strong choice from Cusco.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

The listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo in Cusco. Pickup from your accommodation is preferred if you are staying within the historic center.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Cusco.

How long does the excursion last?

It lasts approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes. The planned return to Cusco is around 7:00 p.m.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level.

How far is the hike?

The route initially includes 5 to 6 kilometers, while the overall hike is described as 10 kilometers and about five hours.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is planned in Pacchanta at approximately 7:30 a.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided after returning to Pacchanta from the hike.

Is the entrance fee included?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.