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

The best part of this excursion is the setting: seven high-altitude lakes beneath the Ausangate range, reached on foot from the small community of Pacchanta. The route gives you more than a quick photo stop. You spend hours among open Andean scenery, with a coca leaf ceremony at the first lake and a hot spring soak waiting at the end.

I like the private format, since you can move at your own pace instead of being tied to a large group. I also like that breakfast, lunch, transport, oxygen, and a first aid kit are included. The main drawback is clear: this is a very long day at 4,200 meters, with roughly five hours of walking. You need decent fitness and a sensible attitude toward altitude.

Key points to know before booking

• 4,200-meter starting point: Pacchanta sits high in the Andes, so altitude is the main challenge, not just the distance.
• Seven lakes on foot: The walking portion is listed as 5 to 6 kilometers at first, followed by a route of about 10 kilometers and five hours.
• Coca leaf ceremony: At the first lake, your guide leads a ritual connected with Mother Earth, and you can take part.
• Private vehicle and guide: Only your group joins the excursion, with pickup from your accommodation preferred in Cusco’s historic center.
• Hot springs after the hike: A soak in Pacchanta gives your legs a useful break before lunch and the drive home.
• $108 value: The price includes private transport, a guide, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and first aid support, but not the entrance fee.

From Cusco to Pacchanta at 4,200 meters

This is not a short morning outing. The experience lasts about 14 hours and 30 minutes, with a return to Cusco around 7 p.m. Your day begins with pickup from your accommodation, preferably inside the historic center, or from the stated meeting point at Plaza Regocijo.

A private vehicle with air conditioning is included. That matters here. You have a long drive ahead, and a private car lets your group settle in without making repeated pickups for a large bus. It also gives you more control over the pace of the day, though the schedule remains full.

The destination is Pacchanta, a community at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range. At about 4,200 meters above sea level, Pacchanta is already higher than many people expect. You do not gradually walk up to this altitude during the tour. You arrive by vehicle and begin the day’s activity in thin air.

That is why your preparation matters. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring warm clothing, and charge your camera before leaving Cusco. The route offers plenty of photo chances, but a phone or camera battery is not much use if it runs flat halfway through the hike.

Breakfast is planned for about 7:30 a.m. in Pacchanta. The meal is included, which is useful because you need fuel before walking. Still, do not treat breakfast as your only food option for the entire morning. The supplied details do not specify snacks, so carrying a few personal provisions is a sensible choice.

The first walk toward Ausangate’s seven lakes

After breakfast, you head farther into the Andes on foot. The route description first gives a distance of 5 to 6 kilometers, then describes a 10-kilometer hike lasting about five hours. The wording leaves some uncertainty about how the distances are counted, but the practical message is easy to understand: plan for a substantial walking day.

The attraction is the gradual change in your surroundings. You leave the community and move into open mountain country, with the Ausangate range around you and vegetation and wildlife along the route. The appeal is not simply reaching one viewpoint. You are spending time in a remote-feeling part of the Andes, where the scale of the mountains does much of the work.

The private setup helps during this part. If you need to pause, your guide can adapt the rhythm to your group. That does not remove the altitude, but it is better than feeling pushed along by a fixed group schedule. The tour specifically says you can go at your own pace, a useful feature for anyone who wants time for photographs or needs extra rest.

I would not book this walk expecting a casual stroll. At 4,200 meters, even a moderate path can feel demanding. The tour asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, and that description should be taken seriously. You do not need to be an expert mountaineer based on the information provided, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours at high altitude.

The coca leaf ceremony at the first lake

When you reach the first lagoon, the guide performs a coca leaf ritual. You can participate if you wish, using the moment to connect with Mother Earth.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the day. The lakes are naturally beautiful, but the ceremony gives the stop a cultural focus rather than turning it into a quick picture break. The activity is presented as an invitation, not a requirement, so you can take part at the level that feels right for you.

Approach it with respect and attention. A ritual involving coca leaves is part of the local Andean setting, not a theatrical extra designed only for tourists. The details provided do not explain the exact words, objects, or steps involved, so you should not expect a scripted ceremony with a fixed format. Your guide is there to lead the moment and explain it as appropriate.

One guide specifically praised in the available feedback is Alex, described as calm, polite, and highly educated. Guide assignments can vary, so I would not assume Alex will lead every departure. Still, that description points to the kind of guide you want for this part of the day: someone who can explain the ritual without rushing it or treating it as a photo prop.

Seven lakes and the heart of the route

After the ceremony, you continue to the other lakes. The route is surrounded by Andean wildlife and vegetation, with the Ausangate mountains providing the setting throughout. The supplied information does not name each lagoon or give separate colors and features for them, so it is best to think of this as one connected high-mountain route rather than seven entirely different attractions.

The payoff comes from the number of viewpoints you collect during the walk. You have repeated chances to see water, peaks, open mountain ground, and changes in light. Keep your camera ready, but do not let photography turn the route into a race from one stop to the next.

The five-hour hiking estimate is important. It includes more than standing at the first lake and returning to the vehicle. You will continue through the area, stop at other lagoons, and spend time walking between them. At this altitude, a distance that looks easy on a map can take longer than expected.

I would also keep your plans for the evening light. The group is expected back in Cusco around 7 p.m., so this excursion will fill almost the entire day. It does not leave much room for a relaxed dinner reservation, an evening show, or an early night before another major outing.

Hot springs and lunch in Pacchanta

After the hike, you return to Pacchanta for the hot springs. This is smart planning. A soak gives you a chance to rest after the long walk before lunch and the drive back to Cusco.

The hot springs are not presented as a luxury spa visit, and you should not expect a long treatment menu or private facilities. Their value is simpler: warm water, a pause, and a chance to loosen tired legs in the same community where your day began.

Bring or wear whatever you need for this stop, but keep in mind that the supplied details do not specify changing facilities or towel service. The tour includes the hot springs visit, but it does not list towels, swimwear, or other personal items among the inclusions. Pack accordingly rather than assuming those things are provided.

Lunch follows the soak and is included. This makes the $108 price easier to assess, since you are not paying separately for two substantial meals during a long private outing. The exact menu is not specified, so anyone with strict dietary needs should confirm arrangements before booking.

What the $108 price really covers

At $108 per person, this tour is not the cheapest way to see the Ausangate lakes. It is also not a bare transport service. The price includes a private vehicle with air conditioning, a private professional guide, hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, a first aid box, and oxygen.

The private vehicle is the biggest value point. Your group is not sharing the activity with other participants, and you can go at your own pace. That can matter more than it sounds when the route lasts several hours and altitude affects people differently.

The included oxygen and first aid kit are also practical safeguards. They do not make the altitude harmless, and they are not a substitute for sensible pacing. But having them with a private guide provides a useful layer of support in a high mountain setting.

The entrance fee is not included. The amount is not stated, so you should budget for that extra cost before comparing this tour with other Ausangate options. Even with that addition, the package may offer fair value if you would otherwise need to arrange a private car, guide, meals, and transfers separately.

The experience receives a five-star rating from 80 reviews, with 99 percent of customers recommending it. Those numbers suggest strong overall satisfaction, and the most specific praise focuses on the guide and the spectacular views. I would put more weight on the fit between the tour and your own fitness than on the headline rating.

Who will enjoy this private excursion

You are a good match for this outing if you want to see Ausangate’s lakes without joining a large group. The private arrangement suits couples, families with suitable fitness, and small groups that want flexibility during the walk.

It also fits you if cultural context matters. The coca ceremony gives the day a meaningful pause, and the guide can help you understand the setting rather than simply point out scenic stops.

You should think twice if you dislike very early starts, long drives, high altitudes, or full-day schedules. The tour is not designed for a light sightseeing day. It asks you to walk for hours, spend time at 4,200 meters, and return to Cusco late in the day.

Your footwear deserves special attention. The tour specifically advises comfortable hiking shoes, and that is sound advice. Regular city shoes are a poor choice for a route that can include uneven mountain ground and several hours of walking.

Practical details that affect your decision

Pickup is offered from your hotel, preferably within Cusco’s historic center. The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, at F2M9+5X2, Cusco 08002, Peru. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book.

Confirmation is received at booking. The tour is also listed near public transportation, though the included private pickup means you may not need to use it.

The activity is private, so only your group participates. This does not mean the day is short or easy. It means you have more control over stops and walking speed than you would on a shared departure.

The free cancellation rule is useful if your plans change. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, with cut-off times based on local time.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

Book it if you want a private, full-day mountain outing with seven lakes, a coca ceremony, meals, hot springs, and transport handled for you. The combination is especially appealing if you value quiet pacing and a guide who can give the cultural moments proper attention.

Do not book it simply because the photos look appealing. The altitude and five-hour hike are the real test. If you have moderate fitness, suitable shoes, and a full day to spare, this is a strong way to reach Ausangate from Cusco. If you are looking for an easy scenic ride with short walks, choose something gentler.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour last?

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

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is available from your accommodation, preferably within Cusco’s historic center. The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, Cusco 08002, Peru.

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range.

How much walking is involved?

The route first describes an initial hike of 5 to 6 kilometers. It then describes a hike of about 10 kilometers lasting approximately five hours, so you should prepare for a long walking day.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the tour includes a private vehicle and private professional guide.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the hot springs are included.

Is the entrance fee included in the price?

No. The entrance fee is not included. The amount is not specified in the provided tour details, so confirm the current cost before departure.