Getting to the Seven Lagoons of Ausangate is not as simple as visiting other places near Cusco. Part of the appeal lies precisely in that: you have to take a long road trip before you start walking. Knowing in advance how long the journey takes, which places you pass through, and what transportation options are available helps avoid improvising at four in the morning. Here we explain step by step how to get from Cusco to the point where the hike begins.
Where the Seven Lagoons of Ausangate are located
The circuit is located in the community of Pacchanta, Ocongate district, Quispicanchi province, Cusco region. It is southeast of the city, in the Vilcanota mountain range, within the surroundings of Ausangate Mountain (6,384 m above sea level), the second highest mountain in Peru.
Pacchanta is a rural community located above 4,300 m above sea level and is the main access point. From there, the hike toward the lagoons begins, which are fed by the melting snow and ice of Ausangate. It can only be reached by land.
Distance and travel time from Cusco
From Cusco to Pacchanta, the distance is between 100 and 110 kilometers. It does not seem like much on the map, but the type of road and the altitude make the journey feel longer.
The key intermediate reference point is Tinki (also spelled Tinke), the last town with services before heading up to Pacchanta. Tinki is about 9 kilometers from Ocongate, and from there there are a few more kilometers of dirt road to Pacchanta.
The one-way transfer usually takes between 3 and 4 hours. It is approximately 3 hours on paved roads to Ocongate and Tinki; the final section from Tinki to Pacchanta adds another 30 to 45 minutes on a dirt road.
If you travel on your own and depend on transfers, the journey can take longer because of waiting times. Including the trip there, the hike, and the return, the full day from Cusco usually lasts between 12 and 14 hours. It is a long day.
The road route
The route follows the Cusco – Ocongate -Tinki road toward the southeast. The road is paved and in good condition as far as Ocongate. In Tinki, you leave the main road and take a dirt road (graded road) that climbs to Pacchanta. That final section is the slowest, but it is also where the highland landscape gains elevation and Ausangate appears increasingly closer.
Ocongate is the largest town along the route and a good place to have breakfast or stretch your legs. Tinki is the most important logistical point: the last place with stores where you can buy water or snacks, and the place where local guides and transportation to Pacchanta are hired. If you travel on your own, this is where you negotiate a taxi or motorcycle ride. Once in Pacchanta, services are very limited.
Public transportation
It is the most affordable option, but it requires patience. Vans and buses traveling to Ocongate and Tinki leave from Tomasa Titto Condemayta Avenue, near the Casa de la Juventud Coliseum. The fare costs between 10 and 15 soles, and the trip to Tinki takes about 3 hours.
From Tinki there is no direct service to Pacchanta. You have to hire a taxi or motorcycle ride from local drivers. That section takes 30 – 45 minutes, and the price is negotiated at the time, so it is best to carry cash in soles and allow plenty of extra time. The main disadvantage is the limited frequency, especially for the return at the end of the day.
Private transportation or organized tour
The most practical option is a tour with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. It includes round-trip transportation, a guide, entrance fees, and meals, and eliminates the transfers in Tinki and the worry about getting back.
Hiring a private vehicle on your own gives you more flexibility with schedules, but it is expensive if you are traveling alone or as a couple. For small groups that prioritize comfort, a tour is usually more convenient and safer, especially because of the assistance available in case of altitude sickness.
Where the hike begins
The hike begins in Pacchanta. Vehicles can reach this point; from there everything is done on foot. In the community, you pay the entrance fee to the circuit (around 10 soles), which is managed by the local community members themselves.
The trail begins relatively flat over puna terrain and gravel, and gradually gains elevation as the first lagoons appear. Anyone who does not want to or cannot complete the route on foot can rent a horse from the local horse handlers (approx. 80 soles round trip).
Road conditions
The road is paved and comfortable as far as Ocongate. From Tinki to Pacchanta, it is compacted dirt and is traveled more slowly. During the rainy season (November to March), that final section can become more difficult because of mud.
On the walking circuit, the terrain is high mountain terrain, with demanding climbs and descents because of the altitude (much of the route is above 4,500 m above sea level). It is not a technical route, but it is demanding because of the thin air.
Pacchanta and the hot springs
Pacchanta is not only the starting point: it is also the best reward at the end. The community has natural hot springs that many visitors enjoy after finishing the hike. It is an Andean community dedicated to livestock farming and weaving, and it usually welcomes visitors warmly. Getting into the pools with Ausangate in the background is a perfect way to end the day.
Practical recommendations
- Leave very early. Most tours pick you up between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m.
- Acclimatize for at least two days in Cusco before going; you will be walking above 4,500 m.
- Bring cash in soles (entrance fee, local transportation, and expenses in Tinki or Pacchanta; there are no ATMs up there).
- Warm layered clothing, a rain poncho, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Buy water and snacks before heading up (preferably in Cusco or Tinki).
Why go with an agency
The logistics of the Seven Lagoons are what make things most difficult for independent travelers: waking up early, managing multiple transfers, negotiating a taxi to Pacchanta, and, above all, securing transportation back at the end of a long day at high altitude.
At Incredible Peru Tours, we take care of that part with hotel pickup, round-trip transportation, a guide, entrance fees, meals, and coordinated schedules so you can enjoy the lagoons and hot springs without worrying about the logistics. Book our 7 Lagoons of Ausangate Hike and, if you tell us when you arrive in Cusco, we will help you schedule this excursion at the ideal point in your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the trip from Cusco to the start of the hike?
Between 3 and 4 hours one way to Pacchanta: about 3 hours by road to Ocongate / Tinki and 30-45 minutes on a dirt road.
How far are they from Cusco?
Pacchanta is about 100-110 km southeast of Cusco.
Can you get there by public transportation?
Yes. Vans from Tomasa Titto Condemayta Avenue to Tinki, and from there a taxi or motorcycle ride to Pacchanta. The limitation is the low frequency, especially for the return trip.
Where exactly does the hike begin?
In the community of Pacchanta, where the entrance fee is paid and vehicle access ends.
What is the road like?
Paved and in good condition as far as Ocongate; dirt (graded) on the final section from Tinki to Pacchanta, which becomes somewhat more difficult during the rainy season.
Is it better to go on your own or with a tour?
Going on your own is possible and cheaper, but it involves transfers and waiting. A tour is more comfortable and safer because of the round-trip transportation and assistance with altitude-related issues.
