Cusco: Seven Lagoons of Ausangate Hiking Day Trip with Lunch

The Seven Lagoons of Ausangate make this a big scenery day, not a gentle outing near Cusco. You leave before dawn, ride three hours to Pacchanta, then spend much of the day walking beneath the Ausangate mountain among lakes colored blue, green, red, and gray.

I like two things here: the loop route lets you see the lagoons from a viewpoint and from ground level, and the tour ends with Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters, a welcome reward after the hike. Breakfast and lunch are also included, which helps make the $30 price unusually friendly.

The trade-off is the long day. You spend about six hours in the van and start around 4:00 AM. Also, entry fees are not included, so carry Peruvian soles and confirm the amount before handing over cash. One booking reported trouble with change collected for the Ausangate entrance, so this is worth taking seriously.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven named lagoons: The route includes Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake.
• A real walking day: Plan for roughly five hours on foot, including the climb to a viewpoint and the loop back to Pacchanta.
• Pacchanta adds more than a hike: You can visit the town, eat lunch, and use its thermo-medicinal waters.
• Small group size: The tour is limited to 12 people, with English and Spanish guiding.
• Useful equipment is included: Walking sticks, a first aid kit, and an oxygen balloon are provided.
• Bring cash for the entrance fee: The fee is separate from the tour price, and you should check the exact amount and change before paying.

Why the Seven Lagoons make a strong day trip from Cusco

Ausangate is one of the major mountain areas near Cusco, and this outing gives you a taste of its high-country scenery without committing to a multi-day trek. The reward is a string of lakes spread around the foot of the mountain, each with a different name and color.

The colors are the heart of the experience. You may see deep blue water, pale green tones, darker pools, and the reddish water associated with Red Lake. The exact appearance can change with weather and light, so the viewpoint is important. It gives you a broad look before you walk closer to individual lakes.

I like that the route is not just a quick stop for a photograph. You first walk to a viewpoint, then continue along a large loop. That means you get a wider view early in the day and more time among the lakes later. You also see the plants, animals, and mountain scenery typical of the area.

This is not a city sightseeing trip with a few minutes of walking between stops. The hiking is the main event. If you want a short photo stop and a comfortable ride, choose something else. If you want a full day outdoors and are ready for a very early start, this route offers a lot for the price.

The 4:00 AM departure from Cusco

Pickup is scheduled for 4:00 AM from your hotel in Cusco. The first job is simply getting out of bed, so pack your clothes, water, sunscreen, and camera the night before. The return is scheduled for Plaza Regocijo in Cusco, not necessarily your hotel, so plan for that final drop-off point.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours by van. That is a substantial part of the day, but it is the price of reaching this remote mountain area. The drive also means you should think carefully about motion comfort, warm clothing, and having water close at hand.

The tour is limited to 12 people. That is a useful middle ground. You are not in a huge bus group, but you also have enough people around to make the long ride and walk feel social. The guide speaks English or Spanish, depending on the group.

One practical point deserves attention: pickup performance matters when the departure is this early. A booking once reported that the scheduled driver failed to arrive and a taxi had to be sent so the person could join the main vehicle. That appears to have been resolved, but I would confirm the pickup details and keep the operator’s contact information handy the evening before.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike

After the van reaches Pacchanta, you have a roughly 50-minute break for breakfast and free time. This meal is more than a pleasant extra. Starting a long walk without eating would make the morning much harder, especially after leaving Cusco before sunrise.

Use this stop to adjust your layers, fill your water bottle, and make sure you have everything you need for the trail. The supplied information does not give a breakfast menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of it as a useful meal before the walking begins.

Pacchanta is also important because the hike starts and ends here. You are not simply dropped at one lake and collected somewhere else. The large loop brings you back to town, where lunch and the hot springs follow.

The first two hours to the viewpoint

From Pacchanta, the walking begins. The route takes about two hours to reach a viewpoint overlooking the seven Ausangate lagoons. This is the first major payoff of the day.

From above, the lakes make sense as a group. You can compare the different colors and see how they sit among the mountain scenery. It is also the best place for broad photographs, since you are looking across several lakes rather than focusing on one shoreline.

The guide leads the walk and provides walking sticks. Those sticks are practical, not decorative. A long route with changing ground is easier when you have something to steady yourself, particularly during the climb and later on the return.

The tour also carries a first aid kit and an oxygen balloon. Their inclusion does not make the walk effortless, and it does not replace preparation, but it is reassuring on a remote route. The hike is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems. If you have a medical concern, get professional advice before booking rather than relying on the equipment provided.

Seeing the seven lagoons up close

After time at the viewpoint, the route continues for about three more hours, with an additional one-hour walking block shown in the schedule. In practical terms, plan on a substantial stretch of walking after the first viewpoint, not a quick return to the van.

The named lakes are Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake. Names such as Otorongo Male and Otorongo Female help you keep track of the route, while Red Lake and Blue Lake hint at the color variety you are looking for.

This closer section is where the trip feels most rewarding for people who enjoy being outside. You can stop for photographs, look at the water from different angles, and pay attention to the plants and animals mentioned as part of the area. The appeal is not one famous viewpoint alone. It is the changing combination of water, mountain, open ground, and sky as you move around the loop.

Bring a camera, but do not let it turn the walk into a series of rushed stops. The viewpoint gives you the grand image. The rest of the route is better taken at a calmer pace, with time to notice how the colors shift from one lake to another.

Pacchanta’s hot springs after the long walk

The loop finishes back in Pacchanta. This is a smart ending for a demanding day because the town offers thermo-medicinal waters, and the schedule allows about 1.5 hours for lunch and swimming.

The hot springs are not just an add-on for people who dislike hiking. They change the feel of the day. After several hours on foot, you can eat, rest, and spend time in the water before the return drive. Bring what you need for swimming, since the activity specifically includes swimming but does not list swimwear among the included items.

The phrase thermo-medicinal refers to the town’s hot spring waters. You should treat the pools as a relaxing stop, not as a medical treatment. If you have heart problems, this tour is already listed as unsuitable, and hot water is another reason to follow that warning.

Lunch follows the walk and is included in the price. The menu is not specified, so the sensible expectation is a prepared meal rather than a restaurant choice. After a long morning, the value lies in not needing to arrange food yourself.

Is $30 good value?

At $30 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach an area that would be difficult to visit independently in a single day. The price includes hotel pickup, transport back to Cusco, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, walking sticks, first aid equipment, and an oxygen balloon.

The main cost not covered is the entrance fee. This matters because the tour price can look all-inclusive at first glance. Bring Peruvian soles and ask clearly how much the entrance costs before handing over money. If someone collects more than the stated amount, ask for the change immediately and keep your own record.

A serious complaint from one booking involved a conductor who allegedly failed to return change from a 100-sol payment for the entrance fee. The guide eventually helped recover the money, but you should not have to chase this at a hot spring. Pay with smaller notes if possible, confirm the amount, and do not hand over an amount you cannot track.

The small group limit also helps the value. A maximum of 12 means the guide has a better chance of keeping the walk organized and responding to basic needs. It does not guarantee a perfect operation, but it is preferable to a large coach group for a route that involves several stops and a long walk.

What to pack for Ausangate

The supplied packing advice is sensible and should be followed closely:

• Passport or identification card
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm clothing
• Hat
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Water

Warm clothing is especially important because of the 4:00 AM departure and mountain setting. The day can begin cold even if the afternoon feels more comfortable. Wear layers so you can adjust as the walking continues.

Comfortable shoes matter more than fashion here. You will walk for hours, so choose footwear you already trust. The tour supplies walking sticks, but your shoes still need to support you.

Do not forget sunscreen. Open mountain routes can expose you to strong sun even when the air feels cool. A hat helps too. Keep water accessible rather than buried in your bag, since the walking portion is long.

If you plan to use the hot springs, add swimwear and a small towel to your personal packing list. These are not listed among the included items, but they are sensible for an activity that includes swimming.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this trip if you want dramatic mountain scenery, a full day outdoors, and a guided route that combines several experiences in one outing. It works well for someone who would rather see multiple lakes than spend the day at one viewpoint.

It also suits people who like practical tours. Transport, two meals, guiding, sticks, and emergency equipment are arranged in advance. You do not need to design your own route from Cusco or solve the return transportation from Pacchanta.

I would hesitate if you dislike early mornings, long van rides, or several hours of walking. The 10-hour duration is real, and the return drive can feel long after the hike and hot springs.

People with heart problems and pregnant women should not book this activity. The tour also requires warm clothing, comfortable shoes, and enough stamina for a lengthy walk. The operator provides basic support, but the route is still a mountain outing rather than an easy stroll.

The available rating is 3.8 from seven ratings, which suggests a mixed but generally workable experience. The strongest praise focuses on the scenery and the guide’s kindness and helpfulness. One booking gave full marks for spectacular scenery and a wonderful guide, while another described the guide as attentive and the outing as a great experience. Those are the parts I would expect to define the day when operations run properly.

Should you book the Seven Lagoons day trip?

Book it if you want the best scenery-per-dollar option in this price range and can handle a 4:00 AM start, three hours in the van each way, and a long walk. The combination of seven lakes, Pacchanta, lunch, and hot springs gives the day a clear rhythm.

I would make two checks before paying. Confirm the pickup time and location, and ask for the exact entrance fee and change policy. With those details handled, the $30 price is strong value for a small-group day that reaches a remote part of the Cusco Region.

Skip it if you want an easy excursion or if your health makes strenuous walking or hot springs unsuitable. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Ausangate’s colorful lakes without planning a multi-day trek.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 4:00 AM.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts about 10 hours, including transport, breakfast, hiking, lunch, swimming, and the return to Cusco.

How long is the drive to Pacchanta?

The van ride from Cusco to Pacchanta takes about three hours. The return journey also takes about three hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 12 participants.

Which languages are available?

The live guide speaks English or Spanish.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the hike are included.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. Entry fees are not included in the tour price, so you need to bring money to pay them separately.