From Cusco: 7 lakes with hot springs in Ausangate and meals

The real prize here is the high-altitude chain of turquoise and green lakes below Ausangate, one of Peru’s great snow-capped mountains. You ride south from Cusco, walk through stark mountain scenery, then return to Pacchanta for a local meal and a hot-spring soak.

I like the Andean breakfast and buffet lunch served by a local family, and I like the friendly human side of the trip, from traditional dress in Ccatcca to the warm welcome in Pacchanta. The catch is simple: this is a very long day, and the 4,000-meter altitude can make an otherwise manageable hike feel tough.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven high-altitude lakes: See vivid green and turquoise water near the Vilcanota range and Ausangate glacier.
• A 1.5-hour uphill start: The first walk is the hardest part, followed by about 2.5 hours among the lakes and back to the restaurant.
• Local meals in Pacchanta: Breakfast and lunch use food grown in the Andes, though the cooking is basic.
• Hot springs after the walk: You get about 40 minutes to soak, with a separate PEN 5 entrance fee.
• More than 4,000 meters above sea level: Cold weather and thin air matter more here than the distance alone.
• Good guide energy matters: Felipe and Tony received praise for making the long outing more enjoyable, while English ability may vary.

Why the seven lakes are worth the long ride

This tour is built around color. The lakes sit below the Vilcanota mountain range, with Ausangate rising above them. Their shades shift between green, blue, and turquoise, and the contrast with the high, open mountains is the reason to accept a 15-hour day.

You leave Cusco early and spend about three hours on the road before reaching Pacchanta. That sounds like a lot of transit, and it is. Still, the route gives you a useful look at southern Peru beyond Cusco’s central streets. You pass small villages, highland farms, and homes that reflect local traditions.

The scenery changes as you gain height. By the time you reach Pacchanta, the village sits more than 4,000 meters above sea level. At this altitude, even standing around can leave you short of breath. I would not treat the walk as a casual stroll simply because the route is described as steady and manageable.

The lakes are the main event, but they are also the reward for tolerating the early start, long drive, cold air, and thin atmosphere. If your trip to Peru is focused only on famous ruins, this outing gives you a different view of the country: huge mountain spaces, local communities, and water colored by minerals and light.

Ccatcca and the road toward Pacchanta

One of the first notable stops is Ccatcca, a popular village along the route. You pass narrow streets and may see women wearing the traditional clothing of the area. This portion is not a long sightseeing stop, but it adds cultural context to the drive.

The road continues along the interoceanic highway toward Brazil. That detail may sound more practical than scenic, but it helps explain how this remote highland region connects to the wider country. You are not being driven straight to a single photo stop. You are crossing a lived-in part of Peru.

I like this early section because it puts the lakes in context. Pacchanta is not simply a bus parking area beside a trail. It is a village where families live, cook, work, and receive people visiting the mountains. Keep your expectations realistic, though. This is a working rural community, not a polished visitor center.

Breakfast with an Andean family

At Pacchanta, a local family welcomes you into their home for breakfast. The meal uses Andean ingredients and is meant to give you fuel before the walk. This is one of the more meaningful parts of the day because it connects the mountain outing to the people who live at this altitude.

The food is practical rather than fancy. Later reviews of the meals were mixed, with some people finding breakfast and lunch plain or lacking flavor. If you are particular about food, carry a small snack. Water and extra food are not listed as included, while water is specifically recommended among the items to bring.

The welcome itself is likely to matter more than presentation. You get a brief chance to see how food and hospitality fit into life in Pacchanta. I would approach this as a local meal in a remote village, not as a restaurant tasting menu.

The first climb to the lakes

The first hike takes about 1.5 hours and is the most strenuous part of the day. At sea level, that distance might sound modest. Near 4,000 meters, it is a different calculation.

The key issue is altitude, not just fitness. A person in decent shape can still feel the climb in the thin air. Move slowly, use the supplied trekking pole, drink water, and tell your guide if you feel unwell. The tour includes first-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle for emergencies, but those are safety measures, not a substitute for taking the altitude seriously.

Warm clothes are essential. The temperature can be low, especially in the morning, and the open mountain setting gives you little shelter from the cold. Comfortable shoes with a firm sole will serve you better than casual trainers.

A positive detail from the experience is the guide support. Tony was praised for his upbeat personality and for stopping to help with photographs. Felipe was also described as enthusiastic and fun. Those small touches matter on a long day, particularly when the group is moving at different speeds.

Still, guide language may vary. The activity is offered in English and Spanish, but one person found the English limited. If clear English explanations are important to you, confirm the language arrangement when booking.

Comercocha, Alqacocha, and the glacier views

Once you reach the first lake, the pace changes. You spend about 2.5 hours visiting the lakes and returning to the restaurant. Comercocha and Alqacocha are among the named stops, with green and turquoise water at the foot of the glacier.

The appeal is not one single viewpoint. It is the sequence of lakes, each framed by high mountains and open sky. The colors can look almost unreal, but the experience is not manufactured or tightly staged. You are seeing natural water basins in a very exposed part of the Andes.

This is where you should take photographs, but do not let the camera become the whole point. The air, scale, and silence are part of what makes the place memorable. You may find that the colors look stronger in person than on a screen, especially with Ausangate behind them.

A guide can make a real difference here. The route includes stops at several lakes, and a good guide will help keep the group moving while allowing time for photographs. Tony’s willingness to stop for pictures was specifically appreciated, and that is useful information for anyone who likes to document a trip.

The horse option is also worth knowing about. One person noted that riding a horse is possible, but the supplied information does not explain the cost, availability, or exact route. Treat it as something to ask about locally, not as a guaranteed part of your booking.

Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha

On the way back to Pacchanta, the route passes Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha. These later lakes continue the color theme and give you more time to enjoy the Vilcanota range without the pressure of the first climb.

The return portion is still a proper walk. The total lake circuit and return to the restaurant take about 2.5 hours from the first lagoon. If altitude has already caught up with you, this part may feel longer than expected.

That is why I would judge the tour by your ability to handle a high mountain day rather than by the word easy. One person described the hike as long but steady, while also noting that altitude made it difficult without strong fitness. Those two things can both be true.

The supplied trekking pole is a useful inclusion, and the guide carries emergency equipment. Even so, people with pre-existing medical conditions and pregnant women should not book this activity. Children under 2 are also not accepted.

Lunch in Pacchanta and the hot springs

After the walk, you return to the family home for a buffet lunch. The meal uses natural products grown in the area, which gives the food a local connection. Expect simple fuel after a demanding outing rather than elaborate cooking.

Food quality is the weakest part of the experience for some people. Rice and pasta were described as plain, with little sauce or seasoning. Others found the food sufficient, so your reaction will depend on your expectations and appetite. I would bring a snack if you need familiar food or extra calories.

After lunch, you have about 40 minutes at the hot springs. The soak is optional, and you need to pay a separate PEN 5 entrance fee. Bring a swimsuit, since one is not included.

The hot springs make sense at the end of the day. Your legs have spent hours walking, and warm water offers a pleasant change from the cold mountain air. The main practical problem is the exit. Stepping from warm water into cold air at high altitude can feel rough, so keep your warm clothes close and change promptly.

One person found the hot springs were not visited at all, which suggests the timing or organization may not always be perfect. I would confirm the plan with your guide and keep in mind that the soak is optional, not the central reason to book the tour.

What $38 really covers

At $38 per person, this is a strong value if you want transport, guiding, two meals, and a visit to the lakes without arranging separate logistics. The price includes hotel pickup in Cusco, round-trip transport, breakfast, buffet lunch, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, first-aid equipment, oxygen for emergencies, and a trekking pole.

You still pay the lake entrance fee of PEN 20 and the hot-spring entrance fee of PEN 5. Those extra charges are small, but budget for them in cash if needed. The price does not include personal snacks, water, or any horse ride that might be available.

The value comes mainly from the transport. Pacchanta and the lakes are far enough from Cusco that arranging the day yourself would require dealing with early departures, remote roads, and timing between several stops. You also get a guide and meals, which reduces the planning burden.

The tradeoff is time. A 15-hour day can take a large part of your Cusco stay. If you have only a short time in the region, compare this with the other major excursions you want to do. If you have room for one high-altitude mountain day, the low price is attractive.

Who should book this Ausangate day?

I would recommend it to you if you want striking mountain scenery, do not mind a long road journey, and are prepared for more than 4,000 meters. It suits people who prefer natural scenery and village contact over museums or formal monuments.

You should also be comfortable with basic conditions. Meals may be plain, the hot-spring visit may feel rushed, and guide English can vary. This is not the right pick if you need polished service, a relaxed schedule, or guaranteed culinary quality.

Prepare with warm clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, water, and a camera. The early start is unavoidable, so protect your energy from the beginning. Move slowly on the climb and use the breaks for both breathing and photographs.

The provider allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and offers reserve-now, pay-later booking. Pickup is at your hotel or Airbnb, and the return is near Cusco’s center at Plaza del Regocijo.

Should you book the seven lakes tour?

Book this tour if the sight of colored lakes below Ausangate is high on your Peru wish list and you accept the effort needed to reach them. At $38, the combination of transport, guide, meals, and hot springs is hard to fault on price.

Skip it if altitude worries you, if you have a medical condition, or if a long day in a basic rural setting sounds unpleasant. The scenery earns the praise, and guides such as Tony and Felipe can add warmth and humor, but the food and organization may not be consistent every time.

For a prepared, reasonably fit visitor, this is a memorable way to see the Cusco Region beyond the usual sites. Just bring layers, snacks, and patience.

FAQ

How long does the seven lakes tour last?

The activity lasts about 15 hours, including pickup in Cusco, the drive to Pacchanta, the hike, meals, hot springs, and the return to the city.

How far is Pacchanta from Cusco?

The drive from Cusco to Pacchanta takes about three hours each way.

How high are the lakes and Pacchanta?

Pacchanta and the visiting areas are more than 4,000 meters above sea level.

Which lakes are visited?

The route includes Comercocha, Alqacocha, Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha. The activity is described as a seven-lake visit.

How difficult is the hike?

The first part takes about 1.5 hours and is the most strenuous section. Visiting the first lake and returning to the restaurant takes about 2.5 hours. High altitude can make the walk harder.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast and a buffet lunch are included, with Andean ingredients and locally grown products.

Are the hot springs included?

The visit is optional, and the hot-spring entrance costs PEN 5. Bring a swimsuit. You have about 40 minutes there.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, water, sunscreen, and a camera. A swimsuit is needed if you plan to use the hot springs.

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Because the route reaches more than 4,000 meters, you should also prepare carefully for high altitude.