Cusco: Day Trip to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons with Lunch

The seven Ausangate Lagoons offer a striking high-mountain day out, with colored water, snowy peaks, native plants, and the broad slopes around Ausangate Mountain. You reach the main viewpoint after about two hours on foot, then continue around the lagoons before returning to Pacchanta.

I like the way this tour combines several useful pieces in one $40 package: transport, meals, a guide, poles, oxygen, and first aid. I also like the chance to add Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal hot springs after the walk. The catch is the early 4:00 a.m. pickup and a demanding five-hour hike, so this is not a soft sightseeing day.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lagoons: See Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.
• Long high-altitude walking day: The route includes about two hours to the viewpoint and another three hours around the lagoons.
• Pacchanta is part of the experience: Breakfast comes before the walk, and lunch is served there after the hike.
• Hot springs cost extra: Entrance to the thermo-medicinal waters is not included in the $40 price.
• Useful hiking support is included: You receive trekking sticks, oxygen, and access to a first aid kit.
• One verified comment praised the water and lagoons: A Spanish-speaking customer rated the experience four out of five and called both spectacular.

Why the seven lagoons are worth the early start

This trip takes you southeast of Cusco to the foot of majestic Ausangate Mountain. The appeal is not a single famous viewpoint. It is the changing set of lagoons, each with its own name and reported color, spread through a very natural mountain setting.

You will see Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa. The names help give the walk a sense of structure, though the tour details do not explain the exact color or shape of each pool.

The scenery includes mountains, local flora, and native fauna. You should think of this as a day for open views and quiet natural surroundings, not a town tour or a history-focused excursion. Your guide is there to lead the route and provide support in English or Spanish.

The most useful promise here is variety. You are not simply driven to a lookout, handed a few minutes for photographs, and returned to Cusco. You walk to a high viewpoint, then continue across a larger part of the lagoon area. That makes the outing more active and gives you time to see the setting from different angles.

The 4:00 a.m. departure from Cusco

The day starts early. Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is scheduled for 4:00 a.m., and you need to be ready in the lobby. You must provide the hotel name when booking, and you should contact the emergency number after making the reservation.

That early start has two practical effects. First, it allows enough time for the drive to Pacchanta and the full walk before returning to Cusco. Second, it makes this a tiring choice if you have just arrived in Peru or are still adjusting to the altitude around Cusco.

Transport round trip is included. The information does not specify the vehicle type, group size, or exact driving time, so you should not assume a private car or a small group. If those details matter to you, ask the provider before paying.

The ride itself is listed as one of the tour highlights. You will travel from the city toward a much less developed natural setting, with mountain views along the route. Still, keep your expectations practical: a long road journey plus a long walk makes this a full day from before sunrise to the evening.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike

The first substantial stop is Pacchanta, a populated center connected with the Ausangate area. Breakfast is served here before you start walking. That is a smart arrangement because you leave Cusco too early for a normal hotel breakfast.

Breakfast is included in the price, as is lunch later in the day. You should still carry cash, since cash is listed among the recommended items and the hot springs require a separate entrance payment.

Pacchanta also gives the tour a local point of reference. The route does not treat the lagoons as an isolated photo stop. You begin and end the walk in this community, and the town is where the meals and optional hot springs fit into the day.

The information provided does not list the breakfast menu or dietary options. If you have special food needs, check before departure. The same applies to the lunch served after the hike.

The two-hour walk to the main viewpoint

From Pacchanta, the group begins the hike. The first section takes about two hours and ends at a viewpoint where you can see the seven Ausangate Lagoons.

That timing matters. Two hours on foot is a serious approach, particularly at high altitude or for anyone who does not regularly hike. The tour is specifically not suitable for people with a low level of fitness, respiratory issues, mobility impairments, back problems, or pregnancy.

The viewpoint is the first major reward of the day. From there, the lagoons can be understood as a group rather than as separate pools encountered one at a time. You will also have the chance to take photographs of the water, the mountain slopes, and Ausangate itself.

Trekking sticks are included, which is useful on a route where balance and steady pacing matter. Comfortable shoes and hiking shoes are both listed as things to bring. That repeated message is worth taking seriously: ordinary city shoes are a poor choice for this outing.

The guide leads the walk in English or Spanish. No guide name is provided, so you should not expect a named guide to be assigned in advance. Oxygen and a first aid kit are included, but those items are support measures, not a substitute for choosing a hike suited to your health and fitness.

Three more hours around the lagoons

After reaching the viewpoint, you continue for about three more hours. This section covers a large part of the seven-lagoon area and ends back at the starting point in Pacchanta.

This is where the trip becomes more than a viewpoint visit. You spend time moving through the area and seeing the lagoons from different positions. The exact route and elevation changes are not provided, so the walking time is the clearest measure of the physical demand.

The lagoon names include Otorongo Macho and Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, Laguna Alqa, and Laguna Superior. You may notice strong differences in color across the pools, but the tour information does not guarantee a particular shade on a particular day.

Photography is a natural part of the day, and a camera is on the suggested packing list. You should bring enough attention for the walk as well. Stopping constantly for pictures can make a long route feel longer, especially when the group must keep to a schedule for lunch and the return drive.

You should also expect a natural setting rather than visitor infrastructure at every point. The information highlights flora and fauna typical of the area, but it does not promise wildlife sightings. Bring your camera, but treat animals and plants as a bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the tour.

Lunch and Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters

Once the walk is complete, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. This is a welcome break after roughly five hours of hiking. Lunch is included, so the $40 cost covers two meals as well as transport, guiding, and basic trail support.

The optional hot springs are one of the more appealing additions. Pacchanta has thermo-medicinal waters, and the tour allows time to visit the populated center and use the pools. Entrance tickets are not included, so carry cash if you want to add this stop.

The supplied information does not state how long you can spend in the hot springs, what facilities are available, or how much entrance costs. Ask the guide on the day for the current fee and timing. Do not assume the hot springs are part of the advertised price.

One verified four-out-of-five rating from Spain specifically praised the hot springs and lagoons as spectacular. That is the clearest positive detail available about the experience, and it points to the two parts most likely to leave a strong impression: the colorful water and the chance to relax after the hike.

If you are choosing between a quick return to Cusco and the hot springs, your decision depends on energy and schedule. The pools may be a pleasant finish, but you should confirm that the extra stop will not make the return too late for another evening plan.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, this is an efficient package for a full-day outing. The price includes:

• Hotel pickup in Cusco
• Round-trip transport
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• A professional guide
• Oxygen
• Trekking sticks
• A first aid kit

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport, meals, and walking equipment. The included poles are especially useful, while oxygen and first aid provide basic reassurance in a remote mountain setting.

The price does not include hot springs entrance. It also does not list personal drinks, snacks, or other expenses, so cash is a sensible addition to your day bag. Since the walking time is long, you may want to ask what food and drink are supplied before deciding how much extra to carry.

The tour has a rating of 3.3 from four reviews. That is a small sample, so I would not treat the score as a firm verdict. The available four-out-of-five rating praises the lagoons and hot springs, while the limited number of ratings means you should pay more attention to the clear physical demands and inclusions.

What to pack for a high mountain day

The required packing advice is simple, but each item has a reason:

• Passport or identification: Bring one because it is listed as required.
• Hiking shoes: You will walk for about five hours, so proper footwear matters.
• Comfortable clothing: Hiking pants are recommended.
• Camera: The colorful lagoons and mountain views are the main visual draw.
• Cash: You need it for hot springs and may want it for other personal purchases.
• A willingness to start early: Pickup is at 4:00 a.m.

The information does not list water, sunscreen, rain gear, warm layers, or snacks. You might still want to ask the provider what conditions to expect and what you can carry. I would not rely on the short packing list as proof that the weather will be mild.

Weapons or sharp objects are not allowed. Smoking indoors, alcohol, and drugs are also prohibited. These are basic rules, but the sharp-object restriction is worth noting if you carry a multitool or similar item in your hiking kit.

Who should book this day trip

This outing suits you if you want a full day in a natural mountain setting and you are comfortable walking for several hours. It is also a good match if you like pairing scenery with a simple community stop, included meals, and an optional soak afterward.

You should be ready for a demanding schedule. The pickup comes before dawn, the first walk takes two hours, and the circuit around the lagoons takes another three. The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with respiratory issues, or people with a low level of fitness.

The presence of oxygen does not change those restrictions. It is included as a safety support item, along with first aid, but it does not make the hike appropriate for someone with a medical condition that the tour excludes.

The tour may also suit you if English or Spanish guiding works for you. No other languages are listed. You should provide your hotel name and contact the emergency number after booking, especially because the pickup happens so early.

Should you book the seven Ausangate Lagoons tour?

Book it if your main goal is to see the colored lagoons beneath Ausangate Mountain, and you are happy to trade comfort for a long, active day. At $40, the package gives you a lot: transport, breakfast, lunch, a guide, poles, oxygen, and first aid.

Skip it if you want an easy scenic drive, dislike pre-dawn departures, or have health and mobility concerns listed in the restrictions. Also think twice if you have a tightly packed evening in Cusco, since the return time is not specified.

For the right walker, the strongest combination is the lagoon circuit followed by lunch and the optional Pacchanta hot springs. Just budget extra for the pools, wear proper hiking shoes, and contact the provider after booking so the early pickup runs smoothly.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Lagoons tour last?

It is a one-day tour. Pickup from your Cusco hotel begins at 4:00 a.m., followed by the trip to Pacchanta, the hike, lunch, and the return to Cusco.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is scheduled for 4:00 a.m. You should be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby.

Where does the hike begin?

The walk begins in the town of Pacchanta after breakfast.

How long is the hike?

The first section takes about two hours to reach a viewpoint overlooking the seven lagoons. You then walk for about three more hours around much of the lagoon area before returning to Pacchanta.

What are the seven lagoons called?

They are Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.

Are meals included?

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

Are the hot springs included?

No. Entrance tickets to Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal hot springs are not included.

Is transport included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and round-trip transport are included.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.