Cusco: Day Trip to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons with Lunch

The best part of this day trip is the chance to see seven highland lagoons beneath Ausangate, one of the great mountain settings in the Cusco Region. The colors range from blue and green to red, and the route passes native plants, animals, and wide-open views far from the city.

I like the useful package: breakfast and lunch are included, along with round-trip transport, a guide, trekking poles, oxygen, and a first aid kit. I also like that the five-hour walk finishes in Pacchanta, where you can pay extra to soak in hot springs before returning to Cusco.

The catch is the very early start and the long hike. This is not a gentle sightseeing outing, and the tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with mobility or respiratory problems, people with back problems, or anyone with a low level of fitness.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins at 4:00 a.m. Hotel pickup in Cusco gets you on the road early, with breakfast waiting in Pacchanta.
• The walk lasts about five hours. You hike for two hours to a viewpoint, then spend about three more hours visiting much of the lagoon circuit.
• Seven named lagoons form the main attraction. They include Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome finish. Lunch is served there, and its thermo-medicinal hot springs are available for an extra fee.
• The $40 price covers the basics well. Transport, meals, guide service, trekking poles, oxygen, and first aid are included, but hot-spring admission is not.
• You need to prepare for altitude and effort. Wear proper hiking shoes, bring cash and identification, and contact the emergency number after booking.

Why the Ausangate lagoons make a strong day trip

The 7 Ausangate Lagoons sit southeast of Cusco, at the foot of Ausangate mountain. The attraction is not one single viewpoint. It is a broad mountain route where several lagoons appear in different colors and shapes.

The color is the main draw. You can expect shades linked to the mineral content and surrounding rock, with blue, green, and red tones named in the route itself. Laguna Roja, or Red Lagoon, offers the clearest clue about how varied the circuit can be. Laguna Azul and Laguna Ccomer add different color notes, while the Otorongo lagoons bring unusual names to the route.

The setting also gives you more than water. The tour includes views of mountains, native flora, and local fauna. The supplied information does not promise sightings of specific animals, so I would treat wildlife as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the day.

This is a good choice if you want a full mountain day without committing to a multi-day trek. You get a natural setting, a guided route, and meals in one package. You also avoid arranging separate transport to a remote starting point, which is a major part of the value at $40.

The 4:00 a.m. pickup from Cusco

The day starts before sunrise, with pickup from your hotel lobby at 4:00 a.m. You must provide the name of your hotel when booking, and you should be ready and waiting in the lobby rather than expecting the driver to search for you.

That early departure is not a minor detail. It makes the trip possible within one day, but it also means you should organize your clothes, documents, water, and cash the night before. You will have little spare time in the morning.

Round-trip transport is included. The exact vehicle type, group size, and travel time from Cusco to Pacchanta are not specified, so you should not expect a highly customized private outing based on the information available. The value comes from having the long transfer handled for you.

The ride itself is part of the experience. The tour description highlights the journey to the lagoons, and the road takes you from the city toward a totally natural mountain setting. If you enjoy watching the scenery change from Cusco’s urban surroundings to open highland country, the transfer gives the day a clear sense of progression.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike

Pacchanta is the first important stop. After the early ride, you have a restorative breakfast there before starting on foot.

That meal matters. A five-hour walk at high altitude is not the time to rely on a quick snack from your hotel. Having breakfast included removes one practical worry and gives you a proper start before the hardest physical part of the day.

Pacchanta is also the village connected with the route’s hot springs. You do not need to use the baths, but knowing that a warm soak is available at the end can make the long walk feel more manageable. Admission to the hot springs is not included, so keep some cash available if you want to use them.

The information does not specify the breakfast menu. I would think of it as fuel rather than a culinary highlight. The important point is timing: you eat in Pacchanta, then begin the hike from there.

The first two hours to the lagoon viewpoint

From Pacchanta, the walk takes about two hours to reach a viewpoint where you can see all seven Ausangate lagoons. This first section is the main uphill approach to the broad view.

The viewpoint is an important payoff because it lets you understand the route as a whole. Instead of seeing one body of water at a time, you can take in the relationship between the lagoons, the mountain backdrop, and the open terrain around them.

You should pace yourself. The tour includes trekking poles, which can help with balance and reduce strain on steep or uneven sections. They are especially useful if you are not used to long walks on mountain paths.

Oxygen is also listed as an inclusion, along with a first aid kit. That shows the operator is preparing for a remote, physically demanding setting. It does not make the route easy, and it should not be treated as a replacement for sensible pacing or fitness.

No altitude figure is provided, so I would avoid making promises about how your body will react. People respond differently to high mountain outings. If you have respiratory problems or a low level of fitness, this trip is specifically not suitable for you.

The three-hour circuit around the lagoons

After reaching the viewpoint, you walk for roughly three more hours and cover a large part of the seven-lagoon route. This is where the day shifts from one big panorama to a closer look at the individual lagoons.

The named stops are:

• Laguna Superior
• Otorongo Macho
• Otorongo Fembra
• Laguna Roja
• Laguna Ccomer
• Laguna Azul
• Laguna Alqa

The itinerary does not promise a fixed amount of time at every lagoon, nor does it guarantee that you will walk around every shoreline. It says you will cover a large part of the seven lagoons, so your guide will manage the pace and route within the day’s schedule.

That distinction matters. You are paying for access to a connected mountain attraction, not a series of leisurely, private stops. A group outing may require you to keep moving, especially with lunch and the return to Cusco still ahead.

I like the variety in the names and colors because they give the walk a clear rhythm. The route is not simply a long road to one viewpoint. You keep finding new water surfaces, mountain angles, and changes in the surrounding terrain.

Take your camera, but do not let photography turn the walk into a stop-and-start struggle. The information specifically recommends a camera, and the colors should reward careful photos. Still, the route is long enough that comfortable shoes and steady footing matter more than having elaborate camera equipment.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch and hot springs

The walking circuit ends back in Pacchanta, where lunch is included. This is a sensible arrangement because you finish the demanding portion of the day before sitting down to eat.

Lunch gives you time to recover before the return ride. As with breakfast, the menu is not stated, so I would judge this part by convenience and timing rather than expecting a detailed food experience.

The thermo-medicinal hot springs are the optional extra that can improve the day for the right person. After several hours on foot, soaking in warm water may be appealing. The hot springs were specifically praised in the available feedback, along with the lagoons, so this is not just a minor footnote to the trip.

You must pay the entrance fee separately. Bring cash, since cash is listed among the things to bring and no card arrangements are provided. If you choose not to enter, you can simply treat Pacchanta as the lunch and departure point.

The hot springs also affect your timing and comfort. If you want to use them, bring whatever personal items you need for that stop, but the supplied information does not state if towels, changing rooms, or swimwear are provided. Do not assume those details are included.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, this trip is priced as an accessible group day tour rather than a private mountain expedition. The strongest value comes from the number of practical items bundled together.

Included are hotel pickup, round-trip transportation, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, oxygen, trekking poles, and a first aid kit. Buying these pieces separately, especially transport and meals for a remote day trip, could quickly cost more than the headline price.

The price is less attractive if you want a slow, private pace or a custom route. The group size is not stated, and there is no promise of private transport. You should book it for the efficient package, not for personal service.

The hot springs are the main extra expense identified. Entrance tickets are not included, so add that cost before deciding your budget. The tour also requires you to bring cash, which is useful for the baths and any other personal spending.

Flexible booking terms help reduce the risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking. You still need to reserve at least one day before the outing and contact the emergency number after booking.

Guide language, safety, and physical demands

The tour offers live guiding in English and Spanish. No guide name is supplied, so you should not book expecting a particular named guide. The guide’s practical role is important here: keeping the group together, explaining the lagoons, and helping manage the five-hour walk.

The included trekking sticks, oxygen, and first aid kit are useful signs of basic preparation. They do not remove the need for your own preparation. Bring comfortable shoes and proper hiking shoes, hiking pants, a camera, cash, and a passport or ID card.

The restrictions are clear. 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.

Those limits should guide your decision more than the low price. This is a remote mountain walk with an early start and a total walking time of about five hours. If you are unsure about your physical condition, this is not the place to test it casually.

Weapons and sharp objects are not allowed. Smoking indoors, alcohol, and drugs are also prohibited. These rules are straightforward and should not affect most visitors, but it is worth knowing them before pickup.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a full day outdoors and prefer a guided package with meals and transport already arranged. It suits people who can handle a long walk and who want to see several natural sights in one outing.

It is especially useful for visitors based in Cusco who do not want to organize their own route to Pacchanta. The early pickup is tiring, but it allows you to visit the lagoons and return to the city within one day.

The trip may also suit photographers who enjoy strong color contrasts and mountain scenery. The route includes seven named lagoons, and the viewpoint provides a broad scene before the closer circuit begins.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is rest. The 4:00 a.m. pickup, five-hour walk, and return journey create a long day. It is also not the right choice for families with young children or people dealing with the health and mobility concerns listed above.

Practical preparation for a smoother day

Prepare everything before going to bed. Your hotel lobby pickup comes early, and forgetting a key item can make the day harder.

Pack:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes and hiking shoes
• Hiking pants
• Camera
• Cash
• Any personal items needed for the optional hot springs

The supplied information does not mention a water bottle, food snacks, sun protection, or a rain layer, so I cannot claim that any of these are required by the operator. Still, the route is long and outdoors, so you may want to ask the provider what personal gear is recommended before departure.

Contact the emergency number after booking. You also need to reserve at least one day before the tour. These steps are easy to overlook, especially if you are booking several Cusco activities at once.

The rating information available for this experience is mixed, at 3.3 out of 5 from four ratings. I would read that as a reason to keep expectations practical. The most clearly praised elements are the lagoons and hot springs, while the early start, long hike, and group-tour format remain important considerations.

Should you book the 7 Ausangate Lagoons tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, organized day in a striking mountain setting and you are comfortable walking for about five hours. The combination of seven lagoons, Pacchanta hot springs, breakfast, lunch, transport, and basic trekking support gives the $40 price solid value.

Skip it if you need an easy outing, a late start, private pacing, or a route designed around mobility or respiratory needs. The attraction is beautiful, but reaching it takes effort.

For the best fit, reserve at least a day ahead, give the correct hotel name, contact the emergency number, bring cash for the hot springs, and arrive ready in the lobby at 4:00 a.m. If you do that, this tour offers a practical way to reach Ausangate country without arranging the difficult transport yourself.

FAQ

Where does the 7 Ausangate Lagoons tour take place?

The tour takes place in the Cusco Region of Peru, southeast of Cusco, near the town of Pacchanta and at the foot of Ausangate mountain.

What time does hotel pickup begin?

Pickup from your hotel in Cusco begins at 4:00 a.m. You should wait in the hotel lobby and provide the hotel name when booking.

How long does the tour last?

It is a one-day activity. The walking portion takes about five hours, including two hours to the viewpoint and about three more hours around much of the lagoon route.

Which lagoons are included?

The seven named lagoons are Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the hike begins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served in Pacchanta after the walking circuit.

Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?

No. Entrance tickets to the thermo-medicinal hot springs are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour offers a live guide in English or Spanish.

What should you bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, hiking shoes, a camera, cash, and hiking pants.