Cusco: Seven Lagoons of Ausangate Hiking Day Trip with Lunch

The real draw here is the seven Ausangate lagoons, each with its own shade and setting beneath the high Andes. You get a viewpoint first, then a closer look on foot, with the snowy mountain country of Ausangate around you. I like that breakfast and lunch are built in, and I like the stop at Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters after the hike.

The main catch is the early start and the altitude. You leave Cusco at 4:00 AM, spend about three hours in a van each way, and walk for roughly three hours. I would also confirm the entry fee and carry small change, since that cost is not included and one booking included a dispute over payment and change.

• A high-altitude loop from Pacchanta: The walk begins and ends in the same town, so you do not need a separate transfer to reach the lagoons.
• Seven named lagoons: You pass Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake.
• A viewpoint before the closer walk: The first two hours lead to a broad outlook, followed by another three hours among the lagoons.
• Pacchanta hot springs: Lunch and swimming follow the hike, giving your legs a useful break before the ride back.
• Small group format: The group is limited to 12 people, with an English or Spanish guide.
• Solid basic inclusions: Breakfast, lunch, walking sticks, a first aid kit, and an oxygen balloon are included, but entrance fees are extra.

Why Ausangate’s Seven Lagoons Are Worth the Long Day

The Ausangate region is one of Peru’s great high-altitude day outings. It is not a gentle sightseeing drive with a short photo stop. You go to Pacchanta, walk a large loop, and spend much of the day outdoors among high mountain lakes.

The seven lagoons are the star. Their names are Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake. The colors are the result you come for, but the appeal is also the changing view as you move from one body of water to the next.

I like the way this route gives you two kinds of sightseeing. The viewpoint lets you take in several lagoons at once, which helps you understand the scale of the area. The closer walking section then gives you time to notice individual colors, mountain slopes, plants, and local wildlife.

Do not expect the same color intensity in every photograph. Light, clouds, and viewing angles can change the appearance of the water. That is part of the appeal, but it is worth keeping your expectations sensible. This is a natural setting, not a row of perfectly matching blue pools.

The 4:00 AM Departure From Cusco

Pickup begins at 4:00 AM from your hotel in Cusco. That hour is rough, but it serves a purpose: you need the long road journey, the breakfast stop, and the hike to fit into one day.

The van ride to Pacchanta takes about three hours. I would treat the journey as a serious part of the outing, not a minor transfer. You spend roughly six hours in the vehicle altogether, three hours going out and three hours returning.

The advertised group size is capped at 12 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the efficiency of a shared trip without the scale of a large coach group, and a guide can usually keep better track of the walking pace.

One practical point deserves attention. A booking account described a missed pickup at the start of the day, followed by a taxi arranged to help the passenger meet the bus. That same account raised a problem over money collected for the Ausangate entrance fee and missing change, with the guide helping recover the amount. I would confirm your pickup point the evening before and pay any extra fee only after checking the amount and asking for change clearly.

The experience has an overall rating of 3.8 from seven reviews, so I would book it for the scenery and route rather than assume every transport detail will be perfect. The positive feedback gives special weight to the scenery and the guide’s kind, attentive help.

Breakfast in Pacchanta Before the Trail

After the drive, you stop in Pacchanta for about 50 minutes. This break includes breakfast and some free time before the walk starts.

That meal matters. You leave Cusco before sunrise and have already spent hours on the road, so beginning the trail with food is far better than trying to hike on a snack brought from the city. Breakfast is included, as is lunch later in the day.

Pacchanta is also the practical center of the trip. The trail begins there, the loop returns there, and the thermo-medicinal waters are part of the final stop. You are not simply dropped beside a single viewpoint and rushed back to the van.

I would use the breakfast stop to organize your day. Put on your walking shoes, apply sunscreen, fill your water bottle, and keep your warm layer easy to reach. The provided walking sticks can help on uneven ground, especially once your legs are tired.

Two Hours to the Ausangate Viewpoint

The hike begins in Pacchanta and climbs or travels through the surrounding natural setting for about two hours before reaching a viewpoint. The supplied schedule gives three hours for the main guided walk and photo stop, followed by one hour on foot, so the pace may include pauses and changes in the route.

The viewpoint is an important part of the day. From here, you can see the seven Ausangate lagoons from above and take photographs before continuing closer to the water. That broad view gives you the clearest sense of how the lakes sit beneath Ausangate.

I would not judge the walk only by distance. At high elevation, a modest uphill stretch can feel much harder than it would at sea level. You should keep a steady pace, drink water, and tell the guide early if you need a pause.

The guide speaks English or Spanish and leads the group through the route. A professional guide, first aid kit, oxygen balloon, and walking sticks are included. Those supplies do not remove the need to take the altitude seriously, but they provide useful support for a remote mountain outing.

The Seven Lagoons Up Close

After the viewpoint, you continue for about three more hours, seeing much of the lagoon area at closer range. This is the heart of the hike, and it is where the outing feels more rewarding than a simple drive to a photo stop.

You can expect a mix of walking, photo pauses, and views of the surrounding mountains. The route includes flora and fauna typical of the area, although the exact animals you see are not guaranteed. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire walk looking at its screen.

The names help give the route a sense of progression. Otorongo Male and Otorongo Female are separate lagoons, while Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, Alqa Lake, and Upper Lake each add another stop to the circuit. The colors are the main visual feature, but their contrast with the stark mountain surroundings makes the scene memorable.

The walk takes you on a large loop and finishes back at the starting point in Pacchanta. I like this arrangement because you are not retracing the entire route or waiting for a second vehicle in the mountains. You keep moving through new views, then return to the town for the final part of the day.

Still, this is a demanding schedule. The walk is described as about three hours after the viewpoint, with another hour on foot in the itinerary, so you should be ready for a substantial day outdoors. Comfortable shoes are essential. Sandals, smooth soles, or city shoes would be poor choices here.

Pacchanta’s Thermo-Medicinal Waters After the Hike

Once the loop ends, you return to Pacchanta for lunch and swimming. This stop lasts about an hour and a half, giving you time to eat and use the town’s thermo-medicinal waters.

The timing is smart. After several hours on foot, sitting in warm water can feel like a genuine reward rather than an extra tourist stop. It also breaks up the return journey before you get back into the van.

Lunch is included and comes after the hike. I like that the meal is not treated as an afterthought at the start of the day. You have earned it by then, and eating before the three-hour ride back to Cusco makes the final transfer easier.

Bring a swimsuit if you plan to swim. The supplied information confirms swimming at the stop, but it does not list towels or changing facilities among the inclusions, so pack only what you need and do not assume those extras are provided.

The hot springs are not a replacement for medical care, and the tour is not suitable for people with heart problems or pregnant women. If you have concerns about high-altitude walking or warm-water bathing, this is a trip to discuss with a medical professional before booking.

What the $30 Price Really Covers

At $30 per person, this is an inexpensive full-day outing if the pickup, meals, guiding, and transport all work as planned. The price includes hotel pickup, drop-off in Cusco, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, a first aid kit, an oxygen balloon, and walking sticks.

The value comes from the amount of organization packed into one day. You would otherwise need to arrange transport to Pacchanta, find the trail, organize food, and manage the return journey yourself. The small group limit also adds value compared with a very large shared bus.

The important extra is the entrance fee. It is not included in the price, so budget for it separately. Since one booking included a problem with money collected for this fee, I would ask the guide or operator to state the exact amount before handing over cash, then count your change.

The low price also means you should keep your expectations practical. This is a long shared day with early transport and a demanding walk, not a private custom trip. If you want a slower pace, more time at each lagoon, or complete control over departure times, a private arrangement may suit you better, but it will likely cost more.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Availability should be checked for the starting time, since the day begins very early.

What to Pack for a High Andes Day

You need to prepare for cold, sun, walking, and a long vehicle ride. The recommended list is sensible:

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

Dress in layers. You may feel cold during the early departure and warmer once you are walking, but mountain conditions can shift. A warm outer layer is easier to remove than a single heavy coat.

Sunscreen and a hat are important even if the morning begins cold. Keep water accessible throughout the walk, and carry your identification because it is specifically requested for the outing.

The tour supplies walking sticks, but I would still choose shoes with good grip and secure fit. The sticks support your balance, but they cannot compensate for poor footwear or an overly fast pace.

Who Will Get the Most From This Trip

I would recommend this day trip to you if you want a strong visual payoff and do not mind a very early start. It suits active visitors who can handle several hours of walking and who want to see the lagoons from both a viewpoint and trail level.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a structured day. Transport, meals, guiding, and the Pacchanta water stop are all arranged, leaving you to focus on walking and scenery.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you dislike long van rides, need a late morning start, or are looking for an easy outing. The route takes about 10 hours in total, and the hiking portion is not just a short stroll.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems. The included oxygen balloon and first aid kit are useful safety measures, but they do not make the hike appropriate for everyone.

Should You Book the Seven Lagoons Tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing the Ausangate lagoons without arranging a complicated day from Cusco yourself. The combination of a viewpoint, close-up walking, included meals, a small group, and Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters gives the day a lot for the price.

Go in prepared for the 4:00 AM pickup, six hours of total driving, extra entrance fees, and a demanding high-altitude walk. Confirm your pickup details and the exact entry charge, and keep cash transactions clear.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the striking scenery and the guide support. The main reasons to pause are the physical demands and the mixed operational feedback. If you are fit, organized, and eager to see the seven lagoons, this is a practical and affordable choice.

FAQ

What time does pickup begin in Cusco?

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

How long does the tour last?

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

How long is the van journey?

The van ride takes about three hours from Cusco to Pacchanta and about three hours back.

Which lagoons are included on the route?

The route includes Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is served after the walk.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. Entrance fees are not included in the tour price.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is offered in English and Spanish.