Excursion: Explore in one day the 7 lakes of Ausangate from Cusco

Ausangate’s seven lakes give you a big dose of high-altitude Peru in one very long day. You leave Cusco before sunrise, ride deep into the mountains, then walk among turquoise and green lagoons beneath the snow-capped Ausangate peak. Alpacas, llamas, and wide-open Andean scenery help make the early start worthwhile.

I like two things especially: the tour combines the hike with Pacchanta’s thermal baths, and both breakfast and lunch are included, which keeps the $35 price remarkably low. The main drawback is the demanding schedule. You spend roughly six and a half hours in the van, and the lakes sit above 4,600 meters, so altitude and fatigue are real concerns.

Key points to know

• Seven named lagoons: Visit Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha.
• Very high altitude: The trail reaches more than 4,600 meters above sea level, higher than Cusco by a considerable margin.
• Pacchanta adds welcome comfort: Finish the outdoor portion with hot springs and views of Ausangate.
• Meals are included: Breakfast in Pacchanta comes before the walk, with a typical Andean lunch afterward.
• Plan for a pre-dawn pickup: Departure is generally around 4:00 a.m., though pickup timing can shift.
• Excellent budget value: At $35, transportation, a guide, two meals, and basic emergency equipment are covered, but you still pay 30 soles for entrance fees.

Why the seven lakes are worth the early alarm

The appeal here is not one single viewpoint. It is the changing sequence of seven lagoons, each with its own shape and color, set against the Ausangate snow-capped mountain. The water can range from turquoise to emerald green, and the changing light gives you plenty to photograph.

You are not walking through a carefully managed attraction with railings and signs at every turn. This is a mountain outing built around open scenery, local communities, and a strenuous trail. That makes the experience feel more direct, but it also means you need to arrive prepared for weather, altitude, and uneven ground.

The high elevation changes the whole character of the walk. At more than 4,600 meters, even a modest slope can leave you breathing hard. You might find the hike manageable if you have adjusted to Cusco first, but the altitude can affect fit walkers too.

The 4:00 a.m. departure from Cusco

Pickup from your accommodation usually starts around 4:00 a.m. The exact window can move, so keep your phone available and confirm the details with the agency the day before. One recent departure was delayed until about 5:00 a.m. after confusion over the pickup time and assigned guide, so do not assume that a stated time is exact.

That early hour is not glamorous, but it is necessary. The drive to Pacchanta takes around three and a half hours, followed by about three hours back to Cusco. You are trading a comfortable morning for a full day in the mountains.

The van ride is a major part of the outing, so think carefully about your tolerance for long road journeys. The return to Cusco is scheduled for roughly 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., with drop-off near the historic center rather than necessarily at your original hotel.

A first-aid kit and an oxygen bottle are included. Those items are useful safeguards, but they do not replace sensible pacing or medical advice. If you have heart, respiratory, or blood pressure problems, speak with a doctor before booking.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the trail

After the long ride, you stop in Pacchanta for about 30 minutes and eat a traditional Andean breakfast. It is a practical pause rather than a leisurely restaurant meal. You can use it to take on calories, drink water, and make final adjustments to your clothing and pack.

The food on this excursion is described as basic, plentiful, and tasty. That is the right expectation. You are not paying for elaborate dining, but the included meals give the tour useful value and save you from arranging food during a remote mountain day.

Pacchanta is also the community connected with the hot springs later in the schedule. That gives the day a local anchor instead of making it only a drive from Cusco to a photo stop and back.

Walking the trail past seven lagoons

The hike from Pacchanta lasts about three hours on the way out, followed by around two hours on the return section. The total walking time is described as roughly four to five hours, with a separate 30-minute period for photos and free time at the lakes.

The trail passes through open mountain country where you can spot alpacas and llamas. These animals are part of the everyday Andean setting, not a staged attraction, so keep your camera ready without expecting them to pose on command.

The seven lagoons include Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha. Names may be pronounced differently by guides or written with slight spelling variations, but the important point is that the route visits the principal lakes associated with Ausangate.

Each pool offers a different view. Some water appears blue or turquoise, while other lagoons take on green tones. Sun, clouds, and the angle from the trail can change how the colors look, so the scenery is best appreciated as a sequence rather than judged from one fixed viewpoint.

You have around 30 minutes at the seven-lake area for photographs and free time. That is enough for panoramic shots and a short rest, but not an open-ended photography session. If you want carefully composed images, move efficiently and avoid spending all your time at the first lagoon.

The route is rated moderate to challenging. The difficulty comes less from technical climbing than from altitude, length, cold, sun, and the need to keep moving on a tightly timed day. Trekking shoes, hiking pants, comfortable clothes, water, and energy snacks are sensible basics.

What 4,600 meters feels like on the trail

Cusco itself sits high, but the seven lakes are higher still. You are strongly advised to spend two or three days in Cusco before this excursion. That acclimatization period can reduce the risk of altitude sickness and gives you time to learn how your body responds to the region.

I would not schedule this as your first activity after landing in Peru. Give yourself time to rest, drink water, and walk around Cusco at an easy pace before attempting this route. The high point can make a simple uphill section feel surprisingly hard.

Bring rain gear even if the morning starts clear. Mountain weather can change quickly, and the supplied information specifically recommends protection from rain, along with sunglasses and a sun hat. You need to think about both cold and strong sun, since high-altitude conditions can produce both in the same outing.

A light backpack is best. Carry water, sunscreen, snacks, a warm layer, and rain protection, but avoid turning the day pack into a heavy load. Trekking poles are not listed as included, so bring your own if you rely on them.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch

Once the lake circuit is finished, you return to Pacchanta for a typical Andean lunch. The meal is included and served by the local community, making it more useful than a packed snack after several hours on the trail.

This is where the schedule begins to feel generous. You have walked at altitude, taken photographs, and spent much of the day outdoors. A proper meal gives you time to recover before the final hot-spring stop and the long ride back.

The food is simple rather than fancy, but quantity matters on a day like this. You should treat breakfast and lunch as part of the tour’s practical value. At $35, having both meals included is a strong point.

Pacchanta hot springs beneath Ausangate

The thermal baths are one of the best reasons to choose this particular outing instead of a lakes-only trip. You get about 30 minutes of free time in the Pacchanta hot springs, with views toward the Ausangate snow-capped mountain.

The timing is short, but the contrast is excellent. After several hours on foot, warm water gives your legs a chance to relax before the return drive. It also adds a distinctly local element to the day, since Pacchanta is known here not just as a trail starting point but as the place where the mountain outing ends in hot water.

The entrance fee for the lagoons and thermal baths is not included. Budget an additional 30 soles per person. This is an important cost to remember when comparing the headline price with the actual day’s spending.

Bring what you need for the hot springs in an easy-to-reach part of your bag. The supplied information does not state that towels or swimwear are provided, so do not assume they are included. Keep the stop efficient because the drive back to Cusco still takes about three hours.

The $35 price and what it really covers

The price is $35 per person, with hotel pickup, transportation, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, a first-aid kit, and an oxygen bottle included. You also receive drop-off near Cusco’s historic center.

That is a strong package for a 12-hour mountain day. Transportation alone matters here because Pacchanta is far from Cusco, and arranging a private ride would change the cost quickly. The two meals also mean you are not paying for food at roadside stops.

The extra 30 soles entrance charge keeps the tour from being completely all-inclusive. Still, the total remains appealing for anyone who wants the seven lakes, a guide, meals, and hot springs without arranging separate transport.

The low price comes with tradeoffs. You should expect a functional day rather than a polished luxury experience. Pickup coordination may require patience, and the long van rides leave little room for delays. A verified rating of 4.7 from 10 recorded ratings suggests strong overall satisfaction, but the small number of ratings means I would still read the practical details carefully before booking.

Guide support and pickup coordination

A live guide is available in Spanish and English. One guide identified for a departure was John, who was described as pleasant and professional. The guide can help you follow the route, keep the walking schedule on track, and explain what you are seeing.

Do confirm the guide and pickup information the day before. A previous booking involved an expected guide named Antoni, a pickup window of 4:20 to 4:40 a.m., and a late change that caused stress. The replacement guide, John, handled the actual excursion well, but the communication problem is worth noting.

This does not mean every departure will have the same issue. It does mean you should save the agency’s contact details, keep your phone available, and avoid planning anything tight immediately before or after the tour.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want dramatic mountain scenery but do not have time for a multi-day Ausangate trek. It also suits budget-conscious visitors who value included food, a guide, and transport more than personal space or a slow schedule.

You should be comfortable with a moderate to challenging hike and a very early start. A reasonable level of fitness helps, but acclimatization is even more important. If you have been in Cusco for two or three days and can handle several hours of walking, the route becomes more realistic.

This is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with heart or respiratory problems, or people over 65 according to the stated restrictions. Anyone with a medical concern should consult a doctor first rather than relying on the tour’s oxygen bottle.

The experience is also a poor fit if you dislike long van rides. The outward journey takes about three and a half hours and the return about three hours, leaving a demanding walking day squeezed between them.

What to pack for the seven lakes

Use sturdy hiking shoes with good grip. The trail is in high mountain country, and comfortable everyday footwear is not the safest choice for several hours of walking.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Water and energy snacks
• Sunscreen
• Rain gear
• Comfortable clothes and hiking pants
• Trekking equipment suited to your needs
• A light backpack

Avoid alcohol and drugs. Keep your bag light, and organize your rain layer and sun protection so you can reach them without unpacking everything.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if your priority is maximum scenery and value in one long day. The seven named lakes, Ausangate views, local meals, and Pacchanta hot springs create a well-rounded excursion for $35, even after adding the 30 soles entrance fee.

Skip it if you have not acclimatized, need a relaxed pace, or cannot manage a demanding high-altitude walk. Before confirming, message the agency the day before to verify pickup time, guide details, and the meeting point. If those basics are clear and your body is ready for 4,600 meters, this is a memorable and affordable way to reach one of the Cusco region’s most striking mountain areas.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven-lakes tour last?

The full excursion lasts about 12 hours. Pickup generally begins around 4:00 a.m., with return to Cusco scheduled between approximately 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.

How high are the seven lakes of Ausangate?

The lakes are located at more than 4,600 meters above sea level. Spending two or three days in Cusco before the trip is recommended for acclimatization.

What lakes will I visit?

The route includes Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and a typical Andean lunch is provided after the lake route.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. Entrance to the lagoons and thermal baths costs 30 soles and is paid separately.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, hiking shoes, water, rain gear, comfortable clothes, hiking pants, and suitable trekking equipment. Energy snacks and sunscreen are also recommended.