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

The real prize here is the seven-lake circuit beneath Ausangate, where green and turquoise water sits below Peru’s high Vilcanota range. You get big mountain views, old village traditions, and a soak in hot springs, all in one very long day from Cusco.

I like the local breakfast and buffet lunch because they bring Andean ingredients into the day, rather than treating the trip as scenery only. I also like the guides’ friendly energy. Tony and Felipe are both named for making the outing more enjoyable, though English ability may vary. The main drawback is simple: 4,000-plus-meter altitude makes the hike much harder than its easy pace suggests.

Key points to know before you go

• Ausangate is the star: Snow-capped Ausangate feeds the high lakes and gives the walk its dramatic setting.
• The hardest section comes first: Expect about 1.5 hours of hiking to reach the first lake, followed by roughly 2.5 hours around the lake route and back to the restaurant.
• Pacchanta offers local contact: A family welcomes you for breakfast and lunch, with food grown in the area.
• The hot springs are optional: You get about 40 minutes, and you need to pay an extra PEN 5 and bring a swimsuit.
• The total day is long: Pickup begins early, the drive from Cusco takes about three hours each way, and the tour lasts about 15 hours.
• The price is low, but extras matter: At $38, transport, two meals, a guide, a trekking pole, first-aid gear, and oxygen are included. The lake entrance costs PEN 20, and the hot springs cost PEN 5.

Why these lakes are worth the long day

The seven lakes near Ausangate are not a quick viewpoint stop. You travel far into the Cusco Region, climb to a place above 4,000 meters, and walk through open high mountain country to see pools that shift from green to turquoise and deep blue.

That remoteness is part of the appeal. The lakes do not feel like a city attraction with a polished visitor center and a short path to a photo platform. You reach them on foot, with the snow-covered Vilcanota range around you and Ausangate rising as the main natural landmark.

The colors are the reason people book this trip. Comercocha and Alqacocha are described as green and turquoise lakes at the foot of the glacier. On the return route, Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha add more water views. The names of all seven stops are not clearly laid out in the available details, so do not expect a perfectly signposted checklist. The value lies in the changing views along the route.

I would choose this trip for scenery, not for a relaxed spa day. The drive is long, the morning starts early, and the altitude can affect your breathing and pace. Still, if you want a full day away from Cusco and prefer mountains to museums, this is a strong use of your time.

The early drive from Cusco to Pacchanta

Pickup is provided at your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco. You should wait at the hotel reception, and you will need to be ready early because the full outing lasts about 15 hours.

The first drive takes around three hours. That sounds like a lot, but the route gives the day some cultural context before the hike begins. You pass through villages and see houses, clothing, and daily life shaped by old Andean traditions.

Ccatcca is one of the more distinctive places along the way. Women may still wear the traditional clothing of the area, and narrow streets preserve the feel of an older settlement. The route then continues along the interoceanic highway connecting Peru with Brazil. It is an unusual detail in the itinerary, and it reminds you that this is not an isolated tourist road. It is part of a major route across the region.

The road time has two drawbacks. First, the return to Cusco comes after hiking and sightseeing, when you may be tired. Second, a seat in a vehicle for six hours of the day leaves less time for a slow visit to each village. You will see the communities from the road rather than take part in a long village walk.

Still, I like that the day does not begin with a sudden jump from Cusco to a trailhead. You get a gradual change from city streets to high Andean villages, then to the mountain range.

Breakfast with a family in Pacchanta

Pacchanta sits more than 4,000 meters above sea level. Here, a local family welcomes you into their home and serves breakfast made with Andean ingredients.

This is a useful stop, not just a polite cultural add-on. Eating before the hike matters, especially when you are walking at high altitude. The meal also gives you a chance to see how the trip connects with local food and family life.

The menu is described as nutritious rather than elaborate. That is the right expectation. You are not coming for a restaurant breakfast with a long list of choices. You are getting a practical meal based on products from the area.

The food is one of the less consistent parts of the day. Some people find the meals basic, and one detailed account found both breakfast and lunch disappointing. Bring a small snack if you are selective about food, especially since the walking comes soon after breakfast. That advice is sensible even if you generally eat anything.

The family welcome and local setting are more valuable than fancy presentation. If you like trips that put some money and attention into a community rather than only passing through it, this part adds meaning to the outing.

Hiking toward Ausangate’s colored lakes

From Pacchanta, you head toward the Vilcanota mountain range. Snow-capped Ausangate is the major sight here, and the glacier supplies water to the lakes you will see.

The first hike is the hardest part. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake. The path is described as long but steady and generally easy, yet that description can be misleading if you are not used to altitude. At more than 4,000 meters, a gentle incline can feel demanding. Your fitness matters, but acclimatization matters just as much.

The tour provides a trekking pole, which is useful on a long walk and can help you keep a steady rhythm. The guide also carries first-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle for emergencies. Those supplies are reassuring, but they do not make high altitude harmless. You should arrive prepared, walk slowly, drink water, and tell the guide if you feel unwell.

The route gives you time to stop for photographs. Tony is praised for having an upbeat personality and for stopping along the way to help with pictures. Felipe is also described as enthusiastic and fun, although English ability may not always meet expectations. The tour is offered in English and Spanish, but if detailed English explanations are important to you, confirm the language arrangements before paying.

A horse may be available for part of the walk. That possibility is useful if the altitude becomes too much, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed feature unless the operator confirms it directly. The safest plan is to book this only if you are comfortable with a high-altitude hike.

Comercocha, Alqacocha, and the return circuit

Once you reach the first lake, the outing becomes less strenuous. You continue to several lakes, including Comercocha and Alqacocha, both noted for their green and turquoise tones beneath the glacier.

This is where the trip earns its price. You are not driving to one viewpoint, taking a picture, and leaving. The circuit gives you a series of water colors and mountain angles. The scenery changes as you move, and Ausangate remains the visual anchor.

The route then passes Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha on the way back to Pacchanta. From the first lagoon until you return to the restaurant, the stated time is about 2.5 hours. Add the 1.5-hour approach to the first lake, and you should plan for roughly four hours of walking and lake stops.

Take that timing seriously. The route may feel easy under good conditions, but it is not a short stroll. Warm clothing is important because temperatures can be low, even when the sun is strong. Sunscreen is also essential at this elevation. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and keep your camera close for the many photo stops.

The outing is best for people who enjoy a steady walk with repeated views. It is less suited to anyone looking for a comfortable coach tour with minimal exertion.

Lunch, local produce, and realistic food expectations

Back in Pacchanta, you return to the host family’s home for a buffet lunch made with natural products grown in the area.

The buffet format is practical after a morning outside. You can usually choose what appeals to you and take enough food to recover from the walk. The meal also reinforces the local character of the trip, since the food is linked to the community rather than a standard city restaurant.

Do not book this tour because you expect a memorable culinary experience. The available feedback points to simple food, with rice and pasta described as plain and lacking sauce or seasoning. For some people, that is perfectly adequate after hiking. For others, it may feel underwhelming.

I would pack a few familiar snacks without making a fuss about it. A granola bar, nuts, or another small item can make the return ride easier. You should still try the local meal, since eating what is served is part of seeing how the community supports the excursion.

The Pacchanta hot springs option

After lunch, you have about 40 minutes for the hot springs. The visit is optional, and the entrance fee is not included. You pay PEN 5 at the springs and need to bring your swimsuit.

The thermal pools are a welcome idea after several hours on foot. Warm water at the end of a cold high-altitude hike can loosen tired legs and give you a quieter pause before the drive back.

There is a practical catch. Forty minutes is not a long spa visit, particularly if you need time to change. The hot springs are also not the main focus of the outing. One account indicates that the thermal stop was missed entirely, so you should treat it as a planned option rather than an absolute guarantee of the day.

The cold air after leaving the water can be uncomfortable. Bring warm layers and change promptly. The contrast between hot water and chilly mountain air is part of the experience, but it is not ideal if you are already tired or feeling the altitude.

If the hot springs are your top reason for booking, ask for confirmation before departure. If you see them as a pleasant extra after the lakes, the tour makes more sense.

Is $38 a good value?

At $38 per person, this is an inexpensive full-day excursion from Cusco. The price includes hotel pickup, round-trip transport, breakfast, buffet lunch, a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide, a trekking pole, first-aid equipment, and oxygen for emergencies.

You still pay PEN 20 for the lake entrance and PEN 5 for the hot springs. Those are small additions, but you should carry local currency so they do not become a nuisance on the day.

The value is strongest if you want transport handled for you. Organizing a high-altitude trip to Pacchanta independently would require arranging a vehicle, finding the route, and sorting out meals and entry fees. Here, those basics are bundled together, and you get a guide to lead the walk.

The low price also explains some limits. Meals are basic, guide quality can vary by language, and the hot spring stop may not always unfold exactly as hoped. This is a budget mountain day, not a private luxury tour.

For a 15-hour excursion with two meals and a long transfer, $38 is fair. You are paying mainly for access to the Ausangate region and the logistics of getting there. If you want a smaller vehicle, carefully planned food, or guaranteed spa time, look for a more expensive and more specialized option.

Who should book this Ausangate day?

I would recommend it to an active visitor who has already spent enough time in Cusco to think seriously about high altitude. You should be comfortable with an early start, several hours on foot, cold conditions, and a long ride home.

It suits you especially well if you want:

• Dramatic mountain scenery without a multi-day trek
• A low-cost way to reach the Ausangate area
• A local breakfast and lunch in Pacchanta
• A guide-led route with a trekking pole
• An optional hot spring stop after hiking
• Cultural views of villages such as Ccatcca along the road

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone with a pre-existing medical condition, to pregnant women, or to children under two, who are specifically excluded. It is also a poor fit if you dislike basic meals, need fluent English at every stage, or want a slow and comfortable day.

The tour starts high, not gradually. If you have not adjusted to altitude, the scenery may be spectacular but the walk could become the main thing you remember. Pack warm clothes, water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, a camera, and a snack. That simple preparation can make a major difference.

Final call: book it for the lakes, not the lunch

Book this tour if your priority is seeing the striking lakes below Ausangate at a very low price. The strongest parts are the mountain setting, the changing water colors, the long but steady circuit, and the warm attitude of the local hosts and guides.

Go in with realistic expectations. Breakfast and lunch are functional, not gourmet. The hike is easy in terms of trail pace but tough because of altitude. The hot springs are a nice extra, though the 40-minute window is short and the stop may not always happen as planned.

If you prepare for the altitude and accept the long day, this is a worthwhile Cusco add-on. The lakes are the reason to go, and they provide enough beauty to make the early start and simple meals feel like a fair trade.

FAQ

How long does the 7 Lakes tour last?

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

How long is the drive from Cusco to Pacchanta?

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours. The return journey also takes about three hours and ends at Plaza del Regocijo near the center of Cusco.

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located more than 4,000 meters above sea level. The lakes are also in a high-altitude area, so you should be prepared for cold temperatures and reduced physical comfort.

How long is the hike?

The first section takes about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake. The route from the first lagoon through the other lake stops and back to the restaurant takes about 2.5 hours.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is served by a local family in Pacchanta, and lunch is a buffet made with natural products grown in the area.

Are the hot springs included?

The hot springs are optional and require a separate PEN 5 entrance fee. You have about 40 minutes for the visit and should bring a swimsuit.

What does the tour price include?

The $38 price includes hotel pickup, round-trip transportation, breakfast, buffet lunch, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, first-aid equipment, an oxygen bottle for emergencies, and a trekking pole.

What extra entrance fees should I expect?

The lake entrance fee is PEN 20. The hot springs entrance fee is PEN 5 if you choose to visit them.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a camera, sunscreen, water, and a swimsuit if you plan to use the hot springs. A snack can also be useful because the meals are basic.