Cusco: Seven Lagoons of Ausangate Hiking Day Trip with Lunch

The Seven Lagoons of Ausangate offer one of the Cusco region’s most dramatic day trips: a long mountain walk past water in shades of blue, green, red, and dark gray, all set below Ausangate. The route gives you both a high viewpoint and close views of the lakes, so you are not stuck admiring them from one photo stop.

I like the way this tour combines a serious five-hour walk with a hot-water stop in Pacchanta. I also like the practical package: breakfast, lunch, walking sticks, a first aid kit, and oxygen are included for $30. The main drawback is the early start and demanding schedule, plus the fact that the entry fee is extra and must be handled carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins at 4:00 AM in Cusco, followed by about three hours in a van before breakfast.
• The seven lakes are seen from above and up close, with a loop route that returns to Pacchanta.
• The lake names include Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake.
• Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters come after the hike, giving your legs a welcome break before lunch and the ride home.
• The small group is limited to 12 people, with guiding in English or Spanish.
• The $30 price includes meals and transport but not entry fees, so bring local cash and confirm the fee and change before handing over money.

Why the Seven Lagoons are worth the long day

This is not a quick stop-and-snap excursion. You leave Cusco before sunrise, ride deep into the Cusco Region, walk for several hours, soak in hot water, eat lunch, and ride back. The reward is a full day in a more open mountain setting, far from the city streets and the usual ruins circuit.

The lakes are the star. Their different colors are shaped by mineral content, light, and the surrounding rock, though the exact shade can change with weather. The names add character to the route: Upper Lake, the two Otorongo lakes, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake.

I especially like that the route does not treat the lagoons as one roadside viewpoint. You first walk to a higher lookout after about two hours, then continue for roughly three more hours to see much of the group from closer range. That gives you a sense of place instead of just a single crowded picture stop.

The scenery includes Ausangate, mountain slopes, native plants, and local animal life. The supplied details do not identify particular species, so I would not book this expecting a wildlife tour. Think of the walk as a scenic mountain outing where the lakes and the changing views carry the day.

The 4:00 AM departure from Cusco

The pickup time is listed as 4:00 AM, and that is the part you need to take seriously. You will spend around three hours in the van before reaching Pacchanta, so arrange your clothes, water, identification, and camera the night before.

The early departure has one useful advantage: it leaves enough daylight for the long loop and still allows time for the hot springs and lunch. It also makes the return to Cusco possible within a 10-hour schedule.

Hotel pickup is included, and the tour finishes at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco. The return point is useful if you want to continue into the central area, but it is not the same as being dropped back at your hotel. If you have a late afternoon plan, leave room for traffic and delays.

A small group of up to 12 people is a good fit for this kind of walk. It should be easier to hear the guide and keep the group together than on a large coach tour. Still, a small group does not change the basic facts: this is an early, long day with a substantial amount of walking.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the trail

After the van ride, you stop in Pacchanta for about 50 minutes of breakfast and free time. This is more than a quick snack. It gives you a chance to eat before the trail and get ready for the colder, more physical part of the day.

Breakfast is included, as is lunch later. That matters at this price, since arranging two meals independently in a remote mountain area can be awkward. You should still carry water and a few personal snacks because the supplied information does not specify the breakfast menu, portion size, or any extra food stops.

Pacchanta is also the start and finish of the hiking loop. That makes the route simpler than a point-to-point walk. You do not need to arrange a separate ride from the end of the trail, and you finish near the place where the hot-water stop and lunch take place.

The first two hours to the Ausangate viewpoint

The first major section is an uphill mountain walk from Pacchanta toward a viewpoint. The stated schedule gives this section about two hours, followed by time to take photos and look across the Seven Lagoons.

This viewpoint is important because it lets you understand the arrangement of the lakes. From above, the colors and shapes read as a single scene, with Ausangate forming the mountain backdrop. It is the best place for a wide photo and for seeing why the route is called the Seven Lagoons rather than simply a lake hike.

The guide leads the walk in English or Spanish and can help identify the lakes along the route. The tour includes walking sticks, which are useful on a long trail, especially when your legs are still adjusting to the pace and mountain terrain.

Do not treat the viewpoint as the end of the hike. It is the first big reward, but the tour continues. If you have limited stamina, this is a useful point to consider before booking. The day involves several hours on foot, not a short stroll from the van.

Five more hours around the colored lakes

After the viewpoint, the route continues for roughly three hours, with another hour listed as walking time in the schedule. Taken together, you should plan for about five to six hours of walking, including stops and slower sections.

This longer loop is one of the tour’s strongest features. You get close views of a large portion of the seven lakes rather than seeing them all from one distant perch. The colors can look very different from ground level, where the shore, rock, and water meet in separate layers.

The trail also gives you time to notice the surrounding mountain scenery, plants, and local fauna. Since the tour is a full loop, the views should change as you move rather than repeating the same angle all morning.

The practical challenge is pacing. Comfortable shoes are essential, and warm clothing is listed for good reason. You also need a hat, sunscreen, and water. Conditions can change in exposed mountain areas, so bring layers rather than relying on one thick garment.

The tour supplies an oxygen balloon and a first aid kit. These are sensible safety items, but they are not a substitute for judging your own fitness. The experience is specifically not suitable for people with heart problems or pregnant women.

Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters after the hike

The hot springs come after the loop, when the timing makes the most sense. The schedule allows about 1.5 hours for lunch and swimming, so you can rest, eat, and spend time in Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters before the ride back.

This is a smart finish to a demanding morning. A mountain walk followed by warm water gives the day a clear rhythm: travel, breakfast, hike, soak, lunch, and return. The water stop also makes the tour more appealing than a hike that simply turns around and drives back.

You should remember that the entry fee is not included. The supplied information does not state the exact amount, so confirm the current charge before you go and carry the correct local currency if possible.

There was one reported payment problem involving the Ausangate entrance fee. A passenger said a bus conductor took 100 soles without returning the expected change. The issue was eventually addressed with help from the guide, but the lesson is simple: ask how much the entrance costs, hand over only the required amount when possible, and count your change immediately. Keep a receipt if one is offered.

Lunch, the return ride, and the real value of $30

Lunch is included after the hot springs, and it is well placed after the long walk. The menu is not specified, so you should not book based on a particular dish. The value comes from having a prepared meal waiting at the end of a remote, tiring route.

At $30 per person, the package is priced well if the pickup, three-hour outbound ride, three-hour return ride, two meals, guide, and trail equipment all operate as planned. You are paying less for luxury and more for access and convenience. The van ride is long, and the day is tightly scheduled, but arranging the same transport and meals on your own would be difficult.

The price does not cover entry fees, which slightly reduces the all-in value. That is not unusual for a mountain attraction, but it should be part of your budget from the start. Also, a low-cost day trip can involve basic transport and a straightforward meal rather than comfort-focused service.

The return ride takes about three hours, with the day ending at Plaza Regocijo. After the early start and long walk, you may be ready for a quiet evening. I would avoid scheduling anything demanding that night.

What the service appears to do well, and where to stay alert

The experience has an overall rating of 3.8 from seven ratings, so the picture is mixed rather than perfect. The strongest praise focuses on the scenery and the guide’s attitude. One five-star account described the scenery as spectacular and praised the guide as helpful and kind. Another five-star account, written in Spanish, called it a great experience and noted an attentive guide.

That matches the structure of the tour. A scenic route, a guide who keeps the group moving, and assistance on a demanding walk are the parts most likely to shape your day. The guide’s support matters more here than a polished vehicle or elaborate commentary.

The serious negative account involved a missed pickup and a dispute over money for the entrance fee. A taxi was sent so the passenger could meet the bus, and the guide helped recover the money. That response is useful, but the original problem is still worth noting.

I would confirm the pickup details the day before and be ready at the stated location early. I would also keep your booking confirmation available and clarify the entry payment before the group reaches the gate. These steps do not remove every risk, but they make the two clearest trouble spots easier to manage.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a full mountain day rather than a relaxed sightseeing trip. It suits hikers who can manage five or more hours on foot, enjoy changing scenery, and appreciate a hot-water stop afterward.

It is also a good choice if you want the Seven Lagoons without arranging private transport, meals, and a local guide separately. The small group, walking sticks, oxygen, first aid kit, and two included meals make the logistics easier.

I would hesitate if you dislike very early departures, long van rides, or a schedule that leaves little room for wandering. The trip is not designed for people with heart problems or pregnant women, and the amount of walking makes it a poor match for anyone seeking an easy outing.

Bring your passport or ID, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, sunscreen, water, and a camera. The tour includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Cusco plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Seven Lagoons tour?

Book it if the lakes are high on your Cusco wish list and you want the simplest low-cost way to reach them. The combination of a high viewpoint, close lake views, Pacchanta hot springs, breakfast, lunch, and a small group gives the day real value.

Skip it if you want a gentle excursion or dependable door-to-door service without any need to monitor payments. The early start, long walk, extra entry fee, and one reported pickup and money-handling problem call for a little preparation.

For the best chance of a smooth day, confirm the 4:00 AM pickup, bring cash for admission, ask for the exact fee, and count your change. Do that, and this tour offers a demanding but memorable look at one of the Cusco region’s most striking natural settings.

FAQ

What time does the tour begin?

Hotel pickup in Cusco begins at 4:00 AM.

How long does the experience last?

The full day lasts about 10 hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.

How long is the van ride?

The itinerary lists about three hours by van each way, from Cusco to Pacchanta and back.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

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

Is the entrance fee included?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide provides the tour in English or Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, camera, sunscreen, and water.