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

Ausangate’s seven lakes are the main event here, and they sit high enough to make the sky feel close. From Pacchanta, you hike through open Andean country with llamas, alpacas, and snow-capped Ausangate above you. The water shifts from turquoise to emerald, though light and weather affect the colors.

I like the excellent value: for $35, you get hotel pickup, transport, breakfast, lunch, a guide, and access to a full day of mountain scenery. I also like the finish at Pacchanta’s hot springs, where your tired legs get a warm soak with Ausangate in view.

The catch is the altitude and the long day. The lakes sit above 4,600 meters, and the outing can take 12 hours from Cusco. One booking had a late pickup and a last-minute guide change, so communication with the agency may need patience.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lakes in one hike: Visit Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha.
• Very high altitude: The route reaches more than 4,600 meters, so spend two or three days acclimatizing in Cusco first.
• A long but useful day: Expect roughly 3 to 3.5 hours each way in the van, plus four to five hours of walking and stops.
• Meals are included: Breakfast in Pacchanta and a typical Andean lunch help make the early start manageable.
• Hot springs at the finish: Pacchanta gives you a chance to rest in thermal water beneath the Ausangate peak.
• Bring mountain gear: Hiking shoes, water, rain gear, sun protection, warm clothing, and trekking equipment are all important.

Leaving Cusco before sunrise

Your day normally begins with pickup in Cusco around 4 a.m. The agency collects you from your accommodation, then the van heads toward Pacchanta, the community used as the starting point for the walk.

This is not a quick transfer. The drive takes about three to three and a half hours, so you should expect a cramped, sleepy morning. Still, the early departure makes sense. It gives you time to reach the lakes, complete the walk, use the hot springs, eat lunch, and return to Cusco before evening.

The return drop-off is near Cusco’s historic center rather than necessarily at your exact hotel. You should confirm the pickup details and meeting time the day before. The agency contacts you in advance, and having a working phone number available matters.

One practical warning comes from the day-to-day operation. A booking recorded a pickup expected between 4:20 and 4:40 a.m., but the van did not arrive until 5 a.m., and the assigned guide had changed. Several calls were needed to sort it out. The guide who eventually led that outing, John, was described as professional, and the driver handled the long road well. The lesson is simple: keep your morning flexible and confirm the pickup time clearly.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

After the road journey, you stop in Pacchanta for a traditional Andean breakfast. The meal lasts about 30 minutes and gives you a chance to use the facilities, organize your day pack, and eat before the walking begins.

Do not treat breakfast as a minor extra. At this altitude, a small meal and enough water can make a real difference. You will be hiking for several hours, often in cold air and strong sun, so it is wise to eat well even if you do not feel hungry early in the morning.

Pacchanta is also the place where the tour returns for lunch and hot springs. That makes the village a useful base rather than simply a roadside stop. Your guide can help explain where to leave anything you do not want to carry, though you should keep valuables with you.

The high trail toward Ausangate’s lakes

From Pacchanta, the route follows the seven-lakes trail through broad mountain scenery. The walking portion is described as moderate to challenging, with around four to five hours of hiking in total. The schedule breaks this into roughly three hours on the way toward the lakes and two hours on the return.

The distance is only part of the challenge. Altitude is the real test. The lakes sit above 4,600 meters, higher than Cusco by a considerable margin. At that height, a gentle slope can feel like hard work. You should walk slowly, sip water often, and tell your guide if you feel unwell.

The trail brings you through the open country around Ausangate, Peru’s great snow-capped mountain of the region. You may see llamas and alpacas along the way, along with local plants adapted to cold, dry conditions. The setting is spare and enormous, with little shelter from sun, wind, or sudden rain.

This is a place for steady walking rather than speed. Comfortable trekking shoes are essential, and hiking poles can be useful, though poles are not listed as a guaranteed inclusion. Bring your own if you rely on them.

Seven lagoons, seven changing views

The tour visits seven named lakes:

• Comercocha
• Patacocha
• Alqacocha
• Otorongococha
• Azulcocha
• Pucacocha
• Q’omercocha

The colors range from turquoise to emerald green. Do not expect every lake to look exactly the same as a photograph you have seen online. Sun, cloud, wind, and viewing angle all change the water. The appeal is the variety, along with the mountain setting around them.

The main viewing and photo stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time for panoramic pictures and a close look at the water, but it is not an unlimited photography session. If you want the best shots, keep your camera ready during the approach and do not spend the entire stop posing.

The seven lakes are valuable because the experience is not reduced to one viewpoint. You keep moving through the high country and see the water from different angles. The snowy Ausangate peak gives the route its visual anchor, while the lagoons provide the color.

The weather can change quickly at this elevation. A sunny morning may still bring cold wind or rain, so pack rain gear even if the forecast looks good. Sunglasses and a sun hat are just as important as a warm layer. The high-altitude sun can be harsh when the air feels cold.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch

After the lake visit, you walk back toward Pacchanta for about two hours. By then, the return may feel harder than the outward route. Your legs have already done the main climb, and the altitude continues to affect your breathing.

Lunch is served in Pacchanta and lasts around 40 minutes. It is a typical Andean meal prepared by the local community. The food has been described as basic, generous, and tasty, which is exactly what works after a cold high-altitude hike. This is not a gourmet stop. It is a filling local meal at the right moment.

I see real value in having both meals included. You do not need to search for food in a remote mountain community, and the schedule stays together. The meals also support the local community that helps host the excursion.

A warm finish at Pacchanta’s thermal baths

The hot springs are the reward at the end of the walking. You get about 30 minutes of free time at the Pacchanta thermal baths, with views toward the snow-capped Ausangate mountain.

A short soak can feel wonderful after the trail. It also gives the day a more human rhythm: cold mountain air, hard walking, a simple meal, then warm water. Bring whatever you need for the bath, and remember that the entrance fee is not included in the advertised price.

The separate admission for the lakes and thermal baths is 30 soles. Add that cost to the $35 tour price when you work out your real budget. Even with the extra fee, the package remains inexpensive because transport, breakfast, lunch, guiding, hotel pickup, and emergency equipment are included.

The thermal bath visit is brief. You should not book this expecting a long spa session. It is a practical rest stop and a pleasant way to finish the physical part of the day.

What the $35 price really covers

At $35 per person, this is a low-cost full-day outing. The price includes:

• Pickup from your Cusco accommodation
• A professional guide
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• First aid kit
• Oxygen bottle
• Transport to and from the area
• Drop-off near Cusco’s historic center

That is a strong package for a remote mountain excursion. The long van ride alone would be costly and awkward to arrange independently, and the meals remove two logistical problems.

The guide is especially important here. A live guide is available in Spanish and English, and the first-aid kit and oxygen bottle provide useful backup at high altitude. Oxygen is not a substitute for acclimatization or medical care, but it is reassuring to know that emergency equipment is carried.

The tradeoff is a simple, budget-style operation. The food is practical rather than elaborate, and pickup coordination may not always be perfect. If you need polished communication, exact timing, and a private vehicle, this may not be the right format. If you want a low-cost way to reach Ausangate’s lakes, the numbers work well.

Preparing for 4,600 meters

You should spend two or three days in Cusco before attempting this excursion. That is the single most important preparation step. The altitude can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath, even in people who are fit.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with heart or respiratory problems, or people over 65. Anyone with heart, breathing, or blood pressure concerns should speak with a doctor before booking.

Pack a small bag with:

• Water
• Energy snacks
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Rain gear
• Comfortable clothes
• Hiking pants
• Trekking shoes
• Other trekking gear

Wear layers. You may begin in cold pre-dawn conditions, warm up during the walk, then cool down again when the wind rises or the clouds arrive. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and neither belongs in a demanding high-altitude outing anyway.

You should also be honest about your fitness. The route is not presented as an easy stroll. The walk is moderate to challenging, and the total day includes long hours in a vehicle. You do not need to be an expert mountaineer, but you should be comfortable walking for four to five hours in demanding conditions.

How the day feels from start to finish

The rhythm is clear:

1. Pickup in Cusco around 4 a.m.
2. Van ride of roughly 3 to 3.5 hours
3. Breakfast in Pacchanta for about 30 minutes
4. Hike along the seven-lakes trail for around three hours
5. Photo stop and free time at the lakes for about 30 minutes
6. Two-hour walk back to Pacchanta
7. Lunch for about 40 minutes
8. Thirty minutes at the thermal baths
9. Van ride back to Cusco for roughly three hours

You should return between 5 and 6 p.m., though road conditions and pickup delays can affect the exact time. This is a full day, not a relaxed half-day outing.

The long drive is the biggest drawback for many people. You spend roughly six hours in the van, often on mountain roads, to get several hours of walking and viewing. The reward is access to scenery that is difficult to reach on a short schedule.

The best part is the contrast between the stops. The drive gets you far from the city, the trail brings you into the high country, the lakes provide the main visual reward, and Pacchanta’s warm water lets you recover before the ride home.

Who should book the seven lakes tour

I would recommend this to you if you want a full day outside Cusco, enjoy mountain walking, and have already adjusted to altitude. It suits people who value scenery and local meals more than polished comfort.

It is also a good choice if your budget is limited. The included transportation and food make the $35 price useful, even after adding the 30-sol admission fee. The English and Spanish guide option helps if you want more than a driver and a meeting point.

I would be cautious if you have only just arrived in Peru. A first or second day in Cusco is not the time to attempt a hike above 4,600 meters. I would also choose another activity if you dislike early starts, long van rides, basic meals, or changing weather.

For photography, the tour offers strong possibilities. The lagoons, snowy Ausangate, alpacas, and open mountain views give you plenty to frame. Just protect your camera from rain and avoid letting photography slow you down when the guide is moving the group.

Should you book this Ausangate day trip?

Book it if you want maximum mountain scenery for a modest price and can handle altitude, cold, early hours, and a long return ride. The seven lakes are the main reason to go, while the Pacchanta hot springs add a welcome finish.

Do not book it as a casual sightseeing day. Prepare in Cusco, bring proper gear, and expect the schedule to be tiring. Confirm your pickup details the day before, since one outing had a late vehicle and a guide change.

For a fit, acclimatized visitor who wants to see Ausangate without arranging private transport, this is a worthwhile day. The operation may be basic, but the combination of seven lagoons, local food, mountain animals, snowy peaks, and thermal baths gives you a lot for the money.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven lakes tour last?

The tour lasts about 12 hours. Pickup generally begins around 4 a.m., and you should return to Cusco between 5 and 6 p.m.

How high are the seven lakes?

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

Is breakfast included?

Yes. A traditional Andean breakfast is served in Pacchanta after the morning drive.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A typical Andean lunch prepared by the local community is included and takes about 40 minutes.

Is the thermal bath entrance included?

No. Entrance to the seven lakes and the Pacchanta thermal baths costs 30 soles and is paid separately.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.