From Cusco: 7 Lagoons Tour

The best part of this day is the seven-lagoon route beneath Ausangate, where high Andean scenery replaces the crowds and souvenir stalls of Cusco’s better-known sights. You walk from one lagoon to the next across open mountain country, with native plants, wildlife, and snowy peaks around you.

I like two things here: the route feels quieter than many day trips from Cusco, and the price includes transport, breakfast, a bilingual guide, and lunch. I also like the chance to soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs after the hike, a simple luxury when your legs have had enough.

The main caution is altitude. The walk is about 10 kilometers and five hours, with the first lagoon roughly 1.5 hours away. It can feel hard even if you exercise regularly, and the early pickup requires a reliable operator. One booking had a serious delay and a lack of space in the bus, so confirm your pickup before bed.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lagoons below Ausangate: The route links a series of mountain lagoons surrounded by Andean plants and wildlife.
• A demanding high-altitude walk: Expect about 10 kilometers of hiking, with the first lagoon around 1.5 hours from the starting point.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome finish: You can use the hot springs for an extra 5 soles after the hike.
• Meals are included: Breakfast and lunch are served in the Pacchanta community, and the food received strong praise.
• Guides can make the day easier: Guillermo and Frank were specifically noted for their calm support and care with altitude problems.
• Good value with a few extra costs: The tour costs $35, but the entry ticket is 10 soles and the hot springs cost 5 soles if you choose to enter.

Why the seven lagoons make this day special

Ausangate is one of the great mountain areas near Cusco. Its snowy summit feeds water into a chain of high Andean lagoons, giving this outing a clear focus: you are not simply driving to one viewpoint, taking a photo, and leaving. You spend much of the day walking through the country around the water.

The appeal is the variety. Each lagoon sits in the broad mountain setting, with changing views as you move along the trail. The route also brings you close to the vegetation and fauna of the Andes. The supplied details do not promise a particular animal sighting, so I would treat wildlife as a bonus rather than a main reason to book.

This is a better choice for you if you like earning your views. The seven lagoons are reached on foot, and the outing is not designed as a relaxed sightseeing loop. The first lagoon takes about 1.5 hours to reach, then you continue to the others over a total route of roughly 10 kilometers.

That distance is manageable for many people, but the altitude changes the equation. A five-hour walk at high elevation can feel much harder than the same distance at home. One person described the hike as intense because of the height, even after doing several other hikes. Another rated it as medium difficulty and found it worth the effort.

The early ride from Cusco to Pacchanta

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Cusco. The exact starting time depends on availability, but this is an early morning outing. One pickup was arranged for 4:30 am, and the return to Cusco is expected around 7:00 pm, so set aside the full day.

The drive takes you away from the city and toward the community of Pacchanta. This transfer is part of the practical value of the tour. Organizing transport to a remote mountain trail on your own would add work, and the package also covers the meals and guide.

There is one important warning. A booking problem led to a delayed pickup, with a vehicle not arriving until 6:30 am and no seat available on the original bus. The situation was eventually fixed with another car and guide, but it caused a rushed start. Since pickup is included, wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and confirm the arrangement with the provider the evening before.

That small check matters more here than on a casual city tour. You are heading into a remote area, and missing the vehicle could mean missing the hiking group or losing most of the morning.

Breakfast in the Pacchanta community

The first stop is Pacchanta, where you have breakfast before starting the hike. This is more than a quick fuel stop. Eating in the community gives the day a local setting and helps you begin a long walk with something substantial in your stomach.

Breakfast is included, as is lunch later in the day. Food quality received clear praise, with both meals described as very good. The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or a special dietary arrangement. If you have food restrictions, ask the provider before paying.

You may also find the morning meal useful for judging how your body feels at altitude. If you already feel unwell before the hike, tell your guide. The mountain route will not become easier once you are walking, and the guide should know if you need to slow down.

Walking to the first lagoon

From the trailhead, the first lagoon is about 1.5 hours away on foot. This opening stretch sets the tone for the rest of the day. You are climbing and walking in the high Andes, not strolling along a flat park path.

The route is described as medium difficulty by one participant and intense by another. Both descriptions can be true. Fitness helps, but altitude is the factor you cannot fully predict. A person who normally exercises may still need a slower pace, pauses, and careful attention to breathing.

The guide is important at this stage. Guillermo was praised for being easygoing and for helping make the hike a good experience. Frank was also described as attentive, especially when someone showed signs of altitude sickness. Those names give you useful points of reference, but the assigned guide may vary.

You should stay aware of how you feel rather than trying to match the fastest person in the group. The point is to see the lagoons, not to win a race. The route description specifically asks you to be cautious with the natural surroundings, so keep your attention on the trail and the mountain conditions.

From one lagoon to the next

After the first lagoon, the walk continues through the chain of seven. The full route is about 10 kilometers and takes roughly five hours. This is the heart of the trip, and it is where the tour earns its place among Cusco’s longer day outings.

The scenery is the reward: water, snowy Ausangate, open mountain views, and Andean vegetation. You also get a quieter setting than some of the region’s more heavily visited attractions. One participant valued the peace and the fact that the route was not crowded.

That quieter feel is a real advantage if you want time for photographs and a less hurried day. It also means you should not expect the same level of facilities you would find at a major attraction. One person specifically suggested that the bathroom service needs improvement as the route becomes more popular. Plan for basic conditions rather than polished visitor facilities.

Photography is a strong part of the outing. A guide named Guillermo was thanked for taking great photos, which points to a useful service that may depend on the guide and group. Still, carry your own phone or camera and protect it from cold or wet weather. The information does not specify storage or charging facilities, so start with a full battery.

A horse option may be available at the beginning of the route. This could help if the first section proves too hard, but the details do not say how much it costs, how long the horse can be used, or whether availability is guaranteed. Treat it as a possible backup, not as part of the included package.

The return to Pacchanta hot springs

After the hike, you return to Pacchanta for the hot springs. The entrance costs 5 soles and is optional. This is a smart addition to the day because it gives you a chance to rest before lunch rather than moving straight from the trail into the vehicle.

The hot springs are not the main attraction, but they change the rhythm of the outing. After several hours on your feet, warm water can feel especially welcome. You should remember that the cost is not included, and you may prefer to save your soles if you are not interested in soaking.

The tour information does not provide details about changing rooms, towels, pool temperature, or facilities. Bring only what you need and do not assume towels are supplied. The safest plan is to ask the guide what is available when you arrive.

Lunch, then the long ride back

Lunch follows the hot springs in Pacchanta. It is included in the $35 price, along with breakfast, transport, and a bilingual guide. The meals are served in the community, which gives the day a more grounded feel than eating at a highway stop.

Once lunch is finished, you return to Cusco, arriving around 7:00 pm. This makes the outing a full day with a late finish. Do not schedule an evening activity that requires a precise arrival time, especially since road and group timing can vary.

The long return is one of the tradeoffs. You gain access to a remote route without arranging transport yourself, but you spend much of the day on the move. For a one-day trip from Cusco, that is normal. It is best suited to you if the lagoons are a priority, not if you want a short or gentle excursion.

What the $35 price really includes

At $35 per person, this is a strong value on paper. You receive round-trip transport, breakfast, lunch, and a bilingual guide in English or Spanish. The route itself is the costly part to arrange independently, since it requires reaching Pacchanta and coordinating a mountain hike.

Your actual budget should include two small extras:

• The entry ticket costs 10 soles.
• The Pacchanta hot springs cost 5 soles if you choose to enter.

That makes the optional soak easy to add without changing the overall cost much. The larger question is service reliability. One poor pickup experience involved a lack of bus space and a late replacement vehicle. It was resolved, but it shows why a low price should not be your only test.

The tour has a rating of 4.7 from eight reviews, with praise focused on the scenery, meals, guides, and quieter trail. The one low rating was not about the mountains or hike. It was about the company’s handling of the pickup mistake. I would book for the route and value, but I would also confirm the pickup clearly.

How hard is the hike?

The honest answer is: medium on paper, hard in practice if altitude affects you. The distance is about 10 kilometers, and the walking time is approximately five hours. The first lagoon alone requires around 1.5 hours of walking.

You do not need to be an expert trekker based on the information provided, and one person who does not normally exercise found the walk demanding but bearable. Still, the route is not a good match for someone seeking an easy day or someone who knows they struggle with altitude.

A guide can help you judge your pace. Frank was praised for checking on people with altitude problems, while Guillermo was described as calm and supportive. Guide quality can vary by departure, but these examples show what you should expect and ask for: a guide who watches the group rather than simply leading from the front.

Because the tour details do not state the exact elevation, ascent, or trail surface, I would not assume the route is gentle. Pack for a strenuous mountain day and follow the provider’s current advice before departure.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want:

• A full day in the high Andes
• A physical route with seven distinct lagoon stops
• Mountain scenery without the busiest tourist setting
• Meals and transport included
• A hot spring stop after the hike
• English or Spanish guiding

It is especially appealing if you have already seen Cusco’s central sights and want a more active day outside the city. The route gives you a stronger sense of the region’s mountain communities and open country than a short viewpoint visit.

I would hesitate if you need dependable, tightly timed transport above all else, have serious concerns about altitude, or want comfortable facilities throughout the day. The bathroom conditions may be basic, and the one pickup failure is worth taking seriously.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less risky. They do not remove the need to check the pickup details and prepare for the physical demands.

Should you book the 7 Lagoons Tour?

Yes, if the idea of walking for five hours through the Andes sounds exciting rather than exhausting. The seven lagoons, views of Ausangate, community meals, and Pacchanta hot springs make a satisfying day for $35, even after adding the small entry fees.

Book it with realistic expectations. This is a high-altitude hike with simple facilities, an early start, and a long return to Cusco. Confirm your pickup, ask which guide is assigned, and treat the horse option as uncertain. If you do that, this tour offers a good mix of scenery, exercise, local stops, and value.

FAQ

Where does the 7 Lagoons Tour take place?

The tour takes place in the Cusco Region of Peru, around the community of Pacchanta and the seven lagoons associated with snowy Ausangate.

How long does the tour last?

It is a full one-day excursion. The group is expected to return to Cusco around 7:00 pm.

How long is the hike?

The route is approximately 10 kilometers and takes about five hours. The first lagoon is roughly 1.5 hours from the starting point.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and lunch are included. Both are served in the Pacchanta community.

Is transport from Cusco included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and transport are included. You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A bilingual live guide is included, with English and Spanish available. Guides named in the supplied information include Guillermo and Frank, though your assigned guide may be different.

How much does the entrance ticket cost?

The entry ticket costs 10 soles and is not included in the tour price.

Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?

No. The hot springs are optional and cost 5 soles to enter.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.

Is the hike difficult?

The route is described as medium difficulty by one participant, but altitude made it feel intense for another. The tour information does not give an exact elevation, so prepare for a demanding high-Andes walk.