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

Ausangate’s seven high-altitude lakes are the main event here: turquoise, green, and blue pools set below Peru’s snow-capped Vilcanota range. The colors can look almost unreal, but the long day gives you time to see them at a steady pace, stop for photos, and meet people in Pacchanta.

I like the home-cooked Andean breakfast and lunch, plus the chance to end a demanding hike in hot springs. I also like the human touch of eating with a local family rather than simply stopping at a roadside restaurant. The trade-off is clear: this is a 15-hour day at more than 4,000 meters, and the food is basic. One guide, Felipe, was praised for his humor and energy, while another visitor found the English guidance weak, so language quality may vary.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lakes below Ausangate: See a series of green, turquoise, and blue lagoons near one of the Andes’ most impressive glaciers.
• More than 4,000 meters above sea level: The altitude, not just the walking, is what makes this day tiring.
• Breakfast and lunch in a local home: Eat Andean ingredients with a family in Pacchanta, though meals are simple.
• Hot springs after the hike: You get about 40 minutes to soak, with a separate PEN 5 entrance fee.
• Three hours each way from Cusco: Expect an early start and a late return near Plaza del Regocijo.
• Good value at $38: Transport, guide, breakfast, lunch, first-aid supplies, oxygen, and a trekking pole are included.

Why the seven lakes are worth the long ride

The lakes are the reason to book this outing. They sit in the Vilcanota mountain range near Ausangate, a snow-covered glacier that feeds the high mountain lagoons. Each pool has its own color and setting, and the appeal comes from seeing several in one walking circuit rather than making a single viewpoint stop.

The first part of the hike is the hardest. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake, so you should not think of this as a quick photo excursion. The altitude makes a steady climb feel tougher than the distance suggests, especially if you have only recently arrived in Cusco.

Once you reach the first lagoon, the route continues for about 2.5 hours before returning to the restaurant in Pacchanta. The named lakes include Comercocha and Alqacocha, both described as green and turquoise pools below the glacier. Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha appear on the return route. The full seven-lake circuit may be the part most affected by timing and conditions, so ask your guide at the start which lakes you will see that day.

You will have chances to stop for photographs. A good guide can make a real difference here. Tony was especially praised for his cheerful personality and for stopping to help with pictures, while Felipe was described as enthusiastic and funny. Those small pauses matter when you are walking at altitude and trying to take in the views without rushing.

The early drive from Cusco to Pacchanta

Pickup begins at your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco, usually early in the morning. The total day lasts about 15 hours, with roughly three hours of driving to Pacchanta and another three hours back. That is a lot of road time, but it is the price of reaching a remote mountain area in a single day.

The route heads south through villages and highland scenery. You pass through Ccatcca, where local women may still wear traditional clothing and where narrow streets reflect the older character of the settlement. You also travel along the interoceanic highway linking Peru with Brazil, a useful reminder that this remote-looking route is part of a much larger regional road network.

The drive is part of the cultural side of the outing. You see houses, village streets, clothing, and daily life rather than only looking at mountain views through a vehicle window. Still, six hours on the road is tiring. If you prefer short transfers and more time at each stop, this trip may feel too compressed.

The tour finishes at Plaza del Regocijo, near Cusco’s central area, rather than necessarily returning you to your exact accommodation. That is worth noting if you have evening plans or a hotel far from the center.

Breakfast with a family in Pacchanta

Pacchanta sits above 4,000 meters, so the first stop is more than a meal break. A local family welcomes you into their home and serves breakfast made with Andean ingredients. It gives you a direct connection to the area and lets you see how food and hospitality fit into village life.

Do not expect a polished hotel buffet. The meals are intended to be nutritious and practical for a day outdoors. Breakfast is useful because the departure from Cusco is early, but you should still carry water and perhaps a small snack.

The food is the weakest part of the outing for some people. One assessment found the buffet plain, with rice and pasta served without much sauce or seasoning. Another simply described the food as adequate rather than memorable. If you are selective about meals, bring something familiar to eat, especially for the return journey.

That criticism should be placed beside the cultural value of the stop. Eating in a family home is a more personal arrangement than grabbing food at a large tourist restaurant. You are paying for a simple meal and a local welcome, not fine cooking.

The hardest hour: walking at 4,000 meters

The first 1.5 hours to the opening lake is the most strenuous portion. The route is described as long but generally easy in terms of technical walking. In plain terms, you do not need advanced hiking skills, but you do need to handle a sustained walk in thin air.

Altitude can affect even fit people. You may find yourself walking slowly, breathing harder, or needing extra pauses. The tour provides a trekking pole, and the guide carries first-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle for emergencies. Those supplies are reassuring, but they do not remove the need to take the altitude seriously.

Arrive in Cusco with enough time to adjust if you can. The activity is not suitable for people with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant women, or children under two. The supplied information does not give a full medical screening policy, so anyone with a health concern should seek professional advice before booking.

Wear shoes that are comfortable for uneven outdoor walking. Bring warm layers, sunscreen, water, and a camera. At this height, sun and cold can arrive together. A warm jacket is useful during stops, while extra layers make it easier to adjust as the day changes.

One useful detail from the outing is the possibility of riding a horse along the route. It is not listed as an included feature, so treat it as an option that may involve a separate arrangement or cost. Ask the guide before relying on it, particularly if walking at altitude is a concern.

Comercocha, Alqacocha, and the changing colors

The lakes are not all the same shade. Comercocha and Alqacocha are noted for green and turquoise water beneath the mystical Ausangate glacier. The appeal is not simply the color. It is the contrast between still water, rough mountain ground, and snow above.

After reaching the first lagoon, you continue to other pools before looping back toward Pacchanta. Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha are among the named stops. The route gives you repeated views instead of one quick arrival, photograph, and departure.

Weather and light can change how the water looks. The description promises unusual colors, but it does not promise identical conditions every day. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole walk looking through a screen. The scale of the mountains is easier to appreciate when you stop taking pictures for a moment.

The guide’s role is important here. A lively guide can keep the group moving and make the pauses more enjoyable. Felipe and Tony received particular praise for their energy and good humor. At the same time, English ability may not be consistent. One English-language visitor found the guide could not communicate well in English, so Spanish speakers may have a smoother experience, while English speakers should confirm the language arrangement when booking.

A buffet lunch and a short soak

After the lake circuit, you return to the host family’s home for a buffet lunch. The meal uses natural products grown in the area, which adds another local element to the day. It is a welcome chance to sit down after the walk, use the restroom, and warm up before the last activity.

Again, keep expectations modest. The food is described as enough rather than elaborate, and some people found it bland. If local ingredients and a family setting matter more to you than presentation or seasoning, you will likely see this as a fair part of the package. If lunch is a major reason you book food-inclusive tours, bring a snack as backup.

The hot springs are optional and last about 40 minutes. Admission is not included, so budget PEN 5 in addition to the PEN 20 entrance fee for the lakes and surrounding area. Bring a swimsuit if you want to enter.

The springs are a sensible finish after the hike. Warm water can loosen tired legs, and you get a quiet break before the drive back to Cusco. The catch is the cold air when you leave the pool. One person found that change especially uncomfortable, so keep your warm clothes close rather than buried in the vehicle.

Not everyone reached the hot springs on one outing, so timing may matter. Ask your guide early in the day how the schedule is running. If the springs are a priority, make sure there is enough time after lunch and before the return drive.

What $38 really covers

At $38 per person, this is a strong value if you want transport and meals arranged for a remote day trip. The price includes hotel pickup, roundtrip transportation, a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, a trekking pole, and emergency equipment including oxygen.

You still pay PEN 20 for the main entrance and PEN 5 for the hot springs. Those are small additional costs, but you should carry Peruvian soles so the fees do not catch you unprepared. The supplied information does not say that drinks, snacks, horse rides, or personal purchases are included.

The bigger question is what you value. A private vehicle and independent planning could give you more control, but arranging a trip to Pacchanta, finding the lake route, and organizing meals would take effort. This package turns a difficult transport day into one booking at a low price.

The value is less convincing if you want a relaxed schedule, polished meals, or a guaranteed long soak. The day is built around distance and scenery. You spend a great deal of time in transit, the walking is demanding because of altitude, and the food is functional.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve without paying immediately make the booking less rigid. Check the available start time before committing, since the activity begins early and lasts into the evening.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip if you want dramatic mountain views, can manage a long day, and like having local food and village contact built into a sightseeing route. It suits walkers who are comfortable moving slowly and patiently at high altitude.

It is also a good fit if you want to see more than the famous sights around Cusco. Ccatcca, Pacchanta, the family meal, and the Vilcanota range give the day a wider sense of the region. The seven lakes provide the visual payoff, but the villages and shared meal make the outing feel less like a single viewpoint visit.

I would hesitate if you are still struggling with altitude in Cusco, have a medical condition, or dislike very early starts and long vehicle rides. Families with very young children should also note the stated restriction against children under two.

English speakers should ask about the specific guide and language before booking. The tour operates in English and Spanish, but communication quality may vary. Guides such as Tony and Felipe have been praised for energy, but a fun personality cannot replace clear explanations if you want detailed commentary.

Practical packing advice for a cold, sunny day

Pack for several conditions at once. The high Andes can be cold, while strong sun makes sunscreen essential. Comfortable shoes, warm clothing, water, sunscreen, and a camera are all listed as essentials.

Add a swimsuit if you plan to use the springs. Keep a dry layer handy for the ride back, since leaving hot water in cold mountain air can be unpleasant. A small snack is sensible because the included meals may not suit every taste.

Do not treat the supplied oxygen bottle as a substitute for preparation. Eat breakfast, drink water, walk at your own pace, and tell the guide if you feel unwell. The information provided does not promise medical treatment beyond first-aid equipment and emergency oxygen.

Should you book the Ausangate seven-lake trip?

Book it if the thought of colorful high mountain lakes below Ausangate excites you more than the thought of spending six hours in a vehicle. At $38, the combination of transport, guide, two meals, and a hot-springs option is hard to fault on price.

Go in with realistic expectations. The altitude is the main challenge, the food is basic, the English guidance may vary, and the hot-springs visit can be shortened by timing. Still, the lakes, the local welcome in Pacchanta, and the chance to finish with a soak make this a worthwhile full-day outing for prepared walkers.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about 15 hours, including the journey from Cusco to Pacchanta, the lake walk, lunch, the optional hot springs, and the return trip.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco. You should wait at your hotel reception.

Where does the tour finish?

The return transfer finishes at Plaza del Regocijo, near Cusco’s city center.

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located more than 4,000 meters above sea level. The lakes are also in a high-altitude mountain area.

How long is the hike?

It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake. From the first lagoon, the route takes about 2.5 hours to return to the restaurant while visiting additional lakes.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. The main entrance fee is PEN 20. The hot-springs entrance costs an additional PEN 5.

Is the hot-springs visit required?

No. The hot springs are optional, and the visit lasts about 40 minutes. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to enter.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast and a buffet lunch are included. Both are prepared with Andean or locally grown ingredients, and the meals are described as simple.

What languages are available for the guide?

The tour operates with English and Spanish-speaking guides. Guide language ability may vary, so English speakers should confirm the arrangement before booking.