From Cusco: Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals

Ausangate’s seven high mountain lakes give this day trip its pull: blue, green, red, and dark waters set beneath snow-covered peaks. You leave Cusco before sunrise, reach Pacchanta for breakfast, then walk to a viewpoint before visiting the lakes on a roughly 13-kilometer route.

I like the small group limit of 15 and the fact that breakfast, lunch, transport, walking sticks, and a guide are included for $37. I also like the chance to finish near Pacchanta’s hot springs, though the thermal bath fee is extra. The main catch is simple: this is a long, strenuous day, with little time to linger at each lake.

Key points to know before booking

• The route covers about 13 kilometers, with two hours to the main viewpoint and three more hours visiting most of the lakes.
• Seven named lakes are included: Superior, Otorongo Hombre, Otorongo, Rojo, Ccomer, Azul, and Alqa.
• Pacchanta provides the day’s bookends, with breakfast before the walk, lunch afterward, and hot springs nearby.
• The 4:00 AM pickup gets you out of Cusco early, but the return near the main square is not expected until about 6:00 PM.
• A small group of up to 15 people makes it easier to stay with the guide and keep the walking pace together.
• The price includes useful hiking support, but horse rides, thermal baths, drinks, and other personal costs are not covered.

Why Ausangate’s seven lakes are worth the early start

The Ausangate 7 Lakes trip takes you southeast from Cusco into a natural setting beneath Mount Ausangate. The appeal is not a single grand monument. It is the changing mix of water colors, mountain views, open scenery, and the feeling of reaching a remote place by foot.

The lakes have different names and appearances: Lake Superior, Otorongo Hombre, Otorongo, Rojo, Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Alqa. The colors are one of the day’s main rewards, but you should keep your expectations sensible. The appearance of mountain lakes can change with light and weather, and the tour moves at a set pace.

I especially like that the route includes more than a quick photo stop. You first walk from Pacchanta to a viewpoint where all seven lakes can be seen, then continue for around three hours to visit most of them. That gives you a wider sense of the area instead of treating the lakes as a single roadside attraction.

The tradeoff is time. One booking described a 13-kilometer hike with excellent views but not much time spent beside the lakes. If your ideal day includes quiet sitting, long photography sessions, or a picnic by the water, this schedule may feel rushed.

The 4:00 AM departure from Cusco

Pickup is scheduled for 4:00 AM from hotels in selected parts of Cusco, especially those within the historic center. This is an early start by any standard, but it is what makes a one-day visit possible. You have a long drive to Pacchanta, a demanding walk, and a return to Cusco planned for around 6:00 PM.

I would treat the pickup time as a real commitment, not a loose suggestion. Organize your clothing and daypack the night before, and confirm that your hotel is in the included pickup area. The return is listed as being near Cusco’s main square, so your final drop-off point may not be the same as your morning pickup.

The early departure also affects the kind of day you are buying. This is not a relaxed excursion with a late breakfast and an easy stroll. It is a full mountain day, and the combination of early transport, several hours on foot, and the return drive can leave you tired.

Transportation is included both ways, which is a major part of the value at $37. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Pacchanta or work out how to return to Cusco after the hike.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike

The first planned stop is Pacchanta, where breakfast is served before you start walking. That meal matters because the route is long and the morning begins so early. You can eat before the main physical effort rather than trying to manage the first part of the hike with only a snack.

Pacchanta is also the practical base for the day. The walk starts in town, and after visiting the lakes, you return there for lunch. This makes the day easier to follow: breakfast before the hike, walking in the mountains, then a proper meal at the starting point.

The tour information does not provide a detailed breakfast menu, so I would still bring a snack. Snacks are specifically recommended, and they are useful during a five-hour walking program with time spent outdoors.

Two hours to the seven-lake viewpoint

From Pacchanta, the first walking section takes about two hours. The goal is a viewpoint where you can see the seven Ausangate lakes together. This is the first major reward of the route and gives you a clear sense of how the lakes sit beneath Mount Ausangate.

The view is likely to be one of the best moments for photographs because it gathers the full set of lakes into one scene. Snow-covered mountain views are also part of the attraction, and the combination of colored water and high peaks gives the stop its dramatic quality.

Do not read the two-hour estimate as an easy walk. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. A review described the hike as sporty but manageable with normal physical condition, while another called the climb very demanding. Those two descriptions can both be true because fitness, pace, weather, and individual response all matter.

Walking sticks are included, which I consider useful on a route with several hours of uneven outdoor walking. The guide also carries a first aid kit and oxygen. Those supplies are reassuring, but they do not turn a strenuous hike into an easy one.

Seeing Superior, Otorongo, Rojo, and the other lakes

After the viewpoint, you continue for about three hours and visit most of the seven lakes before returning to Pacchanta. The named lakes are Superior, Otorongo Hombre, Otorongo, Rojo, Ccomer, Azul, and Alqa.

The names help you notice that this is not simply one lake repeated seven times. The scenery changes as you move through the route, and the colors are a central part of the experience. Lake Rojo suggests a very different visual character from Laguna Azul, while the Otorongo lakes add another pair of names to remember as you follow the guide.

At the same time, the schedule requires movement. You may stop for photographs and enjoy the views, but the route is built around seeing most of the lakes within the available time. The 13-kilometer distance is the clearest warning here. You are buying access to a wide area, not a slow afternoon at one shore.

I recommend keeping your camera easy to reach and bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, water, and a small daypack. The provided list also suggests a passport and cash. Pack lightly, but do not leave out water or sun protection simply because breakfast and lunch are included.

Lunch and Pacchanta’s hot springs

After the walking loop, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. Fresh food is part of the attraction of this stop, and the meal gives you a chance to recover before the drive back to Cusco. It is a useful arrangement, especially after several hours on foot.

Pacchanta is also known for its hot springs, and the day gives you the chance to visit them. The entrance fee is not included, so bring cash if you want to use the thermal baths. The information provided does not say how much time is set aside for bathing, so you should ask the guide about the schedule on the day.

The hot springs can be a welcome extra, but I would not book this tour solely for them. The main product is the seven-lake hike. The baths are an optional finish, and the added cost is your responsibility.

What $37 includes, and what it does not

At $37 per person, the package offers solid practical value. You receive pickup in selected Cusco areas, round-trip transportation, an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, oxygen, and walking sticks.

Meals and transportation make the price easier to judge. A self-arranged visit would still require getting to Pacchanta, planning the walking route, carrying food, and arranging the return. Here, those basic pieces are handled in one day.

The small group limit of 15 is another plus. It is not a private tour, but it is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on the group and explain the route without addressing a large crowd. If your guide is Jonatan, you can expect a friendly presence and a comfortable walking rhythm based on the way he led one recent group, though guide assignments can vary.

You should budget for a horse ride if you think you may need help on the route. Horse rides are not included. Thermal bath entry, snacks beyond the provided meals, drinks, and other personal expenses are also extra.

The fitness question you should answer honestly

The most important booking decision is not the price. It is whether you are ready for a long day of mountain walking. The stated walking program totals about five hours, and the full route is described as roughly 13 kilometers.

You do not need to be an elite hiker, but you should be comfortable with sustained walking in a high mountain setting. The tour is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. If any of those conditions apply to you, this is not the right activity.

The tour includes oxygen and a first aid kit, but those are safety resources, not medical treatment. If you have concerns about exertion, speak with a qualified medical professional before booking and tell the operator about relevant conditions.

I would also avoid planning another demanding activity that evening. The return is expected around 6:00 PM near Cusco’s main square, and you will have been awake since before dawn.

What to bring for a better day

The recommended packing list is practical:

• Passport
• Water and snacks
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Sun hat and an additional hat if needed
• Camera
• Cash for extras
• A small daypack

Dress for changing mountain conditions, but the provided information does not specify a required clothing system or weather forecast. Keep your hands free, use the included walking sticks, and store your camera and sunscreen where you can reach them.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs, and smoking is not allowed. Since meals are provided, your daypack can stay small, but water and snacks remain important for the walking sections.

Who will enjoy this Ausangate day trip

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day in nature, enjoy walking, and care more about broad mountain scenery than a slow cultural tour. It suits people who want to see several lakes in one outing without arranging their own transportation or meals.

The tour also works well if you value a guide and a small group but do not need a private vehicle. English and Spanish guiding gives you a choice of language, and a maximum of 15 participants keeps the group fairly manageable.

I would think twice if you dislike early mornings, struggle with long walks, or want lots of time beside each lake. The route is physically demanding, the schedule is long, and one account of the day noted that the actual stops at the lakes were short.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Those policies are useful if your Cusco plans are still shifting, but they do not change the physical demands of the hike.

Should you book the seven lakes tour?

Book it if you want a budget-friendly day built around striking mountain scenery, colorful lakes, and a genuine walk rather than a short lookout visit. At $37, included transport, two meals, a guide, walking sticks, and a small group give you a lot for the money.

Skip it if you need an easy outing, have one of the listed medical limitations, or want a leisurely pace. For the right person, the effort pays off with views of the seven lakes and snow-covered peaks. Just go in knowing that the reward comes after an early start and a serious day on foot.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour last?

The activity lasts one day. Pickup from Cusco is scheduled for 4:00 AM, and arrival back near the main square is expected around 6:00 PM.

How far do you walk on the tour?

The route is described as about 13 kilometers. You walk around two hours from Pacchanta to the viewpoint, then continue for about three hours while visiting most of the lakes.

Which lakes are included?

The seven lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is served after you return to town.

Is transportation from Cusco included?

Yes. Pickup in selected areas of Cusco and round-trip transportation are included. Morning pickup is listed for hotels within the historic center.

Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?

The visit to the community settlement of Pacchanta and the opportunity to use its hot springs are part of the day, but the thermal bath entrance fee is not included.

Is a horse ride included?

No. A horse ride is an optional extra and must be paid for separately.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. The route is a long, strenuous walk, so you should consider your physical condition before booking.