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

Ausangate’s lakes are the main event: startling pools of green and turquoise set below snow-covered peaks, reached on foot from the high-altitude village of Pacchanta. This is a long day out of Cusco, but the mountain scenery gives you a side of the region far removed from the city’s stone streets.

I like the breakfast and lunch served by a local family, which make the stop in Pacchanta more than a trailhead pause. I also like the chance to warm up in natural hot springs after the hike. The trade-off is altitude: the walk can feel tough above 4,000 meters, and the meals and English-language guiding may not always meet every traveler’s expectations.

Key points to know before you go

• The hike begins above 4,000 meters: Acclimatization matters, and even a steady walk can feel strenuous at this height.
• The day is long: Plan for about 15 hours, including roughly three hours of driving each way from Cusco.
• The tour is billed as a seven-lake visit: The route details name five lakes, so ask your guide which stops are planned that day.
• Meals are included, but simple: Breakfast features Andean ingredients; lunch is a buffet, with food quality a possible weak point.
• Hot springs are optional and cost extra: Set aside 5 PEN for entry and bring a swimsuit.
• Guide experience can vary: Tony and Felipe have been praised for their upbeat approach, but one account raised concerns about English fluency.

The long road south from Cusco

Pickup is from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco, with the group asked to wait at the hotel reception. The drive south takes about three hours, so this is an early start and a full-day commitment. Round-trip transport is included, which saves you from arranging a separate ride to a remote highland trailhead.

The road passes through villages and open mountain country, including Ccatcca. The route description calls attention to traditional clothing, local houses and narrow streets there. It is a useful reminder that the trip is not only about reaching a viewpoint: the journey also passes through communities where daily life and local customs are part of what you see.

You then continue on the Interoceanic Highway, which connects Peru with Brazil, before reaching Pacchanta. The village sits above 4,000 meters, so the altitude begins to matter before the hike even starts. If you have only just arrived in Cusco, consider how your body is handling the height before signing up for a demanding day farther up.

Breakfast and a welcome in Pacchanta

In Pacchanta, a local family welcomes the group into their home and serves breakfast made with Andean ingredients. This is a valuable part of the day: you get a direct connection to the place you have traveled to, rather than treating the village as a quick stop between bus and trail.

The food is described as nutritious, but keep expectations practical. The meals are included to fuel a long outing, not to provide a restaurant-style tasting menu. Some people have found the food plain, particularly the lunch, so if you are selective about meals, bring a small snack you know you will eat.

After breakfast, the guide can introduce the village and the surrounding area before the group heads toward the Vilcanota range. The snow-covered Ausangate glacier is a major visual landmark, and its meltwater feeds the lakes on the route. That link between mountain, water and pasture gives the scenery a sense of place, beyond the appeal of the lakes’ unusual colors.

The climb toward Ausangate’s colored lakes

The first hike is the most strenuous stretch of the seven-lake outing. It takes about an hour and a half to reach the first lake. That timing may sound modest, but the height changes the effort: at more than 4,000 meters, a pace that feels easy at sea level can leave you short of breath.

This is not a race. Walk steadily, drink water, and take the guide’s stops as an opportunity to catch your breath as well as take photos. A trekking pole is included, which can help with balance and make the walk more comfortable. Comfortable shoes and warm layers are important; mountain weather can feel cold, especially when you stop moving.

Comercocha and Alqacocha are among the named lakes, described as green and turquoise pools at the foot of the glacier. The changing colors are the draw, but the setting matters just as much: you see water framed by high peaks, with Ausangate looming above. Bring a camera, though allow yourself time to look without a screen between you and the view.

The tour is sold as a visit to seven lakes, but the route information names five: Comercocha, Alqacocha, Patacocha, Otorongococha and Azulcocha. The other two are not identified in the itinerary details. If seeing seven distinct lakes is important to you, ask the operator or guide to confirm the exact stops before departure.

The return loop and time for photos

After the first lakes, the route loops back toward Pacchanta past Patacocha, Otorongococha and Azulcocha. The circuit from arrival at the first lagoon to the return to the restaurant takes about two and a half hours. This is the main walking portion, so expect several hours outdoors rather than a string of quick roadside photo stops.

The pace and conditions can vary with the group and the altitude. One person described the hike as long but steady, while also noting that the height made it harder without good fitness. There may be an option to ride a horse, according to one account, but it is not listed as an included service. If you might need that option, ask in advance rather than counting on it.

Guides can make a real difference on a long walk. Tony has been praised for an energetic manner and for stopping to help with photos, while Felipe has been described as fun and enthusiastic. Those names are not a promise that either guide will lead your departure. The tour offers English- and Spanish-speaking guides, but reports of uneven English fluency make it sensible to confirm your preferred language before booking.

A home-cooked buffet, then a hot soak

Back in Pacchanta, lunch is served at the host family’s home. It is a buffet made with locally grown products, a welcome chance to eat after the hike and experience ingredients from the area. Still, food is one of the least predictable parts of the day. Expect straightforward fuel, not elaborate cooking, and pack a snack if you are particular about flavor or need a backup.

After lunch, you have about 40 minutes for the hot springs. The visit is optional, and the entrance fee is 5 PEN. Bring a swimsuit, as well as a warm layer for afterward. At this altitude, getting out of hot water into cool air can feel bracing, so have dry clothes ready.

There is also a separate 20 PEN entrance fee for the lakes. These two fees are not included in the tour price, so add 25 PEN per person to the advertised $38 when working out the actual cost. The springs are a pleasant finish, but do not assume they are guaranteed as part of the day: one account described not visiting them at all. Ask your guide about the plan and how much time is available.

What the $38 price covers

At $38 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup, round-trip transport, a professional guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, a trekking pole, first-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle for emergencies. For a 15-hour outing to a remote highland area, transport and meals make up a useful share of the value. You do not need to arrange your own journey to Pacchanta or find food along the route.

The price is not the full outlay. Add the 20 PEN lake entrance and the optional 5 PEN hot-springs fee if you plan to visit them. Bring some extra money for those charges, and do not confuse the lower headline price with an all-inclusive day.

The meals are practical rather than a reason to book on their own. If you value a local family welcome and a filling meal after the hike, they add something to the outing. If food is central to your trip, keep expectations modest and bring a snack.

Handling altitude, weather and a 15-hour day

The tour reaches places above 4,000 meters, and the altitude is the key practical issue. The walk may be manageable at a steady pace, but fitness alone does not determine how you will feel at height. If you are newly arrived in Cusco or have a medical concern, think carefully about whether this is the right day to push farther uphill.

The activity is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women or people with pre-existing medical conditions. The operator carries first-aid equipment and oxygen for emergencies, but that does not remove the need to take altitude seriously. Warm clothing is recommended because temperatures can be low, and sunscreen is worth packing even on a cool day.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, water and a camera. The day starts early and lasts around 15 hours, so be ready for a long ride back as well as the hike itself. The tour ends at Plaza del Regocijo near central Cusco, rather than returning you to your lodging.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

This outing suits you if you want mountain scenery, are prepared for a high-altitude walk, and like the idea of visiting a village home along the way. The lakes are the clear highlight, while the family meals and optional springs give the day a more local finish than a simple out-and-back hike.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a short, easy excursion, polished dining or a guaranteed hot-springs stop. The combination of altitude, early departure and long return drive makes it a serious day, even though the walking is described as steady. You will get the most from it if you arrive rested, dress warmly and treat the hike as a slow outing rather than a fitness test.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Cusco?

The full activity lasts about 15 hours. The drive to Pacchanta takes roughly three hours each way.

How many lakes will I visit?

The tour is described as a seven-lake trip. The route details name Comercocha, Alqacocha, Patacocha, Otorongococha and Azulcocha, so confirm the other planned stops with the operator or guide.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served by a local family in Pacchanta, and lunch is a buffet made with locally grown products. The meals are simple, so consider bringing a snack if you are selective about food.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. The visit is optional and costs 5 PEN. Bring a swimsuit, and confirm the plan with your guide because the stop may not always take place.

What extra entrance fees should I budget for?

The lake entrance fee is 20 PEN. The hot springs cost an additional 5 PEN if you choose to visit them.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing, and bring water, sunscreen, a camera and a swimsuit if you plan to use the hot springs.