Cusco: Seven Lagoons of Ausangate Hiking Day Trip with Lunch

At the foot of Ausangate, seven lakes in shades of blue, green and red make the long approach worthwhile. This is a full-day mountain outing, not a quick photo stop: you leave Cusco before dawn, hike for several hours and return in the evening.

I like two things in particular: the first viewpoint lets you take in the lakes together, and the loop brings you closer to them afterward. I also like that the day starts and ends in Pacchanta, where you can eat and visit the town’s thermo-medicinal waters after the walk.

The trade-off is the early start and sustained hike, with roughly six hours of driving in the schedule. Entry fees are extra, and there is a reported concern about a missed pickup and a cash-change dispute, so confirm your pickup and keep a clear record of any fee payment.

Key points before you book

• The viewpoint comes after a long approach: The route description gives about two hours of walking before the main panorama.
• The lakes are not just a distant view: The walk continues around the circuit, with time to see much of the seven-lake area up close.
• Pacchanta is more than a trailhead: The town is where breakfast and lunch are served, and where you can visit thermo-medicinal waters.
• Expect a very early start: Hotel pickup is scheduled for 4:00 AM, and the van journey takes about three hours each way.
• Budget for entry fees separately: They are not included in the $30 price, and the amount is not specified.
• The group is small, but service needs checking: The tour is capped at 12, and it is worth confirming your pickup and any cash payment arrangements.

The 4:00 AM departure from Cusco

The day starts with hotel pickup in Cusco at 4:00 AM. Bring what you need before bed, because the early hour leaves little room for a relaxed breakfast or a hunt for missing gloves.

The van ride to Pacchanta takes about three hours. That is a meaningful part of the day, not a short transfer, but it gets you to the community at the foot of Ausangate and makes this a feasible day trip from Cusco without arranging your own transport.

The tour is advertised as 10 hours. With the stated drive times, meal stops and several hours of walking, expect a full day and allow some flexibility around the finish. The return drop-off is at Plaza Regocijo, rather than at your hotel.

A service issue deserves a practical mention. One reported incident involved a missed hotel pickup and a dispute over change from 100 soles paid toward an entrance fee; the guide later helped recover the money. That is a single account, not proof of a regular problem, but confirm your pickup in advance and ask for the exact fee and change before handing over cash.

Breakfast in Pacchanta, then boots on

After reaching Pacchanta, you get about 50 minutes for breakfast and free time. That is a useful reset after the drive and gives you a chance to eat before the climb begins; the tour includes breakfast, so you do not need to find a café on the way.

The walk starts from town. The route description places the viewpoint about two hours into the hike, then describes another three hours continuing around the lakes. The schedule also divides the walking into separate blocks, so treat those figures as a guide rather than a precise stopwatch plan.

This is where sensible preparation matters. Wear comfortable shoes and bring warm clothing, a hat, sunscreen and water. The operator also provides walking sticks, a first aid kit and an oxygen balloon, useful support to have on a long mountain outing, though they do not replace pacing yourself or being honest about how you feel.

Seven lakes beneath Ausangate

The main reward is the view over the seven lakes: Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake and Alqa Lake. Their colors are the point of the outing, and the viewpoint gives you a broad look at the group before the route brings you closer.

You will have time there for photos and to appreciate the changing colors. The mountain setting is part of the appeal: the walk takes in views of Ausangate, the lakes, and the local flora and fauna rather than treating the viewpoint as the whole experience.

After the panorama, the route continues around a large loop. The description says you will see much of the seven-lake area up close, and the hike finishes back where it began in Pacchanta. That combination of a wide view and a closer circuit is more satisfying than turning around immediately after the first photo stop.

Be realistic about the effort. Several hours on foot, following an early start and a three-hour drive, make this a demanding day even for someone who enjoys hiking. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems, and anyone unsure about the exertion should consider that before booking.

Pacchanta’s hot waters and a well-earned meal

Back in Pacchanta, the schedule allows about an hour and a half for lunch and swimming. The town is known for its thermo-medicinal waters, and this stop gives you a chance to relax after the loop rather than climb straight back into the van.

Lunch is included, as is breakfast. That is good practical value on a remote, long day: you are not relying on finding meals between the drive and the hike. The swimming time is part of the same stop, so you may need to divide the available time between eating and using the waters.

Entry fees are not included. Since a fee payment was at the center of the reported cash dispute, ask clearly what is due, confirm the amount, and check your change before moving on. The supplied details do not state the entrance cost, so bring extra money rather than assuming the $30 covers every expense.

What the $30 price does and does not cover

At $30 per person, the price covers a lot of the day’s basic logistics: hotel pickup, return transport to Cusco, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, walking sticks, a first aid kit and an oxygen balloon. For a trip with a long round-trip drive and meals included, that is appealing value.

The limit is that the price is not the full cost of the outing. Entry fees are extra, and the amount is not provided, so your final spend will be higher. You will also want to bring water and any personal items you need; those are on the suggested packing list, not the included list.

The group is limited to 12 people, which is a useful size for a guided hike. It is small enough to feel less like a crowd on the trail, while still giving the operator a group to manage across the drive, route and meal stops.

The guide speaks English or Spanish, depending on the tour. Feedback most strongly praises the scenery and attentive, kind guiding, including one Spanish-language assessment of the experience as very good. That is encouraging, but the reported pickup and cash issue is a reminder to verify the details rather than treating smooth service as guaranteed.

Pack for cold mornings and a long walk

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, camera, sunscreen and water. The early departure means you will start in the dark, and the mountain setting makes warm layers a sensible choice even if you expect the day to warm up later.

A camera is worth carrying for both the broad view and the closer lakes, but keep it accessible without letting it slow your pace. Your guide supplies walking sticks, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer to use them.

The operator lists an oxygen balloon and first aid kit among the included items. These are safety provisions, not a reason to ignore discomfort. Walk at a steady pace, take the breaks you need, and tell the guide if you are struggling.

Is this the right Ausangate day trip for you?

I would consider this tour if you want to see the seven lakes without organizing transport and meals yourself, and you are comfortable with a pre-dawn start and a long walk. The viewpoint, loop route and Pacchanta hot-water stop give the day more variety than a drive to a single overlook.

I would think twice if you need a late start, want a short or easy walk, or have a heart condition or are pregnant. The day involves a long transfer in each direction as well as several hours on foot, and the stated exclusions are clear.

Before booking, check the pickup details, ask how entry fees will be handled, and plan to bring extra cash for costs not included. If those practical points suit you, the $30 base price offers a convenient way to combine the lakes, meals and Pacchanta in one demanding but rewarding day.

FAQ

What time does the tour pick me up?

Hotel pickup in Cusco is scheduled for 4:00 AM.

How long is the tour?

The activity is listed as 10 hours. The drive is about three hours each way, and the day also includes meals and several hours of walking, so allow flexibility around the finish.

Where does the tour end?

The return drop-off is at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.

Which languages can the guide speak?

The live guide is available in English or Spanish.

How large is the group?

The small group is limited to 12 participants.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is served after the walk.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No. Entry fees are not included, and the amount is not specified.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, camera, sunscreen and water.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.