Excursion 7 lagoons-Cusco| Full day

The seven lagoons beneath snowcapped Ausangate are the draw here: high, remote, and fed by melting snow. You’ll visit them on foot, then return to Pacchanta for a soak in its hot springs. It’s a long day, but the mix of mountain scenery and a warm-water finish makes it more than a hike.

I like two things in particular: the route links seven distinct lakes rather than one viewpoint, and breakfast, lunch, transport, and a guide are included for $40. The hot springs add a welcome place to rest after the walk, though their small entrance fee is extra.

The main caution is the altitude. You’ll hike roughly 10 km above 4,200 meters, with an early pickup and a return to Cusco around 6:30 p.m. Expect a strenuous day, and know that the pace and guide’s approach can vary.

• Seven lakes, one high-altitude circuit: Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azul Cocha sit beneath Ausangate.
• A demanding walk: The route covers about 10 km at more than 4,200 meters, so it asks more of you than an ordinary day hike.
• Pacchanta is both the trailhead and the recovery stop: You have breakfast there before walking and hot springs and lunch after.
• A pre-dawn start from central Cusco: Hotel pickup is between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., with drop-off near Plaza de Armas at about 6:30 p.m.
• Budget for two extra entrance fees: The lagoons cost $5 or 15 soles, and the hot springs cost $2 or 5 soles.
• Good scenery, mixed reports on pacing and transport: Some trips have been praised for attentive guiding, while other accounts flag a crowded bus or an impatient hiking pace.

Before dawn, Cusco gives way to Pacchanta

Pickup is between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. at hotels in or near Cusco’s Historic Center. That early start is not a small detail: it makes this a full-day outing, with close to fourteen hours between pickup and the expected return near Plaza de Armas.

The drive takes you to Pacchanta, a community at the foot of the Ausangate range. Breakfast is served there before the hike. This is a practical first stop, not just a meal: you can eat before the long walk and make sure you have your daypack, camera, cash, snacks, and comfortable shoes ready.

Transportation is included both ways, which is useful given the early departure and remote destination. Still, comfort may depend on the trip. One account described a crowded bus and wished for a break on the winding road; another found the transport comfortable. If you’re prone to motion sickness or need extra room, it’s sensible to plan for a long, curvy ride rather than assume the drive will be restful.

Seven lakes beneath Ausangate

From Pacchanta, the guided walk visits seven lagoons: Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azul Cocha. They sit at more than 4,200 meters, and their water comes from snowmelt beneath Ausangate. That setting gives the circuit its appeal: you’re not simply walking between lakes, but moving through a high Andean environment shaped by the mountain above them.

The lakes each have their own name and character, and the circuit lets you see them in sequence. The route is about 10 km, and the hike takes more than two hours. The exact time you spend at each lake is not specified, so don’t count on a leisurely stop at every one. A French-speaking participant described the route as demanding, with little time to enjoy the lakes, while other accounts emphasized that the views made the effort worthwhile.

Altitude is the central challenge. At this elevation, even a walk that looks manageable on paper can feel much harder than the distance suggests. The tour is specifically not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, people over 80, or babies under one year. If you’re unsure how you’ll manage the altitude or the distance, take that uncertainty seriously before booking.

Your guide leads the route and speaks Spanish and English. Guides named in recent accounts include Jonathan, praised for checking in on people moving at different speeds, and Jose, whose approach was described as less considerate toward a slower couple. Those different experiences are a useful reminder: a guide can shape how comfortable the day feels, particularly when the group has mixed walking speeds. Take the hike at a pace you can sustain, and don’t feel obliged to race for the next stop.

Pacchanta’s hot springs offer a welcome pause

After the circuit, you return to Pacchanta and can soak in its hot springs. The timing is well chosen: after several kilometers at high altitude, sitting in warm water gives the day a gentler second half. The springs are a distinct stop, not part of the lagoon entrance fee, so bring cash for the additional 2 dollars or 5 soles.

Lunch follows the hike and hot springs before the return drive to Cusco. Breakfast and lunch are included, which saves you from arranging meals during a day when the pickup is before sunrise and the schedule is tightly packed. Food is not described in detail, but meals received praise in several accounts, including one that singled out both breakfast and lunch.

The springs are not a substitute for a short hike. They come after the main physical effort, and you’ll still have the drive back to Cusco ahead. Think of the soak as a recovery stop and a pleasant contrast to the exposed mountain walk, not an extra day of relaxation.

What $40 includes, and what it doesn’t

At $40 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup near or inside the Historic Center, round-trip tourist transport, breakfast, lunch, and a professional guide. For a remote full-day outing, having the drive and meals organized is a meaningful part of the value. You also have a bilingual guide in English and Spanish, which can help you follow explanations along the route.

The stated entrance costs are extra: $5 or 15 soles for the seven lagoons and $2 or 5 soles for Pacchanta’s hot springs. That adds up to $7 in listed fees, so budget about $47 per person in total before any food or drinks not included in the meals. The tour advises bringing cash, and that is the practical choice for these small charges.

The price makes most sense if you want transport, meals, and a guided route arranged in one day. It is less attractive if you’re hoping for an easy outing, a slow-paced photography walk, or extensive time at every lagoon. The experience is built around covering the circuit and getting back to Cusco that evening.

Prepare for altitude, distance, and a long day

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, snacks, cash, and a daypack. Those are the stated essentials; the snacks matter because the day begins early and the hike is long, while cash covers the two entrance fees. The tour does not specify other equipment, so avoid assuming that anything beyond the listed inclusions is provided.

The route and timing call for realistic expectations. Pickup begins between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., the walk covers about 10 km at high altitude, and the return to Cusco is expected around 6:30 p.m. That leaves little room for treating the excursion as a casual outing. You’ll need enough energy for the walk and patience for the transport time on winding roads.

The group pace deserves thought, too. One guide was praised for checking on people at different speeds, while another was criticized for pressuring slower walkers. If you like stopping often to take photographs, or need more time at altitude, tell your guide early and keep your own steady pace. The schedule may not allow everyone to linger as long as they like.

This activity is not suitable for pets, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed. It is also not recommended for the specific groups listed above, including wheelchair users and people with visual impairments. These limits reflect a high-altitude hike and a route that requires walking, so they’re important to consider rather than minor booking details.

Is this the right Ausangate day trip for you?

Book this excursion if you want to see several lakes beneath Ausangate in one organized day, can manage a high-altitude walk, and value the combination of scenery and hot springs. The circuit gives you a fuller sense of the area than a quick stop at one lake, while the included meals and transport make the logistics simpler.

Think twice if you want a leisurely pace or need a long time at each viewpoint. The walk is demanding, the day starts before dawn, and the schedule moves from breakfast to the circuit, springs, lunch, and the return drive. The $40 base price is fair for transport, guide, and two meals, but remember to add the entrance fees.

For nature lovers who are comfortable with the distance and elevation, the seven-lake route is a compelling use of a day near Cusco. For anyone uncertain about altitude or walking speed, choose with care. The views may be the reward, but the hike is the price of getting to them.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

It is a full-day trip. Pickup is between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is expected at about 6:30 p.m.

How far do you walk?

The guided circuit covers approximately 10 km. The hike takes more than two hours, and the lagoons are at an altitude above 4,200 meters.

Which lagoons are included?

The circuit visits Pucacocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, and Azul Cocha.

Is breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is served after the return from the lagoons and hot springs.

Are the lagoon and hot springs entrance fees included?

No. The lagoon entrance costs $5 or 15 soles, and the hot springs entrance costs $2 or 5 soles.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide is listed as speaking Spanish and English.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, snacks, cash, and a daypack.

Who is this activity not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, people over 80, or babies under one year.