From Cusco: Tour Ausangate & 7 Lakes Full Day

Ausangate’s lakes are the main event: seven small bodies of water set beneath some of the Andes’ most striking peaks. This is a full, demanding day, but it offers a rare chance to walk in high-country scenery and meet the community of Pacchanta along the way.

I like that breakfast, lunch and round-trip transport are included in the $28 price, and I like the combination of a lake walk with a soak in Pacchanta’s medicinal hot springs. Guide Wilfredo has been praised for handling a group well, though you can’t count on a particular guide being assigned.

The main caution is uneven organization and comfort. Pickup times, guide language skills and vehicle condition have drawn serious complaints, and the walk distance is described as both 7.5 km and 16 km round trip. Confirm the details before you go, and be ready for a very early start and a long day.

• Seven lakes in one circuit: Visit Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha and Patacocha.
• Big-mountain views: Ausangate, Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol and Tinke frame the route.
• Wildlife along the way: You may see alpacas, llamas, vizcachas and native birds, with Andean condors a lucky sighting.
• A long day from Cusco: Expect an early pickup, a lengthy drive to Pacchanta and a return around 7:00 p.m.
• Meals and transport included, extras not: Budget separately for the lake entrance, hot springs and any horse hire.

A high-Andean day built around seven lakes

The appeal here is easy to understand. You leave Cusco behind and spend the day among high Andean peaks, open slopes and a chain of lakes with different colors and shapes. The centerpiece is Ausangate, one of the region’s most imposing mountains, but the walk also gives you views of Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol and Tinke.

The route visits Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha and Patacocha. Their names are useful to know, but you don’t need to memorize them to enjoy the day. The bigger pleasure is seeing how the water, mountains and changing light work together as you move from one lake to the next.

This is not a quick lookout stop. You’ll spend several hours walking, then return to Pacchanta for a meal and, if time and the group’s schedule allow, the local hot springs. The mix makes the trip more rewarding than a drive to a viewpoint, but it also means you need the stamina for both the trek and the long ride.

Leaving Cusco before dawn

Hotel pickup is listed as beginning at 5:00 a.m., with a return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m. That makes this a roughly fourteen-hour day, and the journey to Pacchanta takes several hours. An early start helps fit in the walk, meals and hot springs, but it is not a gentle introduction to the morning.

Do not assume every pickup will happen at precisely 5:00. A departure has been advertised with a 5:00 pickup but reportedly collected a group at 4:00, while another group experienced a missed pickup and a wait outside in the cold. Confirm your exact time and meeting instructions with the operator the day before, and keep your phone available.

Transport quality is another point to check. The drive is long enough that seat comfort and basic safety matter: reports have described broken seats, no seat belts and poor temperature control. Those are serious concerns, not small annoyances. Before you set off, make sure your seat belt works and speak up if the vehicle seems unsafe.

The drive itself can be part of the pleasure. The route passes through high Andean country, where you may see native plants and animals from the vehicle. Still, don’t count on the drive being a sightseeing tour with frequent stops. The priority is reaching Pacchanta in time for the walk.

Breakfast in Pacchanta, then a route briefing

At Pacchanta, the group has a regional breakfast before setting out. It is a practical pause after the drive and a chance to get ready for the walk. The food is described as nutritious, but the included meals are best treated as simple fuel rather than a reason to book.

After breakfast, the guide gives an overview of the outing. This briefing matters: ask how long the walk is expected to take, where the group will meet if anyone falls behind, and how much time is set aside for the hot springs. The stated route distance is about 7.5 km, while one account describes 16 km for the full walk. The difference may reflect how the distance is counted, but it is large enough that you should clarify it before booking.

Guide language is worth confirming, too. The tour is offered in English and Spanish, but a group has reported having an English-speaking guide who did not speak English. Wilfredo is one guide described as managing a group well and explaining the outing, but the guide’s name is not guaranteed. If English commentary is important to you, ask the operator directly before you pay.

Walking the lakes beneath Ausangate

The walk is the heart of the day. You’ll visit the seven named lakes and see the surrounding peaks from different angles. The route is described as taking around five hours, though the time can depend on the group’s pace and how the distance is measured. Expect a substantial outing, not a casual stroll.

The route information does not give a precise elevation or a detailed account of the climbs. Because this is a high-Andean outing, take the altitude seriously and don’t judge the effort only by the distance. Walk at a steady pace, follow the guide’s instructions and tell the guide if you feel unwell. An oxygen balloon is included as emergency equipment, but it is no substitute for taking care of yourself.

Keep your eyes open beyond the water. Alpacas and llamas may graze nearby, and you might spot vizcachas or native birds. An Andean condor is possible, but the tour does not promise a sighting. The animals and the wide mountain views are part of what makes this walk feel connected to the place, rather than just a checklist of lakes.

The group pace can shape the experience. A well-led group can make the route easier to follow and leave room to take in the views. But a rushed guide can turn a scenic walk into a march. One group described being hurried along, while another praised Wilfredo’s handling of the outing. If you prefer plenty of time for photographs or need a slower pace, ask how the guide manages different walking speeds.

A horse is not included, but saddle horses may be available at extra cost. The tour information does not specify availability, price or how much of the route you could cover on horseback, so ask the operator rather than assuming a horse will be waiting. If you have a concern about walking the full distance, settle that question before you leave Cusco.

Lunch and hot springs back in Pacchanta

At the end of the lake circuit, the group returns to Pacchanta for lunch. It is a welcome chance to rest after the walk, but keep expectations modest. The meal is included, and meal quality can be uneven: a group has reported cold food and too little fish for everyone. Bring a snack if you want a dependable backup, especially after several hours on foot.

The hot springs are a useful finish. After a long walk, a soak can help you relax before the return drive, and it adds a local stop beyond the lakes themselves. Admission costs S/ 5, paid separately from the tour price of $28. The lake entrance also costs S/ 20, and neither fee is included.

Do not treat the hot springs as guaranteed time in the water. Although they are part of the planned day, one group that wanted to visit was not taken there. Ask before departure whether the stop is confirmed and how much time the schedule allows. If the springs matter to you, make that clear early, not after the walk when the group is ready to leave.

What the $28 price covers, and what it doesn’t

For $28 per person, the package includes hotel pickup in Cusco, tourist transport to and from Pacchanta, a professional Spanish- or English-speaking guide, breakfast and lunch. An oxygen balloon is also listed as included. That is a low price for a guided day with meals and transport, especially given the distance from Cusco.

But the headline price is not the full cost. Add S/ 20 for the seven-lake entrance and S/ 5 for the hot springs. A saddle horse, water, alcoholic drinks, accommodation in Cusco and travel insurance are also excluded. The operator recommends having travel insurance arranged in your home country.

Value depends heavily on execution. If the vehicle is safe, pickup is on time, the guide can communicate in your language and the group gets the planned hot-springs stop, the price covers a lot. If transport is uncomfortable or the day is rushed, the bargain can feel less attractive. Ask clear questions before booking, and weigh the low fare against the long hours on the road.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I’d consider this tour if you want a full day in the Andes and are comfortable with an early departure, a long drive and several hours of walking. It suits people who care more about mountain views and time outdoors than a polished meal or a leisurely schedule. The combination of lakes, wildlife and hot springs gives the day variety, provided the stops happen as planned.

It may be a poor fit if you need a guaranteed pickup time, a comfortable vehicle, a slow walking pace or a hot-springs visit that is certain to happen. The mismatch between the stated 7.5 km route and the reported 16 km total is especially worth resolving if distance is a concern. Ask for the expected walking distance, total walking time, pickup time, guide language and hot-springs plan in writing.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms offer flexibility, but they do not answer the practical questions about the day itself. Get those details settled before you commit.

Should you book the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour?

Book it if the draw of the lakes and peaks is worth a very long day, and you are prepared to be flexible about comfort and pace. The price is appealing, meals and transport are included, and the route offers a vivid look at high-Andean country. I would confirm the pickup time, walking distance, guide language, vehicle safety and hot-springs stop before booking.

If those answers are vague, or if you need reliable English guiding or more control over the schedule, compare other operators. For a fit walker who can handle an early start and wants a full day among Ausangate’s lakes, this can be a strong-value outing, but the planning details matter.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It is a full-day tour, with pickup in Cusco starting around 5:00 a.m. and an expected return around 7:00 p.m.

How far is the walk?

The route is described as about 7.5 km and roughly five hours. A group has described the total walk as 16 km, so confirm how the operator counts the distance before booking.

Which lakes does the route visit?

The seven named lakes are Azulqocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha and Patacocha.

Which languages are available for the guide?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Spanish. Confirm your language with the operator before booking.

What meals are included?

One breakfast in Pacchanta and one lunch after the lake circuit are included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. The seven-lake entrance costs S/ 20, and admission to the Pacchanta hot springs costs S/ 5.

Is transport from Cusco included?

Yes. Hotel pickup in Cusco and tourist transport between Cusco and Pacchanta are included.

Is a horse included?

No. Saddle horse hire is not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.