Cusco: Day Trip to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons with Lunch

Seven pools, one very early start. This day trip takes you southeast of Cusco to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons, a striking group of mountain lakes beneath Ausangate, one of the region’s great peaks. I like the changing colors of the water and the chance to see high-country scenery far from the city. I also like that breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, trekking poles, oxygen, and first-aid support are included.

The main drawback is the demanding schedule. Pickup is around 4 a.m., followed by a two-hour uphill walk to the viewpoint and another three hours walking among the lagoons. At $40 per person, the package offers good value, but it is best for fit hikers who can handle altitude, cold, and a long day.

• Seven named lagoons: See Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.
• A 4 a.m. departure: The early pickup allows time for breakfast in Pacchanta and a full walking route before returning to Cusco.
• Five hours on foot: Plan for about two hours to reach the viewpoint, then three more hours around the lagoons.
• Pacchanta hot springs: You can visit the community and pay separately to enter its thermo-medicinal waters.
• Useful trail support: Trekking poles, oxygen, a first-aid kit, meals, and a professional guide are included.
• A low-cost mountain day: At $40, it is appealing if you want a guided outing without paying for a private trip.

Why the 7 Ausangate Lagoons Are Worth the Long Ride

The 7 Ausangate Lagoons offer a different kind of Cusco day trip. You are not visiting ruins or a market town. You are heading into a high mountain setting where the main attractions are water, rock, snow-covered peaks, open ground, and the quiet scale of the Andes.

The lagoons are grouped at the foot of Ausangate. Each has its own name, and the colors can shift from blue and green to red or darker shades depending on the water, minerals, light, and viewing angle. The appeal is not one single postcard stop. It is the changing sequence of lakes spread across the route.

I especially like the fact that the outing includes both a high viewpoint and a longer walk near the water. The first viewpoint gives you a broad sense of the area. The later section lets you look more closely at individual lagoons, mountain forms, plants, and the local wildlife typical of the region.

You should keep expectations sensible. This is not a gentle sightseeing drive with short walks from the vehicle. The route includes about five hours of walking, and the altitude makes that effort more serious than the same distance at sea level.

The 4 a.m. Pickup and Ride From Cusco

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Cusco at about 4 a.m. You need to wait in the lobby, and the hotel name must be provided when you book. You also need to reserve at least one day ahead and contact the emergency number after booking.

That early start is not a minor detail. You will be leaving while Cusco is still dark, so organize clothing, water, documents, and cash the night before. The long ride is part of the outing, but the information provided does not give an exact travel time from Cusco to Pacchanta. Expect the transfer to take a substantial part of the morning.

Round-trip transport is included, which makes the $40 price easier to judge. You do not need to arrange a separate vehicle or find your way to a distant trailhead. A professional guide accompanies the group, with English and Spanish available.

The ride also gives you time to watch the city give way to rural mountain scenery. The trip is not simply a transfer to a walk. It is the gradual move from Cusco’s urban setting toward the high country around Ausangate.

Breakfast in Pacchanta Before the Hike

The first main stop is Pacchanta, where breakfast is provided. This is a practical choice. After a very early pickup, you will want food before beginning the climb.

Pacchanta is also important because it is the starting and finishing point of the walk. The community offers a useful base for the day, with the hot springs available as an optional extra. Since the entrance ticket is not included, bring cash if you want to use the thermo-medicinal waters.

Breakfast may sound like a small part of the schedule, but it matters on a hike of this length. Eating in Pacchanta means you do not have to begin the trail immediately after leaving Cusco. It also gives you a chance to prepare your clothing, adjust your footwear, and get ready for the change from vehicle to trail.

The supplied information does not specify the exact breakfast menu. I would treat it as a simple included meal rather than plan around a particular dish. If you have dietary needs, confirm them with the operator before departure.

Two Hours to the Ausangate Viewpoint

From Pacchanta, the walk to the main viewpoint takes about two hours. This is the first serious test of the day, especially because of the high altitude and the early start.

The reward is a broad view of the seven lagoons. From this point, you can appreciate the arrangement of the lakes beneath Ausangate rather than seeing them one at a time. The viewpoint is likely to be the moment when the scale of the area becomes clear, though the exact amount of walking difficulty can vary with conditions.

You should wear proper hiking shoes, not casual trainers. The recommended packing list also includes comfortable shoes, hiking pants, and a camera. Layered clothing is a sensible choice for a mountain outing, but the supplied details do not state the expected temperature or weather conditions, so check the forecast before you leave.

The tour provides trekking poles. I consider that a useful inclusion, since poles can help with balance and reduce strain during a long route. Oxygen is also listed as included, along with a first-aid kit. These items are reassuring, but they do not turn the outing into an easy walk. You still need a reasonable level of fitness.

The Seven Named Lagoons

The route includes seven named lagoons:

• Laguna Superior
• Otorongo Macho
• Otorongo Fembra
• Laguna Roja
• Laguna Ccomer
• Laguna Azul
• Laguna Alqa

The names help you follow the route and give the day a stronger sense of place. Laguna Roja suggests the reddish tones associated with one of the pools, while Laguna Azul points to the blue color visitors hope to see. Otorongo Macho and Otorongo Fembra add local character to the series.

Do not expect every pool to look identical in every photograph or at every hour. Natural water colors depend on light and conditions. That variety is part of the attraction. One lake may catch the sky, another may show mineral tones, and another may appear darker against the surrounding mountain ground.

The important point is that the route is about seeing the group as a whole. If you stop only at the first viewpoint, you miss much of the outing. The second section takes you across a large portion of the seven lagoons and gives you more time to notice details in the water, rock, flora, and fauna.

Three More Hours Around the Lakes

After the viewpoint, the walking continues for another three hours. This section covers much of the lagoon area and ends back in Pacchanta.

That five-hour total should guide your booking decision. You need to be comfortable walking for several hours over mountain ground, with no suggestion of a short-cut or vehicle transfer between the lakes. If you normally enjoy long hikes, the route may feel like the heart of the day. If you have a low fitness level, back problems, breathing concerns, or limited mobility, this is not a good match.

The tour is specifically not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with respiratory issues, or people with a low level of fitness. Those restrictions are worth taking seriously. The inclusion of oxygen and first aid is support, not a substitute for being prepared.

You will also want to protect your camera and phone. A camera is recommended, and the lagoon colors are the main visual prize, but the route is long enough that you should carry only what you need. Cash is useful for the hot springs and any personal purchases.

Pacchanta Hot Springs as an Optional Finish

Back in Pacchanta, lunch is provided. The meal follows the walking section, so it can serve as a welcome chance to sit down and recover.

The community’s hot springs are an optional addition. The entrance ticket is not included in the $40 price, so you should budget separately if you want to use them. The supplied information does not state the entrance fee or the amount of time available for bathing, so ask the guide about timing on the day.

The hot springs were singled out as spectacular along with the lagoons in the available four-out-of-five rating from a verified booking in May 2024. That makes them worth considering, especially if you appreciate a warm soak after a long hike. Still, you should not assume the bathing stop is part of the main price or that every schedule allows the same amount of time.

This optional stop also gives the day a little more local connection. You are not only looking at mountain lakes from a trail. You are passing through Pacchanta and using a facility associated with the community.

Lunch and the Return to Cusco

Lunch takes place in Pacchanta after the full lagoon walk. Since both breakfast and lunch are included, the price covers the main meals you need during a very long day away from Cusco.

After lunch, you return to the city by included transport. The information does not provide an exact arrival time, so keep your evening open. A 4 a.m. pickup and a five-hour hike make this a full-day commitment, not a morning activity with plenty of energy left afterward.

I would avoid scheduling an important evening reservation, long bus journey, or strenuous activity immediately after the tour. The return ride may be a quiet time to rest, but you will still have been on your feet for much of the day.

Is $40 Good Value?

At $40 per person, this is a low-cost way to reach a remote natural attraction from Cusco. The price includes hotel pickup, round-trip transport, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, trekking poles, oxygen, and first-aid support.

If you arranged each part yourself, the transport and access to a distant trailhead could be the hardest pieces to organize. The guide also gives you help with the route and communication in English or Spanish. For a visitor who wants a structured day and does not want to negotiate rural transport, those inclusions carry real value.

The price does not include the hot-springs entrance ticket. That is the only listed extra, but you should still bring cash for personal needs. The operator does not list other optional costs in the supplied information.

The rating is 3.3 from four reviews, so the score is based on a very small sample. I would put more weight on the clear practical facts: the route is long, the departure is early, the meals and transport are included, and the hot springs cost extra.

What to Pack for the Ausangate Route

Your packing list should focus on comfort, warmth, and the five-hour walk.

• Passport or identification card
• Hiking shoes and comfortable footwear
• Hiking pants
• A camera
• Cash
• Any personal items you need for a full day outdoors

The tour specifically recommends hiking shoes, so use footwear with a secure fit. The route’s exact surface is not described, and that is another reason to avoid smooth-soled casual shoes.

The provider supplies trekking poles, oxygen, and a first-aid kit. You do not need to bring those items unless you prefer your own equipment. Weapons and sharp objects are not allowed, and smoking indoors, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited.

Because the pickup is at 4 a.m., pack before going to bed. You will not want to search for identification, shoes, or cash in a dark hotel room while the vehicle is waiting.

Who Should Book This Day Trip?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want colorful mountain water, broad views around Ausangate, and a guided route that includes meals and transport. It is especially useful for people who have limited time in Cusco but still want a full day in a natural setting.

You should book it only if you are comfortable with the physical demands. The hike lasts about five hours, and the day begins before sunrise. The tour is not suitable for young children, pregnant women, people with back or breathing problems, people with mobility limitations, or anyone with a low fitness level.

The optional Pacchanta hot springs make the schedule more appealing, but they should not be the sole reason for booking. The main attraction is the group of seven lagoons and the route beneath Ausangate.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but you still need to reserve at least one day ahead and contact the emergency number after booking.

Should You Book the 7 Ausangate Lagoons Tour?

Book this tour if you want strong scenery, a low price, included meals, and a guided hike to a remote group of mountain lagoons. The colorful water and Pacchanta hot springs give the day two clear highlights, and the organized transport removes much of the hassle.

Skip it if you need an easy outing, dislike early starts, or have health and mobility concerns listed in the restrictions. At $40, it is good value for a prepared hiker, but the bargain depends on being ready for a long, high-altitude day.

FAQ

How long is the 7 Ausangate Lagoons tour?

It is a one-day tour. The walking portion takes about five hours, with two hours to reach the viewpoint and another three hours around the lagoons.

What time does pickup begin?

Hotel pickup in Cusco begins at approximately 4 a.m. You should wait in your hotel lobby.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transport from Cusco and hotel pickup are included.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is served in Pacchanta after the lagoon route.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. The entrance ticket to the Pacchanta hot springs is not included.

What languages are available?

The tour offers a live guide in English or Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or identification card, comfortable shoes, hiking shoes, a camera, cash, and hiking pants.

Can children or people with health concerns join?

Children under eight, pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility impairments, respiratory issues, or a low level of fitness should not join this tour.