Cusco: Seven Lagoons of Ausangate Hiking Day Trip with Lunch

High-altitude color rewards early risers. This $30 day trip from Cusco takes you to Pacchanta for a three-hour walk around the seven Ausangate lagoons, with broad mountain views, breakfast, lunch, and time in thermo-medicinal waters. I especially like the changing colors of the lagoons and the small-group limit of 12 people. The main drawback is the punishing schedule: pickup begins at 4:00 AM, transport takes about six hours in total, and the hike is demanding at high altitude.

I also like that the walk forms a loop rather than simply retracing the same path. You get a viewpoint early in the route, then continue closer to the water before returning to Pacchanta for lunch and swimming. One practical concern deserves attention: the entry fee is not included, and one booking account reported a dispute over money collected for that fee, so carry small amounts and ask clearly for a receipt and change.

Key points about the Ausangate lagoons trip

• Seven named lagoons: The route includes Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake.
• A long high-altitude day: Expect a 4:00 AM pickup, about three hours in a van each way, and roughly five hours on foot.
• A useful viewpoint: After about two hours of walking, you reach a place where all seven lagoons can be appreciated from above.
• Pacchanta finish: The loop ends where it began, followed by lunch and time in thermo-medicinal waters.
• Small-group format: The group is limited to 12 people, with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide.
• Good value with one extra cost: Breakfast, lunch, transport, guide, walking sticks, first-aid supplies, and an oxygen balloon are included, but the entry fee is not.

Why the seven lagoons are worth the long day

The Ausangate lagoons are the reason to book this outing. Their appeal is not just the number seven. Each one has a different name and, according to the conditions of the day, a different tone of color. You may see blue, green, dark, or reddish water set against the high mountain country around Ausangate.

The route gives you two ways to appreciate them. First, you walk for about two hours to a viewpoint. This is the best place to pause, take photographs, and understand how the lakes relate to one another. Then the route continues for another three hours, bringing you closer to much of the group of lagoons.

I like this order. The viewpoint gives you the big picture before the closer walking becomes the main event. You are not simply driven to a lookout, handed a few minutes for pictures, and sent away. The walk lets you see the water, mountains, plants, and local animal life from several angles.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a full excursion rather than an easy photo stop. The total walking time is about five hours, and the schedule takes place in high country. The supplied guidance does not give a trail difficulty rating or exact elevation figures, so you should not assume a gentle stroll.

The 4:00 AM start from Cusco

Pickup begins at your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 AM. That is very early, but it makes sense for a destination that requires about three hours of driving each way. The van ride is a large part of the day, so this trip works best when you value the Ausangate area more than you dislike an early alarm.

The trip ends in Cusco at Plaza Regocijo rather than necessarily at your original hotel. Plan your evening around that finish point. After ten hours out, you may want an easy dinner and an early night.

The group limit of 12 is a real advantage. A small group usually makes it easier to hear the guide, keep a shared pace, and manage stops without the feel of a large coach outing. The guide speaks English or Spanish, so check your preferred language when booking.

The operator provides a first-aid kit, an oxygen balloon, and walking sticks. Those items are reassuring, but they do not remove the need to take altitude seriously. The tour is not suitable for people with heart problems or pregnant women. If you have any medical concern, get professional advice before booking.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the trail

After the van ride, you reach the town of Pacchanta for breakfast. You have about 50 minutes for breakfast and free time before the walk begins. That pause matters because it breaks up the long drive and gives you a chance to eat before the main physical effort.

The breakfast is included, as is lunch later in the day. For a $30 price, that helps the value considerably. You are paying for transport, two meals, a guide, and the walking equipment, not just admission to a viewpoint.

Pacchanta is also the practical center of the outing. The trail starts and finishes here, and the later hot-spring stop takes place in the same community. I like the shape of that arrangement because the town is not just a place to pass through. It connects the hike, the meal, and the thermo-medicinal waters.

Use the breakfast stop to organize your day. Fill your water bottle, check your warm layers, and make sure your camera and sunscreen are easy to reach. The instructions specifically recommend comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, sunscreen, water, and identification.

The first two hours to the Ausangate viewpoint

The hike begins from Pacchanta and climbs toward the viewpoint. The first walking section takes about two hours. This is when you settle into the pace and begin to see the surrounding mountains, plants, and local wildlife.

The viewpoint is one of the strongest parts of the trip. From here, you can look across the seven Ausangate lagoons and see the color differences that make this route special. It is also the natural place for photographs, so keep your camera ready rather than buried at the bottom of your bag.

The guide leads the walk and provides commentary in English or Spanish. The supplied information does not give a detailed account of the guide’s interpretation, but one five-star booking praised the guide as attentive, helpful, and kind. That is the sort of service you want on a long route, especially when the group needs steady encouragement.

Do not rush this stop. The schedule allows time for a guided visit and photographs, but the day still has several stages ahead. Enjoy the view, then use the break to check your clothing and water before continuing.

Five more hours among the lakes

After the viewpoint, you continue for around three hours, seeing a large part of the seven lagoons up close. A further one-hour walking segment is listed before lunch and swimming, bringing the total time on foot to about five hours.

The named lakes give the route a sense of progress. You may pass Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake as the loop develops. The unusual names also help you remember that this is a specific mountain route, not a generic day in the countryside.

This close approach is where the trip earns its hiking label. You are walking through the natural setting rather than viewing the water only from a vehicle. The surroundings include mountains, native flora, and fauna typical of the area, along with repeated changes in the view as the trail curves around the lakes.

The tradeoff is time and effort. Three hours after already walking for two can feel long, particularly if you are not used to high-altitude exercise. Walking sticks are included, and they can be useful on uneven ground, but the tour does not promise an easy surface or a short route.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch and hot water

The walk forms a large loop and finishes back at the starting point in Pacchanta. That is convenient because you do not need to arrange a separate pickup from the far end of the trail.

Lunch follows the hike, with about 1.5 hours set aside for lunch and swimming. The meal is included, and it arrives at the right moment: after a long morning on foot, a proper plate of food is more useful than another quick snack.

The swimming takes place in Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters. This is the relaxing counterpoint to the trail. You can trade hiking shoes for a bathing suit, eat, and let the hot water ease some of the strain before the return drive.

Bring what you need for this part of the day, but note that the supplied packing list does not specifically mention a swimsuit or towel. Since swimming is included in the schedule, it is sensible to ask the operator what is provided before departure rather than assume towels or changing facilities are included.

Pacchanta also gives the tour a stronger local connection. The town is not just a transport stop. You spend time there at breakfast, return for lunch, and visit its thermo-medicinal waters after the walk.

What the $30 price really includes

At $30 per person, this is a low-cost full-day outing. The price covers hotel pickup, drop-off in Cusco, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, walking sticks, a first-aid kit, and an oxygen balloon. It also includes the main transport, with about three hours in the van each way.

That is good value if you want an organized visit and do not want to arrange transport, meals, and a guide separately. The small group limit makes the price more appealing because you are not simply buying a seat on a large bus.

The entry fee is extra. This is the main cost detail to settle before leaving Cusco. One booking account described a serious dispute in which money handed over for the Ausangate entrance fee was not returned correctly. The account says the guide eventually helped recover the money, but the episode is a warning to handle payments carefully.

Carry small Peruvian sol notes, ask for the exact entrance price, and count your change before walking away. If someone collects money for admission, ask who is responsible for it and request proof of payment. This is simple advice, but it can prevent an unpleasant argument during an otherwise beautiful day.

The transport and the price of convenience

The van saves you from arranging a very early private transfer to Pacchanta. That convenience is a major part of the tour’s value. You can sleep or rest during the three-hour ride, then follow a prepared schedule from breakfast through the hike and hot springs.

The downside is that ten hours is a long commitment for a single destination. About six hours are spent traveling by van, and roughly five hours walking. Add breakfast, viewpoint stops, lunch, and swimming, and the day leaves little spare time.

The return to Plaza Regocijo is clear and useful, but it is not the same as hotel drop-off. Make sure you know where you will finish and keep enough energy for the walk from the plaza to your evening plans.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want the seven lagoons without arranging transport and meals yourself. It suits hikers who are comfortable with a long day, small groups, basic mountain logistics, and an early departure.

It is also a good match if you want more than a quick viewpoint. The route includes a high viewpoint, closer views of the lakes, a loop walk, a town visit, lunch, and hot-spring time. That gives the day variety.

I would think twice if you want a relaxed sightseeing outing. The five hours on foot and the early start are not minor details. People with heart problems and pregnant women should not book this activity according to the stated restrictions.

Your packing list should include:

• Passport or identification card
• Comfortable hiking shoes
• Warm clothing and a hat
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Swimming items, since the schedule includes swimming

The operator provides walking sticks and an oxygen balloon, but you still need your own water, clothing, and sun protection.

Book it or choose another plan?

Book this tour if the seven Ausangate lagoons are high on your Cusco list and you want a budget-friendly, organized route with meals and hot springs included. The strongest reasons are the colorful lakes, the viewpoint, the loop trail, and the small group of no more than 12 people.

Skip it if you dislike 4:00 AM pickups, long van rides, or extended high-altitude walking. Before paying, confirm the entry fee, the exact pickup details, and what you need for swimming. The overall rating is mixed, but the most positive feedback points to spectacular scenery and a kind, helpful guide. With sensible preparation and careful handling of the extra entrance payment, this can be a rewarding day beyond Cusco’s usual circuit.

FAQ

What time does pickup begin in Cusco?

Pickup begins at 4:00 AM from your hotel in Cusco.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about 10 hours, including transport, breakfast, hiking, lunch, swimming, and the return to Cusco.

How much time is spent in the van?

The outbound van ride takes about three hours, and the return ride takes about three hours.

How long is the hike?

The walking sections total about five hours. This includes approximately two hours to the viewpoint, three hours continuing among the lagoons, and a further one-hour section listed before lunch and swimming.

Which lagoons are included?

The seven named lagoons are Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included in the tour price.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The entry fee is not included, so you should bring money for it and confirm the exact amount before paying.