Excursion: Explore in one day the 7 lakes of Ausangate from Cusco

High mountains, bright water, one very long day. This $35 Ausangate tour gives you a practical way to see seven high-altitude lakes, enjoy views of snow-capped Ausangate, and soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs without arranging transport yourself. I especially like the combination of dramatic scenery and local meals, plus the chance to see alpacas and llamas along the walking route.

The catch is the altitude and the early start. You leave Cusco around 4:00 a.m., spend several hours in a van, and hike above 4,600 meters. I also recommend confirming your pickup and guide the day before. One booking had a late pickup and a last-minute guide change, although guide John was described as professional and the driver handled the road well.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• Seven lakes in one high-altitude circuit: Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha each bring different shades of blue and green.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome reward: You finish the walking portion with time in local thermal baths, looking toward Ausangate.
• The altitude matters more than the distance: The hike is rated moderate to challenging, with the high point above 4,600 meters.
• Food is included: Breakfast in Pacchanta and a simple, filling Andean lunch are part of the price.
• The day runs roughly 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: This is not a relaxed outing, but it is an efficient way to reach a remote mountain area.
• Bring your own essentials: Water, rain gear, sun protection, hiking shoes, and warm, comfortable clothing are important.

Why the Ausangate Lakes Are Worth the Long Day

Ausangate is one of the Cusco region’s great mountain areas, but reaching its lakes takes effort. This excursion lets you experience the high Andes in a single day, with round-trip transport from Cusco and a guide to keep the route organized.

I like this kind of outing because the scenery changes as you leave the city behind. The road leads toward wide mountain country, open slopes, snowy peaks, grazing animals, and small communities. The lakes are the main attraction, but the trip also gives you a glimpse of daily life around Pacchanta.

The price is unusually low for a 12-hour tour that includes transport, a guide, breakfast, lunch, and basic emergency equipment. You still pay 30 soles for entry to the lakes and thermal baths, but the overall cost remains good value if you want to see Ausangate without hiring a private vehicle.

The tradeoff is comfort. You will spend about six to seven hours in the van over the course of the day, depending on the exact timing. The road journey begins before sunrise, and the return to Cusco comes after a demanding hike. I would choose this trip for the scenery, not for a leisurely pace.

The 4:00 a.m. Departure From Cusco

Pickup generally begins around 4:00 a.m. from accommodations in Cusco. The agency should contact you the day before, and I suggest using that conversation to confirm the pickup window, meeting point, guide’s name, and phone contact.

A small coordination problem can feel much bigger at that hour. One passenger was told to expect pickup between 4:20 and 4:40 a.m., but the van did not arrive until 5:00 a.m., and the assigned guide changed. After several calls, the correct information came through. This is useful advice: do not simply set an alarm and assume everything is settled. Confirm the details.

The ride to Pacchanta takes about three to three and a half hours. You may be able to sleep during part of it, but the mountain road and early departure make this a good day to keep your plans light after returning to Cusco.

The transport is an important part of the value. Without it, reaching Pacchanta would require more planning and a much earlier start. A professional driver also matters on a long mountain route, and the driver on one reported outing was praised for handling the journey well.

Breakfast in Pacchanta Before the Hike

After arriving in Pacchanta, you have about 30 minutes for a traditional Andean breakfast. It is not a long restaurant stop. Think of it as fuel before the walk.

The meal is included, which is useful because you need energy at this altitude. Bring water and an energy snack anyway. The tour provides food, but individual needs vary, and you will not want to begin a high-altitude hike already hungry.

Pacchanta is also where you pay the 30 soles entrance fee for the lakes and thermal baths. This amount is not included in the advertised tour price, so keep Peruvian soles ready.

At this point, take a moment to adjust your clothing. The morning may feel cold, while sun and exertion can make you warm later. Layers, hiking pants, and rain protection are more useful than one heavy coat.

Walking the Seven-Lake Trail

The hike from Pacchanta takes about four to five hours in total, divided between the outward and return portions. The route passes through high Andean scenery, with views of Ausangate and the surrounding mountains.

The altitude is the central challenge. The lakes sit above 4,600 meters, and that height can affect you even if you are fit at home. I strongly recommend spending two or three days in Cusco before booking this excursion. Acclimatization will not guarantee an easy walk, but arriving rested and adjusted can make a major difference.

The route is described as moderate to challenging. One account found the hike less difficult than expected, but that should not lead you to underestimate it. Conditions, pace, weather, and your own reaction to the altitude will shape the day.

You can expect to see alpacas and llamas along the way. These animals are part of the working life of the high Andes, not just scenery placed for photographs. Their presence helps make the walk feel connected to the communities around Ausangate.

The tour includes a professional guide, a first aid kit, and an oxygen bottle. Those supplies are sensible at this elevation, but they do not replace preparation. If you have heart, respiratory, or blood pressure problems, consult your doctor before booking. The excursion is not suitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, people with respiratory conditions, people with heart problems, or people over 65.

The Seven Ausangate Lakes

The main lake section includes Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha. The water can appear turquoise, blue, or emerald green, with each lagoon offering a slightly different view.

A photo stop and free time of about 30 minutes is scheduled around the seven lakes. That gives you time to take panoramic photographs, look back toward the snow-capped mountain, and catch your breath.

Do not expect every lake to look identical in every kind of weather. Sunlight, cloud cover, and the angle of your view affect water color. The appeal is the sequence of lagoons and the setting around them, not just one single postcard view.

I would pack your phone or camera where you can reach it easily, along with sunglasses. The high-altitude sun can be strong even when the air feels cold. A hat and sunscreen are essential, and rain gear is wise because mountain weather can change quickly.

The route also gives you a sense of scale. At this height, the open mountain surroundings can feel vast and exposed. That is part of the attraction, but it also means you should take the walk at a steady pace rather than rushing from one viewpoint to the next.

Returning to Pacchanta for Lunch

After visiting the lakes, you hike back toward Pacchanta for about two hours. This return is not simply a finish line. By then, you will have been walking at high altitude, and your legs may be tired.

Lunch takes about 40 minutes and is prepared by the local community. It is described as basic, plentiful, and tasty. That sounds exactly right for this kind of day. You are unlikely to be looking for fine dining after a mountain hike. You will want a warm, filling meal that arrives without extra planning.

The community connection also gives the trip a more local feel. Breakfast and lunch are not just convenient inclusions. They direct some of the tour’s spending toward Pacchanta, where the hike and hot springs are based.

I would still carry a snack in your day pack. The meal schedule is set, and a small personal supply can help if the altitude affects your appetite or energy.

Pacchanta Thermal Baths With Ausangate Views

The thermal baths are one of the smartest features of this itinerary. After several hours on the trail, you get about 30 minutes of free time to relax in the warm water.

The baths are local, simple, and practical rather than luxurious. Their appeal is the setting: you can rest with views toward the snow-capped Ausangate area. This is a pleasant contrast to the strenuous walk.

Bring what you need for this stop. The supplied information confirms time in the thermal baths, but it does not specify whether towels or other bathing items are provided. I would plan accordingly rather than count on extra facilities.

The order of lunch and the hot springs may feel like a small detail, but it affects the rhythm of the day. You eat first, then rest in the water, before beginning the long ride back to Cusco. After the hike, that pause can be the difference between a merely tiring day and a satisfying one.

The Long Ride Back to Cusco

The return van ride takes about three hours, with arrival near Cusco’s historic center expected between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. The exact time can shift with road conditions, pickup delays, and the pace of the group.

The drop-off is near the historic center rather than necessarily at your hotel. That is convenient for many people, but you should be ready for a short walk or local ride at the end.

I would not schedule a major evening activity after this tour. The day begins before dawn, includes a high-altitude hike, and ends after a long drive. A simple dinner and an early night make more sense than trying to fit in another attraction.

What the $35 Price Really Covers

At $35 per person, the tour offers strong practical value. The price includes hotel pickup, transport, a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, oxygen, and drop-off near the historic center.

The 30 soles entry fee for the lakes and thermal baths is extra. That cost is clear, but it still needs to be included in your budget. You should also plan for personal water, snacks, sunscreen, and any equipment you need.

The low price likely means you are joining a shared group rather than taking a private trip, though a group size is not specified. That can make the outing less flexible. You will follow the day’s planned departure, hiking, meals, and return schedule.

The value is best for you if you want access and efficiency. A private arrangement may offer more control, but this package handles the major logistics at a modest price.

What to Pack for 4,600 Meters

Use a small backpack and keep the load light. You need enough for changing conditions, not a full expedition.

• Water and an energy snack
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Hiking shoes with good support
• Comfortable layers and hiking pants
• Rain gear
• Any personal trekking equipment you normally use

Trekking poles are worth asking about before departure, since some agencies provide them but this package does not list them as included. Do not bring alcohol or drugs.

The key is flexibility. You may start cold, warm up on the trail, and need rain protection later. High-altitude sun can also feel intense, so protect your eyes and skin even if the temperature is low.

Who Should Book This Ausangate Day Trip?

I would recommend it to fit hikers who have already spent two or three days acclimatizing in Cusco and want a major mountain day without organizing transport independently.

It also suits photographers. The lakes offer changing colors, open views, and broad mountain backdrops. If you enjoy taking your time at one viewpoint, though, the group schedule may feel brisk.

I would not recommend it for anyone with the listed heart, respiratory, or blood pressure concerns unless a doctor specifically approves the activity. It is also unsuitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, and people over 65 according to the stated restrictions.

The tour received an overall rating of 4.7 from 10 ratings, which points to strong satisfaction but is still a small sample. The positive details are consistent: the views are the star, the hike may feel manageable with preparation, and the food is simple but generous. The main warning is communication around pickup and guide assignments.

Should You Book the Seven Lakes of Ausangate Tour?

Book it if you want big mountain scenery, seven colorful lakes, and Pacchanta hot springs in one tightly planned day for a low price. The guide, meals, transport, first aid kit, and oxygen make the package convenient.

Skip it if you dislike pre-dawn departures, long van rides, or high-altitude hiking. Before paying, confirm the pickup time and guide details by phone, then spend several days acclimatizing in Cusco.

For the right person, this is a demanding but rewarding day in one of the Cusco region’s most striking mountain areas. The scenery carries the experience, while the thermal baths and local meals provide welcome comfort at the end.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven-lakes tour last?

The activity lasts about 12 hours. Pickup generally begins around 4:00 a.m., with return to Cusco expected between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.

How high are the seven lakes?

The lakes are located more than 4,600 meters above sea level.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is considered moderate to challenging and takes approximately four to five hours in total.

Which lakes are included?

The route visits Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha.

Is breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and a typical Andean lunch is provided after returning from the lakes.

Are the thermal baths included?

The visit is part of the schedule, but the entrance fee for the lakes and thermal baths is not included. The extra fee is 30 soles.

What languages does the guide speak?

Live guiding is available in Spanish and English.