From Cusco: 7 lakes with hot springs in Ausangate and meals

Seven lakes, one very high day. This 15-hour Ausangate excursion pairs startling turquoise and green lagoons with views of snow-capped Ausangate, a mountain revered in the Cusco region. I like the local touch: breakfast and lunch come from a family in Pacchanta, using Andean ingredients rather than relying only on tourist restaurants. I also like that hot springs follow the hike, giving your legs a useful reward.

The catch is altitude. The route reaches more than 4,000 meters above sea level, and the first hike takes about 90 minutes uphill or across high ground before the easier lake circuit. Food is basic, the hot-spring stop is optional, and the English guiding may vary, so this is best for hikers who care more about scenery and local contact than polished service.

Key points to know before booking

• Ausangate provides the drama: Snow-capped peaks and unusually colored lakes are the reason to make this long day.
• Pacchanta adds local flavor: A family hosts breakfast and lunch, giving the excursion a more personal feel than a simple bus-and-trail outing.
• The first 90 minutes are the hardest: High altitude, not just distance, makes the opening hike demanding.
• The thermal pools cost extra: Bring a swimsuit and allow PEN 5 for entry if you want the 40-minute soak.
• Meals are filling but plain: Expect practical local food, not a carefully prepared restaurant buffet.
• Guide quality matters: Tony and Felipe earned praise for energy and encouragement, while one English-language experience was less strong.

Why the Seven Lakes Trip Is Worth Your Day

This is a huge outing for a low price of $38 per person. You leave Cusco early, spend about three hours reaching Pacchanta, hike at extreme altitude, eat two meals, visit the pools, and ride back to the city. The value is strong if you want to see Ausangate without arranging private transport, meals, and a guide yourself.

The scenery is the main prize. The lakes shift between green, turquoise, and blue, with the Vilcanota mountain range and Ausangate behind them. Their colors can look almost artificial in photographs, but the setting gives them weight: these are high mountain waters below one of Peru’s great glaciers.

I would not choose this trip for comfort. The day begins early, involves long transport, and ends near Cusco’s Plaza del Regocijo rather than at your accommodation. You also need to pay the PEN 20 lake-area entrance fee and the separate PEN 5 hot-spring fee. Even with those costs, the outing remains good value, provided you are ready for a long day.

From Cusco to Ccatcca, Three Hours of Changing Views

Pickup begins at your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco. You should wait at the hotel reception, especially because the start is early and the schedule leaves little room for a slow morning.

The drive south takes roughly three hours. It is not simply dead time between Cusco and the trail. You pass villages and high-country scenery that show a different side of the region, including Ccatcca. Women may still wear the traditional clothing of the area, and older narrow streets give the village a sense of continuity.

The route continues along the interoceanic highway toward Brazil. That detail helps explain the scale of the journey: you are not taking a short excursion just outside Cusco, but heading deep into the highlands toward Pacchanta and the Ausangate range.

Your guide is an important part of this ride. Tony received especially strong praise for his fun personality and willingness to stop for photographs. Felipe was also described as enthusiastic and amusing. Still, English ability can vary. If you book an English-language departure, confirm that your guide can explain safety instructions and the route clearly.

Breakfast With a Family in Pacchanta

Pacchanta sits above 4,000 meters, so arriving here is not a minor detail. You are already at an altitude that can make ordinary walking feel harder, even before the hike begins.

A local family welcomes you into its home for breakfast. The meal uses Andean ingredients and is meant to give you energy for the trail. This stop is valuable because it connects the excursion to the community, rather than treating Pacchanta as only a parking area beside the hike.

Expect a straightforward meal, not a café spread. Breakfast has been described as disappointing by at least one person, so bring a small snack if you are particular about food or need something familiar. Water is also important, and it is on the recommended packing list.

Take a few minutes to notice the setting and ask your guide about the village. The local welcome is one of the more personal parts of the day, and it gives meaning to the included meals.

The First 90 Minutes Are the Real Test

From Pacchanta, you begin the most strenuous part of the excursion. Reaching the first lake takes about 1.5 hours. The distance alone is not the full issue. At this altitude, your breathing and legs may feel the effort quickly.

The operator provides a trekking pole, which is useful on uneven ground and gives you extra support during the first section. Wear shoes with a firm sole, and use sunscreen even if the morning feels cold. High-altitude sunlight can be strong, while temperatures remain low.

Your guide may stop for photographs and short breaks. Tony was praised for doing exactly that, which can make the route feel more manageable. Still, do not count on the day moving at your preferred pace. The group has to stay together, and the return to Cusco is still several hours away.

A horse option may be available along the route. The information provided does not set out its price or availability, so ask before starting if you think you may need one. Do not treat it as a guaranteed part of the booking.

Comercocha, Alqacocha, and Ausangate Views

Once you reach the first lake, the hard opening section is behind you, though the altitude remains. The lake circuit takes about 2.5 hours from the first lagoon until you return to the restaurant.

Comercocha and Alqacocha are two of the named stops. They are green and turquoise waters set below the glacier and the surrounding peaks. The colors are the kind of detail that makes this trip different from a standard mountain walk. You are not hiking only for a viewpoint. The lakes keep changing the feel of the route.

The remaining named lagoons include Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha. The outing is sold as a seven-lake circuit, though the available details do not name every lake. You will have time for photographs, but use the stops wisely. The cold, altitude, and long day can make standing around tiring.

The best approach is to enjoy the lakes without trying to force a perfect photo at each one. Your guide can help with pictures, and the open views give you plenty of chances. I would also keep your phone or camera protected from the cold and pack water where you can reach it easily.

A Plain Buffet Lunch Back in Pacchanta

After the circuit, you return to the family’s home for a buffet lunch. The food uses locally grown products, which is a practical and welcome feature after a high-altitude hike.

The meal is filling, but do not expect elaborate cooking. One meal was described as mostly rice and pasta with little sauce or seasoning. Another experience found the food merely adequate. If you are a picky eater, carry trail food from Cusco or ask your guide what will be served before you leave.

That criticism should be kept in proportion. You are eating in a remote mountain village after a demanding walk, and the cost of the entire excursion is low. The meal’s real value is convenience, local sourcing, and the chance to eat with the host family. It is not a culinary reason to book the tour.

Pacchanta Hot Springs: A Short, Useful Reward

After lunch, you have about 40 minutes for the hot springs. This stop is optional, and you must pay an additional PEN 5 to enter. Bring a swimsuit if you want to use the pools.

The timing is brief but sensible. After a long hike, warm water can feel wonderful, especially in the cold highlands. The drawback is what happens when you get out. One experience found the return to the cold air unpleasant, so keep warm clothing and a towel close at hand if possible.

Do not assume the thermal stop is guaranteed in practice. It depends on timing, and one reported experience did not include the pools at all. Ask your guide early in the day whether the group is on schedule and when the hot springs will happen.

This is also a good place to manage expectations. These are hot springs in a high-altitude village, not a luxury spa. The appeal is the setting and the relief after walking, not polished facilities.

Transport, Timing, and the Long Ride Home

The full excursion lasts about 15 hours. That includes roughly six hours of road travel, the breakfast stop, the high-altitude route, lunch, the optional thermal pools, and the return to Cusco.

The day ends at Plaza del Regocijo near the city center. You are not promised a return to your hotel, so plan for a short walk or your own onward transport after drop-off.

The long bus hours are the main logistical drawback. Bring water, warm layers, and something small to eat. A camera is worthwhile, but do not forget basic comfort: a neck pillow or light reading material may make the road sections easier.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later reduce the risk of booking far ahead. More important, though, is choosing a date when you can handle a very early start and a full day outside.

Who Should Book This Ausangate Excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want dramatic mountain scenery at a modest price and you are comfortable with a long shared excursion. It suits hikers with some experience, people who have already spent time in Cusco’s high altitude, and anyone who values a local family meal more than a refined dining experience.

It is less suitable if you dislike early mornings, long drives, basic food, or cold conditions. Pregnant women, children under two, and people with pre-existing medical conditions are listed as unsuitable for the activity. Anyone sensitive to altitude should take the warning seriously, since the route goes above 4,000 meters.

Give yourself time in Cusco to adjust before attempting this day. The activity information does not provide a medical acclimatization plan, so you should make that decision based on your own health and advice from a qualified professional.

Should You Book It?

Book this if the lakes are your priority. Ausangate’s unusual colors, glacier views, friendly local welcome, and optional hot springs make the long day worthwhile, and $38 covers transport, guide services, breakfast, lunch, and a trekking pole.

Skip it if you need polished meals, guaranteed fluent English, or a relaxed schedule. The strongest parts are the mountain scenery and the guide’s energy, while the weakest are the basic food, severe altitude, and uncertainty around the thermal stop. Pack warmly, carry snacks, and treat the hot springs as a bonus rather than the main reason to go.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour last?

The experience lasts about 15 hours, including pickup in Cusco, the drive to Pacchanta, breakfast, hiking, lunch, the optional hot springs, and the return to the city.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel or Airbnb pickup, roundtrip transportation, breakfast, a buffet lunch, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, first-aid equipment, an oxygen bottle for emergencies, and a trekking pole.

Are entrance fees included?

No. The lake-area entrance fee is PEN 20, and the hot springs cost an additional PEN 5.

How high does the tour go?

The activity visits areas above 4,000 meters above sea level, including Pacchanta and the high mountain route.

How difficult is the hike?

The first hike to the initial lake takes about 1.5 hours and is the most strenuous part. The altitude can make the walk harder, even for people who are normally fit.

Are the hot springs included?

The hot springs visit is optional and lasts about 40 minutes. Entry is not included, and you need to pay PEN 5 and bring a swimsuit.

What food is served?

Breakfast and lunch are made with Andean or locally grown ingredients and are served by a local family in Pacchanta. The food is basic, so you may want to bring snacks if you prefer strongly seasoned or more elaborate meals.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered with live guiding in English and Spanish. English ability may vary by guide, so confirm your language needs when booking.

What should you bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, water, sunscreen, and a camera. Add a swimsuit if you plan to use the hot springs, and consider carrying a snack for the long day.