Cusco: Ausangate Tour Seven Lagoons + meals

This hike is interesting because it pairs a serious early-morning start with a high-altitude circuit of seven lagoons under the gaze of Apu Ausangate. I especially like the photo opportunities, since the water colors shift from blue to turquoise to green and some lagoons look like natural mirrors. One possible drawback to plan for: the day is long and you ride for about 3 hours in transport before the walk, so comfort and guide attention can vary.

I also like that the tour includes breakfast and lunch, so you are not scrambling for food after the altitude kicks in. And you get a real payoff at the end with thermo-medicinal hot springs time to soak sore legs. Just note that this is not for low fitness or anyone who struggles with altitude, and it is rain or shine.

If you want a straightforward “get up, walk, soak, repeat” Cusco day with big scenery and clear nature focus, this is a strong match. Go in with the right gear, a patient mindset for a long day, and an understanding that the mountains do not care about your schedule.

Key points to know before you go

• Ausangate views plus seven lagoon colors: you move through multiple pools with blues, teals, and greens, and some are mirror-like.
• 5 hours of walking, uphill step by step: expect gradual ascent and a solid trek, often around a 12 to 13 km loop with about 500 m of climbing.
• Meals are included, but thermal entry may cost extra: breakfast and lunch are part of the price, hot springs entry is not.
• Wildlife sightings are real possibilities: keep your eyes open for Andean birds, alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas.
• Thermal soak ends the day: you return to Pacchanta for lunch, then relax in the hot springs before heading back to Cusco.
• Guiding can be uneven day to day: some groups get clear help, but if explanations matter, plan to ask direct questions early.

Sunrise logistics: the long day starts in Cusco at 4:30 to 5:00 a.m.

This is the kind of Cusco tour that begins when the city is still half asleep. Pickup is from your Cusco hotel in the 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. window, and then you transfer by tourist transport to Pacchanta for about 3 hours.

That early departure matters for two reasons. First, you have a better chance of clearer mountain visibility in the morning. Second, you are on a tight rhythm: breakfast, walking, lagoons, lunch, hot springs, then a return to Cusco that lands around 7:30 p.m.

Now for the practical part. You sit in the vehicle for a long stretch, and real-world comfort can be tight. If you are the type who needs fresh air, ask to adjust ventilation early, and bring patience for a crowded feel. Also, keep your warm layers accessible, because mornings near the mountains can bite.

Pacchanta breakfast: fuel before the ascent

After the ride, you reach Pacchanta and get a local breakfast. This stop is not just about calories, it is your altitude prep. The hike starts after you eat, and even though the ascent is gradual, you will still feel the effort quickly at altitude.

From here, the tour shifts into hiking mode. You will start the loop and ascend little by little, moving from one lagoon stop to the next. The overall round trip walk is about 5 hours, so breakfast needs to be enough to keep your energy steady through the morning.

One more tip: treat breakfast like a practical meal, not a buffet feast. Eat what you can handle, keep water intake steady, and do not load up on food that might upset your stomach if you get winded. If you brought snacks, this is a good place to save them for later on the trail.

The seven lagoons loop: blues, teals, mirrors, and wildlife

The heart of the tour is the lagoon circuit. You will walk between multiple pools, each with its own look, and you will notice the color changes as the light hits differently. The lagoons named on this route are: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

What makes this special is not only the colors. It is the way some lagoons behave like natural mirrors, so your photos can look unreal when the surface is calm. The photos tend to work best when you are at the right angle and the light is consistent, which is why the early start helps.

Along the way, you might spot Andean birds, alpacas and llamas, and vizcachas. These are not guaranteed like a checklist, but the setting really supports it. Slow down when you see movement near rocky edges, and watch for small, quick animals that look like they belong in the landscape.

Difficulty is another factor. Even with gradual ascent, this is a trek day. If you are a beginner on high-altitude hikes, you might find it challenging. One description pegs the hike at around 12 to 13 km with about 500 m of elevation gain, so bring a steady pace mentality, not a sprint plan.

Apu Ausangate: why the views feel bigger than photos

The tour centers on the majesty of snow-capped Apu Ausangate, which is the big visual reason people do this trek. Even if you have seen mountains in Peru before, Ausangate has a presence that makes the whole walk feel tied to one living centerpiece.

This matters because you are not just walking between scenic spots. You are moving through a region that locals recognize as meaningful, so the experience feels grounded in place. You will also get multiple sightlines during the ascent, which is why your camera will come out more than once.

Photo-wise, do not only shoot at the lagoon itself. Look back at the direction you came from. Early light plus wide mountain angles often makes a scene look deeper and more dramatic than zoomed-in shots. Also, keep your camera protected while moving, because wind and cold can show up quickly on open ridges.

If you feel the urge to stop constantly for photos, pick moments. Save the quick shots for when you have stable footing, and use longer breaks when the trail flattens.

Lunch back in Pacchanta, then downshift to hot springs

Once the lagoon walking ends, you return to Pacchanta for a delicious lunch. This is a key recovery moment, since you have likely worked up an appetite and you may be running low on energy.

Lunch timing also shapes your day. After the meal, you go straight into relaxation mode with hot springs. This is not the time for a long second wind that turns into missing the next step, so eat, hydrate, and get ready to soak.

Some days the lunch quality feels like the bright point, especially when breakfast is simpler than you hoped. Either way, plan to treat lunch as a reset, not an afterthought. If you are picky, stick to what you know you tolerate well, then use the hot springs to wash the fatigue off your legs.

Thermo-medicinal waters: comfort costs extra, but it is worth planning

The tour includes time to relax in thermal, thermo-medicinal waters after lunch. This is one of the clearest “reward steps” in the day.

But here is the part you must plan for: entry to the thermal waters is not included, and costs 10 soles. So if you are traveling with low cash, make sure you have enough money set aside for this and for any other add-ons.

What should you bring? Bring a swimwear and towel, plus warm layers for after you get out. The temperature contrast can feel dramatic: hot water feels great, then the cold air hits and you cool fast. Also bring comfortable sandals or easy-to-slip footwear, if you have them.

One expectation to hold lightly: the hot springs area can feel casual, with families and locals using the space. If you are sensitive about that kind of environment, come mentally prepared and focus on your own comfort.

Price and value check: what you pay for, and what you pay extra

At $34 per person, the pricing can feel like a bargain for the combination of early transport, a professional guide in English and Spanish, and two meals. You also get a first aid kit and pickup from your Cusco hotel.

Here is where value becomes personal. You do not pay the big extra tickets in the tour price. Specifically:

• Ausangate entrance ticket is S/ 20.00 (not included)
• Thermal waters entry is 10 soles (not included)
• Horses are mentioned as an option but are not included
• Drop-off at your hotel is not included

So the real cost depends on your choices. If you want to hike on foot, you are likely just adding the Ausangate ticket and thermal entry. If you think you might need a horse, that can change the math quickly.

Also consider what you are buying beyond logistics. You are paying for an organized day with a clear route through named lagoons and a guide team. That said, guide quality can vary. If you care a lot about deep explanations, you may want to ask simple questions early and watch how responsive the guide is.

Who should book this Ausangate seven-lagoons tour?

This tour is best for people who want a nature-heavy day and are comfortable with high altitude. The tour is not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with mobility impairments
• People over 60 years
• People with altitude sickness
• People with low level of fitness

Also, it is important to acclimatize in Cusco and to have a good physical condition. If you plan to do this in your first day in Peru, rethink it. Cusco altitude is not a small detail, it is the baseline for everything that comes after.

Who fits well:

• Hikers who enjoy cold mornings and a steady pace
• Travelers who love photographing changing water colors
• People who want a full day with breakfast, lunch, and hot springs time

Who should pass:

• Anyone who gets winded easily on climbs
• People who dislike long vehicle rides
• Anyone who wants a relaxed, short walking day

And yes, it runs rain or shine, so your clothing choices matter as much as your fitness.

Packing list that actually makes a difference

The tour is outdoors from early morning through the evening, with exposed trail segments and a cold start. If you pack smart, the day feels easier.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes for trekking
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Jacket and comfortable clothes
• Gloves (these help more than you think)
• Camera
• Snacks
• Outdoor clothing
• Swimwear and a towel for the hot springs
• Cash for entry fees and any extras

One small mindset shift: pack layers you can remove and put back quickly. Morning cold plus sunny stretches plus exertion can create fast temperature swings. If you only bring one heavy layer, you might end up sweaty uphill and freezing at lagoon stops.

Finally, keep your camera plan simple. If you do too much fiddling while standing on uneven ground, you will lose time and energy. Move carefully, then shoot.

Should you book the Cusco Ausangate seven lagoons?

Book it if you want an active day with iconic scenery, enjoy photography, and you are physically ready for a 5-hour trek plus a full day schedule. The price often looks like good value once you factor in hotel pickup, transport, professional guiding, and included meals.

Skip it if altitude and long hikes are a struggle for you, or if you need a very polished, explanation-heavy tour. The guide should be available in English and Spanish, but real-world communication and guidance quality can vary, so if you expect constant history lessons, go in with a flexible mindset.

My best practical advice: treat this like a hike first, and a sight-seeing tour second. If you pace well, wear the right layers, and save energy for the lagoon stops, you will leave with the kind of photos and calm-hot-springs feeling people remember for a long time.

FAQ

What time does the tour pick me up in Cusco?

Pickup is from your Cusco hotel between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Your guide will call you about 10 minutes before pickup.

How long is the walking portion?

The walk lasts about 5 hours round trip, with a gradual ascent on the way to the first lagoon and then onward to the rest.

Which lagoons are visited on this route?

The named lagoons are Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

Is breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch in Pacchanta are included.

What costs extra during the day?

You will need to pay separately for the Ausangate entrance ticket (S/ 20.00) and thermal waters entry (10 soles). Horses and dinner are also not included.

Is the hot springs time included, and do I need to bring swimwear?

Thermal waters time is part of the experience, and you should bring swimwear and a towel since entry is not included and you will be soaking.

Is this tour suitable for everyone in Cusco?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people over 60 years, people with altitude sickness, and people with low fitness. You should acclimatize in Cusco and have good physical condition.

What should I pack for a day like this?

Wear comfortable trekking shoes and bring a jacket, gloves, sun hat, sunglasses, and cash. Also pack a camera, snacks, and outdoor clothing, plus swimwear and a towel for the hot springs.