Cusco: Day Trip to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons with Lunch

Cusco has plenty of hikes, but this one is interesting because it takes you southeast of the city and puts you right at the foot of Ausangate. You get a full day of moving through a high, natural setting, then ending with lunch back in the community area around Pacchanta.

What I like most is the focus on the seven lagoons themselves, including Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa. I also appreciate that the day is built around a steady walking rhythm, with an early breakfast in Pacchanta and a viewpoint where you can take in the whole set.

One drawback to plan for is the physical side of the trip. This is not for low fitness, and it is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, respiratory issues, or pregnancy, so choose honestly before you sign up.

Quick hits: what makes this Cusco day trip special

• Ausangate lagoon names you can spot in your photos, from Laguna Superior to Laguna Alqa
• Early pickup at 04:00 so you are hiking while conditions are usually more comfortable
• A two-part trek, first a 2-hour walk to a viewpoint, then another 3 hours through lagoon area
• Oxygen and trekking sticks included, helpful for altitude and long steps
• Optional Pacchanta thermo-medicinal waters, with hot-spring entry tickets not included
• Lunch back in Pacchanta, so the hike has a clear finish and not just a long return drive

Why the 04:00 pickup and Ausangate area matter

This trip starts far earlier than the typical Cusco day. Pickup from your hotel is at 04:00 a.m., and you head out toward Pacchanta for breakfast. That early start is more than a schedule trick. It helps you beat the day getting warmer, and it gives you enough time to walk to the viewpoint and then continue on without feeling rushed.

You are also going to a part of the Cusco region that feels more like pure nature than a city-adjacent excursion. The lagoons are described as a new natural attraction at the foot of Ausangate, and the tour is designed around that idea. The guide also helps you notice the flora and fauna typical of the area, which is one reason this feels more meaningful than a quick photo stop.

Lastly, the altitude-friendly extras are worth highlighting. You get oxygen in the kit, plus a first aid kit and trekking sticks. If you have ever regretted not training for a high, long walk, this is the kind of small, practical support that can keep the day enjoyable.

The seven lagoons: what you should expect to see and photograph

The main show is the hike through the Ausangate lagoon area, where the tour focuses on the seven lagoons named in the route. The names themselves are a clue to what you will be hunting for during the day: different colors, different textures, and different angles to catch them.

Here are the lagoon names you will be aiming to see:

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

Even if you do not know what each lagoon looks like beforehand, the tour structure gives you two chances to take everything in. First, you walk for about 2 hours to a viewpoint. Then you keep walking for about 3 more hours, covering a large part of the lagoon area, ending back at Pacchanta for lunch.

This is also where having a guide matters. The guide is included, and they help you appreciate the colors and the setting instead of just walking past it. If you like travel photos, plan on stopping whenever the viewpoint opens, then moving on before the group gets spread out.

Pacchanta breakfast, optional thermo-medicinal waters, and lunch setup

After pickup at 04:00 a.m., you reach Pacchanta for a restorative breakfast. That is the fuel you need for a long walk day, especially at elevation. Also, having breakfast before the first big climb makes the schedule feel doable rather than punishing.

The tour has an optional add-on: visiting the populated center of the Pacchanta community and its thermo-medicinal waters. This matters because it turns the trip from only hiking into a more well-rounded recovery moment. You have a chance to go from cold, high walking to a warm soak if the group and timing allow.

One cost note that can catch people off guard: entrance tickets to hot springs are not included. So if you plan to use the thermo-medicinal waters, budget extra cash for that part.

Lunch is also handled thoughtfully. The itinerary brings you back to the starting point in Pacchanta, where you have lunch. That means you are not ending the day with an empty stomach and no plan. It also gives you a natural pause point before the return ride back to Cusco.

The hike itself: viewpoint first, then 3 hours through lagoon country

This trip is organized around two walking segments:

1. About 2 hours to reach a viewpoint where you can see the 7 Ausangate lagoons
2. About 3 additional hours walking through a large part of the lagoon area, finishing back at Pacchanta for lunch

The first segment is key. Getting to the viewpoint early gives you the big picture. It also helps you understand what you are seeing while you are still fresh. If you start the day feeling foggy or tired, the viewpoint is the payoff that quickly re-sets your brain and makes the later sections easier to enjoy.

After that, you keep walking. This is where you will likely slow down for color changes, water reflections, and small breaks in the trail. The tour also aims to help you appreciate the natural environment, not just check a box. Since the tour includes trekking sticks and oxygen, the day is set up for people who want to challenge themselves without going fully unassisted.

A practical caution: the tour is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or respiratory issues, and it is not recommended for people with low level of fitness. Even if you are active, be honest about your stamina for multiple hours of hiking at altitude.

Transport and guide support: what you gain for your time

The day is built around convenience from Cusco. You get hotel pickup, plus round-trip transport. That is valuable because the 04:00 start is early enough that you do not want to be figuring out local transit logistics in the dark.

The tour also includes a professional guide. They are listed as available in English and Spanish, which is a big practical win if your Spanish is basic. More than language, the guide helps you interpret what you are seeing and keeps the walk moving at a pace that works for the group.

You also get the kinds of items that tell me the route is taken seriously: oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit. These are not glamorous, but they are the difference between a day that feels steady and a day that turns into survival.

Price and value: is $40 a fair deal for a full day?

At $40 per person, this tour is priced like a solid budget option for a full day from Cusco. What makes it feel like value is what is included. You get:

• pickup from your hotel and round-trip transport
• breakfast and lunch
• professional guide
• oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit

What is not included is the entrance tickets to hot springs. So if you plan to use the thermo-medicinal waters, your real cost will be slightly higher than the base price.

The biggest value question is whether the hike matches your fitness and comfort level. The itinerary includes roughly 5 hours of walking total (2 hours to the viewpoint, then 3 more hours back through the lagoon area). If you can handle that, you are getting a lot for a relatively low single-day price. If you cannot, you may be paying $40 to suffer rather than enjoy, and that is not a good trade.

What to pack so the cold morning and long walk stay comfortable

The tour lists what you should bring, and you would be wise to follow it. In particular:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes plus hiking shoes
• Hiking pants
• Camera
• Cash

Also remember that this is a very early start with hiking time. Dress like you will be changing temperatures. The tour includes trekking sticks, but you still want good traction footwear.

And do not plan on bringing any extras that can slow the group down. Weapons or sharp objects are not allowed, and smoking indoors plus alcohol and drugs are not allowed. It is a straightforward rule set, but it is worth remembering because tours can be strict in higher, remote areas.

Who should book this Cusco lagoon trek, and who should not

This is best for adults who are comfortable hiking for several hours and handling high elevation walking. The trip is not suitable for:

• children under 8
• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• people with mobility impairments
• people with respiratory issues
• people with low level of fitness

If you fall into any of those categories, it is safer to look for a gentler Cusco option. That is not about being picky. It is about making sure the day stays enjoyable rather than risky.

If you are a fit hiker who wants something more authentic than a quick city sight, this fits well. You get the natural setting at the foot of Ausangate, the named lagoons, and the option of recovery at Pacchanta thermo-medicinal waters. The review highlight that people love the mix of thermas and lagoons, and that matches how the day is structured.

Should you book the 7 Ausangate Lagoons day trip from Cusco?

Yes, you should book it if you want a full day outdoors that is built around the seven named lagoons, with real walking time and practical altitude support. The inclusion of oxygen, trekking sticks, breakfast, and lunch makes it a good value for your day.

Skip it if you are not confident in your ability to hike for about 5 hours total at elevation, or if you are affected by respiratory issues, back problems, or pregnancy. In your case, a tour that is less physically demanding will likely be a better use of your time in Cusco.

If you do book, be honest in your packing and gear choices, and do not treat the early 04:00 pickup as optional. This trip works when you show up ready to walk, then enjoy the payoff of those lagoon colors and the Ausangate area before the day ends.

FAQ

What time is pickup from my hotel?

Pickup is at 04:00 a.m. in Cusco.

How long is the day trip?

The duration is 1 day.

What is included in the tour price?

It includes hotel pickup, round-trip transport, breakfast, professional guide, lunch, oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit.

Are hot springs included?

The option to visit Pacchanta thermo-medicinal waters exists, but entrance tickets to hot springs are not included.

What lagoons are visited on the tour?

The tour names the seven lagoons as Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.

What level of fitness is required?

It is not suitable for people with low level of fitness, and it is also not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or respiratory issues.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.