Cusco: Seven Lagoons of Ausangate Hiking Day Trip with Lunch

Cusco has a way of making you earn your views, and this Ausangate day trip is all about that payoff. You’ll spend the morning hiking toward the Seven Lagoons of Ausangate at high altitude, then relax back in Pacchanta with a meal and thermo-medicinal waters.

What I like most is the focus on the colored lakes themselves, including named stops like Otorongo Male and Otorongo Female, and how the guide keeps the walk moving with clear directions. I also appreciate the small group size, plus the practical extras like walking sticks and an included first aid kit and oxygen balloon. One real drawback to consider is the brutal start, pickup at 04:00 AM, and the fact that this hike is not suitable if you’re pregnant or have heart problems.

Key things to know before you go

• Early pickup, then real scenery time: you leave Cusco before sunrise and spend the morning walking, not sitting in traffic.
• You’ll get multiple viewing moments: first you reach a viewpoint for big lake photos, then you continue closer along the loop.
• Seven lagoons with memorable names: Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, Alqa Lake.
• Pacchanta is more than a trailhead: you’ll visit the community and enjoy thermo-medicinal waters.
• Small group, limited to 12: it feels less crowded and easier for your guide to manage.

Why the Ausangate Seven Lagoons are worth the early start

This trip is interesting because the main attraction is not a single overlook. It’s a chain of seven high-mountain lakes that change color and character as the trail brings you closer. Even if you’ve seen other lagoon hikes around Cusco, the variety here is the point: you move through different angles and lighting, so the lakes do not all look the same.

I also like that the hike is planned like a loop, so you’re not turning around and watching your own footprints for hours. You get a viewpoint moment early, then the route continues for a second stretch where you can see a large part of the lakes up close. That mix of wide views and closer looks keeps the day from feeling monotonous.

That said, you’re signing up for a long day at altitude. The schedule is tight: pickup at 04:00 AM, a multi-hour drive, a morning hike, and then lunch and thermo-medicinal water time before the return van. If you want a relaxed day with late mornings, this is not that.

Getting to Pacchanta: the 4:00 AM pickup and 3-hour van ride

The day starts with hotel pickup in Cusco at 04:00 AM. You then ride in a van for about 3 hours toward Pacchanta. For many people, that early departure is the hardest part, mostly because you’re going to be awake before your body is ready to move.

The good news is that the van time is built into your day, and you’re not wasting half the morning trying to coordinate transportation on your own. Your tour also includes both pickup and a drop-off back in Cusco at Plaza Regocijo, so you’re not left scrambling at the end when you’re tired.

Practical tip: in a day like this, getting picked up smoothly matters. One negative review in the provided information described a missed pickup and confusion around payments for Ausangate entrance. That’s not enough to say this tour always fails, but it is enough to justify a simple habit: confirm your pickup details the night before and be clear about any costs that might come up on the day.

Breakfast in Pacchanta: fuel before the first 2-hour hike

Once you reach Pacchanta, you get break time and breakfast, with about 50 minutes of free time built in. This matters because you’re heading out on foot soon after, and a real meal helps you handle the hike better than grabbing something quick in town.

After breakfast, you start walking from Pacchanta. The first stretch is about two hours before you reach a viewpoint where you can admire the seven lagoons. During that early section, your guide will manage the pace so you can keep steady, rather than sprinting uphill and burning energy too soon.

Your tour includes walking sticks, which is a quiet but big deal. On uneven high-altitude ground, they help with balance and reduce strain on your knees as the trail rises and dips.

The first big payoff: viewpoint over Upper Lake and Otorongo Male/Female

This is where the day starts paying you back. After about two hours on the trail, you reach a viewpoint with a chance to take photos and really look at the system of lakes together. The guided part here is valuable because you’re not just seeing water at random. You’re learning how the lakes are laid out and how to distinguish the different ones.

You’ll be able to marvel at the lagoons’ different colors, and you’ll hear the names of key lakes in the group: Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, and Otorongo Female. Even if you’re not into lake trivia, the names make it easier to remember what you’re seeing, and that turns photos from random shots into a story.

After this viewpoint stop, you continue walking for about three more hours. Think of it as the transition from postcard views to a more involved experience. You’ll spend more time on the trail, moving through the natural environment and taking in typical flora and fauna of the area.

Photo tip: plan for bright light and strong sun. Your kit includes sunscreen in the recommended packing list, and I’d treat that as minimum gear. A hat helps too.

Hiking the loop: Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake

The middle of the day is long, but it’s long in a good way. After the viewpoint, you continue the hike for roughly three hours, and this is where you see a large part of the seven lagoons closer up. Instead of standing and looking, you’re walking alongside the scenery, letting the view expand and shift as the trail curves.

This part of the experience is especially appealing if you like routes that feel alive. You’re moving through mountain terrain, not just moving between two points. You’ll notice the details that don’t show up from far away, like how the trail sits in the surrounding terrain and how the lakes look when you’re not only staring downhill.

The lagoon names keep you oriented as you go: Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake. Whether you can pronounce them easily or not, you’ll be able to connect the colors you’re seeing with the guide’s labels. That helps you feel like you’re actually doing the hike, not just taking attendance at scenic spots.

Logistics note: the itinerary also lists an additional on-foot segment of about 1 hour within the walking portion. In real life, this kind of timing usually reflects small breaks, photo stops, and route adjustments, so build mental stamina for a few hours more than you think at first.

Pacchanta lunch and thermo-medicinal waters, the best kind of recovery

Once you finish the loop back around Pacchanta, you earn your reward: lunch and time to soak. Your schedule includes a break for lunch and swimming, with about 1.5 hours for that. This is where the day shifts from effort to recovery.

Pacchanta is known for thermo-medicinal waters, and your visit includes time connected to that experience. The value here is practical. After a long hike, warm water helps your legs feel less angry, and sitting down with food means you’re not trying to recover on an empty stomach.

You do not have to treat this as a luxury spa day, though. It’s still a working community with a focus on the waters and the visit. What you get is the chance to combine a real hike with a local way to unwind.

If you plan to swim, wear gear that dries fast and bring something you can put on after. The tour recommends warm clothing, and that usually matters even after the soaking, because mountain air can feel chilly once you’re out of the water.

Guide support, oxygen balloon, and why the small group matters

The tour is run with a professional guide, and the group is limited to 12 participants. That size makes a difference. In a group this small, it’s easier to stay together, and it’s easier for your guide to answer questions without repeating themselves every ten minutes.

Your guide supports you with more than just directions. They also manage the flow of the day, including photo stops and the guided walk through the lagoon area. In one of the positive reviews included in your info, a guest specifically praised the guide as wonderful, helpful, and kind. That lines up with what you need on a long, high-altitude day: patience and good communication.

You’ll also have practical safety items included: a first aid kit and an oxygen balloon. I can’t promise how any emergency would play out, but it’s reassuring that the tour isn’t acting like “nothing can happen.” Your comfort matters, and these extras are there for serious situations.

Finally, the tour offers English and Spanish live guiding. If you speak either, you should be able to follow what’s happening without relying on guesswork.

Price and value: what $30 covers, and what to watch for

At $30 per person for a 10-hour day trip, the value is pretty clear if you look at what’s included. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, a guided hike, breakfast and lunch, walking sticks, and basic safety equipment. You also get transport in a van for the long distance between Cusco and Pacchanta.

Where you should stay alert is that entry fees are not included. That means at some point, you might be asked to pay for access connected to the Ausangate area. One negative review in the provided information described a dispute involving Ausangate entrance payments handled by a conductor, including a claim about not receiving change. I’m not going to assume that’s normal, but it is a reminder: if you pay any entrance costs, do it carefully, confirm the amount, and keep any receipt or clear proof of payment if you can.

In other words, the tour is good value for the hiking day and meals, but budget slightly for possible add-ons tied to entry.

Timing, pace, and who should skip this hike

This tour is not short. You’re looking at about two hours to the first viewpoint, then another three hours of continued hiking, plus additional on-foot time and stopovers. That’s a full-day effort even with breaks and guidance.

The tour also isn’t a fit for everyone. It’s listed as not suitable for pregnant women and people with heart problems. That’s the kind of limitation you should take seriously. High altitude and sustained effort can stress your body, and this trip has a long walking portion.

Who it suits best:

• You want a day trip that feels like real hiking, not just a quick scenic walk.
• You like lake scenery with multiple viewpoints and a guided story.
• You can handle a very early start and cold mountain conditions.

Who might struggle:

• Anyone who needs lots of downtime between walking sections.
• Anyone who gets nervous about altitude and prefers very gradual routes.

If you’re unsure, choose wisely. There are plenty of Cusco day trips that keep you closer to town and at lower effort.

What to bring for the Cusco cold and the Ausangate walk

Your tour’s recommended items are straightforward, and I agree with all of them:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes
• Warm clothing
• Hat
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Water

The warm clothing piece is not optional on an early start. Even if the sun comes out later, mornings at elevation can feel cold fast. Shoes matter because the ground can be uneven. If you go with flimsy footwear, you’ll feel it by midday.

Take water seriously. The day includes breakfast and lunch, but you still need hydration during a long hike.

And bring your camera because the lakes are the main event. Between the viewpoint stop and the longer walking section, you’ll want to capture both wide angles and closer views of lagoon color.

Should you book the Cusco Seven Lagoons of Ausangate day trip?

If you want one focused day in the Cusco region that centers on the seven Ausangate lagoons and includes real recovery time in Pacchanta thermo-medicinal waters, I think it’s an easy yes.

Book it if:

• You like guided hikes and small groups.
• You’re excited by named lakes and multiple viewing moments.
• You value the convenience of pickup, meals, and included gear like walking sticks.

I’d be cautious if:

• You are worried about early morning departures and long walking hours.
• You have any medical limitations that make strenuous altitude hikes unsafe.
• You don’t want to deal with possible entrance fee payments on the day. If you do go, confirm the plan in advance and pay any extra costs with care.

FAQ

FAQ

What time is the pickup in Cusco?

Pickup is at 04:00 AM from your hotel in Cusco.

How long is the van ride to Pacchanta?

The itinerary shows a van ride of about 3 hours going to Pacchanta.

How long is the hike?

The schedule includes about 2 hours before the first viewpoint, about 3 hours more after that, plus an additional on-foot segment of about 1 hour.

Do I get breakfast and lunch?

Yes. You’ll have breakfast after arriving in Pacchanta and lunch later in the day.

Where do lunch and swimming take place?

They happen in Pacchanta, alongside access to thermo-medicinal waters, with about 1.5 hours allocated for lunch and swimming.

What are the seven lagoons you’ll see?

They are Upper Lake, Otorongo Male, Otorongo Female, Red Lake, Ccomer Lake, Blue Lake, and Alqa Lake.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour is limited to 12 participants.

What languages are the guides?

Guiding is available in English and Spanish.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.

Is there an extra cost for entry?

Entry fees are not included.