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

What makes this trip interesting is the way it blends wild high-altitude color with real Andean daily life, then ends with hot springs at elevation. You get that moment where the lagoons look too bright to be real, then you realize you’re standing in the Vilcanota region near Ausangate’s glacier-fed waters. I also love how the day includes a meal rooted in what locals grow, not just a generic tour lunch. The one thing to watch is that the food can be simple, and if you’re picky, you may want a small snack just in case.

The route is long, the hike is the main effort, and you’ll be above 4,000 meters. If your body is sensitive to altitude or you’re not ready for cold mornings, this might feel tougher than the photos. Plan for altitude, bring warm layers, and you’ll have a much better time.

Key highlights you will actually feel on the day

• Turquoise glacier-fed lagoons that look unreal until you’re there in person
• A family breakfast in Pacchanta, with Andean ingredients and a real home vibe
• One strenuous hike early on, followed by shorter lagoon stops as you move around
• Multiple named lakes like Comercocha, Alqacocha, Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha
• Optional hot springs with a limited time window, plus entrance fees to expect
• A lively, supportive guide, including energetic English support from guides like Felipe and Tony (in the past)

A Day Around Ausangate’s 7 Lagoons, With Real Andes Life Included

This is one of those Cusco-region outings where the scenery does most of the work for you. The star of the day is the chain of glacier-fed lagoons in the Ausangate area, surrounded by towering peaks and that intense high-mountain light that makes colors pop. You’ll start early, drive south, hike, then circle back with several lagoon stops before finishing at hot springs and returning to central Cusco.

What I like about this tour is the balance. It’s not just a drive with photo stops, and it’s not just a hard trek with no culture. You get a family welcome in Pacchanta, a buffet lunch with locally grown products, and time to soak (if you choose). That combination matters, because it turns the day from sightseeing into something more grounded.

The big practical reality is that this is high altitude. You will be around and above 4,000 meters, and the cold is part of the experience. Done right, it feels exhilarating. Done unprepared, it can feel miserable.

Morning Pickup and the Route South From Cusco to Pacchanta

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco, and then you head south for about three hours. This isn’t random road time. You’ll pass through villages and glimpses of traditional life, including the popular village of Ccatcca, where you can see women still wearing local dress and catch a sense of how these communities live day to day.

As you keep driving, you join part of the interoceanic highway route that connects Peru with Brazil. That stretch is a reminder that this area is not only tourist scenery. People travel this route for work and family life, and it gives the day a grounded feel.

Why this matters for you: getting there by car helps you spend your energy where it counts. The later hike is the real physical challenge. If you were starting at trailhead immediately after leaving Cusco on foot, you’d lose a lot more time and stamina to altitude and cold.

Also, bring patience. The day is long, and the vehicle ride is part of the rhythm. The good news is that once you arrive at Pacchanta, the pace shifts from driving to living, walking, and soaking.

Pacchanta Breakfast: Meeting a Local Family Above 4,000 Meters

The most human part of the morning happens in Pacchanta, at more than 4,000 meters above sea level. A local family welcomes you into their home and serves a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients. It’s a simple setup, but it’s memorable because you’re eating where you actually see the culture up close, not just through a window.

This stop also helps you set your body up for the day. Breakfast at altitude is not just nice, it’s practical. You will be outside in cold air, then hike, then move between lagoons. A decent meal early gives you fuel and helps you feel better as the temperature drops.

What to keep in mind: Pacchanta is high. Even if breakfast feels quick, take a moment before you start walking. Sip water, breathe slowly, and let your body adjust.

The First Big Hike: Toward the Lagoons Near Ausangate

After breakfast, you head toward the Vilcanota mountain range. This is where you get your first strong view of snow-capped Ausangate, the dramatic glacier that feeds the boiling lagoons you’ll visit.

Then comes the main effort: the first hike in the day, about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake. This hike is described as the most strenuous part of the full 7-lagoons experience. You’re walking at altitude, and the ground can be uneven. That’s why trekking poles are included, and why they can make a real difference for your knees and balance.

I also appreciate that the guiding style here tends to be supportive. In past days, guides like Felipe have been described as enthusiastic and fun, and Tony has been praised for his personality that keeps the hike enjoyable. Even if your legs are tired, a good guide helps you keep moving, stop for photos, and pace yourself.

One practical detail: you’ll likely be cold at the start, then warm up as you hike. Bring layers you can adjust. Keep gloves handy if you’re the type who gets cold hands easily.

And one more thing: pace yourself like you’re walking through a slightly tired dream. If you go too fast, altitude will punish you. If you go steady, you’ll reach the first lake feeling proud instead of wrecked.

Comercocha and Alqacocha: Those Unbelievable Colors

Once you reach the first area, you start with lakes like Comercocha and Alqacocha. These are green and turquoise lagoons at the foot of the mystical glacier. The colors can be so strong that you might not believe them until you’re standing there.

This is where you want to slow down and actually look. The light shifts quickly at altitude. Give yourself a few minutes to change your angle, check the water surface, and watch how the colors shift from one minute to the next.

Photo note, because you’ll want pictures: the walk between viewpoints is part of the story. Don’t just snap and rush. Take one set of photos, then turn your body and look longer. That’s when you start to feel why people fall for this region.

If you feel ambitious and your tour group conditions allow it, you may have a chance to ride a horse, which is worth knowing as a possibility. The tour data doesn’t guarantee it as a core included element, but it has been mentioned as an option in the past, so it’s fair to ask your guide if it’s available that day.

Patacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha: Lagoon Stops on the Return

On the way back to Pacchanta, you pass the other lagoons: Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha. This is where the tour turns from one big hike into a series of natural stops that keep you moving without requiring another long push uphill.

You’ll have time to be captivated by the power of nature and take photos. From when you arrive at the first lagoon until you return to the restaurant, the total time for this portion is about 2.5 hours. That’s enough time to see each lagoon, take pictures, and catch your breath without feeling rushed.

Why this portion is valuable: you’re seeing the same general environment through different water tones and angles. It’s not just seven pictures that look the same. The lagoons feel like separate characters. One might look bluer or greener based on how the light hits it and where the water sits against the rock.

Also, keep an eye on your footing as you move between viewpoints. At altitude, you’re often concentrating on breathing and warmth. Balance gets easier if you slow down for the turns.

Lunch Buffet in Pacchanta and a Short Hot Springs Window

After you head back, you return to the host family’s home for a buffet lunch. The focus is on locally grown natural products, which is part of what makes this stop feel authentic rather than interchangeable with any other tour meal. I still suggest you treat it like fuel for the rest of the day, especially if you had a hard hike earlier.

Then comes the hot springs. You get about 40 minutes to visit them, and it’s optional. Bring your swimsuit if you want to soak.

Two practical realities about hot springs at altitude:

1. The soak feels great while you’re in it, but the air afterward can feel brutal when you’re cold and wet.
2. You’ll want to move quickly when you get out, because you’ll start shivering if you wait too long to dry off and get warm again.

Entrance fees are not included for the hot springs, so expect an additional charge of PEN 5.00 when you get there. If you’re planning to skip the soak, you can still enjoy the scenery and save time, but know you will be in that area for the same schedule.

What Makes the Day Work: Timing, Altitude, and Included Gear

This tour runs about 15 hours, and it starts early in the morning. That schedule makes sense, because high-altitude conditions can change fast as the day goes on, and early departures help you get to the lagoons while it’s still manageable.

Here’s what you get that genuinely helps your day:

• Pickup and roundtrip transportation from Cusco
• Breakfast and lunch buffet
• English and Spanish speaking professional tour guide
• Trekking pole
• First-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle for emergencies

That last part matters. It’s not something you want to think about, but it’s comforting to know it’s there when you’re going to 4,000-plus meters.

Altitude reality check, plain and honest: this isn’t a casual walking tour. It’s best for people who can handle a strenuous stretch and can slow down when breathing gets hard. It’s not suitable for children under 2 years, pregnant women, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

And if you tend to get altitude headaches or nausea, take that seriously. You’ll have a much better day if you’re well adjusted and you listen to your body.

Price and Value: Is $38 Worth It?

At about $38 per person, the value is strong if you’re looking for a full day that combines nature plus culture. You’re paying for transportation, a guide, two meals, and practical climbing support like trekking poles, plus safety items like first aid and oxygen.

The potential add-ons to plan for are:

• Entrance fee for the lagoons area: PEN 20.00
• Hot springs entrance fee: PEN 5.00 (only if you go)

Even with those, you’re still usually in a reasonable range for a full-day outing with a guide and meals.

Where the value can feel weaker is the meal quality if you’re very food-focused. Some people have noted that the lunch and breakfast can feel basic, with simpler dishes and not much extra seasoning. If you’re picky or sensitive with taste, bring a small snack that you can eat quietly. That way you stay focused on the real payoff: the lagoons and the hot springs.

For most people, the cost still makes sense because this is a long day with a lot of movement and a place-based experience, including that home breakfast moment in Pacchanta.

Practical Tips That Make the Difference

If you want this day to feel smooth, don’t treat it like a casual hike. Treat it like cold-weather altitude hiking with time for photos.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes with good grip
• Warm clothing, because temperatures can be low
• Camera
• Sunscreen (you are at high elevation, sun can be intense)
• Water

Wear:

• Layers you can adjust as you hike and cool down
• Gloves or a hat if you get cold easily

One more note: there’s time to take pictures at the lagoons, and the guide can stop along the way. If you’re sensitive to altitude, build a habit of short pauses, steady breathing, and slower movement. You’ll enjoy the views more when you’re not constantly rushing.

Should You Book This 7 Lakes and Hot Springs Tour?

Book it if you want a day with genuine variety: high-altitude lagoons with real color impact, a family welcome in Pacchanta, and a chance to soak in hot springs. It’s also a good match if you like energetic guides. People have specifically called out guide energy like Felipe and Tony making the hike feel easier and more fun.

Skip or reconsider if:

• You’re not comfortable with altitude, even if you’re active in normal conditions
• You have a medical condition that makes high elevation risky
• You’re very picky about food and don’t want to manage with snacks
• You hate cold after a soak, because hot springs at elevation can mean fast temperature shock

If you book, go in with the right mindset. This isn’t just a photo mission. The best moments come when you slow down, breathe, and let the lagoons and the people you meet do the talking.

FAQ

How long is the trip from Cusco?

The duration is about 15 hours, starting early in the morning.

How do I get to the starting point in the morning?

You get pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco, and your guide or driver waits at the reception.

What’s the main hike like?

The first hike is the most strenuous part of the day and takes about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake.

Are the lagoons included in the entrance fees?

The entrance fee is not included. You should expect PEN 20.00.

Is hot springs included, and how long do I get?

Hot springs are optional and you get about 40 minutes. The hot spring entrance fee is not included, and it is PEN 5.00.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and a lunch buffet are included.

What language support do I get from the guide?

The tour includes an English and Spanish speaking professional guide.

What’s included for hiking support and safety?

You get trekking poles, first-aid equipment, and an oxygen bottle for emergencies.

What should I bring for high altitude and cold weather?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a camera, sunscreen, and water.

Who should not join this tour?

It is not suitable for children under 2 years, pregnant women, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.