From Cusco: Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals

This tour is interesting because you trade Cusco streets for a big, natural world southeast of town, where you hike to seven lagoons at the foot of Mount Ausangate. I really like the way the lakes can look completely different across the day, with bright colors that seem to change as the light shifts. It’s also one of those rare excursions that feels intentionally away from the usual crowds.

My other favorite part is the pacing with a small group, plus a proper breakfast and a sit-down lunch in Pacchanta to refuel. The main drawback to consider is the physical side: you start very early, and you do several hours of uphill walking at altitude. It’s also not a good match if you have respiratory issues or other pre-existing medical conditions.

Key highlights you’ll feel on the day

• Seven lagoons in one outing, with named stops like Lake Rojo and Laguna Azul
• Early start, big views, including a first viewpoint after about 2 hours
• A guided hike in a small group limited to 15 people
• Meals that actually matter: breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the loop
• Safety extras for altitude, including oxygen and a first aid kit, plus walking sticks

Why Ausangate 7 Lakes feels more wild than most day trips from Cusco

If you want a day trip that feels like you left the tourist map behind, this Ausangate Siete Lagunas route does that. You’re moving through a natural corridor with mountains all around, plus flora and fauna that make the hike feel alive, not staged.

What makes it special is the focus: the goal is not just walking for exercise, it’s reaching viewpoints and the right places to see the lagoons. The lakes have distinct names, and you get the sense you’re visiting a system tied to Mount Ausangate rather than just taking photos of whatever is nearby.

You should also know this is not a sit-and-stare outing. One of the best things here is the scenery, and one of the main tradeoffs is that your time at each lake is typically short because you’re hiking and moving between stops.

The big picture: timing, total walking, and what that means for your body

This is a full day tour. Your hotel pickup is at 4:00 AM for hotels in the historic center, followed by driving to Pacchanta. You then hike for about 2 hours to the first viewpoint, and about 3 more hours to visit most of the lakes and return to Pacchanta for lunch.

That’s roughly 5 hours of walking, plus breaks and photo stops. Even with a steady guide and walking sticks, it’s still a hike. If your fitness is normal but you’re not used to altitude, plan to go slow and keep your breathing under control.

Also, this is a place where conditions can shift. Sun and wind can hit hard, even when the air feels thin. That’s exactly why the tour provides safety gear like oxygen and a first aid kit, and why you should treat the pace as part of the experience, not something you rush.

4:00 AM pickup, drive to Pacchanta, and a breakfast that sets you up

The day starts early for a reason: you’re covering ground and reaching viewpoints in good light. Pickup happens at 4:00 AM, then you drive out of Cusco toward the area around Pacchanta.

In Pacchanta, you’ll have breakfast before the hike. This matters more than people think. Once you’re at altitude and moving uphill, you want calories in your system, and you want them before you start burning energy.

After breakfast, you’re ready for the walking start, with walking sticks provided. Those sticks are not a gimmick. In terrain like this, they help you stay stable on uneven ground, and they can reduce strain on knees during the descent and long stretches.

Pacchanta to the first viewpoint: the moment the seven lakes begin

After you start walking from Pacchanta, it’s about 2 hours to a viewpoint where you can see the seven lagoons of Ausangate. This is a huge payoff point early in the day, so even if you’re feeling the altitude, you have a clear target to stay motivated.

When you reach the viewpoint, take time to look before you start taking photos like crazy. From up there, you can connect the names and shapes to what you’ll see again later. It also helps you understand how spread out the lakes are, because on the ground you’ll be moving between them.

The drawback here is also simple: because the hike is long, the viewpoint is a highlight you earn, not a calm place where you hang out for hours. Still, it’s a strong start and a good place to regroup mentally.

Hiking from lake to lake: Superior, Rojo, Ccomer, and Laguna Azul

After the first viewpoint, you continue walking for about 3 more hours, visiting most of the lakes. This is where the tour delivers its wow factor, because you’re seeing multiple named water bodies against dramatic mountain backdrops.

You may encounter lakes with names like:

• Lake Superior
• Lake Otorongo Hombre
• Lake Otorongo
• Lake Rojo
• Lake Ccomer
• Laguna Azul
• Lake Alqa

Those names aren’t just labels. They give the route identity, and they help you feel like you’re on a guided journey through a real place. You’re also in a totally natural scenic environment, which means you’re not surrounded by buildings, fences, or lines of visitors. That lack of clutter is part of the reason people find this day so memorable.

Now for the practical reality. One account notes that the hike is around 13 km and that there isn’t tons of time sitting by each lake. That’s normal for this kind of route. Your best strategy is to hike with patience, then enjoy the lakes when you get a stop, instead of expecting a long viewing session at every single one.

If you get even slightly winded, don’t fight it. Let the guide’s pace set you, use the walking sticks, and keep your stops short and purposeful. The scenery is great, but your body is the thing you have to manage first.

Lunch back in Pacchanta: why this meal is a highlight, not filler

Once you finish the main walking segment, you return to the starting point in Pacchanta for lunch. This is not a quick snack on a bench. The lunch is described as excellent, with fresh products, which makes a big difference after hours of effort.

Lunch is also your time to rebalance your energy and your attitude. If you’ve taken it slow, you’ll feel ready to enjoy the day rather than just survive it.

After lunch, the rest of the tour is about getting you back down the mountain. You’ll head back to Cusco, with arrival around 6:00 PM near the main square.

Pakanta community and hot springs: cultural time without the thermal-bath trap

Along the way, the tour includes the community settlement of Pakanta and its hot springs. This gives you a broader sense of what’s going on beyond the lakes. You get context for how local life relates to the environment.

One key point, though: the tour does not automatically include entry fees for thermal baths. So you should treat the hot springs as part of the experience you’ll see, not as guaranteed soak time.

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to plan every minute, this can feel like a tease. If you’re okay with a more hiking-focused day, it works well. You’re there to walk, to see, and to understand the place in motion.

Price and value: what you get for $37, and what costs extra

At about $37 per person for a 1-day hike with meals, you’re paying for more than transport. You’re buying a guided route, an organized early start, and the included gear that matters at altitude.

What’s included:

• pickup in selected areas of Cusco (historic center hotels)
• roundtrip transportation
• professional tour guide (English and Spanish)
• breakfast and lunch
• first aid kit and oxygen
• walking sticks

What’s not included:

• horse rides
• thermal bath entry fees
• extra expenses

The value logic is simple. If you were to DIY this, you’d still need transport, a guide (or your own navigation), and you’d likely end up paying for safety planning and proper gear anyway. For the money, you get structure, risk management support, and a guide who keeps the hike readable.

The one tradeoff at this price level is time at the lakes. This isn’t the kind of tour where you spend half a day sitting lakeside. You do a lot of walking so you can see multiple lagoons, and that is what you’re really paying for.

Guide style matters: small group pace and the kind of support you want

A standout theme from the day is the guide experience. One guide name you may see for this route is Jonatan, and the emphasis is on kindness and staying with the group through the whole path.

That may sound vague, but it’s not. On a hike like this, a good guide helps you pace correctly, keeps the route moving, and gives you confidence when you’re tired or just not sure how you’re doing at altitude.

You’ll also appreciate the small group size. With a limit of 15 participants, you’re less likely to feel like you’re in a long train. That makes photo stops and viewpoint moments easier to enjoy without constant passing and crowding.

What to bring for Ausangate: sun, layers, and the small details that keep you comfortable

The checklist here is straightforward, but don’t underestimate it. This hike is about hours outdoors with strong sun and wind.

Bring:

• passport
• sunglasses
• sun hat (and a hat if you prefer)
• camera
• snacks
• sunscreen
• water
• cash
• daypack

If you’re wondering whether snacks are worth it, yes. Lunch comes after the main hike, but you may want extra energy during breaks. Pack simple, non-messy items you can eat without fuss.

Also, plan for dryness. You’re moving at altitude and you’ll sweat. Water is on the list for a reason. And sunscreen is non-negotiable, even if the air feels cool.

Not allowed during the tour: smoking, alcohol, and drugs. Keep that in mind if you’re coming straight from a night out in Cusco.

Who this tour suits best, and who should skip it

This is best for hikers who want a day packed with big views and are comfortable with early mornings and steady walking. The tour provides walking sticks, but you still need the willingness to move for about 5 hours on foot.

It’s also ideal if you care about getting outside the most common tourist bubble. The route is described as very little touristy, and that matches the overall vibe of a longer, natural hike.

Skip it if:

• you use a wheelchair (not suitable)
• you have respiratory issues
• you have pre-existing medical conditions

If you’re unsure due to altitude sensitivity or a medical concern, talk to your doctor first. The tour includes oxygen, which is helpful, but it doesn’t replace medical clearance for your situation.

Practical tips to make the most of the lakes without burning out

I recommend you treat this as a pacing game, not a speed challenge. Go slow at the beginning, especially after the 4:00 AM wake-up and the first uphill stretch.

Here are a few moves that help:

• Use the walking sticks from the start, not only when you feel the burn.
• Take short photo breaks, then get moving again. This route is time-efficient by design.
• Eat breakfast fully. You don’t want to gamble on being hungry later.
• Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat even if the sky looks partly cloudy. Light can still be intense at altitude.

Finally, mentally plan for the fact that you won’t have endless time sitting at every lagoon. The best experience comes from enjoying the views you reach, then accepting that the next stop is part of the reward.

Should you book the Cusco Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals?

Book it if you want a guided, small-group high-altitude hiking day with multiple lagoons, included meals, and real organization that helps you handle the mountain setting. It’s especially worth it for the combination of big scenery plus supportive logistics like oxygen and a professional guide, plus walking sticks for the route.

Think twice if you expect a relaxed stroll or long lounging time by the water. This is a workout with a pay-off. If you’re not comfortable with 5 hours of walking at altitude, or if you fall into the medical or mobility limits, you’ll likely have a rough day.

If you fit the hiking profile, this is a strong value way to experience Ausangate’s seven lagoons in one shot, with the added bonus of seeing Pakanta and its hot springs along the way.