Seven lagoons in one day hike.

This is the kind of Cusco excursion where the payoff is the views: you head southeast toward Ausangate and spend hours walking above a very natural stretch of high-mountain scenery. I love the impressive lagoon colors, because each one feels like its own little surprise as you gain the viewpoints.

I also like the slow rhythm of the day: pickup at 04:00, a break in Pacchanta, then two chunks of hiking that steadily open the scene. One possible drawback: it’s a long, early trek, and it’s not a good match if your fitness is low or you have health issues that make exertion risky.

Key things to know before you go

• 04:00 a.m. hotel pickup gets you moving early, then you’ll reach the first main lookout after a 2-hour walk.
• Seven named lagoons are part of the experience: Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, Laguna Alqa.
• Pacchanta is your food hub, with breakfast first and lunch later back at the starting point.
• Oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit are included, which is a big practical comfort on a high trek.
• Optional Pacchanta thermomedicinal waters are available, but hot spring entrance tickets are not included.
• English and Spanish guide means you should be able to follow instructions and lagoon names clearly.

Why the 04:00 a.m. start makes this day trip worth it

Most Cusco tours start later. This one starts at 04:00 a.m., with pickup from your hotel. That early timing matters because you want to spend your best energy on the walking, not on waiting around.

The day is built around a classic high-altitude rhythm: transport first, then trekking for long stretches, then a return drive to Cusco. With oxygen included, you’re not going in completely on your own. Still, treat the morning as serious effort time, especially if you’re used to lower-elevation walking.

Also, the setting is very “real Peru” in the sense that you’re moving through an environment that isn’t staged or urban. You’re at the foot of Ausangate, and the tour description focuses on typical mountain flora and fauna along the route. You’ll be looking at the mountains a lot, not just taking photos for a quick stop.

The ride to Pacchanta, plus your breakfast reset

After pickup, you head to the town of Pacchanta, southeast of Cusco. You’ll get a restorative breakfast there before you start walking toward the lagoons.

This breakfast stop isn’t a throwaway meal. It’s your buffer against the early start and the physical day ahead. If you tend to feel sluggish in the morning, eat steadily and don’t skip the basics. The tour also includes transport round trip, so once you’re moving, you’re not responsible for navigating back and forth.

One practical detail: you’ll want to have your essentials ready before you depart. Bring a passport or ID card, and keep cash handy, since some items (like hot spring entrance tickets) are not included. And since the tour is outdoors most of the day, plan your clothing with cold-to-warm weather in mind.

The 2-hour walk to the viewpoint: where the “seven” makes sense

Your first big leg is a 2-hour walk from Pacchanta to a viewpoint. This is where you can see the 7 Ausangate lagoons.

What I like about this structure is that the view doesn’t hit you all at once from the start. You earn it. As you climb for that 2-hour stretch, the scene becomes clearer and the lagoons start to feel like a system, not random dots of water.

At the viewpoint, you’ll connect what you’re seeing with the lagoon names the guide covers: Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa. Even if you only remember a few names, it helps you look more closely. You’re not just taking pictures; you’re learning what to look for.

The drawback to this part is simple: you need steady legs. This is not described as a gentle stroll. It’s a hike. So if your fitness level is borderline, you’ll feel it here, early in the day.

The 3-hour stretch covering more lagoons, then lunch in Pacchanta

After the viewpoint, you continue with another 3 hours of walking, covering a large part of the 7 lagoon area and culminating back at Pacchanta (the starting point). Lunch is served there.

This second hiking chunk is where the day can either feel great or feel like a grind, depending on your pace. The tour is clearly designed for a full day outdoors, with about 5 hours of walking total spread across the two legs. If you tend to go out fast and then slow down, consider a steady effort from the start.

Lunch at the end of the trek is a key comfort. It means you’re not trying to find food after you’ve already used up your energy. And returning to the same town makes the day feel more organized than a “point-to-point” hike where you’re always waiting.

You’ll also be moving through an environment that’s described as totally natural, at the foot of Ausangate. That matters because you’re not limited to a single scenic overlook. You’ll get more than one angle of the lagoons and surrounding mountains as you work your way back.

Pacchanta thermomedicinal waters: a good add-on if your body is okay

There’s an option to visit the populated center of Pacchanta and its thermo-medicinal waters. The tour description is clear that these are tied to Pacchanta.

Here’s the practical part: entrance tickets to the hot springs are not included. So if you want to use the water, plan for that extra cost and bring cash.

I think this add-on is worth considering if your legs feel decent by the end of the trek. The day is already long, and hot spring time is best as a recovery step, not as another activity you rush through. Also remember the tour includes oxygen and a first aid kit, but hot springs are still time in a different environment, so listen to your body.

One more note: the tour itself is not positioned as a long wellness retreat. It’s a day hike that gives you an optional recovery stop.

What’s included (and what you should pay attention to)

This tour is built with physical trekking needs in mind. Included items are: pickup from your hotel, transport round trip, breakfast, a professional guide, lunch, oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit.

That package matters for value because it covers both logistics and comfort. You’re not just buying scenery. You’re buying a guide, the food, and the gear support that reduces risk on a long walk. Trekking sticks can be a big help on uneven terrain, and oxygen support means the tour is prepared for harder breathing moments.

What’s not included is entrance tickets to the hot springs. Everything else is handled in the tour price.

Guide language is listed as English and Spanish. That’s important on a day with lots of names and instructions. Being able to hear lagoon names clearly helps you connect the hike to the points you’re actually seeing.

Gear and fitness: how to match this hike to your body

The tour is not described as suitable for everyone. It’s listed as not suitable for children under 8, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with respiratory issues, and people with low level of fitness.

If any of those apply, you should seriously reconsider. This is a long day with early pickup and about 5 hours of walking total.

For what to bring, the list is straightforward:

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

Also think about how you’ll handle changing weather. You don’t have to overpack, but you do want clothing that’s comfortable for walking and warm enough for early hours. Avoid anything that limits your movement. And follow the rules: weapons or sharp objects aren’t allowed, smoking indoors isn’t allowed, and alcohol or drugs aren’t allowed.

Price and value: is $40 a fair deal?

At $40 per person for a 1-day tour, the price feels like a budget-friendly option for Cusco—especially because it includes more than just transport. You’re getting a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit.

Where the value really shows is in what’s often extra on other tours: oxygen support and trekking gear. Those aren’t “nice to have” items when you’re on a long mountain walk. They’re part of staying comfortable and safe enough to enjoy the actual scenery.

Yes, you might add an extra cost if you want hot springs entrance tickets. But even with that possibility, the base price is still reasonable for the amount of guided time and included food.

Should you book the Cusco 7 Ausangate Lagoons day trip?

Book it if you want a full-on high-mountain day where the main goal is the lagoons and the walking helps you experience them in layers. I’d pick this tour when you like structure: a clear morning plan, named lagoons, breaks for breakfast and lunch, and optional hot springs recovery.

Skip it if you know you struggle with early starts, long hikes, or breathing-related exertion. The tour isn’t aimed at easygoing sightseeing, and the health and fitness limits listed should be taken seriously.

If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys waking up early, hiking for several hours, and spending the day seeing real mountain terrain instead of just visiting one quick stop, this is a strong choice. The highlight promise is straightforward: you’ll appreciate the impressive colors of the lagoons, enjoy the ride and scenery to reach them, and come away with a memorable day in the Ausangate region.

FAQ

What time is the pickup from my Cusco hotel?

Pickup starts at 04:00 a.m. You should be ready and wait in the lobby of your hotel.

What languages is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English and Spanish.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel, transport round trip, breakfast, a professional guide, lunch, oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit.

Are hot springs included?

No. The option includes visiting Pacchanta and its thermo-medicinal waters, but entrance tickets to the hot springs are not included.

How much walking is there in the day?

You’ll walk about 2 hours to a viewpoint, then another 3 hours covering a large part of the lagoon area and returning to Pacchanta for lunch.

What should I bring, and who should not join?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes and hiking shoes, a camera, cash, and hiking pants. The tour is not suitable for children under 8, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with respiratory issues, or people with low level of fitness.