From Cusco: Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals

Seven lakes. One tough hike. The Ausangate Siete Lagunas tour from Cusco takes you southeast of the city to the foot of Mount Ausangate, where water color turns into the main event and the scenery stays wonderfully natural. I love Seven lakes with different looks, and I love the feeling that you’re moving through real high-Andes terrain, not just stopping at a single view.

I also like how the day is supported. You get a breakfast break in Pacchanta and a proper lunch when the walking part is done, so you’re not racing the clock hungry. If you happen to get a guide like Jonatan, you’ll probably feel that calm, friendly coaching that helps keep a steady rhythm.

The trade-off is effort. Expect an early start and a long walk at altitude, and some people end up wanting a bit more time hanging around each lake. Early 4:00 AM pickup and the strenuous nature of the route mean it’s not for everyone, especially if you have respiratory issues or pre-existing medical conditions.

Key things you’ll notice on Ausangate Siete Lagunas

• A viewpoint early on: you reach a lookout after about 2 hours and get your first big sweep of the seven lagoons.
• Seven named lakes: Superior, Otorongo Hombre, Otorongo, Rojo, Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Alqa—each with its own color vibe.
• A real hike, not a stroll: you’re walking for hours total, with a total distance around 13 km in one common pace.
• Pacchanta rhythm: breakfast before the trek and lunch after, both included and geared for the day.
• Pakanta hot springs area: you can visit Pakanta and see the hot springs spot; thermal entry fees are not included.
• Safety basics included: first aid kit, oxygen, and walking sticks are part of the package.

Ausangate Siete Lagunas: why these seven lagoons feel special

This tour goes to a high-Andes basin at the foot of Mount Ausangate, in the Cusco region. The point isn’t a single wow photo. The point is movement—walking through terrain until the lakes show themselves in sequence, with colors that shift as the light and angle change.

You’ll likely notice how different each lagoon looks as you get closer. One may appear brighter or more muted. Another can look deeper in tone. That’s what makes this outing fun even if you’re not chasing geology facts. It’s visual storytelling, told with water and rock.

Also, the vibe is refreshingly low-key. The route isn’t built around a crowded walkway. You’re out there with a small group, following a guide through a landscape that’s still allowed to feel wild. If you like trips where you earn your views, this is your kind of day.

From Cusco at 4:00 AM to Pacchanta breakfast

The day starts early. You’ll be picked up around 4:00 AM from hotels in the historic center. That means you’ll want to be ready the night before—water and sunscreen accessible, camera charged, and your daypack packed with snacks.

After the drive, you reach Pacchanta and have breakfast. This matters more than people think. When you’re heading into altitude and a long walk, breakfast isn’t just fuel; it’s also your insurance against getting shaky later.

The tour is designed as a full-day loop: transport out of Cusco, breakfast before hiking, then the trek, lunch on return, and back to Cusco near the main square around 6:00 PM. It’s a long day, but the structure is practical, so you’re not improvising timing in a remote area.

The 2-hour trek to the first Ausangate viewpoint

Once you start walking from Pacchanta, the first chunk is about 2 hours. You’re building altitude gradually through the route, and that early section sets the tone for the whole day.

After that initial push, you reach a viewpoint from where you can see the seven lagoons. This is the moment that usually makes the effort click into place. Up to that point, you might be focusing on footing, breath, and pace. Then the view arrives, and suddenly everything feels connected.

Practical note: at high altitude, “easy” can still feel hard. A normal fitness level can handle this, but you’ll want to avoid sprinting out of the gate. Slow, steady, and consistent beats dramatic effort.

Naming the lakes: Superior to Alqa and the color changes you’ll see

After the viewpoint, the route continues for about 3 more hours where you visit most of the lagoons on foot. This is the part that turns the tour into a true “siete lagunas” experience.

Here are the lake names you’ll be hearing along the way:

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

You won’t just hear names in passing. The names are tied to what you’re seeing—especially color differences. The same way a sunrise changes a street at the right angle, the lakes can look noticeably different depending on where you stand and how the light hits the water.

One thing to keep realistic expectations: this is primarily a walking route, so you may not linger forever at every single lake. If you’re someone who wants to sit and stare for an hour, you might feel rushed. If you’re more into collecting moments and moving with purpose, the pace works.

How the hike really works: walking time, distance, and pace

You’re looking at a serious block of walking—about 13 km in at least one common pace—plus the early morning drive. That’s why reviews (and common sense) point to this as a sportive day. You’ll want to treat it like a hike, not a sightseeing cruise.

The good news: the tour is paced. With a small group limited to about 15 participants, it’s easier for the guide to manage breaks, check on people, and keep everyone moving safely. If you’re in decent shape, you can likely do it with a steady pace and basic trail awareness.

If you tend to get breathless at altitude, start gently. Your body will thank you later. Even if you feel fine at the beginning, fatigue can creep in after hours of cold air and uneven ground.

And yes, you should plan for the fact that this day is about the hike as much as the lakes. The views are the reward, but the path is the plot.

Pakanta, hot springs, and the lunch reset back in Pacchanta

Your route includes a stop that brings in local community life. You can visit Pakanta and its hot springs area. It’s not described as a spa day with guaranteed soak time, so think of it as a chance to see the setting and experience that warm contrast to the cold high-altitude air.

Thermal bath entry is not included, so if you decide to go in, you’ll need to budget extra.

Back at the main return point in Pacchanta, you’ll have lunch included. This is one of the smartest parts of the itinerary because it gives you a real recovery pause after the walking. One of the most positive reactions you’ll hear about this tour is that the lunch is good—made with fresh products rather than feeling like a rushed afterthought.

Then it’s the ride back toward Cusco, with arrival around 6:00 PM near the main square.

Gear, oxygen, and safety on a high-Andes day

This tour includes some key safety items that make a difference in the mountains:

• First aid kit
• Oxygen
• Walking sticks

Walking sticks are genuinely helpful on uneven ground, and in cold conditions when your grip can feel weaker. The oxygen kit isn’t a magic fix, but it’s a comfort knowing it’s part of the setup.

The guide is a core part of the safety net too. You’re traveling with a professional tour guide, and the tour runs in English and Spanish, which matters when you want instructions clearly.

Also follow the house rules. Smoking and alcohol/drugs are not allowed. That’s not about being strict for strict’s sake. It’s about keeping people safe and awake and steady during a strenuous day.

If you have respiratory issues or pre-existing medical conditions, this tour is listed as not suitable—so don’t gamble. Altitude is not the place to test your limits.

Price and value: what $37 covers in the real world

At about $37 per person for a full day, the value is mainly about logistics. This isn’t just a hike you can easily replicate on your own with the same level of organization.

What you’re getting for the money:

• Hotel pickup in selected areas of Cusco (historic center)
• Roundtrip transportation
• Professional guide
• Breakfast and lunch
• First aid kit and oxygen
• Walking sticks

What’s not included:

• Horse ride
• Thermal bath entry fee (if you go to the hot springs)
• Extra expenses

So the fair way to look at it is this: you pay to offload the hard parts—getting out there, managing timing, and having safety essentials plus a guide—while you focus on walking and seeing the lakes.

For me, the biggest “value signal” is the combination of transport + two meals + safety gear. That’s a lot to be bundled into one day-trip price.

What to pack and what to skip before you head out

You’ll be in the high Andes, with sun, cold, and big light. Pack for weather changes, not just one forecast.

Bring:

• Passport
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat (and a hat if you like extra coverage)
• Camera
• Snacks (optional but useful if you get hungry between meals)
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Cash
• Daypack

Don’t rely on a single layer. Even if the day starts crisp, sun exposure can sneak up on you while you’re working hard. Sunglasses and sunscreen are not optional extras here.

If you’re hoping to buy extra items on the route, plan to bring some cash. The tour notes extra expenses may happen.

Who should book (and who should think twice)

This tour is best for you if:

• You like hiking and are comfortable with a full day outdoors
• You want dramatic mountain-lake views without the crowds
• You enjoy small-group experiences (limited to around 15 participants)
• You want meals included—breakfast before the trek and lunch after

Think twice if:

• You’re not comfortable with a long, strenuous walk at altitude
• You have respiratory issues or pre-existing medical conditions
• You need wheelchair accessibility (the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users)

Also be honest about your priorities. If your top goal is spending lots of time parked by every lake for long hangs, the pace may feel quick. If your goal is to see the lakes in sequence and enjoy the whole trekking story, you’ll likely feel rewarded.

Should you book this Ausangate 7 Lakes tour with meals?

If you’re the type who likes effort-to-reward trips, I’d book it. The combination of seven lagoons, the setting under Mount Ausangate, and the built-in meal breaks makes it a strong one-day Cusco escape from more typical tourist routes.

But book with eyes open. It’s early, it’s active, and it’s at altitude. Go prepared, go slow, and don’t fight your breath. If you do that, you’ll likely come home with the kind of memory that doesn’t fade—different colored lakes, a tough walk, and the satisfaction of earning the view.

FAQ

What time is pickup from Cusco?

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 AM (for hotels located within the historic center).

What time will I return to Cusco?

You’ll arrive around 6:00 PM near the main square.

How long is the tour?

It’s a 1-day tour.

What’s included in the price?

Pickup in selected areas, roundtrip transportation, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, oxygen, and walking sticks.

Are horse rides included?

No. Horse ride is not included.

Are the hot springs thermal bath entry fees included?

No. Thermal bath entry fee is not included.

What languages are the guides?

The tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

Is it suitable for wheelchair users or people with medical conditions?

No. It’s not suitable for wheelchair users, and it’s also not suitable for people with respiratory issues or pre-existing medical conditions.