Cusco: Day Trip to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons with Lunch

The best part of this day is the chain of seven colored lagoons beneath Ausangate, one of the most striking natural sights in the Cusco region. Blue, red, green, and darker mineral tones give each lake its own look, while the surrounding mountains, plants, and wildlife keep the setting feeling wild and open.

I like the way the trip combines a long scenic walk with a proper breakfast and lunch, rather than leaving you to manage food on a demanding day. I also like the chance to finish in Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal hot springs. The main drawback is the schedule: a 4:00 a.m. pickup followed by roughly five hours of walking will not suit anyone with low fitness, breathing trouble, mobility limits, or a bad back.

Key points about the Ausangate lagoons day trip

• Seven named lagoons: See Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.
• A long walking day: Allow about two hours to reach the viewpoint, then three more hours around much of the lagoon route.
• Pacchanta meals: Breakfast comes before the walk, and lunch is served back in town after the circuit.
• Hot springs option: You can visit Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters, but the entrance ticket costs extra.
• Useful support included: Transport, an English or Spanish guide, trekking sticks, oxygen, and a first aid kit are provided.
• Early start and strict limits: Hotel pickup begins at 4:00 a.m., and the trip is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with several medical and mobility concerns.

Why the seven Ausangate lagoons are worth the early start

This is a day for big views rather than monuments or city streets. Southeast of Cusco, the route reaches the Pacchanta area at the foot of Ausangate mountain, where the scenery opens into a natural setting of lakes, mountain slopes, native plants, and local fauna.

The seven lagoons are the main reason to come. Each has a separate name and, according to the tour description, its own visual character. Laguna Azul suggests a blue-toned stop, while Laguna Roja offers the strongest contrast. Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Alqa, and Laguna Superior add variety to the circuit.

I would not expect seven postcard-perfect lakes of identical size or color. Natural conditions affect how water appears, and the appeal comes from seeing the group together across one broad mountain setting. The changing colors are best treated as part of a larger scene, not as seven separate grand attractions.

The clearest praise for this excursion is aimed at the lagoons and the hot springs. That makes sense. The lakes provide the visual payoff, while Pacchanta’s warm waters offer a welcome way to relax after the walk.

The 4:00 a.m. departure from Cusco

Pickup from your hotel is scheduled for 4:00 a.m. You need to be ready in the lobby, and you must provide the hotel name when booking. The early departure is not a minor detail. It allows the full day to fit in, but it also means you should arrange your clothes, cash, documents, and hiking gear the evening before.

The tour includes round-trip transport, but no vehicle type or group size is specified. You should therefore think of the ride mainly as practical transport to and from Pacchanta, not as a private sightseeing drive. The summary does say you can enjoy the ride to the lagoons, and the route gives you a chance to watch the city give way to rural mountain scenery.

Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk. This is useful because the first walking section begins after arrival, and you should not rely on a quick snack alone for a full day outdoors. The tour also includes lunch back in Pacchanta, so the cost covers the two main meals listed for the day.

Because the pickup is so early, I would keep the night before quiet. This is not the day to plan a late evening in Cusco. You will get more from the views if you arrive rested enough to pay attention.

The two-hour walk to the first viewpoint

From Pacchanta, you begin the walk toward the viewpoint over the seven lagoons. This first section takes about two hours, so comfortable shoes are essential. The supplied information specifically recommends hiking shoes, comfortable shoes, and hiking pants. Take that seriously. This is not a short stroll from a parking area.

The reward for this opening climb is the broad view of the seven lagoons. A viewpoint gives you the useful first impression: the lakes are not isolated attractions but part of one large mountain setting. You can see how the colors relate to the slopes, open ground, and Ausangate itself.

The guide is available in English or Spanish. A professional guide can help you understand the names of the lakes and keep the group moving, though no individual guide’s name is provided. Oxygen is included, along with trekking sticks and a first aid kit. Those items offer practical support, but they do not turn the route into an easy walk.

You should pace yourself from the beginning. The tour information places the entire walking portion at about five hours. Saving energy for the later sections matters more than racing to the first viewpoint.

Five more hours among the named lakes

After reaching the viewpoint, you continue for about three hours, covering a large part of the seven-lagoon route and finishing back in Pacchanta. The route is therefore not simply an out-and-back walk to one lookout. You get a longer look at the lakes and their different colors before returning to town.

The seven names are:

• Laguna Superior
• Otorongo Macho
• Otorongo Fembra
• Laguna Roja
• Laguna Ccomer
• Laguna Azul
• Laguna Alqa

The tour does not state that you will spend equal time at every lagoon, nor does it promise a complete circuit around each one. The wording says you will cover a large part of the seven-lagoon area. Keep that distinction in mind when comparing this trip with a private trek designed around longer photo stops.

This walking section is where the trip earns its price. You are not being driven from one lookout to another. You are spending several hours in a natural mountain area and seeing the lakes from changing angles. At the same time, five hours on foot is a serious commitment. If you rarely hike, the route may feel much longer than the one-day label suggests.

Bring cash for personal expenses and the hot springs entrance. A camera is recommended, and you will have plenty of visual variety to photograph: the water colors, the mountain backdrop, open terrain, and local flora and fauna. Do not let the camera replace sensible pacing. The scenery will still be there while you take a rest.

Pacchanta lunch and the thermo-medicinal waters

The walk ends in Pacchanta, where lunch is included. This timing works well. After several hours outside, a seated meal is more useful than another packed snack. The supplied details do not specify the menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement unless you confirm it directly.

Pacchanta also offers thermo-medicinal hot springs. This is an optional part of the outing, and the entrance ticket is not included in the $40 price. For many people, it may be the most welcome extra of the day. The strongest positive feedback available for this experience specifically praises the hot springs and lagoons, and the two pair naturally: scenic walking first, warm water afterward.

You should budget separately for the hot springs if you want to use them. The tour does not state how long the stop lasts, so the time available may depend on the group’s walking pace and the day’s schedule. Still, the option adds useful flexibility. You can focus on the lagoons alone, or pay extra for a more relaxing finish.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, this is a fairly practical package for a full day outside Cusco. The price includes hotel pickup, round-trip transport, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit. Those inclusions matter because food and basic walking support can otherwise add up.

The value is strongest if you want a guided group outing and do not want to arrange transport to Pacchanta yourself. You also avoid having to organize meals on a day that begins before sunrise and lasts until the return to Cusco.

The price is less attractive if you do not want a strenuous walk or if your main goal is simply to see one viewpoint. You would be paying for a full walking route that you may not enjoy. The hot springs are extra, and the tour description does not state that entrance fees, personal purchases, or other costs are covered.

The listed rating is 3.3 from four reviews, which is too small a sample for a firm judgment. I would place more weight on the specific positive point available: the lagoons and hot springs are the main strengths. I would also give serious weight to the demanding timetable and the missing details about group size and vehicle type.

Who should book this day trip

This outing suits you if you want a natural day away from Cusco and enjoy long walks with mountain views. It is a good fit for someone who values scenery, wants a guide, and likes having breakfast and lunch arranged.

It may also suit you if you are comparing it with more famous Cusco-area sights and want something focused on lakes rather than archaeological sites. The seven lagoons provide a different kind of day, with the colors of the water and Ausangate’s mountain setting doing most of the work.

I would not choose it for young children under eight, pregnant women, or anyone with back problems, respiratory issues, mobility impairments, or a low level of fitness. The operator explicitly excludes those groups. Even if you do not fall into one of those categories, ask yourself whether you are ready for two hours to the viewpoint and another three hours around the lakes.

The walk is the central experience, not a side activity. The included sticks and oxygen are helpful safety provisions, but they are not a substitute for preparation or fitness.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

Bring your passport or ID card, as well as cash for the hot springs and personal needs. Wear hiking shoes and hiking pants, and carry a camera if you want photographs of the lagoon colors and mountain setting.

A simple packing list:

• Passport or ID card
• Hiking shoes
• Comfortable clothing and hiking pants
• Camera
• Cash
• Any personal items you need for a full day outdoors

Weapons and sharp objects are not allowed. Smoking indoors, alcohol, and drugs are also prohibited. The tour requires you to reserve at least one day in advance, and after booking you need to contact the emergency number. That step is easy to miss, so handle it before the morning of departure.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Cusco schedule is still changing, but they do not remove the need to confirm the hotel pickup details.

My take: book it for the lakes, not an easy excursion

I would book this day trip if I wanted a lower-cost, guided way to reach Ausangate’s seven lagoons and I was comfortable with a five-hour walk. The included meals, transport, trekking sticks, guide, and first aid support make the $40 price sensible for a full day.

I would skip it if I wanted a relaxed sightseeing outing, dislike very early mornings, or hoped to spend most of the day sitting in Pacchanta’s hot springs. The lagoons are the real prize, and reaching them takes effort.

For the right person, this is a straightforward mountain day with memorable color, a practical meal plan, and an optional soak at the end. Book it for the natural setting and the long walk. Treat the hot springs as a useful bonus, not the main event.

FAQ

What time does pickup begin in Cusco?

Hotel pickup begins at 4:00 a.m. You should be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby.

How long is the walking portion?

The walk takes about two hours to reach a viewpoint over the seven lagoons, followed by about three more hours covering much of the lagoon area and returning to Pacchanta.

Which lagoons are included?

The named lagoons are Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is provided after the walk back in town.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Entrance tickets to Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal hot springs are not included.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.