Seven lakes in one hike. That is the hook. This Cusco day trip takes you to the Ausangate Seven Lagoons for a long loop on foot, then adds a stop in Pacchanta for thermo-medicinal waters. I love how the route gives you both a wide viewpoint and time to see the lagoons closer up, not just from one spot. I also like that you get real meals built into the day, so you are not guessing when to eat on a cold morning start. The main drawback is timing and effort, you are picked up at 04:00 AM and the hike takes hours, so it is not a casual stroll.

You also want to know there is an entry fee piece. The tour price includes guides, breakfast, and lunch, but entry fees are not included, and you may need to handle that on the day. One more thing to consider is that this is marked as not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.

Key highlights at a glance

• 7 lagoons, 7 different colors: You see the lakes grouped by name, including Red Lake and Blue Lake, as the trail shows them in changing light.
• A viewpoint break built into the hike: You walk ahead for photos, then continue after you take in the panorama.
• Close-up walking time: After the first sighting, you keep moving so the lagoons fill more of your frame.
• Pacchanta community stop: You get time in the populated center of Pacchanta along the way.
• Thermo-medicinal waters and swimming time: The day includes time to relax in the warm mineral waters after the hike.
• Small group pace (max 12): You travel and hike with a compact group, guided for a steady rhythm.

Seven Lagoons at Ausangate: What Makes This Day Trip Worth Your Time

The appeal is simple. You go far enough up the trail to get that wow-wide view, then you keep walking so the scenery stays with you. At the foot of Ausangate, the lagoons are famous for their shifting tones, and you get multiple moments to notice those color differences rather than rushing past them.

The other reason I like this style of trip is the mix of effort and recovery. You are not just hiking from sunrise to sunset and hoping for the best. You have breakfast early in Pacchanta, a proper lunch later, and even a planned window for swimming in the thermo-medicinal waters before you head back.

If you have never done a high-altitude style hike from Cusco, plan your expectations around the real work. This is about steady walking for hours, with a long van ride and cold mornings, so you want comfortable shoes and warm layers more than fancy gear.

Getting from Cusco to Pacchanta, and Why Breakfast Comes Early

Your day starts with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 04:00 AM. From there, you ride by van for about three hours toward Pacchanta, the hub area for the hike and the hot springs stop. Yes, it is very early. But that early start is what makes a full loop hike plus lunch and swimming possible in one day.

Once you arrive, you get a breakfast break, plus a little breathing room with free time. That matters more than it sounds. A warm meal and time to settle your stomach help you start the first walking segment without feeling rushed, especially in cool morning air.

Practical tip: treat that breakfast as your fuel plan, not a snack. You will be walking for hours before lunch, and warm clothing and water are still on your mental checklist even after you eat. If you tend to get chilly fast, bring an extra layer you can keep on during breaks, not just while you are moving.

The First Walk Toward the Viewpoint, Where Photos Make Sense

After breakfast, the hike starts from Pacchanta. You walk for about two hours before reaching a viewpoint designed for looking at the lagoons together. This is not the kind of stop where you glance once and move on. You get time to take photos, soak in the color shifts, and understand how the trail sets up your later loop.

This first segment is where you learn the pace. A good guide keeps the group together and helps you anticipate where the trail might slow down or feel uneven. You also get walking sticks included, which can be a real help when the ground changes underfoot.

What you should focus on at the viewpoint: the lagoon names you will hear later on the walk. In this region, names often match what you see, like Red Lake and Blue Lake, and that makes it easier to connect the signs to the actual shapes from the trail. You are training your eye, so when you move closer afterward, the names feel like landmarks, not trivia.

The Main Loop: Seeing Upper Lake, Otorongo Male and Female, and the Rest

After the viewpoint break, you continue for about three more hours. This is the part where the lagoons feel less like a distant postcard and more like something you can actually walk alongside. You are still guided, but you have more time to notice the mountains, plants, and wildlife that fit this high Andean environment.

As you go, the lagoons you may hear listed include:

• Upper Lake
• Otorongo Male
• Otorongo Female
• Red Lake
• Ccomer Lake
• Blue Lake
• Alqa Lake

Even if you do not memorize the order perfectly, the structure helps. You will notice different colors, different distances, and different reflections as the light changes. The trail gives you multiple angles, which is the whole point of doing a loop rather than a quick out-and-back.

One thing I appreciate here is that the hike is described as a large loop that returns you to Pacchanta. That makes your day feel organized, not like you are wondering how much farther until the finish. Still, the physical reality stays the same. Plan your stride for steady effort. If you start too fast before your body warms up, the later walking hours can feel longer than you expected.

Pacchanta Hot Springs, Lunch, and a Longer Reset

Once the main hike is done, you get time for lunch and then the thermo-medicinal waters. This is scheduled as about 1.5 hours for lunch, plus swimming in the hot springs area. For me, that is the best kind of reward. It is not just a snack stop, it is a real chance to warm your muscles back up and enjoy the day without rushing.

The tour also includes a visit through the populated center of the Community of Pacchanta. That is a meaningful change of pace. You get a view of everyday life in the region, not just a nature-only route. It is also one more reason to take your time with photos, because this is not only about the lagoons.

How to approach the hot springs portion:

• Bring dry layers for afterward if you get cold easily.
• Keep an eye on water time, cold air after swimming can hit fast.
• If you are more cautious with comfort, use the warmer areas and take it slow. You do not need to force anything just because swimming is offered.

Guide Support, Group Size, and the Gear Details That Help

This trip runs as a small group, limited to 12 participants. That size tends to be a sweet spot for comfort and pacing. You are not constantly waiting for a crowd, but you also are not hiking alone without support.

You also get a professional guide, and the day is designed with a couple of safety items that many people appreciate once they are at higher elevation. The inclusions list includes a first aid kit and an oxygen balloon. Whether you use them or not, it signals that the operator plans for basic altitude and trail-related needs.

Walking sticks are included as well. Even if you are a confident hiker, sticks can improve your balance, especially on uneven ground or when you are tired late in the walk.

One important operational note, based on a documented problem that involved a pickup and cash handling. I strongly recommend you confirm your pickup location the night before and double-check who your contact person is. And if the day involves any separate entry fee, keep your payment method clean: pay only what is requested, keep your receipt if you get one, and make sure you receive correct change.

Price and Value for a 10-Hour Cusco Ausangate Day Trip

The price is $30 per person for a day that runs about 10 hours. That is relatively low when you consider what is included: hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, walking sticks, and the safety kit items. You are also paying for transport, since the van ride is several hours each way.

What keeps the value honest is the one thing not included: entry fees. Because of that, the final cost can be a bit higher depending on what is charged on the day. Still, even with that possible add-on, you are buying a full guided experience with food and transport, not just a random hike you organize yourself.

If you want the best value, show up ready. Comfortable shoes, warm layers, and water reduce fatigue, and fatigue makes every later part of the day feel more expensive, even when the price is fixed. Bring the basics listed for the tour, passport or ID, hat, sunscreen, and a camera for the long photo windows.

Who Should Go, and Who Should Skip This Hike

This is a good fit for hikers who can handle a long day outdoors. You should be comfortable with hours of walking, uneven trail conditions, and cold mornings. The trip is also structured for a group hike with guidance, so it is not only for solo trekkers.

It is explicitly not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems. If you are unsure about your health and altitude tolerance, treat this as a clear caution signal and ask your doctor first.

What about families or beginner hikers? The data says the pace is built around multi-hour segments and a return loop. If you are new to hiking, you might find it tough, especially after a very early pickup. In that case, consider your fitness against the two-part walk that reaches a viewpoint and then continues for hours afterward.

Practical tips to make the day smoother (and avoid money headaches)

A day starting at 04:00 AM is all about preparation. Warm clothing matters, not optional. You will want layers you can remove during the hike and put back on during breaks. A hat helps both sun and cold, depending on how the wind feels that morning.

Footwear is another big one. Bring comfortable shoes made for walking on uneven ground. You get walking sticks included, which helps, but good shoes are still the foundation.

For water and sun protection: the tour lists water and sunscreen for a reason. Even in the morning, the air can be dry and the sun can still feel strong. Your camera should be handy too, because the schedule includes viewpoint photo time and multiple lagoon views.

And about the payment risk: entry fees are not included. If any cash exchange happens on the day, pay attention to change and keep any receipt. One published complaint highlighted a case where money handling did not go smoothly and the guide had to intervene to sort it out. You can protect yourself with careful payment habits and by staying aware of who you hand money to.

Should You Book This Ausangate Seven Lagoons Day Trip?

I think this is a strong booking choice if you want a guided Cusco day trip that delivers multiple lagoon viewpoints, a real hike, and then a recovery stop at Pacchanta hot springs. The combination of 7 lagoons, a planned viewpoint, and included meals makes it feel complete.

Skip it if you cannot handle long walking hours or if your health situation matches the tour’s stated restrictions. Also think twice if you prefer fully self-contained logistics with no separate fees, because entry fees are not included and you may need to deal with that on the day.

If you do book, go in with the right mindset: this is an early, active day. Pack warm layers, wear good shoes, and handle any on-the-day entry fee carefully.

FAQ

What time is pickup from my hotel in Cusco?

Pickup is at 04:00 AM from your hotel in Cusco.

How long does the experience last?

The duration is 10 hours.

How much of the day is walking?

You’ll walk for about two hours before reaching a viewpoint, then continue for another three hours afterward.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included after you reach Pacchanta, and lunch is included later in the day.

Are entry fees included in the price?

No, entry fees are not included.

What languages are the guides?

The live tour guide offers English and Spanish.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.