Seven lagoons, one serious altitude day. This Ausangate route from Cusco puts you face-to-face with turquoise lagoons under the Vilcanota mountains, then rewards you at the end with hot springs at high altitude. I also like the human side of the trip, especially the stop in a Pacchanta home for breakfast made with Andean ingredients, not just something packaged.

One drawback to plan for is meals that can be hit-or-miss. The lunch buffet is included, but some people found it plain, and you might not love every dish if you are picky. And because you are going above 4,000 meters, the day can feel harder than it looks, even with trekking poles and a steady pace.

Quick Hits You’ll Feel Right Away

• Ccatcca village and local traditions: see traditional dress up close as you head south.
• Pacchanta at over 4,000 meters: a home breakfast gives the day its real local start.
• A 1.5-hour first hike: the toughest segment comes early, to reach the first lagoon.
• 7 lagoons with different colors: Comercocha and Alqacocha lean green-turquoise, while Azulcocha is another standout.
• Optional hot springs for PEN 5: bring a swimsuit, then deal with the cold air afterward.

Cusco to Pacchanta: Why the Drive Matters

This tour is long, and the timing starts early. Pickup in Cusco is from your hotel or Airbnb, and then you ride south for about three hours through villages and changing mountain scenery.

The drive is not just transit. You pass places where you can see everyday Andean life, including the popular village of Ccatcca, where women still wear traditional dress and you can spot narrow streets that echo older settlement patterns.

You will also go along the Interoceanic highway. Even if you only view it through bus windows, it helps explain why this region links different communities across Peru.

A Family Breakfast at 4,000 Meters and First Views of Ausangate

At Pacchanta, you are already above 4,000 meters. The altitude hits you fast here, so I treat this part as a “slow down and adapt” moment, not a sightseeing sprint.

A local family welcomes you into their home and serves breakfast made with ingredients grown in the area. It is one of the best value moments of the day because you are not just eating, you are learning what daily food looks like in the Andes, at altitude.

After breakfast, you head toward the Vilcanota mountain range. This is when the snow-capped Ausangate appears in view, and it sets expectations for the lagoons you’ll visit. Ausangate is described as a glacier that feeds the boiling lagoons, and seeing it before you hike makes those bright waters feel less random.

The First Lake Hike: Where the Real Effort Starts

Your first hike is the most strenuous part of the 7 lakes adventure, taking about 1.5 hours to reach the first lagoon. I like that the difficulty is front-loaded, because after you “pay” that effort early, the rest of the day feels more like a moving photo walk with breaks.

You are hiking over high altitude terrain, so even if the path is manageable, your breathing may not be. This is exactly the kind of day where trekking poles included with the tour make a difference, especially on uneven ground.

You will be moving toward the lakes that sit at the foot of the Ausangate region. If you want the simplest mindset, think of it as steady steps, short pauses, and not trying to win the hike.

Comercocha and Alqacocha: Green and Turquoise That Look Fake

Once you reach the first water areas, the color is the headline. Comercocha and Alqacocha are described as green and turquoise lagoons located at the foot of the mystical glacier, and the contrast between mountain rock and bright water is what people remember afterward.

This is one of those experiences where photos help, but they do not fully explain it. The lagoons genuinely look unreal, and that is not just hype. The light, altitude, and the surrounding peaks all work together to create those shades.

Take your time here. Even if the schedule moves, use a few slow minutes to notice the water color shift and the way wind changes the surface.

The Return Route With Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha

On the way back to Pacchanta, you pass the other lagoons: Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha. You get more than one “wow” moment because each stop gives you a different angle on how those glacier-fed waters sit in the mountain basin.

You should plan for a total of about 2.5 hours from arriving at the first lagoon until you return to the restaurant. That timeframe usually means you are not rushing from one lake to the next. It is enough time to absorb the place, take photos, and keep your body from tightening up at altitude.

If you are traveling with a camera, I suggest treating this segment like your prime shot window. The mountains and water are constantly changing with clouds and sunlight, so a few extra photos during this part are worth the effort.

Buffet Lunch Back at the Home Base

After the hiking and lagoon stops, you return to the host family’s home. Lunch is a buffet with locally grown natural products, which is a nice contrast to the more touristic meals you can find around Cusco.

That said, this is also where expectations can vary. Some people were satisfied with the lunch, while others felt it was not flavorful or had little variety. If you are sensitive to bland food, I would treat it as a “support meal,” not a highlight.

A practical trick: bring a small snack from Cusco if you have preferences. It keeps you comfortable if lunch is more basic than you expected.

Optional Hot Springs: Relax, But Expect the Cold Air

After lunch, you get about 40 minutes to visit the hot springs. The visit is optional, and you should bring a swimsuit if you want to use it.

At this altitude, the hot water can feel extra satisfying. You’ve been hiking, your body is working against lower oxygen, and then suddenly you are in warm water, releasing the tension in legs and feet.

Then comes the part people forget to plan for: stepping back into cold air. Even if you are warm after the soak, your body cools quickly outside the water. Bring something to change into fast, and plan on being a little chilly right after.

The hot spring entrance fee is PEN 5.00, so it is an extra cost if you decide to go in.

Cost and Value: What You’re Actually Paying For

The tour price is $38 per person for about 15 hours. For that time, you are paying for a full day of transportation from Cusco, a professional English/Spanish speaking guide, gear support like a trekking pole, and meals plus a high-altitude itinerary.

Two things affect your total cost. First, there is an entrance fee of PEN 20.00 that is not included. Second, hot springs add PEN 5.00 if you choose them.

So the real value question is: do you want a guided, structured high-altitude day that includes meals and hot springs access? If yes, this is a solid option because it packages difficult logistics, including safety gear and oxygen support.

Also, the route includes time with local life: breakfast in Pacchanta, stops that show traditional culture, and a community-based feel. That human element is often what makes these long days worthwhile, not just the views.

Safety, Altitude, and Your Comfort Plan

This is an altitude-focused experience. You will visit areas over 4,000 meters, and Pacchanta is specifically described as more than 4,000 meters above sea level. That changes how you should prepare.

Good tour basics are included: first-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle for emergencies, plus trekking poles. You still need to do your part. Start early, go at a controlled pace, and do not treat the hike like a normal walk.

Warm clothing is recommended because temperatures can be low. In practice, I would layer up, then add a windproof layer if you have one. Add sunscreen too, because high altitude sun can surprise you even on cloudy mornings.

You should also bring water. Even if the breaks feel frequent, hydration is your friend when your body is working harder.

Who Should Book This (and Who Should Skip It)

This trip fits best if you:

• Want classic Ausangate area lagoons without doing everything on your own
• Enjoy steady hiking with time to stop, look, and take photos
• Like the idea of a home-cooked start in Pacchanta, not just a restaurant meal
• Feel comfortable managing altitude with preparation and pacing

It is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. If that applies to you, skip this and look for a different day plan that is lower in elevation.

Also, if you are sensitive to basic food, plan snacks. The day can be beautiful enough that you will still enjoy it, but comfort matters at altitude.

What to Bring, Straightforward

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes for uneven ground
• Warm clothing and layers
• Camera (you will want it)
• Sunscreen
• Water

If you plan to use the hot springs, bring a swimsuit. And if you know you get cold easily, bring something warm for after you step out of the water.

One more small thing: keep an eye on your energy from the first hike onward. The first 1.5 hours can set the tone, and altitude fatigue can build if you go too fast.

Guide Style: The Energy Makes a Difference

This tour leans on the guide for pacing and morale. One review named Felipe as an enthusiastic, fun guide, and another named Tony for an awesome, exciting personality that made the hike more enjoyable and helped with picture stops.

That kind of guiding matters because this is not a “run around and do it yourself” day. When someone knows when to slow down, where to pause for photos, and how to manage the group at altitude, you feel safer and the day feels easier.

Even if your Spanish or English is limited, a good guide helps you understand what is next and why each stop matters.

Should You Book This 7 Lakes and Hot Springs Tour?

I think you should book it if you want a full-day, guided high-altitude experience with real local touches and a strong payoff in lagoon views. The turquoise and green lagoons, the early family breakfast in Pacchanta, and the optional hot springs are a great mix, especially for first-timers to the Ausangate area.

I would not book it if you:

• Need very flavorful, elaborate meals the whole day
• Have medical concerns that make altitude unsafe
• Want minimal effort hiking, because the first 1.5-hour segment is the most demanding part

If you do book, bring warm layers, plan for the cold after the soak, and consider a snack so lunch does not stress you out. Do that, and you’ll spend 15 hours chasing color, glacier-fed water, and the kind of Andean hospitality that makes the day feel more human than just scenic.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Cusco?

It runs for about 15 hours.

What is included in the price?

Pickup from your hotel, roundtrip transportation, breakfast, lunch buffet, an English/Spanish speaking guide, first-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle for emergencies, and a trekking pole.

What entrance fees are not included?

There is an entrance fee of PEN 20.00. The hot springs have an additional entrance fee of PEN 5.00.

How long is the drive from Cusco before the first hikes?

It is about three hours south from Cusco to reach the area of Pacchanta and the start of the day’s activities.

Where is the hot springs stop, and is it optional?

You get about 40 minutes for hot springs after lunch. It is optional, and you should bring a swimsuit if you want to go in.

What is the highest elevation you will reach?

You will visit areas over 4,000 meters, and Pacchanta is described as more than 4,000 meters above sea level.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a camera, sunscreen, and water. If you plan to use the hot springs, bring a swimsuit.

What is the hike like?

The first hike is the most strenuous part and takes about 1.5 hours to reach the first lagoon. After that, you visit multiple lagoons during the return route.

Is the tour offered in English and Spanish?

Yes, the guide speaks English and Spanish.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 2 years, pregnant women, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.