From Cusco: Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals

Seven lakes. One big early start.

This Ausangate 7 Lakes day trip puts you at the foot of Mount Ausangate for dramatic color and clear-air mountain views. I love how the lakes feel close to the sky from high viewpoints, and how the colors of lakes like Lake Rojo and Laguna Azul look different as the light changes. One drawback: it’s a serious hike with a 4:00 AM pickup, so you’ll want solid stamina and good footwear.

The trip also has a small-group feel (max 15), so you don’t spend the day stuck behind a crowd. When you have a guide like Jonatan, the pace stays friendly but still focused on getting you to the main viewpoints and lagoons.

Finally, there’s practical support for altitude: oxygen and a first aid kit are included, plus walking sticks. Still, it’s not suitable if you have respiratory issues or other pre-existing medical conditions, and it’s not wheelchair-friendly.

Key highlights worth knowing before you go

• 4:00 AM pickup from Cusco so you start hiking early and get better light
• A two-hour trek to a big viewpoint where you can spot the seven lagoons
• Seven named lakes including Lake Superior, Lake Rojo, and Lake Alqa
• Pakanta settlement and hot springs stop for a local, off-the-main-route feel
• Breakfast and lunch included so you’re not scrambling for food mid-hike
• Oxygen, first aid kit, and walking sticks to help you stay comfortable at altitude

4:00 AM Pickup in Cusco: Why the early start matters

Most people underestimate the power of a very early day. This one begins with a hotel pickup at 4:00 AM for places within Cusco’s historic center. Then you’ll drive out toward the Pacchanta area before you ever lace up your boots.

That timing isn’t random. Starting early helps you beat the later-day crowds and gives you a better chance at clear views across the Ausangate area—especially since you’re walking above the lagoons and taking photos from exposed spots. It also means you’ll be hungry when you reach the breakfast stop, and the day is planned so you eat before the longer hiking portion.

If you’re even slightly unsure about the pace, plan for a sporty day. The hike is built around sustained walking rather than long museum-style stops, so you should treat it like a full effort outing, not a casual stroll.

Pacchanta breakfast and the first walking stretch

After the drive, you’ll head to Pacchanta for a refreshing breakfast. This is more than a routine stop. It’s your fuel for the first climbing segment and it sets your rhythm before the real work begins.

Then the walking starts from the town of Pacchanta. After about two hours you reach a viewpoint designed for one of the day’s key moments: seeing the seven lagoons of Ausangate spread out in the same frame. That early “wow” is useful, too. Once you understand how the lakes sit relative to the mountain, the rest of the route feels like a guided walkthrough instead of a random series of stops.

From here, you don’t rest much. You’ll keep walking for another stretch, visiting the lagoons as you go. So bring a daypack with water and snacks, because you’ll likely want small bites on the move rather than waiting for lunch.

The long walk between lakes: Lake Superior to Lake Alqa

This is the heart of the Ausangate Siete Lagunas experience: you’re moving through a totally natural scenic environment and working your way from one lake perspective to the next. You’ll visit most of the seven lagoons, and you’ll have time to pause for photos and a slow look when the views open up.

The lakes have local names, and this tour uses them clearly, including:

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

Here’s what I think makes this part so satisfying: you’re not just looking at one pretty scene. You’re comparing colors and shapes while walking through changing light and angles. Lake Rojo is the one people tend to remember first, but Laguna Azul and the higher, colder-looking sections can surprise you once you’re at the right viewpoint.

One practical note from past hikers: the route can feel like you spend more time walking than standing directly at the lake edges. That’s not a bad thing—it’s just the tradeoff. You’re here for the overall sweep of the system and the changing perspectives, not for long lounge time at each shore.

Also, while the exact route length can vary by conditions, you should expect a real hike. One group reported about a 13 km effort for the day, which fits the “steady walking + big viewpoint + multiple lagoons” design.

Pakanta settlement and hot springs: the bonus that adds character

Besides the seven lakes focus, the tour includes a stop in the community settlement of Pakanta and its hot springs. This is the kind of addition that makes a day feel lived-in rather than purely scenic.

You’re getting a break from hiking, and you’re also seeing a place that’s more than a photo stop. Even if you don’t spend hours there, the contrast helps: cold mountain air and high-altitude walking give way to a warmer, more grounded moment.

Keep one expectation straight: the tour notes that thermal baths entry fees aren’t included. So if the hot springs you visit have paid access or specific use rules, be ready to cover that yourself.

If you’re the type who likes cultural texture along with scenery, this is one of the best parts of the itinerary.

Lunch back in Pacchanta and the drive home to Cusco

After the walking loop, you return to the starting point in Pacchanta, where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch. The meal timing matters. You’ve already been outside and moving for hours, so lunch lands like a reset button: you eat, you warm up a bit, and you start shifting from effort mode into recovery mode.

Past hikers also praised the lunch for using fresh products, which is exactly what you want after a long, cold-feeling day. It’s one reason this tour feels like a complete package rather than a “transport + hike” deal.

Then it’s the return drive to Cusco. You should plan for an arrival time around 6:00 PM near the main square, which is helpful if you want to still have an evening free for dinner and a slow walk in town.

Price and value: why $37 can work (and when it won’t)

At $37 per person, the big value comes from what’s included, not just the headline cost. You get:

• roundtrip transportation
• a professional guide
• breakfast and lunch
• walking sticks, first aid kit, and oxygen
• hotel pickup in selected areas of Cusco

For a high-altitude day trip, that combination is what makes the price feel reasonable. Oxygen and basic medical support can be a big deal when you’re far from city services. Add meals, and you’re not wasting time or money hunting food while your body is already working hard.

Where the value can shrink is if you need extra options. Horse rides aren’t included, and thermal baths entry fees may be on you if you decide to use facilities with a cost. If you like to take a very slow pace, the tour’s structure may also feel a bit “time-boxed,” because most of the day is designed around hiking and viewpoint timing.

In short: if you can handle the hike, this price is strong. If you’re looking for a short, relaxed walking day, you might feel it’s too physical for what you want.

Fitness level and who should (and shouldn’t) book this

This tour is for people who enjoy movement and can handle altitude walking. One guide-run pace has been described as very enjoyable but sporty, with the strong point that if your fitness is normal, you shouldn’t have problems. But that assumes you’re prepared for steep footing, uneven terrain, and long periods on your feet.

You should also be realistic about start time and daylight. With a 4:00 AM pickup, the day begins before your body feels ready, so build in sleep and avoid scheduling anything intense the night before.

This trip is not suitable for:

• wheelchair users
• people with respiratory issues
• people with pre-existing medical conditions

Altitude is part of the equation, and the tour includes oxygen and first aid kit for comfort. Still, it’s your responsibility to decide if this kind of high-country hiking is safe for you.

Best match

You’ll likely love this tour if you want:

• one-day access to the Ausangate area
• excellent viewpoints with multiple lakes named clearly
• a guide-led route and meals included
• a small group (up to 15)

What to bring for Ausangate’s cold sun and thin air

The tour gives a solid packing list, and I’d treat it as minimum standards. Bring:

• passport
• sunglasses
• sun hat (and/or a hat)
• camera
• snacks
• sunscreen
• water
• cash
• daypack

A few practical tips based on how this kind of hike feels: layer up. Early mornings can be colder, and the sun can still be strong later. Also, keep your water accessible while you walk. If you wait until you sit down, you’ll end up dehydrated while you’re trying to enjoy the views.

Since alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed, plan to stick to water and food. And yes, smoking is not allowed.

Tips to get the most from the seven-lakes route

You’ll enjoy this tour more if you mentally treat it like a photo-and-view hike, not a picnic by each lake. The payoff is the big viewpoint moment, then the steady sequence of lagoons as you move through the area.

A few ways to make that work:

• Use the viewpoint after the first two hours as your anchor. Once you’ve seen the whole set, you’ll recognize what you’re approaching later.
• Keep snacks simple and fast. If you’re already eating breakfast, you don’t need a meal plan that takes time—just a few bites when you want them.
• Don’t plan on long stays at every shore. The route is designed for covering multiple lakes and returning for lunch.
• Take your guide’s pace seriously. A professional guide helps keep the day smooth and safer, especially at altitude.

And if you’re someone who loves a good guide personality, you can take heart: Jonatan has been specifically praised for a kind, supportive approach and for keeping the day’s effort feel manageable.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals?

Book this tour if you want a one-day hike with real mountain effort, strong viewpoints, and meals that make the day feel complete. The biggest selling point is the combination of seven named lakes, an organized route from Pacchanta, and included support like oxygen and walking sticks.

Skip it if you prefer a light walk, have respiratory concerns, or need wheelchair access. Also, if you’re hoping for lots of slow time at the water’s edge, adjust expectations: this route prioritizes seeing the system from different angles while you hike between points.

If you’re ready for a cold-early start and you can handle a long day on foot, this is the kind of Cusco outing that gives you more than a single postcard moment. You get a whole sequence.

FAQ

How long is the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour from Cusco?

It’s listed as a 1-day tour.

What time is pickup in Cusco?

Pickup is at 4:00 AM from hotels located within the historic center.

Where does the hike begin?

The walking starts from the town of Pacchanta.

How are meals handled during the tour?

Breakfast is included in Pacchanta, and lunch is included after you complete the main walking portion.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes roundtrip transportation from Cusco.

How many people are in the group?

It’s a small group limited to 15 participants.

What languages is the guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

Are hot springs included?

You visit the community settlement of Pakanta and its hot springs. Thermal baths entry fees are listed as not included.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, sunglasses, sun hat/hat, camera, snacks, sunscreen, water, cash, and a daypack.

Is it accessible for wheelchair users?

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