Cusco: Day Trip to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons with Lunch

The colors here are worth the early alarm. This full-day outing takes you from Cusco to the foot of Ausangate mountain, where seven striking lagoons sit among open mountain scenery, native plants, and local wildlife. I like the generous inclusions: breakfast, lunch, round-trip transport, a guide, trekking poles, oxygen, and a first-aid kit. I also like the option to soak in Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters afterward. The main drawback is the demanding schedule, with about five hours of walking after a 4:00 a.m. pickup.

This is a natural attraction rather than a polished sightseeing stop. You get a long ride, a mountain walk, changing lagoon colors, and a simple meal back in Pacchanta. The $40 price is strong value if you want transport and meals handled, but this is not a good choice for anyone with low fitness, breathing problems, back trouble, limited mobility, or little patience for a very early morning.

Key points at a glance

• Seven lagoons at Ausangate: See Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.
• A five-hour walking route: The first two hours lead to a viewpoint, followed by about three hours around much of the lagoon area.
• Pacchanta is part of the experience: Begin with breakfast, return for lunch, and consider paying separately for the hot springs.
• A practical $40 package: Transport, hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, guide, oxygen, trekking poles, and first aid are included.
• A very early start: Pickup in Cusco begins at 4:00 a.m., so this day uses nearly every available hour.
• Not a casual family outing: Children under eight, pregnant women, and people with several health or mobility concerns should not book.

Why these Ausangate lagoons are worth the long day

The appeal is simple: you travel into a totally natural mountain setting and spend the day looking at water in several different colors. The names alone hint at the variety. Laguna Roja means Red Lagoon, Laguna Azul means Blue Lagoon, and Laguna Ccomer refers to a green lagoon. The other names are Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, and Laguna Alqa.

You should not expect seven huge lakes lined up for easy viewing. The route takes you to a viewpoint after roughly two hours, then continues around much of the lagoon area for about three more hours. That makes the outing feel like a proper mountain walk, not a quick photo stop.

The Ausangate mountain provides the setting. Around you, the guide can point out mountain forms, local plants, and native fauna. The experience is strongest if you enjoy scenery that changes slowly as you walk. It is less suited to anyone who wants a short, relaxed excursion with lots of time in town.

The best praise attached to this experience focuses on the lagoons and the hot springs. That makes sense. The colored water is the main reason to come, while Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal pools offer a welcome way to rest after the route.

The 4:00 a.m. pickup from Cusco

Your day begins before sunrise, with hotel pickup at 4:00 a.m. You need to give the provider the correct hotel name and wait in the lobby. That sounds minor, but it matters at this hour. A delayed departure can make an already long day feel even longer.

Round-trip transport is included, so you do not need to arrange your own ride to Pacchanta. The drive is part of the experience, too. The tour description specifically highlights the ride to the lagoons, and the route lets you watch Cusco give way to quieter mountain scenery.

The early departure has one clear benefit: it gives you enough daylight for the walk and gets you back to Cusco within one day. The cost is sleep. I would not schedule a late-night activity before this outing, and I would keep the following evening light as well.

Bring cash, even though the main tour price is paid in advance. You may want the optional hot springs, and the entrance ticket is not included.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the walk

The first stop is the town of Pacchanta, where breakfast is provided. This is a useful pause after the early ride and gives you a chance to eat before the physical part of the day begins.

Pacchanta is not just a starting point on the route. It is also where you return for lunch and where you can visit the thermo-medicinal waters. That layout keeps the day practical: you begin and end the walking circuit in the same community instead of carrying a full day’s meal with you.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the $40 price. That helps the value considerably, especially since transport from Cusco is also covered. The meals are part of the package, but no detailed menu is provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement.

Eat enough to support the walk, but keep your clothing and footwear ready for outdoor use. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential, and hiking shoes are specifically recommended. The route lasts about five hours, so soft street shoes are a poor gamble.

The first two hours to the Ausangate viewpoint

From Pacchanta, you walk for about two hours to reach a viewpoint over the seven lagoons. This first section sets the rhythm for the day. It is long enough to require steady effort, but the reward is a broad view of the water and the Ausangate setting.

The viewpoint is an important part of the route because it gives you the big picture before you move closer to the lagoons. Take time here for photographs and to listen to the guide’s explanation. With English and Spanish guiding available, you can choose the language that works best when booking.

Trekking poles are included. I would use them, especially on a route that continues for several more hours. Poles help with balance and can make the steady walking feel less tiring. They are also one of the small inclusions that make this package more useful than a simple transfer to the trailhead.

Oxygen is included as well. That does not turn the walk into an easy outing, and it should not be treated as a substitute for fitness or medical advice. Still, having oxygen and a first-aid kit with the group is reassuring during a full day in the mountains.

Seeing all seven lagoon names become real

After the viewpoint, the route continues for about three hours and covers a large part of the seven-lagoon area. This is where the outing earns its name. You are not simply driven to one viewpoint, photographed, and sent home.

The water colors are the visual payoff. Laguna Roja, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Ccomer give the route its most obvious color contrasts, while the remaining lagoons add variety to the circuit. Natural colors can change with light and viewing angle, so keep expectations sensible. The attraction is the combination of several bodies of water in one mountain setting, not a guarantee that every lagoon will look exactly like a postcard.

The names Otorongo Macho and Otorongo Fembra are unusual and easy to remember. Ask the guide about the names as you walk. The guide is there not only to keep the group moving, but also to give meaning to the places you are seeing.

You will also pass mountain scenery, flora, and fauna typical of the area. The information supplied does not promise a particular animal sighting, so treat wildlife as a possibility rather than a scheduled part of the day. Bring a camera, but keep it protected and accessible. You will have repeated chances for photographs as the route unfolds.

Lunch, hot springs, and the return to Cusco

The walking circuit ends back in Pacchanta, where lunch is included. This is a welcome finish to the active portion of the day. You can eat, rest, and decide if you want to add the hot springs before returning to Cusco.

The hot springs are not included in the tour price. You must pay the entrance fee separately, so carry cash. The optional soak is especially attractive because it follows several hours on foot, but you should confirm the current entrance cost locally or with the provider before setting out. No price is supplied here.

The thermal waters are described as thermo-medicinal, but you should still consider your own health before entering. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with respiratory problems, and it is sensible to ask a medical professional if you have concerns about hot-water bathing.

After Pacchanta, the group returns to Cusco by vehicle. Since this is a one-day trip with a 4:00 a.m. start, expect to feel tired at the end. The return ride may be the quietest part of the day, which is not a bad thing.

What the $40 price really includes

At $40 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach a remote attraction from Cusco. The price covers several items you would otherwise need to arrange separately:

• Hotel pickup in Cusco
• Round-trip transportation
• Breakfast in Pacchanta
• Lunch in Pacchanta
• Professional guide
• Trekking poles
• Oxygen
• First-aid kit

That package makes the tour a good fit if you want a straightforward day with the major practical details organized. Meals are especially useful because the departure is so early and the walking period is so long.

The price does not include the hot-spring entrance ticket. It also does not turn the route into a private experience. The supplied information does not state the group size, vehicle type, or exact return time, so ask the provider if those details matter to you.

A score of 3.3 from four ratings suggests a mixed overall record, even though the clearest positive comment praised the spectacular hot springs and lagoons. I would read that as a reason to set realistic expectations about logistics. The scenery is the strong point; the early start, long drive, and strenuous walk are the trade-offs.

Who should book this day trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you:

• Want to see several natural attractions in one day
• Enjoy walking for about five hours
• Like mountain scenery and changing water colors
• Prefer a package that includes transport and meals
• Want the option of a hot-spring visit
• Are comfortable starting at 4:00 a.m.

The trip is less suitable if you want a slow morning, a short walk, or a flexible schedule. It is also not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with respiratory issues, or people with a low level of fitness.

That last point deserves attention. The walking time is not a vague suggestion. The plan calls for about two hours to the viewpoint and another three hours across the lagoon area. Even if the route is manageable for a fit person, it is still a serious full-day outing.

What to bring for the Ausangate route

Pack a passport or ID card, comfortable clothing, hiking pants, and proper hiking shoes. A camera is useful, and cash is necessary if you plan to use the hot springs.

I would also keep small personal essentials easy to reach during the walk. The operator supplies trekking poles, oxygen, and a first-aid kit, but you should still arrive prepared for a long outdoor day.

Weapons and sharp objects are not allowed. Smoking indoors, alcohol, and drugs are also prohibited. These rules are simple, but the early pickup makes it wise to check your bag the night before rather than searching for items in a dark hotel lobby.

Reserve at least one day ahead and contact the emergency number after booking. That step is specifically required, so do not assume the reservation is the end of the process. Confirm the hotel name as well, since pickup depends on it.

Cancellation and language choices

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful while you settle your Cusco schedule.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. If language is important to you, choose carefully when booking and confirm that your preferred language is available for your date.

Hotel pickup is included, but you must be ready in the lobby. Since the pickup begins at 4:00 a.m., this is not a door-to-door wake-up service. Set your alarm, prepare your clothing, and keep your identification and cash ready.

Should you book the 7 Ausangate Lagoons tour?

Book it if the main goal is to see the seven lagoons without arranging transport, food, and mountain support on your own. The $40 price is appealing, and the combination of colored water, Ausangate scenery, Pacchanta meals, and optional hot springs gives the day real variety.

Skip it if you need an easy outing or have any of the listed health and mobility concerns. The five-hour walk and 4:00 a.m. departure are not small details. For a fit visitor who values natural scenery more than comfort, this is a worthwhile Cusco day trip. For everyone else, the schedule may be more demanding than the price suggests.

FAQ

How long does the 7 Ausangate Lagoons tour last?

It is a one-day tour. Pickup from your Cusco hotel begins at 4:00 a.m., followed by transport to Pacchanta, breakfast, the walk, lunch, and the return to Cusco.

What are the names of the seven Ausangate lagoons?

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

How much walking is involved?

You walk about two hours from Pacchanta to a viewpoint over the lagoons, then about three more hours around much of the lagoon area before returning to Pacchanta.

Is breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is served in Pacchanta after the walking route.

Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?

No. Entrance tickets to the hot springs are not included, so you need cash if you want to visit them.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.