Cusco : full day 7 lagoons with lunch

Snowy peaks and hot springs make a fine pairing. This full-day trip from Cusco takes you to the seven lagoons of Ausangate, with a roughly 10-kilometer walk, breakfast, lunch, and time in Pacchanta’s medicinal thermal waters. I especially like the strong mix of scenery and local food, plus the small group size of no more than 15 people.

I also like that walking sticks, a guide, first aid, and round-trip transport are included. The main caution is the long day and early pickup, with the van comfort worth checking before you book. One recent passenger found the vehicle very cramped, while praising the guide and food.

Key points at a glance

• Seven lagoons in one walk: The route covers about 10 kilometers around the Ausangate area, with each lagoon adding another view and color to the day.
• Pacchanta hot springs: You finish the walk with time in the community’s thermal baths, an appealing reward after several hours on foot.
• Meals included: Breakfast comes before the hike, and lunch follows the hot springs, making the $43 price easier to justify.
• Very early start: Pickup is around 4:30 a.m., with a return to Cusco expected near 7:00 p.m.
• Small group format: The tour is limited to 15 participants and offers English or Spanish guiding.
• Extra costs matter: The seven-lagoon entrance fee is $5 or 15 soles, and the thermal bath entrance is separate.

Why the Ausangate seven lagoons are worth the long day

The seven lagoons sit southeast of Cusco, near the imposing snowy Ausangate mountain. The appeal is not one single famous viewpoint. It is the changing color and shape of the water as you move through open mountain country, with Ausangate providing the dramatic backdrop.

I like this kind of outing because it gives you more than a quick photo stop. You spend much of the day walking through nature, noticing the mountain, water, plants, and local scenery at a slower pace. The route also gives you a better sense of the area around Pacchanta than a short roadside visit would.

The description promises fascinating lagoon colors, but you should keep expectations sensible. Natural water colors depend on weather, light, and viewing angles. The attraction is the full sequence of lagoons and the setting around them, not a guarantee that every pool will look identical to a polished photograph.

The walk is approximately 10 kilometers. That is a serious outing, even if the route is broken into manageable sections. You need comfortable shoes and enough energy for a full day outdoors. The tour is specifically not suitable for pregnant women or people with respiratory issues.

A 4:30 a.m. pickup from Cusco

The day begins early. Pickup is around 4:30 a.m., preferably from lodging in Cusco’s historic center. This timing allows the group to reach Pacchanta early enough for breakfast and the walking portion of the day.

I would treat the pickup window as approximate rather than expecting the vehicle to arrive at the exact minute. Have your bag ready before bed, keep your passport or identity card accessible, and confirm that your lodging is in one of the selected pickup areas.

The early departure has one clear benefit: it gives you a full day in the Ausangate area and allows the group to return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m. The drawback is obvious. You will be tired, especially after the 10-kilometer route, and the return drive comes after both walking and hot springs.

Transport is included, which is important at this price. Still, vehicle comfort deserves attention. A recent passenger described the van as very small and said there was barely room to move in the seats. That does not cancel out the value of the trip, but it is useful to know if you are tall or dislike tight transport.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike

The group reaches the community of Pacchanta, where breakfast is provided before walking begins. This is a practical part of the plan, not just a meal added for appearance. With a long route ahead, eating before you start gives you a better chance of handling the morning comfortably.

The information provided does not specify the breakfast menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of it as included fuel at the start of the day. If you need special food, bring a snack and ask the provider what can be accommodated before departure.

Pacchanta also gives the tour a local base rather than treating the lagoons as an isolated attraction. You return here later for the hot springs and lunch, so the community becomes the natural beginning and end of the walking portion.

Walking the first lagoon and the full 10-kilometer route

From Pacchanta, the guide begins the hike toward the first lagoon. You then continue from one body of water to the next, exploring the scenery around Ausangate for approximately 10 kilometers in total.

The route is the heart of the experience. You get repeated views of the snowy mountain, open nature, and the contrasting colors of the lagoons. The tour includes walking sticks, which can be useful on a long route and may help with balance on uneven sections.

The exact difficulty is not stated, so you should not assume this is a gentle stroll. The distance alone calls for decent walking ability. Weather can also affect the feel of the route, since the tour runs rain or shine. Bring comfortable shoes and be prepared for changing conditions.

The guide’s role matters here. A professional guide is included, with English and Spanish available. In a group of up to 15 people, you should have more support than on a large coach outing, though it is still a group experience rather than a private walk.

I like the design of the route because the scenery unfolds over time. You are not asked to spend the entire day at one viewpoint. Each lagoon gives you a reason to keep going, while the snow-covered Ausangate mountain helps tie the views together.

Ausangate, water color, and the appeal of natural scenery

Ausangate is the visual anchor of the day. The snowy peak gives the lagoons scale and drama, while the water provides the color. The attraction comes from the combination, not from either feature alone.

You should allow yourself time to look beyond the next stop. The tour description also points to local flora and fauna, so keep an eye on the natural surroundings rather than treating the route as a checklist of seven pools. No specific animals or plants are guaranteed, but the setting is clearly part of the experience.

The word seven can make the outing sound like a race to collect seven photographs. I would approach it differently. The value is in the whole mountain setting, the changing views during the walk, and the chance to spend a day away from Cusco’s streets.

The scenery received some of the strongest praise in the available feedback. One passenger rated the outing highly for its fantastic views, friendly staff, and punctual pickup. Another found it different from what they expected but still singled out the beauty of the scenery. That is a fair warning: go for the mountain and lagoons, not for a tightly staged attraction with predictable conditions.

Pacchanta hot springs after the walk

After visiting the lagoons, the group returns to Pacchanta for the community’s medicinal thermal waters. Entrance to the thermal baths is not included, so you need extra cash for this part.

This stop is one of the tour’s best ideas. A full day of walking can leave you ready for a quieter activity, and the hot springs give the schedule a clear change of pace. You can relax before lunch instead of immediately climbing back into the van.

The bathing experience is not described in detail, so I would avoid expecting a private spa or a polished resort. The attraction is the community thermal-water setting. Bring anything you need for bathing, but keep in mind that the supplied information only confirms access to the thermal baths as an optional extra, not the facilities available there.

Because the entrance fee is separate, ask for the current price before entering. The tour information confirms that the baths are not part of the $43 package. This is a small but important budget detail.

Lunch and the real value of the $43 price

Lunch follows the thermal baths in Pacchanta. Along with breakfast, transport, guiding, walking sticks, and first-aid support, the included meals make this more than a basic ride to a trailhead.

At $43 per person, the package offers solid value if you want transport and meals arranged for you. You are paying for a full day, not simply admission to the lagoons. The early pickup, long return time, guide, and two meals all reduce the number of separate arrangements you must make.

Your actual cost will be higher than $43. Add $5 or 15 soles for the seven-lagoon entrance, then add the separate thermal-bath fee. The listing does not state the bath price, so budget for that before you go. Horses are also not included, and horse use is an additional choice if available.

The included first-aid kit is a sensible touch for a long walk. It does not replace personal preparation, though. Carry your identity card, comfortable shoes, and any personal items you need for a full day away from your lodging.

Small groups, guiding, and transport comfort

The group is limited to 15 participants, with English and Spanish guiding. That is a useful middle ground. You get the convenience of an organized trip without the scale of a very large bus group.

The experience provider is Chullos Tours. Feedback on the staff is encouraging, with specific praise for friendly service, a pleasant guide, and punctual pickup. No guide’s name is provided, so I cannot recommend a particular individual.

The van is the weak point in the practical setup. One passenger found the seating extremely tight, despite rating the guide and food positively. Since the transport takes you out and back on a long day, this is not a minor detail.

If you have limited tolerance for cramped seating, ask Chullos Tours about the vehicle before booking. The small group limit may help, but it does not guarantee a spacious van. The transport is functional and included, yet comfort can affect how much you enjoy the final hours of the day.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a guided mountain outing from Cusco, prefer having meals and transport arranged, and are happy to spend a full day outside the city. It suits people who care most about snowy peaks, colorful lagoons, and natural scenery rather than luxury transport.

It is also a good fit if you like a clear itinerary with a beginning, a substantial walk, hot springs, lunch, and a scheduled return. The small group and bilingual guide add useful support.

I would think twice if you dislike very early mornings, long drives, or 10 kilometers of walking. You should also avoid it if you are pregnant or have respiratory problems, as the activity specifically excludes those conditions.

Bring your passport or identity card and comfortable shoes. Since the tour operates rain or shine, pack with wet weather in mind even though no detailed clothing list is provided. A small snack and extra cash for the lagoon entrance and thermal baths are sensible additions.

Should you book the seven lagoons tour?

Book it if your priority is a reasonably priced, full-day nature trip with Ausangate views, seven lagoons, meals, and hot springs in one package. The scenery and friendly service are the strongest reasons to go, and the $43 starting price is fair once you understand the extra entrance fees.

Skip it if you need roomy transport, a late start, or a short and easy outing. The cramped van report is worth taking seriously, and the 4:30 a.m. pickup followed by a 7:00 p.m. return makes this a demanding day.

For the right person, this is a practical way to reach a remote-feeling mountain area without organizing every moving part yourself. Just budget for the extras, wear proper shoes, and judge the tour by the whole day of scenery rather than by one perfect lagoon photograph.

FAQ

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup is approximately 4:30 a.m. The tour prefers lodging located in Cusco’s historic center or another selected pickup area.

How long does the tour last?

It lasts one full day. The group is expected to return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m.

How far is the hike?

The walking route is approximately 10 kilometers and includes visits to all seven lagoons near Ausangate.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is served after the hot springs.

Is the entrance fee to the seven lagoons included?

No. The entrance fee costs $5 or 15 soles and must be paid separately.

Is the thermal-bath entrance included?

No. Entrance to the thermal baths is separate from the tour price.

What languages are available for the guide?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Spanish.