Cusco : full day 7 lagoons with lunch

The main draw here is the chain of seven lagoons beneath snowy Ausangate, a full day of mountain scenery far southeast of Cusco. The water changes color from one lagoon to the next, and the route gives you a close look at the plants and wildlife of this high mountain area.

I like that the price includes the parts that can quickly make a day tour expensive: round-trip transport, breakfast, lunch, a guide, and walking sticks. I also like the stop at Pacchanta’s medicinal hot springs, a welcome way to relax after the roughly 10-kilometer walk.

The main concern is the transport. One passenger found the van so small that sitting comfortably was difficult. The 4:30 a.m. pickup also makes this a long day, and the extra fees for the lagoons and hot springs mean the $43 price is not the final cost.

Key Points Before You Book

• Seven lagoons near Ausangate: The route takes you past a series of colorful mountain lakes rather than stopping at only one viewpoint.
• About 10 kilometers on foot: You need comfortable shoes and enough energy for a full day outside.
• Pacchanta hot springs: The thermal baths come after the walk and are not included in the tour price.
• Breakfast and lunch included: Meals make the early departure and long day easier to manage.
• Small group of up to 15 people: You get a more manageable group than on a large coach tour.
• Transport comfort can vary: The van has received praise for punctual pickup, but one passenger found the seating cramped.

Why the Seven Lagoons Are Worth the Long Day

This trip is about scale and color. Ausangate, one of the major snowy peaks in the Cusco region, provides the backdrop while the lagoons supply the changing tones. The attraction is not a single dramatic platform. It is the steady sequence of water, rock, grass, and mountain views as you walk from one lagoon to the next.

That difference matters. If you want a quick photo stop and an easy return to Cusco, this is the wrong format. You spend much of the day outside, moving through the area on foot and taking in the scenery at a slower pace.

The seven-lagoon route also gives you more variety than a one-stop mountain excursion. You can enjoy the colors of each body of water, watch the snowy peak remain part of the view, and notice the flora and fauna along the way. Exact colors and conditions can change with weather and light, so you should arrive ready for a natural setting rather than a carefully staged attraction.

The tour starts in the community of Pacchanta, where you have breakfast before beginning the walk. That is a practical arrangement. After leaving Cusco in the dark, you get food before the main activity instead of starting the hike on an empty stomach.

The 4:30 a.m. Pickup From Cusco

Pickup is scheduled for about 4:30 a.m., mainly from selected areas, preferably in Cusco’s historic center. Confirm that your lodging falls inside the pickup zone before booking. This early start is necessary for a full day in the Ausangate area, but it also shapes the whole experience.

You will want to prepare everything the night before. Keep your passport or identification card handy, wear comfortable shoes, and avoid leaving breakfast decisions until the morning. The tour includes breakfast, but the information provided does not specify the menu or serving time.

The journey is by shared vehicle, with round-trip transport included. Pickup has been praised for being on time, which is useful when the day already begins before sunrise. Still, space may be limited. A passenger specifically found the van very small and said it was difficult to move comfortably in the seat.

That point is worth taking seriously. A long road journey feels very different in a roomy vehicle than in a tight one. Since the exact vehicle can vary, you should treat transport comfort as a possible weakness, especially if you are tall or dislike confined seating.

Breakfast in Pacchanta and the Start of the Walk

After reaching Pacchanta, you have breakfast before setting off. The community is also where you return later for lunch and the thermal baths, so it serves as the practical base for the day.

From there, the walk begins with the first lagoon. The route then continues through the area until you have visited all seven. The stated distance is approximately 10 kilometers, so this is not a short stroll between roadside viewpoints.

The tour supplies walking sticks, a useful touch on an uneven mountain route. You should still bring shoes that are comfortable for several hours on foot. The only listed footwear advice is comfortable shoes, and that is the minimum you should follow. Sandals or stiff city shoes would be poor choices for this kind of outing.

The tour does not include horses, but horse use is available as an additional option. No price is provided for that service, so ask before the hike if you think you may need it. Do not assume a horse is part of the package.

Seven Lagoons Beneath Ausangate

The middle of the day is the reason to book. You move from the first lagoon through the remaining six, with the snowy Ausangate mountain as the major visual anchor. The appeal is the combination of colored water, open nature, and a large mountain setting.

I like this format because it gives you a sense of progression. Each stop helps break up the walk, and the changing views keep the route from feeling like a simple out-and-back path. At the same time, you should not expect a polished attraction with extensive facilities at every lagoon. The information describes a natural area, not a developed park.

The guide leads the small group in English or Spanish. With a maximum of 15 participants, the group is limited enough to make following the guide easier than on a large bus tour. The guide also carries or has access to a first aid kit, which is sensible on a long walk away from the city.

Weather can affect the experience. The tour runs rain or shine, so clouds, rain, or changing visibility are part of the deal. Bring clothing suited to the conditions, although the provided packing instructions specifically mention only a passport or ID and comfortable shoes. Since the operator requires the trip to run in all weather, you should plan for more than a sunny-day outing.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with respiratory issues. Those restrictions matter more here than on a short city excursion because the day combines early transport, a mountain setting, and a long walk.

Pacchanta Hot Springs After the Hike

Once the lagoon walk is complete, you return to Pacchanta for the thermal medicinal waters. This is a smart order for the day. You see the lagoons first, then have a chance to rest before lunch and the ride back.

The thermal baths are not included in the $43 price. You pay the entrance separately, and the same applies to the seven-lagoon entrance fee. The lagoon entry is listed as $5 or 15 soles. No price is supplied for the baths, so carry extra money and confirm the current charge locally.

The hot springs are not just another sightseeing stop. They change the rhythm of the day from walking and viewing to sitting and recovering. If you enjoy bathing outdoors, this may be one of the tour’s best practical features. If you would rather avoid changing clothes or paying another entrance fee, you can skip it, but the tour’s schedule is built around the stop.

Bring what you need for the baths only if you plan to use them. The official packing information does not list swimwear or a towel, so ask the operator what is provided and what you should carry.

Lunch, Included Costs, and Real Value

Lunch is served in Pacchanta after the hot springs. The food has received positive comments, along with the guide service. The menu is not specified, so you should not book expecting a particular dish, but having lunch included is valuable after a 10-kilometer walk.

At $43 per person, the package covers several useful basics:

• Pickup in selected parts of Cusco
• Round-trip transportation
• Breakfast
• A professional guide
• Lunch
• A first aid kit
• Walking sticks

You still need to budget for the $5 or 15 soles lagoon entrance and the thermal bath entrance. Horse use is also extra. Once those costs are added, the day costs more than the headline price, but the core package remains fairly practical because meals and transport are already handled.

I see this as good value if you want a guided day and do not want to arrange transport, food, and the route separately. It is less compelling if you want a private vehicle, a slow custom schedule, or certainty about spacious seating. The small-group limit of 15 helps, but it does not guarantee a large van.

The Return to Cusco

After lunch and the hot springs, you return to the city, arriving around 7:00 p.m. That makes this a full-day commitment from early morning through the evening.

Plan nothing demanding afterward. You may be ready for a quiet dinner and an early night, particularly after the early pickup and long walk. The return time also means this tour is not a fit if you have an evening train, show, or fixed dinner reservation.

The schedule is straightforward: pickup, breakfast in Pacchanta, seven-lagoon walk, hot springs, lunch, and return to Cusco. It is easy to understand, but the day leaves little room for delays. Weather and road conditions can affect timing, and the tour’s rain-or-shine policy means the operator does not simply cancel for a wet forecast.

Who Will Enjoy This Ausangate Day Trip

You should consider this tour if you want:

• A full day in nature outside Cusco
• A mountain walk with several scenic stops
• The chance to see seven lagoons rather than one
• Included breakfast and lunch
• A guide in English or Spanish
• A small group rather than a large coach
• Hot springs after the walk

You may want another option if you need roomy transport, cannot manage a 10-kilometer walk, have respiratory issues, or are pregnant. You should also think twice if your schedule cannot handle a 4:30 a.m. pickup and a return around 7:00 p.m.

The strongest points are clear: the views, the friendly service, punctual pickup, and included food. The main weakness is the possibility of cramped transport. That tradeoff explains why the tour can feel excellent for one person and merely acceptable for another.

Should You Book the Seven Lagoons Tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing Ausangate’s seven lagoons with transport, meals, and a guide arranged for you. At $43, the package gives you a useful amount for the money, especially with breakfast, lunch, walking sticks, and the first aid kit included.

Before paying, make sure you are comfortable with the 10-kilometer walk, the early start, the extra entrance fees, and the possibility of a tight van. Confirm your pickup area and ask about the thermal bath cost. If those points work for you, this is a strong nature day from Cusco, with colorful lagoons, a snowy mountain backdrop, and a relaxing finish at Pacchanta.

FAQ

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at approximately 4:30 a.m. from selected areas of Cusco, preferably in the historic center.

When does the tour return to Cusco?

The tour is expected to return to Cusco around 7:00 p.m.

How long is the walk?

The route is approximately 10 kilometers and visits all seven lagoons.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided in the community of Pacchanta before the walk begins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served after the return to Pacchanta.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation and pickup from selected areas of Cusco are included.

Is the entrance to the seven lagoons included?

No. The entrance costs $5 or 15 soles and is paid separately.

Are the thermal baths included?

No. Entrance to the thermal baths is not included in the tour price.

Are horses included?

No. Horse use is not included and must be arranged separately if needed.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.