From Cusco: 7 Lagoons Tour

Ausangate’s seven lagoons give you a full day in Peru’s high Andes, with ice-fed water, open mountain scenery, local communities, and a long walk far beyond Cusco. I like the combination of seven different lagoons and a soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs afterward. You also get breakfast, lunch, transport, and a bilingual guide for $35, which is strong value.

The catch is the altitude and the early start. The walk covers about 10 kilometers in five hours, with the first lagoon roughly 1.5 hours from the starting point. You need a fair level of fitness, and the service has not always been perfectly organized, so confirm your pickup carefully.

Key points before you book

• Seven lagoons shaped by Ausangate: See a series of high-Andean lakes surrounded by mountain scenery, vegetation, and wildlife.
• A real five-hour walk: The route is about 10 kilometers, with the first lagoon reached after roughly 1.5 hours on foot.
• Altitude matters: The hike can feel intense even if you already exercise, and guides have helped people dealing with mal de altura.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome reward: Pay 5 soles if you want to use the hot springs after the walk.
• Good meal value: Breakfast and lunch are included at the Pacchanta community, along with transport and a bilingual guide.
• Check pickup details: One serious service problem involved a missed early pickup and a vehicle arriving much later than planned.

Why the seven lagoons are worth the long day

The main appeal is simple: you get a whole chain of mountain lagoons in one outing rather than a single viewpoint and a quick photo stop. The waters were created by the snowy Ausangate area, and each lagoon sits among broad Andean scenery, high slopes, plants, and local fauna.

I like this route because the scenery changes as you walk. You are not simply driven to a lookout, handed a few minutes, and sent back to the bus. The first lagoon takes about 1.5 hours to reach, then the route continues to the other lakes. That walking time gives the setting room to unfold.

The route is also less crowded than some of the better-known day trips from Cusco, according to the experience described by one visitor who found the quiet especially rewarding. That matters if you want time to look around without a solid wall of people at every viewpoint. The area is gaining attention, though, so do not assume it will remain empty.

The wording beautiful natural landscapes can sound soft, but the caution here is practical. You are in a high mountain environment, not a city park. Take care on the path, watch your footing, and follow your guide around the water and uneven ground. The tour information does not give a detailed trail rating, so prepare for a genuine mountain walk rather than a flat stroll.

The early ride from Cusco to Pacchanta

Pickup begins at your hotel in Cusco. You are asked to wait in the lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and the day typically ends with a return to the city around 7 pm. This is an all-day outing, so keep your evening light.

The pickup time can be very early. One serious service failure involved a planned 4:30 am pickup that did not happen on time. The passengers eventually reached the tour at about 6:30 am after repeated calls and messages, and another company helped arrange a guide. That is not a reason to reject the route itself, but it is a reason to confirm the pickup the day before and keep the provider’s contact information handy.

The drive takes you from Cusco toward the community of Pacchanta. Transport is included, which saves you the trouble of arranging a separate ride to a remote starting point. Since the day includes both a long drive and a long hike, use the ride to rest rather than treating it as sightseeing time.

The route is guided in English or Spanish. The actual guide can vary. Guillermo was described as easygoing and helpful with photographs, while Frank was praised for paying close attention to people affected by altitude. Those names give you a useful sense of the kind of support available, but you should not assume either guide will lead every departure.

Breakfast in the Pacchanta community

Breakfast comes in Pacchanta before the walk. This is more than a quick box handed over beside the bus. Eating in the community gives the day a local setting and puts food in you before the hardest part of the route.

Lunch also takes place after the hike, so breakfast is important. You should not count on the included meal as a reason to skip your own basic preparation, though. The supplied information does not specify the exact menu, and the walk is long enough that you may want personal water and small snacks.

One visitor described both meals as very good. That is a useful part of the value: for $35, you are not paying only for transport and a guide. You also receive two meals, which helps keep the total cost down.

The community stop is also a reminder that this outing is connected to local residents, not just a scenic attraction. Pacchanta provides the meals and the hot springs, while the surrounding mountains provide the main walking experience. Keep your expectations practical. This is a community-based stop, not a polished resort.

The first lagoon and the five-hour route

After breakfast, you begin the walk into the Andes. The first lagoon is about 1.5 hours away on foot. For many people, this is the point where the route shows its true character: the distance is manageable, but the height can make every uphill stretch feel harder.

The full route is approximately 10 kilometers and takes around five hours. The exact pace depends on the group and on how people respond to the altitude. A person who normally does little exercise may find it difficult, while someone accustomed to walking can still feel the effects of the thin air.

One account described the route as moderately difficult and another called it intense because of the height, even with previous hiking experience. That is the right way to think about it. Do not judge this hike only by its distance. At high elevation, a short climb can demand more than the same climb at home.

The guide’s role matters here. Frank was specifically noted for checking on people with mal de altura, and Guillermo was praised for helping make the day comfortable. A good guide can help with pace and keep an eye on the group, but no guide can remove the physical demands of the route.

There is an option to hire horses at the beginning of the walk. The supplied information does not explain the price, availability, or how much of the route a horse can cover, so ask before setting out if you may need this option. Do not assume a horse will solve every problem once the walk is underway.

Seeing all seven lagoons

The point of continuing after the first lake is the sequence. You visit the other lagoons as the route moves through the high Andes, with Ausangate and the surrounding mountains providing the setting. The appeal is not one single perfect photo. It is the changing view across a broad, open area.

Bring patience for the walking portions between stops. The tour is not built around long breaks at each lagoon, and the five-hour estimate includes the route as a whole. If photography is important to you, Guillermo’s help with photos is a nice example of how a guide can add value, but you should still protect time for the group’s schedule.

The scenery includes vegetation and wildlife, although no specific animals are promised. You might find the quiet as appealing as the water itself. This is one of the better reasons to choose the seven-lagoon route over a faster viewpoint visit: the day gives you more time in the mountain setting.

Facilities are basic. A recent account raised concerns about the condition and availability of bathrooms as the route becomes more popular. Use facilities when you have the chance in Pacchanta, and keep expectations modest once you are on the trail.

Pacchanta hot springs after the hike

After completing the route, you return to Pacchanta for the hot springs. This is the day’s most welcome bit of comfort. Sitting in warm water after several hours of walking gives your legs a chance to recover before lunch and the ride back to Cusco.

The hot springs are optional and cost 5 soles. That small extra charge is easy to budget for, and I think it is worth considering if you enjoy thermal baths. Still, do not treat admission as included in the $35 price.

The timing also makes sense. Placing the hot springs after the walk means you get the physical reward at the end rather than breaking up the route too early. If you are tired or uncomfortable with communal bathing, you can skip it and wait for lunch.

The tour information does not provide details about changing rooms, lockers, or towel rental. Bring only what you need and confirm the practical arrangements locally. The important point is that the springs are a separate, optional stop in Pacchanta, not a private facility attached to your hotel.

Lunch, the return to Cusco, and the real value

Lunch follows the hot springs in Pacchanta. With breakfast and lunch included, the tour covers the two meals most likely to be awkward to arrange on a remote full-day trip. The food was described as good, which adds to the sense that this is a useful budget package rather than a bare-bones transfer.

At $35 per person, the price is attractive for a day that includes transport from Cusco, a bilingual guide, breakfast, and lunch. You still pay 10 soles for the entry ticket and another 5 soles if you use the hot springs. Those extras are small, but the advertised price is not the final cash amount.

The real value depends on your ability to handle the route. If you are fit enough for 10 kilometers at altitude, the package gives you a full day of scenery and meals for modest money. If you mainly want a short scenic stop, the long walk and early start make it less appealing.

The return to Cusco is expected around 7 pm. Traffic and group timing can affect any full-day outing, so avoid booking an evening activity that requires a precise arrival. You will have spent most of the day outside the city and may want a quiet dinner afterward.

What to bring and how to prepare

The supplied details do not give a formal packing list, so keep your preparation sensible and focused on the route:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for a 10-kilometer mountain route.
• Bring water and small snacks, even though breakfast and lunch are included.
• Carry money for the 10 soles entry ticket and the optional 5 soles hot springs admission.
• Bring extra layers for changing mountain conditions.
• Pack a swimsuit if you plan to use the hot springs.
• Keep your phone charged for pickup messages and photographs.
• Arrive in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

Altitude is the main issue. One person with hiking experience still found the route intense because of the height, while another found it manageable but demanding. Give yourself an honest assessment. The tour is better suited to someone who can walk for several hours than to someone looking for a gentle day trip.

If you are worried about mal de altura, tell the guide early rather than waiting until you feel very unwell. The support described from Frank is encouraging, but the tour remains a high-altitude outing with real physical demands.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would choose this tour if I wanted a reasonably priced full day in the Andes, preferred a quieter route to a heavily visited attraction, and liked the idea of combining a hike with hot springs. It is especially appealing if meals and transport simplify your planning.

You should think twice if you dislike early departures, have difficulty with long walks, or need spotless and well-developed facilities. The service problem with one pickup also means you should be proactive about confirming the departure.

The route suits an active visitor who wants more than a photo stop but does not want to arrange a private expedition. The guides can help with pacing, photos, and altitude concerns, while the community meals and hot springs add useful local detail.

Should you book the seven lagoons tour?

Book it if the seven lagoons are your priority and you are ready for a five-hour, 10-kilometer walk at altitude. The scenery, quieter setting, community meals, and optional hot springs make the $35 base price a strong deal.

Skip it if you want an easy excursion or cannot tolerate uncertain pickup arrangements. Before the day begins, confirm the pickup time, bring cash for the required entry fee, and decide if you want to pay for the hot springs. With those points handled, this is a rewarding and practical way to spend a day near Ausangate.

FAQ

Where does the seven lagoons tour start?

Pickup is provided from your hotel in the city of Cusco. You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

How long does the tour last?

It is a one-day tour and normally returns to Cusco around 7 pm.

How long is the walk?

The route is approximately 10 kilometers and takes about five hours. The first lagoon is around 1.5 hours on foot from the starting point.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in the community of Pacchanta before the walk.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided after the walk and the hot springs visit in Pacchanta.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Entry to the Pacchanta hot springs is optional and costs 5 soles.

Is there another entrance fee?

Yes. The tour price does not include the 10-sol entry ticket.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking.