From Cusco: Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals

The main draw is the seven lakes beneath Mount Ausangate, where water changes from blue and green to red and dark tones beneath snow-covered peaks. You leave Cusco before sunrise, reach Pacchanta for breakfast, then spend most of the day on a high mountain walk with big views in every direction.

I like the strong value at $37, since transport, guide, breakfast, lunch, walking sticks, oxygen, and a first-aid kit are included. I also like the small-group limit of 15 people, plus the chance to visit Pacchanta’s hot springs after the hike, though the bath entry fee is extra.

The catch is the physical demand. The route takes about five hours on foot and covers roughly 13 kilometers, with limited time at each lake. This is not a gentle sightseeing loop, and you should skip it if you have respiratory problems or a medical condition that makes strenuous walking unsafe.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lakes: See Lake Superior, Otorongo Hombre, Otorongo, Rojo, Ccomer, Azul, and Alqa.
• A long mountain day: The walk takes about five hours and has been described as pleasant but sporty.
• Very early start: Pickup from hotels in Cusco’s historic center begins at 4:00 AM.
• Meals are covered: Breakfast comes in Pacchanta, and lunch follows the walk.
• Hot springs are optional: Pacchanta’s thermal baths are available, but admission is not included.
• Small group format: The tour is limited to 15 participants, with English and Spanish guiding.

Why the seven lakes are worth the effort

Ausangate’s seven lakes are the reason to choose this tour. They sit at the foot of Mount Ausangate, one of the most striking peaks in the Cusco Region. You are not visiting a developed park with paved paths and viewing platforms. The attraction is the open mountain setting, with water, rock, snow, grass, and sky making up the view.

The color is the surprise. The lakes are known by different shades and names, including Rojo, Azul, Ccomer, and Alqa. Those names give you a useful way to remember the route, since the lakes do not all look alike. Some appear blue or green, while others can show darker or reddish tones.

You also get more than water views. The route offers broad scenery around the mountains, along with local flora and fauna. I like that this makes the walk feel like a visit to a whole natural area rather than a quick stop beside one famous viewpoint.

The setting is especially rewarding if you want something far removed from Cusco’s streets and colonial buildings. You spend the day in a quiet mountain environment, with the Ausangate range forming the backdrop. The tradeoff is that the scenery comes with a serious walk.

The 4:00 AM departure from Cusco

The day begins early. Pickup is scheduled for 4:00 AM from hotels in selected areas of Cusco, including hotels within the historic center. You then travel by road toward Pacchanta, the community settlement that serves as the walking base.

That early departure is not a minor detail. You should have your daypack ready the night before, with water, sunscreen, warm clothing, snacks, and cash. The schedule gets you to Pacchanta early enough for breakfast and leaves time for the full walking route before returning to Cusco.

Transport is included both ways, which is important at this price. You do not need to arrange a separate ride to Pacchanta or work out a return connection after the hike. Arrival back in Cusco is planned for around 6:00 PM near the main square.

The return time can make this a practical day trip if you have only a short stay in Cusco. It is also a long day, so do not pair it with another major activity that evening. After an early start and five hours of walking, you will likely want a quiet dinner and an early night.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the walk

Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before you start walking. This is a useful pause after the early road journey and gives you a proper meal before the hardest part of the day.

Pacchanta also adds local character to the outing. It is not only a transport stop. The community settlement is connected with the hot springs that you may visit after the hike, giving the day a clear beginning and ending in the same mountain community.

The precise breakfast menu is not specified, so you should still carry snacks. The suggested packing list includes food for between stops, along with water. At this price, having both breakfast and lunch included is a real benefit, especially since the tour occupies nearly the entire day.

Walking to the Ausangate viewpoint

From Pacchanta, you begin the main walk. After about two hours, you reach a viewpoint where the seven lakes can be seen together. This is the first major payoff of the route.

The viewpoint matters because it gives you the broadest sense of the area. Instead of seeing each lake as an isolated stop, you can take in the relationship between the water, the surrounding mountains, and Mount Ausangate. Have your camera ready here, but also take a moment to look without a screen. The attraction is the scale of the setting.

The walk to this point is not described as technical climbing, but it is still strenuous. One account describes the hike as pleasant and sporty, with the effort manageable for someone in normal physical condition. Another records a total distance of about 13 kilometers and notes that actual time beside the lakes can feel short.

That is the key expectation to set. You are paying for access to a long scenic route, not for hours of relaxed sitting beside one lake. If you need frequent breaks or prefer a slow pace, the day may feel rushed.

The three-hour circuit past the seven lakes

After the viewpoint, you continue for about three more hours, visiting most of the seven lakes before returning to Pacchanta. The route lets you see the colors from different angles and pass through changing mountain scenery.

The seven names are Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa. The names may be presented in a different order during the walk, so think of them as a set rather than a strict checklist.

I would keep your camera accessible, but do not expect a long photo stop at every lake. The route has a fixed schedule, and the whole group needs to stay together. This is one place where the small-group limit helps. A group of no more than 15 people is easier to manage than a large coachload, though it still will not provide complete freedom to set your own pace.

The scenery is the strongest part of the walking section. You will see open mountain views, colorful water, and snow-covered peaks. The route is also the part that demands the most from you. Wear shoes suitable for a sustained mountain walk, and use the provided walking sticks if they help with balance or rhythm.

Lunch in Pacchanta and the optional hot springs

Once the walking circuit is complete, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. This is a well-timed finish to the physical portion of the day. Lunch is included, and fresh ingredients have been highlighted as part of the meal experience.

Pacchanta’s thermal baths are another attraction. They are not included in the tour price, so bring cash if you want to use them. The supplied information does not state the admission cost, so you should confirm the current fee before departure.

The hot springs can make sense if you want a gentler ending after the hike. They also give you a chance to spend more time in Pacchanta rather than treating the community as only a starting point. But do not assume there will be unlimited time for bathing. The return to Cusco is planned for the same day, and the schedule depends on the group and road journey.

What the $37 price really covers

At $37 per person, this tour offers a lot for a full-day outing. You get round-trip transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, walking sticks, a first-aid kit, and oxygen. The guide can lead in English or Spanish, and the group is limited to 15 participants.

The included meals matter because the tour begins before dawn and lasts until the evening. Transport matters even more, since Pacchanta is outside Cusco and the tour handles both ends of the journey. Walking sticks are a small but useful inclusion on a route of this length.

You still need to budget for the thermal baths, a horse ride if you want help on the route, snacks, and other personal expenses. Horse riding is not included, and no promise is given that a horse will be available at every point. Treat it as an optional extra rather than your main plan.

The price is strongest for people who want a simple package. You pay one fee and receive the main services needed for the day. It is less attractive if you want a private pace, lengthy stops, or a short walk, since this is a group excursion with a set schedule.

The physical side of the Ausangate route

You should treat this as a demanding hiking day. The total walk is about five hours, and the full distance has been described as around 13 kilometers. The early departure adds another challenge, since you begin before most people have finished breakfast.

The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. That advice should be taken seriously. Oxygen and a first-aid kit are carried for support, but they do not turn a strenuous route into an easy one.

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, another hat if needed for warmth, and a daypack. Your passport is also listed among the items to bring, along with cash and a camera. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Weather can affect how comfortable the day feels, but no specific forecast or temperature range is provided. Pack for changing mountain conditions rather than relying on a single light layer. You will be outside for many hours, and the route offers little reason to travel without sun protection.

Guide quality and the small-group experience

The tour includes a live guide in English or Spanish. One departure was led by Jonatan, who kept an agreeable pace and stayed with the group during the walk. If Jonatan is assigned to your departure, you will have a guide specifically praised for a friendly approach and steady support.

The small-group limit of 15 people is helpful for a route like this. The guide can give instructions without shouting across a large crowd, and the group is more likely to move at a reasonably consistent pace. Still, you should expect a shared outing, not a private hike.

The schedule is structured around breakfast, the two-hour walk to the viewpoint, the three-hour lake circuit, lunch, and the return drive. You can enjoy the scenery, but you cannot design your own route or linger at every lake for as long as you wish.

Who should book this day trip

I would choose this tour if you want dramatic natural scenery, do not mind a very early start, and are comfortable walking for several hours. It suits active visitors who want a full day outside Cusco and who value included meals and transport.

It is also a good choice if you want to see the seven lakes without arranging your own transport to Pacchanta. The English and Spanish guide options make the outing easier for international visitors, while the small group keeps it more personal than a large bus tour.

I would think twice if you have limited walking ability, respiratory concerns, or a medical condition. I would also hesitate if your main goal is relaxation. The hot springs offer a restful option, but the main event is the hike, not the bathing.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour?

Book it if your priority is the scenery and you are ready for a long, early, active day. The seven lakes, Mount Ausangate, snow-covered peaks, and broad mountain views give you a memorable reason to leave Cusco before dawn.

Skip it if five hours of walking sounds unpleasant or if you want long, unhurried time at each lake. For fit hikers, the $37 cost is strong value because meals, transport, guiding, and basic safety equipment are included. Just bring water, snacks, sun protection, cash for the thermal baths, and enough energy for the return walk.

FAQ

What time does pickup begin in Cusco?

Pickup begins at 4:00 AM from selected areas of Cusco, including hotels located within the historic center.

When does the tour return to Cusco?

Arrival is planned for around 6:00 PM near Cusco’s main square.

How long is the walking portion?

The itinerary describes about two hours of walking to the viewpoint, followed by around three more hours visiting most of the seven lakes. One description gives the total distance as about 13 kilometers.

Which lakes will I see?

The seven lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is provided after returning to Pacchanta.

Are the hot springs included in the tour price?

No. The thermal bath entry fee is not included and must be paid separately.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup in selected areas of Cusco and round-trip transportation are included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or medical concerns?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.