The morning comes fast, but the lakes are worth it. This one-day hike around Ausangate pairs glacier country views with visits to seven lagoons, plus a stop in the Pacchanta thermal baths. I like the mix of active hiking and a real chance to recover in hot water, and I also like that you get specific lagoon names and clear photo opportunities.

One thing to think about: this is high altitude (over 4,600 meters), and the day is long—so you’ll want to be ready for a moderate-to-challenging trek and potentially a tough start if coordination is off.

Key things I’d watch for before booking

• Early pickup around 4:00 a.m. means you’ll be moving while the mountains still look their sharpest
• Seven named lagoons (Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, Q’omercocha) with turquoise-to-emerald water colors
• Pacchanta hot springs are a great payoff at the end, but the entrance fee is extra
• Short food breaks that keep you going: breakfast in Pacchanta and a typical Andean lunch included
• Altitude and effort are real: the route is moderate to challenging, and people with certain health issues should skip it
• Bring your own coordination buffer: you’ll be contacted the day before, and timing matters

Why the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate feel special in one day

If you’re in Cusco and want one day that feels like you left the city behind, this hike is a strong pick. You start high in the Andes, walk through Andean mountain terrain, and end with a soak in Pacchanta thermal baths while Ausangate watches over you.

What makes it work as a “one-day” trip is the pacing. You get meals planned around the trek, time for photos and a bit of free time, and then a recovery window in the hot springs so you don’t just collapse on the way back.

You also get a clear sense of what you’re seeing. The lagoons are not a vague stop—there are seven main lakes with distinct viewpoints and changing water colors, from turquoise tones to deeper green.

Cusco to Pacchanta: the early start and long van time

The day typically begins in Cusco with pickup around 4:00 a.m. Van travel takes about 3.5 hours to reach Pacchanta. That early departure isn’t for comfort—it’s for light, temperature, and getting enough time on the trail.

You should plan to be ready when they arrive. One real snag that came up in an example booking: a traveler was told a guide name (Antoni) and a pickup window (around 4:20–4:40), but the van arrived later and the guide ended up being different (John). The trek itself was still worth it, but it shows why it’s smart to keep your phone handy and stay ready for updates.

If you hate rushing mornings, this may not be your favorite kind of day trip. If you like beating the clock and getting big views before the day heats up, you’ll probably find the early push easier to accept.

Breakfast in Pacchanta: refuel before altitude work

Once you arrive, you get about 30 minutes for breakfast in Pacchanta. This is the practical part of the trip that makes the hike more doable, especially since the lakes sit above 4,600 meters.

Breakfast here is described as a traditional Andean meal. I’d treat it like your main fueling moment of the day: eat enough to feel steady on the trail and don’t count on snacks later to do the job.

This also helps you transition into the environment. After a long van ride, it’s easier on your body to warm up, eat, and start walking in a more controlled way than jumping straight onto a high-altitude path.

The Siete Lagunas hike: Comercocha to Q’omercocha

From Pacchanta, you start hiking through mountainous terrain and you pass areas where you can spot local flora and fauna, including alpacas and llamas. That animal spotting adds a lived-in feel to the walk, not just a scenic checklist.

The trek is split into two main hiking blocks:

• A first hike segment of about 3.05 hours
• Then later, another hike segment of about 2 hours

Between those blocks, you visit the seven lagoons. The tour includes photo stops and some free time (about 30 minutes) during the lagoon portion, which matters because at altitude you often want a minute to catch your breath, drink water, and then shoot a few steady pictures.

What you’ll see at each lagoon stop

You’ll visit these seven lagoons: Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha. Each one is described as having a slightly different color range—some look more turquoise, others closer to emerald green depending on conditions.

Don’t expect every photo to look identical. Water color can shift with the angle of the sun and weather, and your viewpoint changes as you move along the path.

Even if the trek intensity feels more than you expected, the payoff tends to land fast. In one example booking, the trek was described as easier than the person feared, but the views were still incredible—so if you’re fit enough for a moderate-to-challenging hike, you’ll likely feel the same kind of relief.

Photo stops and timing: how the day stays manageable

This tour is built around short pauses that prevent the day from turning into one long grind. You’ll have a photo stop and a window of free time during the lagoon portion, plus a lunch break after you’re back on track.

At this altitude, rest is not laziness—it’s strategy. Even when you feel fine, plan to breathe, sip water, and move slowly on uneven ground.

Also pay attention to pacing. The total day runs about 12 hours, with hiking spread out so you’re not just doing one continuous push with zero recovery.

Pacchanta hot springs: the perfect end to a high-altitude day

After lunch, you return to Pacchanta and get time to use the thermal baths at Aguas Termales Pacchanta. This is where the trip rewards you for the effort.

Your schedule includes about 30 minutes of free time for the hot springs. That’s not an all-afternoon soak, but it’s usually enough to calm leg muscles and reset your body for the van ride back to Cusco.

One key detail: the entrance fee to the lagoons and thermal baths is not included and is listed as 30 soles. So budget for that in addition to the tour price.

If you’re the type who worries about feeling sore later, this hot-springs stop is a big part of the value. It turns the day from hike-to-death into hike-then-recover.

Lunch and breakfast: basic but filling, and timed right

Lunch is included and described as a typical Andean meal prepared by the local community. Your lunch time is about 40 minutes, so you get enough time to eat without losing the rest of the schedule.

In one example booking, lunch and food were called basic but plenty and still tasty. That matches what you’d expect on a remote, high-altitude day: you’re not paying for gourmet, but you are paying for real calories and something you can eat reliably after altitude exertion.

The value here is timing and inclusion. Since breakfast and lunch are covered, you don’t have to hunt for food early in the morning or depend on airport-style snacks that never feel like enough.

What this $35 day trip gets you (and what it doesn’t)

At $35 per person for a roughly 12-hour outing, the price is mainly paying for the logistics that matter: transportation from Cusco, guiding, and included meals.

Included items:

• Hotel pickup in Cusco
• Professional tour guide (Spanish and English)
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• First aid kit
• Oxygen bottle
• Drop-off near the historic center of Cusco

Not included:

• Entrance fee to the lagoons and thermal baths (30 soles)

That “oxygen bottle” detail is worth noting. It doesn’t mean altitude is safe or easy, but it does show the operator is preparing for emergencies on a route that can feel serious at altitude.

My practical take: the price feels fair if you show up ready. If you underpack, ignore acclimatization, or try to walk too fast, the day can feel harder than it needs to.

Altitude reality check: how to avoid a miserable day

The lagoons are located more than 4,600 meters above sea level. That’s high enough that you should take acclimatization seriously.

The guidance is clear: spend 2 or 3 days in Cusco before the excursion to help reduce altitude sickness risk. Don’t skip this and don’t treat it like a suggestion you can ignore.

The tour also comes with some extra safety supports:

• First aid kit
• Oxygen bottle

Still, you can’t out-walk altitude. Move slowly, drink water, and watch your breathing. If your body is struggling, it’s better to slow down than to force a fast pace.

Gear checklist that actually matters

The tour lists what you should bring, and I agree with it. This kind of trek punishes bad footwear and missing sun protection.

Bring:

• Hiking shoes (not just sneakers)
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Water
• Rain gear
• Comfortable clothes and hiking pants
• Trekking gear (as needed for you)
• Energy snacks (these are recommended as a good idea)

Also pack for changing weather. Rain gear matters because mountain conditions can shift fast.

Not allowed:

• Alcohol and drugs

And this is the kind of trip where you’ll be happier if you travel light but prepared. A small daypack is ideal so you can move comfortably without overloading your back.

Who should book this Ausangate lakes day hike

This tour is described as moderate to challenging. It also notes it is not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with heart problems
• Wheelchair users
• People with respiratory issues
• People over 65

If you’re fit enough for a long day, have already spent time acclimatizing in Cusco, and you want to see glacier-country lagoons plus hot springs, this makes sense.

If you’re looking for a gentle stroll, this is probably not the fit. The day includes two hiking blocks and altitude above 4,600 meters, so your body will do some work.

Price and logistics: one thing to plan for

Most of the logistics seem solid on paper: pickup, guide, transport, meals, safety items, and drop-off near the historic center. Still, it’s an early-morning operation, and early mornings can be messy.

Use a simple strategy: keep your phone available the day before, and be ready for a pickup that could shift slightly. The example booking with coordination stress (late arrival and guide name mismatch—Antoni vs John) is the kind of hiccup that won’t ruin the trip, but it can sour your morning if you go in unprepared.

Also remember the 30 soles extra cost for lagoon and hot-spring entrances. If you forget that, you’ll feel it at the wrong time.

Should you book the 7 Lakes of Ausangate from Cusco?

Book it if you want a true Cusco region high-altitude day with seven lagoon viewpoints and a real recovery stop afterward. The combination of named lagoons, included meals, a guide, and Pacchanta hot springs is strong value for the money.

Skip it if altitude is a big risk for you, or if you want a low-effort day. This trip isn’t written for comfort. It’s written for people who can handle an early start, some elevation strain, and a hike that rewards you with unforgettable water-and-mountain views.

FAQ

What time does the tour usually start in Cusco?

The tour generally starts early in the morning, with pickup around 4:00 a.m.

How long is the hiking portion of the 7 lakes?

You’ll hike about 3.05 hours on the first segment, then about 2 hours on the second segment, with the lagoon visits included between.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes hotel pickup, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, an oxygen bottle, and drop-off near the historic center of Cusco.

Do I need to pay extra for the lagoons and the thermal baths?

Yes. The entrance fee to the lagoons and thermal baths is not included and is listed as 30 soles.

How high are the lakes?

The lakes are located more than 4,600 meters above sea level.

What should I bring for the hike?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, hiking shoes, water, rain gear, comfortable clothes, hiking pants, and trekking gear. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.