Turquoise lagoons at altitude are a shock. This 7 Lakes with hot springs outing takes you from Cusco into the Vilcanota region for glacier-fed colors that look unreal, plus a soak in the Andes.

What I like most is the way the scenery changes as you move from one lagoon to the next, with Ausangate looming in the background. The other big win is the human side: a local family welcomes you for breakfast and makes the morning feel personal.

One thing to consider: the day starts early and includes a fairly demanding uphill stretch, with parts well above 4,000 meters. If altitude is already a struggle for you, you’ll want to plan carefully and go at a slow pace.

Key highlights worth knowing before you go

• A home-style breakfast in Pacchanta with Andean ingredients before the hiking begins
• A first climb of about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake, with trekking poles included
• Seven lagoons tied to the Ausangate glacier zone, including Comercocha and Alqacocha
• Buffet lunch using locally grown products after the hiking loop
• Optional hot springs with a short time window, plus an extra entrance fee and a swimsuit need
• Safety gear for altitude and emergencies, including a first-aid kit and an oxygen bottle

Turquoise Lakes and the Ausangate Glacier: The Real Reason This Trip Works

The Ausangate area has a way of making your brain reset. One moment you’re driving through Andean villages and watching daily life unfold. The next, you’re staring at water that looks painted—greens and blues so bright they don’t feel possible in real life.

The route is built around lagoons fed by the Ausangate glacier, so you’re not just collecting pretty photos. You’re seeing how water, ice, and terrain connect. That’s why the colors feel different lagoon to lagoon, instead of being the same view repeated seven times.

And yes, the views are the headline. But I also think the day’s structure matters: you’re guided to the lakes, given a clear rhythm (walk, pause, move, repeat), and then you get meals and a practical break before the hot springs option. It’s not just a trek—it’s a long, guided experience that keeps you from feeling lost.

From Cusco to Pacchanta: Villages, Costumes, and an Andean-ingredient Breakfast

The day begins with pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco. Then you head south for about three hours through villages and countryside where you’ll notice traditional costumes and everyday local life. One stop that’s worth paying attention to is Ccatcca, where you can see women still wearing traditional dress and narrow streets connected to older ways of living.

After that, you continue toward Pacchanta, a municipality above 4,000 meters. This is where the trip turns from scenery into culture. A local family welcomes you into their home and serves breakfast made with Andean ingredients. It’s a simple moment, but it’s the kind of meal that helps you pace yourself for altitude and hiking.

By the time you’re done eating and spending a little time in the village, you’re also in the right mental mode. You’re not rushing straight to the first lake. You’re warming up—literally with food and warmly with the local attitude you meet along the way.

Entering the Vilcanota Range: Snow-Capped Ausangate and Your Morning Stretch

As you head toward the Vilcanota mountain range, you’ll get your first big look at snow-capped Ausangate. Even before you start the serious walking, that view sets expectations for the day: this is high-altitude Peru, with cold air and big sky.

Then comes the first hike. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake, and it’s the most strenuous part of the adventure. Trekking poles are included, and they’re not a gimmick—they help a lot when you’re stepping over uneven ground while your body is working overtime at elevation.

My advice here is plain: slow down on purpose. Shorter steps help. If you feel your breathing turning fast, don’t fight it. Let the guide’s pace become your pace. You’ll enjoy the lakes more when you’re not spent.

Comercocha and Alqacocha: Why These Two Lakes Feel Like They Don’t Belong

Once you’re moving through the lagoon area, the trip focuses on several lakes with distinct looks. Two of the most memorable are Comercocha and Alqacocha, described as green and turquoise lakes at the foot of the glacier.

This is the part of the day where you’ll stop repeating the word pretty in your head. The colors are the hook, but the setting is what keeps you looking longer: the mountains, the cold air, and the glacier influence in the background. It’s the kind of landscape that makes you want to zoom in on details—water texture, reflections, and the way the light shifts as clouds pass.

You’ll also get time to photograph along the way. The tour doesn’t rush you like a factory line, but it still keeps moving. That balance is key because the high-altitude conditions don’t stay comfortable for long if you overheat, then cool down, then overthink what you forgot to pack.

The Return Loop: Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha

On the way back toward Pacchanta, the route passes additional lagoons: Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha. This portion is where the trip feels like a moving gallery. You’ll see how each lagoon has its own personality rather than being a carbon copy of the last stop.

Photo time happens here too, and the pacing matters. From arrival at the first lagoon until you return to the restaurant, the total time you spend on lagoons and walking is about 2.5 hours. In other words, you’ll have enough time to enjoy the lakes without feeling stuck all day in cold wind.

What I like about the way this is scheduled: you get both the payoff lakes first, then the extra stops on the return when your legs are already warmed up. It’s a smarter flow than doing everything in a single straight line.

Lunch at the Host Family: A Real Break Before the Optional Hot Springs

After the hiking and lagoon time, you’ll head back to the host family’s home. Lunch is served as a buffet with locally grown natural products.

This is another practical moment. You’re high up, you’ve been walking, and you likely worked up a hunger that feels stronger than normal. Even if you’re picky, the goal here is to refuel so you don’t feel drained before the next activity.

One caution from real-world expectations: some people find the meals basic or not very seasoned. If you know you’re sensitive about flavor, I’d plan a small snack strategy so you’re not relying entirely on one buffet to carry your appetite.

Optional Hot Springs at High Altitude: How to Time the Soak

After lunch, you’ll have about 40 minutes to visit the hot springs. The hot springs visit is optional, and you should bring a swimsuit. If you choose to go in, it’s a nice contrast to the cold air and the icy feeling that can build during the hike.

There’s also an extra entrance fee for the hot springs (PEN 5.00). So budget for that if you think you’ll actually want the soak.

Here’s the practical trick: go prepared for temperature whiplash. You’ll likely be warm in the water and then chilly again when you step out. Pack layers, wear something you can change into fast, and don’t linger longer than the scheduled time if you’re already getting cold.

Guides and Group Energy: When the Personality Matters

A guided day in this region lives or dies on energy. You’ll have an English/Spanish speaking professional tour guide, and this matters because the day includes altitude, pacing, and frequent stops for photos and short walks between lagoons.

In the real world, guides can make the experience feel fun instead of stressful. I’ve seen names like Felipe and Tony come up, with their enthusiasm turning the hike into something you remember for the right reasons. Even if your guide doesn’t sound like a movie star, you’ll still benefit from their ability to keep things moving and help you read conditions on the ground.

This is also where trekking poles and pacing coaching help most. A good guide helps you focus on breathing and steps, not panic.

Price and Value: Is $38 a Fair Deal for 15 Hours?

At about $38 per person for a 15-hour day, this tour is trying to deliver a lot: roundtrip transportation from Cusco, breakfast and lunch buffet, a professional guide in English/Spanish, trekking poles, and safety equipment (first-aid plus an oxygen bottle). That’s not nothing.

You do have added costs: an entrance fee for the lake area (PEN 20.00) and an additional hot springs fee (PEN 5.00). So your true total is a bit higher than the headline price, depending on what you do.

Still, I think the value makes sense for a couple reasons:

• You’re paying for altitude logistics (transport + guide + pacing) more than for one single viewpoint.
• Meals and equipment are included, which matters on a long day starting early.
• Safety gear is part of the package, which is especially important at elevation.

If you’re the type who hates group schedule pressure, then the price won’t feel worth it. But if you want a guided route to multiple lagoons without having to figure out timing and logistics yourself, this is a solid deal.

What to Bring (and What Will Save Your Day)

This is high altitude and cold enough to feel it in your hands. Pack like the weather could change fast because it can.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes (good grip matters on uneven ground)
• Warm clothing layers you can adjust as you walk and then stop
• Camera (you’ll want it for the color shifts)
• Sunscreen (altitude sun is no joke)
• Water
• Optional but smart: swimsuit for the hot springs

And one more small idea: if you’re worried about food being bland or simple, pack a small snack for backup. It’s not dramatic, and it takes almost no space.

Altitude Reality Check: Who This Tour Fits Best

This experience is not for everyone. It visits areas over 4,000 meters and includes a strenuous uphill section. The tour also isn’t suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you’re generally healthy and acclimatized to Cusco (or at least moving slowly and listening to your body), you’ll likely be fine. But you need a strategy: slow steps, frequent pauses if needed, warm layers, and no hero mode.

The short hot springs window is also worth noting. If you’re the kind of person who loves long soaks, 40 minutes may feel limited. It’s meant as a recovery moment, not a full spa session.

Should You Book This 7 Lakes + Hot Springs Day Trip?

Book it if you want a long, guided day that mixes seriously colorful lagoons, a glacier backdrop, local hospitality, and a possible hot springs reset. It’s especially worth it if you like your sightseeing organized and you don’t want to juggle routes at high elevation.

Skip it (or choose a gentler option) if altitude is a problem for you, if strenuous walking sounds stressful, or if you need lots of control over timing. Also be realistic about meals: breakfast and lunch are included, but you may want a backup snack if you’re picky about flavor.

If you go in prepared and pace yourself, this is the kind of Peru day that sticks.

FAQ

How long is the Cusco 7 Lakes with hot springs tour?

It lasts about 15 hours.

Where does the tour start and how is transportation handled?

You get pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco, and roundtrip transportation is included.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are pickup, roundtrip transportation, breakfast, lunch buffet, an English/Spanish speaking professional guide, first-aid equipment plus an oxygen bottle for emergencies, and trekking poles.

What costs extra during the tour?

There is an entrance fee (PEN 20.00), and the hot springs have an additional entrance fee (PEN 5.00).

Is the hot springs visit included?

The hot springs visit is optional. You’ll have about 40 minutes and should bring a swimsuit if you plan to go.

What altitude should I expect?

You’ll visit areas over 4,000 meters above sea level.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a camera, sunscreen, water, and a swimsuit if you want to use the hot springs.

What languages is the guide available in?

The tour guide speaks English and Spanish.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

It’s not suitable for children under 2 years old, pregnant women, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.