Seven lakes sounds romantic. Reality is better and tougher. This Cusco-region day trip goes straight into a natural high-mountain setting at the foot of Mount Ausangate.

I especially like the small group size (max 15) and the fact that you’re walking with a guide, not just being dropped on a trail. I also like that breakfast and lunch are built into the day, so you’re not hunting for food in remote places.

The main drawback to plan around is pace. You’re on your feet for hours, and even though you see all seven lakes, you may not get long, slow hanging-out time at each one.

Key Highlights Worth Marking

• 4:00 AM start with pickup in Cusco, designed to reach the lakes while you still feel human
• Viewpoint reveal where you first spot the seven lagoons together
• Seven-lake route with stops that match the lakes’ names: Superior, Rojo, Otorongo series, Ccomer, Laguna Azul, Alqa
• Pakanta hot springs opportunity (thermal bath entry is not included)
• Meals included: breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the main walk
• Comfort safety extras: walking sticks, first aid kit, and oxygen

Where the Seven Lakes Sit (and Why It Feels Special)

The Ausangate Seven Lakes tour takes place southeast of Cusco, in the region around Mount Ausangate. Instead of being a fenced-off viewpoint and gift-shop loop, this is a trail day in genuine high-country scenery. You’re moving through open mountain valleys where the air stays crisp and the colors can look almost unreal.

What makes it feel worthwhile is the mix of sights and motion. You don’t just reach one lake. You follow a route that brings you to multiple water basins with striking differences in mood and color, all under the big Ausangate backdrop. The tour also points out the broader environment, including local flora and fauna you might notice along the way.

One helpful detail: the lakes aren’t grouped as generic labels. You’ll encounter named spots including Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa. When your route has real names, it’s easier to pay attention and remember what you’re seeing.

The 4:00 AM Pickup: How the Day Gets Off the Ground

This is an early one. Pickup starts at 4:00 AM for hotels in Cusco’s historic center. Then you drive out toward Pacchanta, where you’ll have breakfast.

Why this matters: starting before full daylight usually means calmer conditions for the first part of the walk and better chances to enjoy views without the day getting too warm. It also fits the “one-day” format. You’re not spending multiple nights acclimating or stretching the itinerary into a week. You’re getting in and out, with a full walking day in between.

After the drive, breakfast in Pacchanta is your first real chance to fuel up. Bring a normal hiking breakfast appetite. You’ll still be walking well after you eat.

Breakfast in Pacchanta and the Trail Rhythm You’ll Need

Once breakfast is done, the tour begins the main walking part in and around Pacchanta. The day uses a simple structure: walk to a first viewpoint, then continue walking for hours to visit most of the lakes, then circle back.

The walking is described as about 2 hours to reach a viewpoint where you can see the seven lagoons, followed by another 3 hours of walking while visiting most of the lakes. That is a total of roughly 5 hours of hiking time, plus breaks, meals, and transit.

This is why the included walking sticks help. They’re there for the moments when the ground gets uneven or you’re tired of thinking about every step. Also, the tour includes a guide, so you’re not left guessing where to go or when to pause for photos.

Practical note: pack your daypack tight. You want easy access to sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and a camera. If you have snacks, this is one of those tours where having them can save you from feeling “okay for now” turning into “I’m suddenly starving.”

The First Big View: Spotting All Seven Lagoons at Once

The most cinematic moment early on is the viewpoint reveal. After about two hours of walking, you arrive at a spot where you can see the seven lakes of Ausangate together.

This is a smart design for a one-day tour. Seeing them all from one viewpoint gives you context. Once you know where everything sits relative to each other, the later stops feel more satisfying. You’re not just checking off lakes. You’re following a route inside a bigger picture.

What to expect at the viewpoint:

• Time for photos and a quick mental map of the day
• A strong sense of the mountain scale around you
• A moment to catch your breath and adjust your pace for the next stretch

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to take pictures without sprinting, you’ll appreciate having this built-in. If you hate waiting at photo spots, the good news is you’re not stuck here for hours. It’s a viewpoint, then it’s back on the trail.

Visiting the Seven Lakes: Names, Colors, and Limited Lake Time

After the viewpoint, you’ll keep walking and visiting most of the seven lakes, returning to Pacchanta for lunch afterward.

Here’s the trade-off you should understand: this is not a “linger at each shoreline” tour. You’re hiking through a route that includes lakes as key milestones. One review highlight points out that the lakes are visible and impressive, but time spent actually at the water can feel short. That matches the itinerary structure: two blocks of walking, plus lunch, plus transit back to Cusco.

Still, you’ll likely love this part if you enjoy:

• Moving through scenery rather than parking in one place
• Getting a sequence of views in a day
• Seeing multiple water basins that feel different from each other

The lake names are part of the fun. Expect to hear and look for places like Lake Rojo and Laguna Azul in particular. Even if the exact shade changes with weather and angle, the names give you anchors as you travel. You’ll also encounter the Otorongo duo (Lake Otorongo Hombre and Lake Otorongo) and Lake Alqa plus Lake Ccomer. Those labels help the day feel like a route with structure, not just wandering.

Also, the tour mentions you can admire mountain scenery, flora, and fauna. You might catch small wildlife activity or notice native plants along the path. You won’t feel like you’re only looking at water. You’ll be moving through a whole ecosystem.

Lunch in Pacchanta: Fuel Up Without Losing the Afternoon

After the main walking segment, you return to the starting point area in Pacchanta for lunch. This is the moment to refill energy before the drive back to Cusco.

One reason lunch is more important than it sounds on a hike tour: it’s your recovery. You’ve been walking since early morning. If lunch is good and filling, the ride back at the end of the day feels easier.

From the feedback you provided, lunch gets positive notes for using fresh products. That’s exactly what you want out here, where a random snack stop is not guaranteed.

After lunch, you start the return drive and are scheduled to arrive around 6:00 PM near Cusco’s main square. It’s a long day, but it ends in a predictable place.

Hot Springs at Pakanta: A Nice Bonus, Not a Guaranteed Soak

The tour description includes an opportunity to visit the community settlement of Pakanta and its hot springs.

The key detail is this: thermal bath entry fees are not included. So if the hot springs involve a pay-to-enter soak, you’ll likely need to handle that as an extra expense if you want to use them.

How to think about this:

• Treat hot springs as a bonus stop you can choose to use, not a core guarantee of a bath
• Bring cash if you want flexibility for small fees along the way
• If you’re short on energy, you can still enjoy the surroundings and skip paid thermal time without ruining your day

Either way, Pakanta adds a human element to the route. You get out of pure nature-only mode and see how communities sit alongside the high-mountain environment.

What’s Included (and What You’ll Have to Handle Yourself)

This tour is priced low, but it’s not low-effort. Included items matter here because they reduce “hidden stress” on a hike day.

Included:

• Pickup in selected areas of Cusco
• Roundtrip transportation
• Professional tour guide (English and Spanish)
• Breakfast and lunch
• First aid kit and oxygen
• Walking sticks

Not included:

• Horse ride
• Thermal bath entry fee
• Extra expenses

I like that the tour includes oxygen and a first aid kit. You can’t prevent emergencies from happening, but having basic safety readiness built into the plan is reassuring. The walking sticks also take the edge off fatigue, especially if your legs are already feeling heavy.

You’re still responsible for your own comfort and supplies. The tour’s “what to bring” list is clear: passport, sunglasses, sun hat (and/or hat), camera, snacks, sunscreen, water, cash, and a daypack.

And please follow the rules: no smoking, alcohol, or drugs. They’re not being fussy. High-altitude outdoor days are harder enough without extra issues.

Price and Value: Why This $37 Day Can Make Sense

The price listed is $37 per person for a 1-day tour. That sounds almost too cheap for a full day, but value is about what you get, not just the number.

Here’s what you’re paying for:

• Early pickup and roundtrip transportation out of Cusco
• A guide for a multi-hour walking day
• Breakfast and lunch
• Walking sticks plus basic safety support (first aid kit and oxygen)

For many travelers, transportation and a guide are the biggest costs inside tours like this. Meals also matter because you’re not shopping for food in the middle of nowhere. The hike itself is the main attraction, but the “support” around it is what keeps the experience smooth.

At the same time, don’t expect luxury comfort. This is a sporty outing in a natural setting with a schedule that keeps you moving. If you want a slow, lazy day where every lake gets long viewing time, you might find the pace feels brisk. If you want “see a lot, hike smart, go back before night,” this can be a very good deal.

Who Should Book This (and Who Should Think Twice)

This tour is best for travelers who are comfortable with strenuous walking. The provided notes from feedback mention that the hike is very demanding, and that the effort pays off for the views. One review also highlights a normal fitness level as workable, as long as you keep up with the pace and don’t fight the trail.

You’ll also enjoy it more if you:

• Like scenery that feels remote and not crowded
• Want a clear route with the seven lakes as your “scoreboard”
• Enjoy photography and viewpoints as part of the day

It is not suitable for:

• Wheelchair users
• People with respiratory issues
• People with pre-existing medical conditions

That’s a straightforward warning, and I’d take it seriously. This is a high-mountain walking day and you shouldn’t gamble with your health for photos.

Small Group Size and the Guide Factor (English/Spanish)

With a maximum group size of 15, you’re more likely to get personal attention than on huge bus tours. It also helps on a hike: the guide can keep track of everyone’s pace and needs without losing people in the crowd.

Your guide is available in English or Spanish. One review you provided specifically mentions a guide named Jonatan and praises the kindness and support along the route. Even if you don’t get the same person, the tour’s structure suggests you’re meant to walk together with guidance, not in isolation.

If you’re hoping for a tour where you can ask questions about what you’re seeing, small-group guiding is usually where you get that.

How to Prepare So You Actually Enjoy the Tough Parts

You’ll be walking for hours starting very early. Preparation turns stress into momentum.

Pack check:

• Water (enough for long walking gaps)
• Snacks (so you don’t wait until you’re wrecked)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Sun hat or hat
• Camera and a daypack
• Passport (requested)
• Cash (for extra expenses like possible hot spring fees)

Body prep:

• Wear hiking shoes with grip.
• Dress in layers you can manage as you warm up while walking.
• Bring a simple attitude: you’re going to be tired at some point. Then you’ll get the payoff.

A small practical tip: take your photos when you pause, not while rushing. The days biggest reward moments are the viewpoint and the sequence of named lakes. Get your bearings fast, then start shooting.

Should You Book the Ausangate Seven Lakes Tour?

Book it if you want a one-day hike with a real route, a maximum small group, and meals that keep the day functioning. The mix of early start, viewpoint reveal, and multiple named lakes fits travelers who like their beauty with a side of effort.

Skip it (or ask about alternatives) if you need long stops at each lake, if walking for about five hours is a no-go, or if you’re in any category listed as not suitable. This tour isn’t designed for slow strolling.

If you’re on the fence, here’s the decision shortcut: are you traveling for the journey on the trail as much as the photos? If yes, this is a strong value choice. If not, you may prefer a less active, more stationary day trip.

FAQ

What time does the tour pickup from Cusco?

The tour picks you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 AM (for hotels located within the historic center).

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour take?

It’s listed as a 1-day tour, with arrival back in Cusco around 6:00 PM near the main square.

What meals are included?

You get breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the main walking part.

How many lakes will I visit and what are they called?

You’ll visit seven lakes. Their names are Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa.

Is the horse ride included?

No. A horse ride is not included.

Are hot springs or thermal baths included?

Hot springs are mentioned as an opportunity, but thermal baths entry fees are not included.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring your passport, sunglasses, a sun hat/hat, camera, snacks, sunscreen, water, cash, and a daypack.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible or suitable for people with respiratory issues?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users and it is also not suitable for people with respiratory issues or pre-existing medical conditions.