Cusco : full day 7 lagoons with lunch

Ausangate’s seven lagoons give you a full day of bold scenery, from snowy mountain views to water in changing shades. You walk about 10 kilometers, then reward yourself in Pacchanta’s medicinal hot springs before lunch.

I like the simple rhythm: early pickup, breakfast, a long walk, a soak, and a hot meal. I also like the small-group limit of 15 and the fact that breakfast, lunch, a guide, walking sticks, and transport are included. The main drawback is the cramped van reported by one customer, and the hike may feel like a lot for anyone unused to a full day on foot.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lagoons in one walk: Visit the chain of lagoons near the Ausangate snow-capped mountain on a route of about 10 kilometers.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome finish: Soak in its thermal medicinal waters after the hike, with the bath fee paid separately.
• Breakfast and lunch are included: You begin with breakfast in Pacchanta and return there for lunch after the walk.
• Budget price, extra entrance fees: The tour costs $43 per person, but the seven-lagoon entrance fee and hot-spring fee are not included.
• Small group, basic transport: Groups are limited to 15, though one recent booking found the van very small and uncomfortable.
• A very early start: Pickup is around 4:30 a.m., with a return to Cusco expected around 7:00 p.m.

Why the seven lagoons are worth a full day

This is not a quick viewpoint stop. You spend the main part of the day walking through the countryside southeast of Cusco, visiting seven lagoons connected with the Ausangate area.

The appeal comes from variety. The water takes on different colors, while the snowy mountain gives the route a dramatic backdrop. You also have a chance to see local flora and fauna along the way, though no detailed wildlife program is provided.

I like this kind of outing because the walk gives the scenery room to change. You are not simply stepping out of a vehicle, taking a photo, and leaving. The route takes about 10 kilometers, so you get a proper day outdoors and time to appreciate the area at a slower pace.

That distance matters. Ten kilometers is manageable for many fit walkers, but it is not a casual stroll. You should be comfortable spending several hours on your feet and wearing proper walking shoes. The tour does provide walking sticks, which can help with balance and reduce strain.

The day takes place rain or shine. Pack for changing weather and do not treat the excursion as a flexible city tour. If the weather turns wet, the walk still goes ahead.

The 4:30 a.m. pickup from Cusco

The day begins early, with pickup around 4:30 a.m. from selected areas of Cusco, preferably in the historic center. This timing allows the group to reach Pacchanta in time for breakfast and complete the walk, hot springs, and lunch before returning to the city.

An early pickup can be hard after a few busy days in Cusco, but it is part of the bargain here. The tour lasts a full day, and the return is planned for around 7:00 p.m. You should expect most of the day to be taken up by transport, walking, meals, and the thermal baths.

Pickup is available only in selected parts of Cusco, so check your lodging location before paying. If you are staying outside the preferred pickup area, you may need to reach an agreed meeting point.

The transport deserves a realistic note. One booking from Ireland found the van very small, with barely enough room to move in the seats. That is the clearest comfort concern in the available feedback. Another booking praised the pickup for being on time, so punctuality appears to be a strong point, but vehicle space may vary by departure.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the walk

When you reach Pacchanta, breakfast gives you a useful start before the hike. It is included in the $43 price, which saves you from arranging an early meal in Cusco.

This is more than a minor convenience. With a 4:30 a.m. pickup and a 10-kilometer route ahead, you need food before setting off. You can also use this pause to organize your clothing, water, and walking gear before the main activity begins.

The supplied details do not specify the breakfast menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of it as a practical group meal that starts the day in Pacchanta.

After breakfast, the guide leads you toward the first lagoon. From there, the walk continues through the area around Ausangate, with the seven lagoons forming the main focus of the route.

Walking from the first lagoon to the seventh

The tour visits the first lagoon and then continues on foot to the remaining lagoons. The total route is about 10 kilometers, giving you a chance to see the colors of the water from several points rather than from a single overlook.

The snowy Ausangate mountain is the visual anchor. The mountain view helps explain why this outing is popular, but the lagoons provide the changing details. Their colors and shapes give the route its character, while the surrounding nature adds a quieter side to the day.

The guide is available in English or Spanish and leads a small group of no more than 15 participants. That size should make it easier to stay with the group and ask questions than on a large coach excursion. The tour description does not name the guide, so you will learn who is leading your departure when you meet the group.

This is best approached as an outdoor excursion, not a museum-style guided tour. The supplied information promises help with the route and access to the scenery, but it does not promise a long specialist talk about geology, ecology, or local history.

You receive walking sticks and access to a first aid kit as part of the included service. Those are useful touches on a route of this length. Still, you remain responsible for bringing comfortable shoes and pacing yourself. The operator does not include horse use, so a horse is not part of the standard package. If you think you may need one, ask before departure rather than assuming it will be available.

Pacchanta hot springs after the hike

The return to Pacchanta brings the day’s most welcome change of pace: its thermal medicinal waters. After several hours on the route, the hot springs offer a chance to sit, rest, and enjoy the setting before lunch.

The entrance fee is not included, so bring extra money for the baths. The same applies to the seven-lagoon entrance fee, listed as $5 or 15 soles. These charges are small compared with the overall tour price, but they affect the true cost.

I like the order of the day. The walk comes first, when you have the most energy, and the hot springs come afterward, when a soak feels useful rather than optional. You should bring what you need for the bath, though the provided details do not specify changing-room arrangements or towel rental.

The springs are not a substitute for the hike. The tour’s main attraction remains the seven-lagoon route and Ausangate view. The thermal baths make the ending more comfortable and give you a distinct local stop before lunch.

Lunch and the return to Cusco

After the hot springs, you return to the community for lunch. Lunch is included, and one booking specifically liked both the food and the guide. Another booking described the staff as friendly, which fits the practical, group-oriented nature of the day.

No menu is given, so do not count on a particular meal. You can expect lunch to be part of the organized schedule rather than an independent restaurant choice.

The group then returns to Cusco, with arrival planned for around 7:00 p.m. This makes the tour easy to fit into a wider Cusco plan, but only if you leave the evening open. I would not schedule a late restaurant reservation, show, or airport transfer too close to that time.

The long day also shapes the value. You are paying for round-trip transport, two meals, a professional guide, walking sticks, and first aid support, not only for entry to the lagoons. At $43 per person, that is a reasonable package for someone who wants transport and meals arranged without planning the route independently.

What the $43 price really includes

At $43, this is a low-cost full-day excursion with several practical inclusions:

• Pickup in selected Cusco areas
• Round-trip transportation
• Breakfast
• Professional guide
• Lunch
• Walking sticks
• First aid kit
• English or Spanish service
• A group limited to 15 participants

You still pay separately for the seven-lagoon entrance, listed at $5 or 15 soles, and the thermal baths. Horse use is also excluded.

That price makes sense if you value convenience. You do not need to organize transport to Pacchanta, find breakfast before dawn, arrange lunch, or work out how to combine the lagoons and hot springs on your own.

The tradeoff is comfort and control. The van may be tight, and you follow the group’s schedule. If you prefer a spacious vehicle, private stops, or a slower pace chosen entirely by you, a private tour may suit you better, though it would likely cost more.

The average rating supplied for this experience is 3.7 from six reviews. The strongest praise centers on the scenery, friendly service, timely pickup, guide, and food. The main caution is the cramped van. One person also felt the outing did not match expectations, despite finding the views very beautiful. That tells you to book for nature and a long group day, not for luxury transport or a highly customized program.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a structured way to see the seven lagoons and do not want to arrange transport yourself. It suits active visitors who enjoy a full day outside and appreciate having breakfast, lunch, and a guide included.

It is also a good choice if the Pacchanta hot springs appeal to you. The combination of walking and soaking gives the day more range than a simple viewpoint visit.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, cramped vehicles, or long walks. The tour begins around 4:30 a.m., continues for about 10 kilometers, and returns around 7:00 p.m. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with respiratory issues.

Bring your passport or ID card and comfortable shoes. Since the tour runs rain or shine, practical clothing matters. Keep extra soles or dollars ready for the two entrance fees, and leave enough room in your evening schedule for a possible delay.

Should you book the seven lagoons tour?

Book it if you want strong scenery, a clear all-day plan, and good basic value at $43. The Ausangate views, seven colorful lagoons, Pacchanta hot springs, breakfast, and lunch make this a useful package for an active day from Cusco.

Skip it if vehicle comfort is a priority or if you want a short, easy outing. The route is long, the start is early, and the van may feel cramped. For the right person, this is a practical nature day with a satisfying hot-spring finish, as long as you budget for the extra entrance fees and arrive ready to walk.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts one full day. Pickup is around 4:30 a.m., and the return to Cusco is expected around 7:00 p.m.

Where does the tour go?

The tour travels southeast of Cusco to the community of Pacchanta and the seven lagoons near the Ausangate snow-capped mountain.

How far is the hike?

The walking route is approximately 10 kilometers and visits all seven lagoons.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the hike begins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served after the group returns to Pacchanta from the walk and hot springs.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. The entrance to the seven lagoons costs $5 or 15 soles. The thermal-bath entrance fee is also separate.

Are the thermal baths included?

No. You can enjoy the thermal medicinal waters of Pacchanta, but you pay the entrance fee separately.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.