Excursion: Explore in one day the 7 lakes of Ausangate from Cusco

Ausangate’s seven lakes give you a full day of big Andean scenery, hard walking, and very high altitude. From Pacchanta, you hike among alpacas and llamas toward lakes named Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha. Their colors shift from turquoise to emerald green beneath the snow-capped Ausangate range.

I like two things here. The scenery changes constantly, so the long ride and climb pay off with wide views, snowy peaks, and several lakes rather than one short photo stop. I also like the finish: hot springs in Pacchanta, followed by a simple local lunch. It gives your legs a useful break before the ride back.

The main caution is altitude. The lakes sit above 4,600 meters, and this is a 12-hour day with roughly four to five hours of walking. The pickup can also be poorly coordinated, so keep your phone available and confirm the meeting time the day before.

Key points to know before booking

• The lakes sit above 4,600 meters, making acclimatization more important than speed or fitness alone.
• The day begins around 4:00 a.m., with about three to three and a half hours in a van before breakfast.
• Pacchanta combines the hike, lunch, and hot springs, giving you a local community stop at both ends of the walk.
• Seven named lakes are included, with water colors ranging from turquoise to emerald green.
• The $35 price includes transport, guide, breakfast, lunch, and basic emergency equipment, but not the 30-sol entrance fee.
• Guide John has been praised for being calm and professional, while pickup communication has not always been smooth.

A pre-dawn start from Cusco

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Cusco, generally between 4:00 and 4:40 a.m. The exact timing matters because the drive to Pacchanta takes around three to three and a half hours. You will spend much of the morning in a van, so bring a warm layer, water, and patience.

The drop-off is near Cusco’s historic center at the end of the day rather than necessarily at your hotel. Arrival is usually around 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., giving you a very long day from door to door.

I would confirm the pickup time and guide’s name the day before. One recent booking had a scheduled pickup between 4:20 and 4:40, but the vehicle arrived at 5:00 after several unanswered calls. The walking and guiding later went well, yet that early confusion created avoidable stress. Have your phone number ready for the agency and keep your phone charged.

The drive is not just a transfer. It takes you from Cusco toward Pacchanta and the high country around Ausangate. Still, the early hour and rough length of the ride can be tiring before the hike even begins. If you prefer a relaxed morning or dislike long road journeys, this is the part of the day to consider carefully.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

After arriving in the community of Pacchanta, you receive a traditional Andean breakfast. The meal lasts about 30 minutes and is meant to give you fuel before the trail.

Do not expect a leisurely café breakfast. This is a practical stop before a high-altitude walk. Eat what you can, fill your water bottle, and use the pause to check your clothing and footwear.

Pacchanta also gives the day a local character that a simple roadside stop would not. The community provides the meals and the hot springs, so your money supports services connected with the village. The food is described as basic, plentiful, and tasty, which is exactly what you want before several hours on foot.

The seven-lake trail near Ausangate

The hike begins from Pacchanta and lasts about three hours on the first section, followed by a shorter return walk of about two hours. The full walking time is roughly four to five hours, depending on the group and conditions.

This is rated moderate to challenging. The distance is only part of the issue. At more than 4,600 meters, ordinary uphill walking can feel much harder than it would at home. You should spend two or three days in Cusco before taking this trip, allowing your body time to adjust to the altitude.

The trail passes through open mountain scenery, with views of Ausangate’s snowy peaks and high Andean plants. Alpacas and llamas may appear along the route, adding a welcome sense of place. You are not simply walking between viewpoints. You are moving through an environment shaped by grazing animals, high peaks, cold air, and changing weather.

Keep your pace steady and avoid racing ahead. The best strategy is short steps, regular water breaks, and enough food in your daypack to keep your energy level even. Your guide carries a first aid kit and an oxygen bottle, but these are safety provisions, not a substitute for acclimatization or sensible pacing.

The weather can change quickly at this elevation. Sun can feel intense, while cloud, wind, or rain can make the same trail cold. Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, rain gear, hiking pants, comfortable clothing, and proper hiking shoes. Trekking poles are useful, but the supplied information does not guarantee that they are included, so ask before departure if you want them.

What each of the seven lakes offers

The route includes Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha. Each lake has its own shape and color, although the exact appearance can vary with sunlight and weather.

Some water may look turquoise, while other pools appear green or darker under cloud. The appeal is the sequence. You keep reaching another body of water, another angle on the snowy mountains, and another reason to stop for a photograph.

The main seven-lake viewing period includes about 30 minutes for photographs and free time. That is enough for a group stop, but not an unlimited photography session at every lake. If you use a large camera, keep your setup simple and protect it from rain and cold.

The scenery is the strongest part of the tour. You can capture wide mountain views, colorful water, and the contrast between the pale snow-capped Ausangate range and the open terrain around it. The high altitude also gives the views a stark, exposed quality that feels very different from the greener areas around Cusco.

Do not judge the day only by the lake colors. Conditions may affect how bright they look, and the physical effort is part of the experience. The reward comes from seeing the lakes in succession and understanding the scale of the mountain setting.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch and hot springs

After the lake circuit, you walk back to Pacchanta. The return section is listed at about two hours, though the pace can vary. By now, your legs may be tired and the altitude may feel more noticeable, so this is a good time to focus on steady footing rather than rushing.

Lunch in Pacchanta lasts about 40 minutes. It is a typical Andean meal prepared by the local community. The food is described as simple, filling, and tasty. This is not a gourmet stop, but it provides the calories and rest you need after the trail.

Then comes the most comfortable part of the day: free time at the Pacchanta hot springs. You have about 30 minutes to soak while looking toward the Ausangate snow-capped range. After several hours of walking, warm water can make the return journey much more pleasant.

Bring swimwear and a small towel if you plan to use the pools, though those items are not listed among the supplied inclusions. The 30-sol entrance fee covers access to the lakes and thermal baths, and it is not included in the tour price. Keep some Peruvian soles ready rather than relying on a card.

The hot springs are a strong reason to choose this particular one-day outing. They do not replace the hike, but they give the day a clear finish and make the return to Cusco less punishing. The short visit also means you should not expect a long spa session. It is a brief soak before the van ride.

Transport, guide support, and the $35 value

At $35 per person, this is an inexpensive full-day trip. The price includes hotel pickup, round-trip transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, and an oxygen bottle. It also includes drop-off near Cusco’s historic center.

You still pay 30 soles for entrance to the lakes and hot springs. Add that cost when comparing tours. Even with the entrance fee, the package offers solid value if you want transport and meals arranged rather than organizing a private journey to Pacchanta.

The value depends on your tolerance for the schedule. You are paying for access to a remote high-altitude area without having to arrange the van, route, breakfast, lunch, and return ride yourself. You are also accepting a long day, basic meals, and a likely group pace.

The guiding can be a real strength. Guide John was described as nice and professional, and the walking was easier than expected for one person who had feared a tougher trek. That is useful context: the route may feel manageable for a reasonably fit, acclimatized person, but altitude can still make it demanding.

The guide’s actual name may vary, so do not assume John will lead every departure. The listed languages are English and Spanish. If clear communication matters to you, confirm your preferred language when booking.

Who should choose this Ausangate day trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want dramatic mountain scenery but do not have time for a multi-day Ausangate trek. It suits people who enjoy a physically active day, can handle a pre-dawn start, and want several viewpoints rather than a single famous photograph.

It also works well for budget-conscious visitors. Breakfast, lunch, transport, guiding, and emergency basics are bundled into a low headline price. The Pacchanta hot springs add a pleasant local touch that many mountain day trips lack.

This is not a good fit if you have heart, respiratory, or blood pressure problems without medical approval. It is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people over 65. Those restrictions are especially relevant because the trail is high, uneven, and physically demanding.

You should not book this as your first major activity immediately after landing in Cusco. Spend two or three days acclimatizing first. Altitude sickness can affect people who are otherwise fit, and no bottle of oxygen makes poor acclimatization a wise risk.

What to pack for the 4:00 a.m. departure

Use a small backpack that leaves your hands free. Pack:

• Water and energy snacks
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Hiking shoes with good support
• Hiking pants and comfortable layers
• Rain gear
• Trekking equipment you personally prefer
• Swimwear and a towel for the hot springs
• Peruvian soles for the 30-sol entrance fee

The supplied packing advice emphasizes water, sun protection, rain protection, and proper walking clothes. That combination is important because high-altitude conditions can shift from strong sun to cold rain during one outing.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. More importantly, avoid treating the day as a test of willpower. Tell the guide if you feel unwell, slow down when needed, and take the altitude seriously.

Should you book the seven lakes of Ausangate?

Book it if you want a demanding but manageable day of high mountain scenery, colorful lakes, local food, and hot springs at a low price. The strongest reasons are the number of viewpoints, the snowy Ausangate setting, and the useful combination of hiking and soaking in Pacchanta.

Skip it if you have not acclimatized, need a flexible schedule, or dislike long van rides and early starts. Also confirm pickup details the day before, since communication can be less reliable than the actual guide and driver.

For the right person, this is a lot of Peru in one long day. Just arrive acclimatized, pack for changing weather, and treat the 30-sol entrance fee and possible pickup confusion as part of your planning.

FAQ

How long does the seven lakes of Ausangate tour last?

The full excursion lasts about 12 hours. Pickup generally begins around 4:00 a.m., and return to Cusco is expected between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

Pickup is provided in Cusco. At the end, you are dropped off at a point near Cusco’s historic center.

How high are the seven lakes?

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

How much hiking is involved?

The hike takes approximately four to five hours in total. The itinerary lists about three hours and five minutes on the outward trail and about two hours on the return trail.

Which lakes are included?

The route includes Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the hike, and a typical Andean lunch is served after the walk.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. Entrance to the lakes and thermal baths costs 30 soles and is paid separately.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Spanish. The guide assigned to your departure may vary, so confirm your preferred language when booking.