From Cusco: 7 Lagoons Tour

The seven lagoons of Ausangate give you a full day of high Andes scenery, not a quick roadside photo stop. From Pacchanta, you walk about 10 kilometers through open mountain country, with the first lagoon roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes away, then continue from one body of water to the next.

I like two things right away: the route is quieter than some of Cusco’s better-known day trips, and the hot springs at Pacchanta give your legs a welcome rest afterward. Breakfast and lunch are included, too, which makes the $35 price quite fair. The main concern is the high altitude and early transport pickup. This is a demanding day, and one serious pickup mix-up has caused a poor experience for at least one booking.

Key points before you book

• The hike covers about 10 kilometers: Allow around five hours for the walking portion, with the first lagoon taking about 90 minutes to reach.
• Ausangate creates the setting: Snowy Ausangate and the surrounding Andes make the lagoons the main event, with mountain vegetation and wildlife along the route.
• Pacchanta adds the recovery stop: You can pay 5 soles to use the hot springs after the hike.
• Meals are included: Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch comes after the hot springs.
• Altitude matters: The route feels harder than its distance suggests, especially if you are not used to exercise or high mountain conditions.
• Guiding can be personal: Guillermo has been praised for an easygoing approach and good photos, while Frank has taken care with people affected by altitude.

Why the seven Ausangate lagoons are worth the long day

This tour is built around variety. You do not hike to one viewpoint, take a picture, and turn back. You move through the Andes to see seven lagoons, each set among mountain slopes, natural vegetation, and the presence of snowy Ausangate.

The exact colors and appearance of mountain water can change with weather and light, so you should come for the setting rather than a guaranteed postcard shade. The appeal is the combination of multiple lagoons, high peaks, open ground, and the feeling of being well away from city traffic.

The route also has a useful advantage over more crowded Cusco outings. A June visit found the trail peaceful and less crowded than other popular destinations. That matters if you prefer quiet walking and time to look around without a steady stream of people passing your photo spot.

Still, quiet mountain walking is not the same as an easy walk. The route is around 10 kilometers and takes about five hours, with the first lagoon already 1 hour and 30 minutes away. The high elevation makes the effort sharper, even if you exercise regularly.

The early road from Cusco to Pacchanta

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Cusco. The instructions ask you to wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and the departure is very early. One booking had a planned 4:30 AM pickup, so you should expect a pre-dawn start rather than a relaxed morning departure.

Transport is included, which is important here. Pacchanta is the base for breakfast, the walking route, hot springs, and lunch, so having the road transfer arranged saves you from piecing together several connections yourself.

The weak point is reliability. One group waited from 4:30 AM until after 5:20 AM, then learned there was no room on the bus. A car eventually arrived at 6:30 AM, but the delay meant the group had to eat quickly and catch up with another guide. That is not a reason to reject the scenery, but it is a reason to confirm the pickup details the day before and keep the provider’s contact number handy.

The operator is Viajeros a Peru. English and Spanish guiding are available. Since early departures and mountain roads leave little room for confusion, make sure your hotel lobby location and pickup time are clear.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the climb

Breakfast is served in the community of Pacchanta before you begin the walk. This is a practical stop, not just a meal. You need food before several hours on foot, and eating near the trail keeps the day moving.

The included meals have received strong praise for taste and usefulness. Breakfast and lunch are served through the local community, giving the day a direct connection to Pacchanta rather than treating it only as a transport point.

You should still think about what you personally need for a high-altitude hike. The supplied information does not specify the menu, so do not rely on a particular dish or dietary option unless you confirm it before booking. If you need extra snacks, carrying your own is sensible, especially since the walk is long.

The five-hour route through the Andes

After breakfast, the group heads into the Andes to visit the seven lagoons connected with Ausangate. The first is about 90 minutes away, then the route continues to the remaining lagoons. The total distance is approximately 10 kilometers, and the walking time is about five hours.

That first stretch sets the tone. You have to work for the views, and the altitude can be the real challenge. One person described the hike as intense despite having completed several other hikes. Another called it medium difficulty but noted that it was manageable for people who do not normally exercise.

Those comments point to a useful middle ground. This is not presented as an extreme mountaineering trip, but it is also not a casual stroll. Your pace, fitness, and response to elevation will shape the day. If you are unsure, ask the guide to explain the current conditions and keep your pace steady from the start.

The guide’s role matters here. Frank has been praised for checking on people with altitude sickness, and Guillermo for his relaxed manner and photography. Those are valuable qualities on a route where the best guide is not the one who rushes, but the one who keeps the group together and notices when someone needs a pause.

There is also an option to hire horses at the beginning of the route. The supplied details do not state the price or how long a horse can be used, so ask before setting out if you think you may need help. Do not wait until you are exhausted to raise the question.

The scenery includes natural vegetation and local fauna, but the main draw is the scale of the Andes around the lagoons. Take care with the fragile natural surroundings. The instruction to be cautious is worth taking seriously: stay attentive on the route, follow the guide, and avoid treating the area as a place for careless shortcuts or rough handling of the environment.

Pacchanta hot springs after the walk

After the lagoon route, you return to Pacchanta for the hot springs. This is the tour’s smartest bit of pacing. Five hours on foot at altitude can leave your legs tired, and a warm soak gives you time to relax before the meal and the long ride back to Cusco.

Entry to the hot springs is optional and costs 5 soles. That fee is not included in the tour price, so carry local cash. If you want the soak, this is a small extra cost for one of the day’s most welcome stops.

The hot springs are not the main reason to choose this tour, but they make the full-day format more rewarding. You get a clear change of pace: mountain walking first, warm water later, then lunch. If you would rather save the money or prefer not to use the pools, you can skip them.

Facilities are a point to watch. One account specifically raised concerns about the condition and availability of bathrooms as the route becomes more popular. Keep your expectations practical, and use facilities when they are available rather than assuming the next stop will be better.

Lunch, then the long return to Cusco

Lunch follows the hot springs in Pacchanta. Like breakfast, it is included and served in the community. The timing makes sense, since you will have finished the main physical part of the day and can eat before the return journey.

The food has been described as very good, which adds value to the $35 cost. You are not paying only for a bus ride to a viewpoint. The package includes transport, a bilingual guide, two meals, the lagoon route, and the chance to add the hot springs for 5 soles.

The return to Cusco is expected around 7:00 PM. This makes the outing a genuine full-day commitment. Do not plan an important evening reservation immediately after the tour, since mountain transport and a delayed start could push the schedule later.

What the $35 price really covers

At $35 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach a remote high-altitude area from Cusco. Transport alone can make independent access complicated, and the included breakfast and lunch reduce the number of extra expenses during the day.

You still need to budget for the 10-sol entry ticket and, if you want the soak, 5 soles for Pacchanta hot springs. Those are modest additions, but the tour is not quite an all-inclusive $35 day.

The value is strongest for you if you want a guided route and do not want to arrange transport, meals, and the community visit separately. It is also good value if quiet scenery matters more to you than polished facilities.

The price comes with a trade-off. Budget day trips can have less consistent transport coordination, and the early pickup problem described above is serious. The company eventually arranged a car, but the delay and lack of clear responsibility created a rough start. Confirm everything in advance and judge how much logistical risk you are comfortable accepting.

Who should choose this hike

I would choose this tour if you want a demanding but manageable day in the high Andes, enjoy walking for several hours, and like the idea of seeing several lagoons rather than one famous viewpoint.

It suits people who value:

• Mountain scenery over city sightseeing
• A quieter route
• Included meals
• A Spanish or English guide
• A hot spring stop after a long walk
• A low advertised price

I would be more cautious if you do not normally exercise, have concerns about high altitude, or need a tightly timed evening plan. The distance is not enormous on paper, but the elevation can make it feel much harder.

This also may not suit you if clean, well-developed facilities are a top priority. Bathroom service needs attention, and the route is becoming more popular. The setting remains natural, but the support facilities may not match the beauty around them.

Practical advice for a better day

Arrive in the lobby before pickup time, not at the scheduled minute. The day begins early, and a missed connection can be difficult to fix once the group has left Cusco.

Bring local cash for the 10-sol entry ticket and the optional 5-sol hot springs fee. The tour includes meals, but carrying extra snacks is sensible for a five-hour walk.

Take the altitude seriously. Walk at a steady pace, tell the guide early if you feel unwell, and do not try to prove anything by pushing through symptoms. Frank’s careful attention to altitude problems is exactly the kind of support you want from a guide.

If you are interested in a horse, ask about the option at the start of the route. The available information confirms that horses may be hired at the beginning, but it does not give the cost or full terms.

Finally, keep the evening free. The planned return is around 7:00 PM, but a 4:30 AM pickup and a long mountain day can involve delays.

Should you book the Ausangate lagoons tour?

Book it if the main goal is big mountain scenery, a quieter trail, and a full day outdoors at a low price. The seven lagoons, snowy Ausangate, included meals, and Pacchanta hot springs make a strong package.

I would book with two cautions: prepare for a serious high-altitude walk, and confirm the pickup carefully with Viajeros a Peru. Guides such as Guillermo and Frank appear to add real value, but transport coordination has not always been dependable.

For a fit person who wants a more peaceful alternative to heavily visited Cusco sights, this is a worthwhile choice. For anyone seeking an effortless outing or polished facilities, choose something gentler.

FAQ

Where does the 7 Lagoons Tour take place?

The tour travels from Cusco to the community of Pacchanta in the Cusco Region, then continues into the Andes to visit the seven lagoons of Ausangate.

How long does the tour last?

It is a one-day tour, with a planned return to the city of Cusco around 7:00 PM.

How long is the walking route?

The route is approximately 10 kilometers and takes about five hours. The first lagoon is about a 1 hour and 30 minute walk from the starting point.

Is transport from Cusco included?

Yes. Transport and hotel pickup in the city of Cusco are included.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is served after the hot springs visit.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A bilingual live guide is included, with English and Spanish available.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $35 per person.

Are entrance fees included?

No. The entry ticket costs 10 soles and is not included in the tour price.

Do I have to visit the Pacchanta hot springs?

No. The hot springs are optional. Entry costs 5 soles if you choose to go in.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers reserve now and pay later booking.