From Cusco: Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals

The real draw here is the seven lakes beneath Mount Ausangate, where water colors shift from blue and green to red and deep earthy tones. You start early, hike from Pacchanta to a high viewpoint, then circle past most of the lakes before returning for lunch and optional hot springs.

I like the small group limit of 15 people, which makes a long mountain walk easier to manage, and I like that breakfast, lunch, sticks, oxygen, and a first aid kit are included. The main caution is the demanding 13-kilometer route, with about five hours of walking and little time sitting beside each lake.

• Seven named lakes: Superior, Otorongo Hombre, Otorongo, Rojo, Ccomer, Azul, and Alqa.
• Early departure: Pickup from selected historic-center hotels begins at 4:00 AM.
• Pacchanta base: Start and finish in the same community, with meals and optional hot springs.
• Mountain effort: Expect about two hours to the viewpoint and three more hours visiting the lakes.
• Useful inclusions: Breakfast, lunch, guide, walking sticks, oxygen, and first aid support.
• Small-group format: A maximum of 15 people keeps the outing more personal than a large coach trip.

Seven Lakes Beneath Ausangate

This day trip takes you southeast of Cusco to the community of Pacchanta, the practical starting point for the Ausangate Siete Lagunas route. The setting is entirely natural, with Mount Ausangate, broad mountain views, colorful water, local flora, and the chance to spot wildlife along the way.

The seven lakes have distinct names: Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa. You should not expect seven identical pools. Their colors and appearance vary, which is the point of the route. Some are blue or green, while Lake Rojo is known for its reddish tone.

I like this excursion because the scenery changes as you walk. The first reward is the broad view from the lookout after roughly two hours. The next part brings you closer to most of the lakes, so you get both a wide mountain panorama and more direct views of the water.

The setting also feels less built-up than many organized attractions around Cusco. There are no elaborate displays or staged performances here. You walk through a mountain environment, take in the colors, and return to Pacchanta for food and hot springs.

The 4:00 AM Start From Cusco

Pickup begins at 4:00 AM from hotels in selected parts of Cusco, including hotels within the historic center. That is an early alarm, but it serves a purpose: the tour needs enough daylight and road time to complete the walk and return to the city around 6:00 PM.

Round-trip transportation is included. The exact vehicle and road duration are not specified, so you should think of the morning transfer as part of a full-day outing rather than a quick ride to the trailhead.

Pack your daypack the night before. You will want water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, a camera, and cash. Your passport is also listed among the things to bring. Comfortable walking clothes and sturdy footwear are sensible choices for a five-hour mountain walk, though the activity information does not specify a footwear requirement.

The long day matters when you compare this tour with shorter Cusco excursions. You leave before sunrise and return near the main square at about 6:00 PM. This is not an easy add-on between other plans. Give it the whole day, and avoid scheduling a late activity afterward.

Breakfast in Pacchanta

The first stop is Pacchanta, where breakfast is served before the hike begins. This gives you a chance to eat before the more strenuous part of the day rather than relying only on snacks from your bag.

Pacchanta is also where the walking route begins and ends. That simple arrangement is useful. You do not finish at a different point and wait for a separate transfer. After the circuit, you return to the same community for lunch.

The tour also includes access to the community settlement of Pacchanta and the option to visit its hot springs. The thermal bath entry fee is not included, so bring cash if you want to soak. Since the hot springs are an optional extra rather than part of the listed price, ask your guide about timing and the current entrance cost on the day.

Two Hours to the Ausangate Viewpoint

From Pacchanta, the route climbs toward a viewpoint. The walk to this point takes about two hours, so you should expect a steady physical effort before seeing all seven lakes from above.

This viewpoint is one of the strongest moments of the day. You can see the group of lakes set against Mount Ausangate and the surrounding mountain scenery. On clear days, the contrast between colored water and snow-covered peaks can be striking. One account of the outing described the mountain summit, lakes, and snow as the kind of view that made the climb worthwhile.

Do not treat the viewpoint as a quick roadside stop. It comes after a real walk, and the physical demand is part of the experience. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. If you have any concern about the route or mountain conditions, you should get medical advice before booking.

The guide carries or provides safety equipment including oxygen and a first aid kit. That is reassuring, but it does not turn a demanding hike into an easy one. Oxygen is a precaution, not a replacement for being fit enough to walk the route.

Visiting Most of the Seven Lakes

After the viewpoint, you continue for roughly three more hours, visiting most of the seven lakes before returning to Pacchanta. The route is listed at about 13 kilometers in total, so the figures give you a good sense of the day: this is a substantial walk, not a gentle stroll.

The colors are the main visual prize. Lake Rojo offers the most unusual name and color, while Laguna Azul and Lake Ccomer suggest the cooler shades found along the route. Lake Otorongo and Lake Otorongo Hombre share similar names, and the full list also includes Lake Superior and Lake Alqa.

The exact amount of time spent at each lake is not stated. One useful detail from the available feedback is that the 13-kilometer route offered excellent views but limited time actually sitting beside the lakes. Keep that in mind if your priority is photography or quiet time at the water. You will see many sights, but the schedule needs to keep moving so the group can complete the circuit.

This is where a small group helps. With no more than 15 participants, the guide can keep an eye on the pace and gather people at viewpoints. Jonatan received particular praise for being kind and supportive throughout the walk, and for keeping a comfortable rhythm. That is important on a route where people may have different walking speeds.

The experience provider is Chullos Tours, and the guide service is offered in English and Spanish. You should confirm your preferred language when booking, since the information gives both options but does not promise that every departure has both languages.

Lunch and the Pacchanta Hot Springs

Once the walking circuit ends, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. Lunch is included, and fresh ingredients were specifically praised in the available feedback. That is welcome after several hours on the trail, especially since the tour also includes breakfast.

The meal is more than a minor convenience. At $37 per person, having two meals included makes the price easier to assess. You are paying for transportation, a guide, a full mountain route, breakfast, lunch, walking sticks, oxygen, and first aid support, rather than only paying for a vehicle and a short visit.

The hot springs are the natural way to finish the physical part of the outing. Entry is extra, and the tour information does not give the admission price. Bring cash if you want this option, and remember that time at the baths may need to fit within the group schedule.

If you are choosing between a quick viewpoint visit and a full day in the mountains, the Pacchanta finish gives this tour a stronger local shape. You begin and end in the same community, eat there, and have the chance to use the thermal baths. Just do not assume the bath entry is covered by the tour price.

What the $37 Price Really Covers

At $37, this is a low-cost full-day excursion from Cusco. The value is strongest if you want transport, food, a guide, and safety basics arranged in one booking.

The included services are practical:

• Pickup in selected Cusco areas
• Round-trip transportation
• English or Spanish-speaking guide
• Breakfast and lunch
• Walking sticks
• Oxygen
• First aid kit

You still need to budget for the thermal bath entrance, a horse ride if you choose one, snacks, drinks, and other personal costs. Horse rides are not included, so do not count on one as a free alternative if the hike becomes difficult.

The price also does not remove the need for preparation. Bring water, sunscreen, cash, and food for between meals. The suggested packing list includes snacks and a daypack, and both are useful on a route lasting around five hours.

For a small-group mountain day with two meals, the price is appealing. The trade-off is a long schedule and a physically demanding route. If you want a relaxed sightseeing day with lots of free time, this is not the best value for you. If you want to reach a striking natural area without arranging transport and meals yourself, it is a strong budget choice.

Who Should Book This Route

I would choose this tour if you want dramatic mountain scenery, unusual lake colors, and a full day outside Cusco. It suits people with normal physical fitness who are comfortable walking for several hours and starting very early.

It is especially good for:

• Hikers who want a full-day challenge
• Photographers who value changing colors and snowy mountain views
• Visitors looking for a natural setting away from city streets
• Budget-conscious visitors who want meals and transport included
• People who prefer a small group rather than a large bus tour

I would think twice if you have respiratory problems, a pre-existing medical condition, or difficulty with long walks. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the listed route is about 13 kilometers.

You should also consider your photography style. If you want to spend a long time composing pictures beside each lake, the schedule may feel rushed. The route visits most of the lakes, but the day is built around covering ground and returning to Pacchanta on time.

The 4.5 rating from 47 reviews suggests a strong overall response, with the best comments focusing on scenery, the guide’s support, the manageable rhythm for people of normal fitness, and the included meal quality. The less favorable point is clear too: the hike takes priority over lingering at the lakes.

Practical Packing and Safety Advice

Bring the items listed for the activity: passport, sunglasses, sun protection, hat, camera, snacks, water, cash, and a daypack. You may see both sun and cold mountain conditions during a long day outdoors, so practical layers are worth considering, although the official information does not provide a clothing list.

Walking sticks are included, which can help on the long route. Use them from the start rather than waiting until you feel tired. The guide also has oxygen and a first aid kit, but you should still pace yourself and speak up if you feel unwell.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The tour is also not designed for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cusco plans are still changing. Check availability for the exact departure time, since the day begins early.

Should You Book the Ausangate Seven Lakes Tour?

Book it if your idea of a good Cusco day includes a hard walk, bold natural colors, snow-covered mountain views, and a simple meal in a local community. The combination of a small group, English or Spanish guidance, included transport, and two meals gives the $37 price real value.

Skip it if you need an easy outing, dislike pre-dawn departures, or want to spend long, quiet stretches at each lake. The route covers about 13 kilometers, and the schedule allows limited time at the water.

For the right visitor, this is a memorable and fairly priced day in the Cusco Region. Go prepared for the effort, carry water and cash, and consider adding the Pacchanta hot springs if you want a warm finish after the walk.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour last?

The activity lasts one day. Pickup begins at about 4:00 AM, and arrival back in Cusco is expected around 6:00 PM near the main square.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from selected areas of Cusco, including hotels located within the historic center.

How far is the hike?

The route is about 13 kilometers in total. The schedule allows roughly two hours to reach the viewpoint and another three hours to visit most of the lakes and return to Pacchanta.

Which lakes are visited?

The seven named lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the walk, and lunch is provided after you return from the route.

Is the hot springs entrance included?

No. The thermal bath entrance fee is not included, so bring cash if you want to use the hot springs.

Is a horse ride included?

No. Horse rides are an extra cost.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with medical conditions?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.