Apu Ausangate looms above seven lagoons. This full-day Cusco tour takes you from a pre-dawn start in the city to snow-capped Andean views and turquoise, blue, and green mountain lakes that can look like natural mirrors. I especially like how the route builds in a gentle rhythm, with a slow ascent and guided stops so you can actually take photos, not just survive the hike.

Two big wins for me: the thermo-medicinal hot springs afterward, and the fact that meals are included so you are not scrambling for food at altitude. The main consideration is the timing and altitude demands, with pickup around 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and a long day on your feet. Also, it is not suitable if you have altitude sickness or high blood pressure.

Key things I’d watch for

• Early start, then full alpine payoff with hotel pickup before sunrise
• Five-hour hike round trip with a gradual ascent and multiple lagoon stops
• Seven specific lagoons named out for you, from Azulcocha to China Otorongo
• Nature sightings along the way, including alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas
• Hot springs relaxation in Pacchanta after lunch, with thermal entry as an extra cost

Sunrise Pickup and the Drive to Pacchanta

This is a long-day outing, so logistics matter. You get picked up from your accommodation in Cusco between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., then ride in tourist transport for about 3 hours toward Pacchanta.

What I like about the way the day is paced is that the hardest part, the hike, comes after you’ve reached the trail area and had breakfast. That is a smart sequence in high altitude, where skipping food or moving too fast too soon can put you behind.

One practical tip for this part: plan to bundle up even before you leave. Cusco mornings can feel colder than you expect, and you’ll start early enough that warm clothes will actually matter.

Pacchanta Breakfast, Then a Gradual Ascent on Foot

Once you reach Pacchanta, you get breakfast (about 30 minutes) and then start walking. The hike lasts 5 hours round trip, and the route is designed to ascend little by little, not in one brutal push. That slow build is exactly what you want on a tour like this, where your goal is photos and views, not gasping.

Your guide keeps the day organized, and you’ll also have time to absorb what’s around you along the way. The trail takes you past different colored lagoons and viewpoints, so even if you are moving steadily, the scenery keeps changing.

This is also the moment where you should set your mindset. Expect cold air, intense sun when clouds split, and a steady pace. The tour is described as rain or shine, so you should assume you’ll hike in whatever the weather brings.

Seven Lagoons in Seven Colors: Azulcocha to China Otorongo

The headline is the lagoon circuit, visiting a set of named lakes on the route. You’ll work your way through:

• Azulcocha
• Otorongo
• Pucacocha
• Alqacocha
• Q’omercocha
• Orqo Otorongo
• China Otorongo

If you love photography, you’ll get plenty of chances. Some lagoons are large and can look like natural mirrors, which means sky and mountain reflections can make the same lake feel completely different as clouds move. You’re also rotating through colors described as blue, turquoise, and green, and that variety helps keep you focused during the long trek.

A nice detail is how the stops are integrated into the hike, not bolted on like a checklist. You ascend gradually until the first lagoon, and then keep moving lagoon to lagoon as the scenery changes. That makes the day feel more like a route through a high Andean world than a quick photo stop.

One consideration: the time on trail is fixed, so if you stop every 30 seconds for photos, you might feel rushed later. A better rhythm is to pause when you’re at a viewpoint and then move on so you still get your full set of lagoon moments without stress.

Wildlife Moments Along the Trail

This tour isn’t just lakes and snow. As you hike, you may spot Andean birds and animals that are common to the region, including alpacas, llamas, and vizcachas. Even if you don’t see everything, the likelihood of wildlife encounters is part of why this route is fun on a quiet, windy mountain day.

Why that matters: those sightings break up the monotony of long walking. They also add scale, because when you see alpacas or llamas near the trail, you can better judge just how high and remote you are getting.

If you’re the type who takes photos, move slowly when animals are nearby and don’t crowd them. Keep it calm. You’ll get better images and you’ll stay respectful.

Back to Pacchanta: Lunch and the Hot Springs Reset

After you return to Pacchanta, the tour treats you to a proper reset: lunch (about 45 minutes) and then relaxation time in the hot springs.

This is where the day’s value really shows. A long hike at altitude can make your legs feel like they’re made of stone. Soaking afterward is not just a nice extra, it’s practical recovery.

Two important money notes here:

• Entry to the thermal waters is not included, and the listed cost is 10 soles.
• Horses are also not included, so the only way to get around is on your own legs during the hike portion.

Also, keep expectations grounded. You’re not arriving at a resort with spa menus. You’re going to a hot springs stop that’s there to help you recover before you head back to Cusco.

Price and the Extras You’ll Want to Budget

The tour price is listed at $36 per person. That’s the starting point, and for the time involved (roughly 870 minutes, which is about 14 to 15 hours), it can feel like good value, especially because pickup, transport, and both meals are included.

But you should budget for the usual extras that come up on high Andean routes:

• Ausangate ticket (S/20.00) is not included
• Thermal water entry (10 soles) is not included
• Drop-off at the hotel is not included, with the tour finishing back in the Cusco area (listed finish: San Bernardo, Cusco 08002, Perú)

So the honest picture is this: the base price covers the big logistics and guidance, while the paid sites and thermal entry are add-ons. If you plan for those upfront and bring cash, the day stays smooth.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a hiking-focused day, and it comes with altitude context. It’s explicitly noted that:

• You need to acclimatize in Cusco
• You should have a good physical condition
• It will happen rain or shine
• It is not suitable for people with altitude sickness
• It is not suitable for people with high blood pressure

That is not small print. If you are even slightly unsure about altitude effects for your body, take that seriously. A “half brave” plan usually turns into a miserable day on the mountains.

Best fit:

• You want a full-day, outdoorsy Cusco experience with real walking
• You like photography and want multiple lagoon viewpoints
• You appreciate guided organization, but still want time to take in the scenery

Not the best fit:

• Anyone who needs very limited walking
• Anyone who cannot handle high-altitude conditions
• Anyone expecting a gentle stroll instead of a 5-hour hike round trip

Packing for Cold, Sun, and Possible Rain

The tour gives a practical list of what to bring, and I agree with it. At this altitude, the weather can switch fast, and temperatures tend to feel colder once you are above town.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes and hiking shoes
• Warm clothing
• Rain gear
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Snacks
• Cash

Also, bring a little flexibility in your expectations. Even if the day is sunny, cold air can sneak in, and extra protection helps you stay comfortable enough to enjoy the photo stops and lagoon views.

My Booking Advice: Should You Do the Ausangate 7 Lagoons Tour?

If you want one iconic Cusco day that mixes high mountain drama, colorful lagoon stops, and a recovery soak afterward, this tour makes a lot of sense. The combination of included transport, guide support in English and Spanish, and included breakfast and lunch helps keep your day predictable.

I’d book it if:

• You’ve acclimatized in Cusco
• You can handle a 5-hour round trip hike
• You care about seeing multiple named lagoons in one route
• Hot springs relaxation sounds like something you’ll appreciate after walking all day

I’d skip it if:

• Altitude affects you easily, or you have been advised to avoid it
• You have high blood pressure
• You don’t want early pickup and a full-day schedule that runs back to Cusco late afternoon, around 7:30 p.m.

If you do book, come ready with warm layers and cash for the Ausangate ticket and thermal waters. That small prep turns a long day into a memorable one.

FAQ

What time is pickup in Cusco for the Ausangate 7 Lagoons tour?

Pickup is offered from your hotel between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

How long is the drive from Cusco to the start area in Pacchanta?

The transport ride to Pacchanta takes about 3 hours.

How long is the walking part of the tour?

The hike lasts about 5 hours round trip.

Which lagoons are visited on the tour?

The lagoons listed are Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after returning to Pacchanta are included.

What is not included in the price?

Not included are the Ausangate ticket (S/20.00), thermal waters entry (10 soles), horses, and drop-off at the hotel.

Who should not take this tour?

It is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or people with high blood pressure, and you need to acclimatize in Cusco.