7 lagoons, one big mountain day in Peru. This Cusco day trip takes you southeast of town to the foot of Ausangate, where the main payoff is seeing seven named lakes in one go, with colors and surroundings that feel totally “off the grid.” I like how the schedule builds in views first, then time on foot to actually connect the dots between the lagoons.

I also like the included ride plus walking combo, because the journey itself sets the mood for the high Andes. The one drawback is real: it’s a long day with a multi-hour trek, and it is not a fit if you have low fitness, back issues, respiratory issues, or mobility limits.

Key takeaways before you go

• Four a.m. pickup means you trade sleep for big morning views.
• Two hours to a lagoon viewpoint, then three more hours walking the route back to Pacchanta.
• Seven lagoons have specific names on this tour: Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Roja, Ccomer, Azul, and Alqa.
• Oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit are included for a safer, steadier day at altitude.
• Hot springs are optional and not free, since entrance tickets are not included.
• English or Spanish guide plus breakfast and lunch, so you are not left guessing.

Ausangate and the seven lagoons: what makes this hike special

The reason to do this trip is simple. You are going to Ausangate country, then spending the day focused on a cluster of lakes set at altitude. This is not a quick photo stop. You will walk out toward viewpoint angles where the whole chain makes sense, then keep moving so the lagoons feel linked rather than random.

The names are part of the experience, too. You are not just seeing “a bunch of blue water.” You hear and learn places like Laguna Superior and Laguna Roja, plus the two Otorongo lagoons, Otorongo Macho and Otorongo Fembra. Knowing the names makes the day stick in your head, and it helps you remember which view was where when you get back to Cusco.

And yes, the color show is the headline. I am drawn to tours where the scenery is the main event, and here the lagoons are the main reason for the time commitment. If you want comfort-first travel, this is not that type of day. If you want scenery you cannot buy at a souvenir shop, this fits.

4:00 a.m. pickup and the ride to Pacchanta

You start early. Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is at 04:00 a.m. That early start matters because the day is built around walking time. You will head out toward the town of Pacchanta, which acts as your base for both the start of the hike and lunch later.

I like that this trip does not pretend the drive is boring. The ride is part of the experience, because you gradually shift from the Cusco area rhythm into a more remote high-Andes feeling. Even if you only get a bit of sleep before the pickup, you wake up fast once the road and terrain change. It becomes easier to understand why people come here for the lagoons specifically, not just for “something near Cusco.”

Practical tip: since you leave so early, set yourself up the night before. Have your hiking shoes ready, your ID or passport in the same pocket, and your camera charged. The best view does not help if your hands are scrambling at 3:50 a.m.

Breakfast in Pacchanta, then a 2-hour hike to the first viewpoint

Once you arrive in Pacchanta, you get a restorative breakfast. It is included, and that matters because later you are doing two stretches of walking, with the longer one right after the first big viewpoint.

Then comes the first walking block. You will start a hike and reach a viewpoint after about 2 hours, where you can see the seven Ausangate lagoons. This first viewpoint stop is the brain-builder of the trip. From up there, you can map the chain of lakes, which makes the rest of the trek far more meaningful. Without that anchor point, it would be easier to lose track of where each lagoon sits in relation to the others.

What to expect physically: this is a trek, not a casual stroll. You will want comfortable hiking pants, supportive shoes, and trekking poles if you have them. Even though trekking sticks are included, your body still needs time to settle into the altitude and pace.

This is also a good moment to slow down your breathing, take water, and watch the sky. The tour includes oxygen, which is reassuring for altitude days, but you still want to pace yourself like you are going uphill longer than you think.

From viewpoint to more lagoons: the 3-hour walk that ties it together

After the first viewpoint experience, you walk again for about 3 more hours. This section covers a large part of the seven lagoons route and takes you back toward Pacchanta, where you will have lunch.

This middle portion is where I think most people either fall in love or decide it is too much. If you pace well, it can feel like a steady procession of changing angles and water colors as you move through the area. If you rush, you will get tired fast, and then the views turn into a chore.

Here is why that 3-hour block is valuable: you are not just looking from one place. You are approaching the lagoons and seeing them from different angles and distances. That gives you a more honest read on the day. The water can look one way when you are high and viewing wide, then change as you get closer or shift your perspective. The names you learned earlier also start to make practical sense.

Also keep an eye out for the details that sit around the lakes. The tour highlights typical flora and fauna for the area, so part of your job as a visitor is to look beyond water and sky. I have found that when you notice small things, the whole hike feels richer, not just harder.

When you wrap up, you end back at the starting point in Pacchanta for lunch, so you get food right after the hardest stretch.

Optional thermo-medicinal hot springs: plan for entry tickets

One option you may be able to add is visiting the populated center of the Pacchanta community and its thermo-medicinal waters. This is one of the most appealing add-ons because it gives you an easy reset after a day of hiking at altitude.

The catch: entrance tickets to the hot springs are not included. So if this is on your must-do list, budget a little extra cash for the entry fee. It is also smart to treat hot springs like a bonus, not the main plan, since the hiking portion is already the center of the day.

If you do go, treat it as recovery time. In cold weather at altitude, a soak can feel like a cheat code. Just keep your timing in mind so you do not scramble during the final return to Cusco.

Price and inclusions: does $40 feel fair?

At $40 per person for a full day, this trip can be good value if you are in it for the hiking and the guidance, not for luxury.

Here is what you get that most people would otherwise pay for or figure out on their own:

• Pickup from your hotel and round-trip transport
• Breakfast and lunch
• Professional guide
• Oxygen
• Trekking sticks
• First aid kit

That list is not glamorous, but it is practical. Early pickup and transport alone can add cost if you DIY it. Oxygen and a first aid kit are also a meaningful inclusion for an altitude day. The trekking sticks help with footing, especially if the ground is uneven.

What is not included:

• Entrance tickets to hot springs

So the budget math is straightforward. If you skip the hot springs, you pay the base price and you are done. If you add the hot springs, you need to cover entry tickets separately.

Also note the tour includes languages English and Spanish, which can make a difference. A clear guide helps you understand what you are seeing at the lagoons, and it helps you keep a safe pace on the walk.

Timing that actually matters in the Andes

This trip is scheduled like a high Andes day, not like a city tour. Pickup is at 04:00 a.m., and the hike is split into two main walking segments. That timing means:

• You will spend most of your energy outdoors.
• You cannot treat this like a flexible, wander-at-your-own-speed plan.
• You should plan to arrive ready, not “figure it out later.”

Altitude days are also about mind control. You do not have to run. You do have to move consistently. If you go too fast in the first hours, you pay for it later during the 3-hour section.

A helpful trick is to focus on rhythm instead of speed. Take small steps, use trekking sticks, and aim for steady breathing. The included oxygen is there for support, but it does not replace pacing.

What to bring, what to expect, and what to skip

You will have a smoother day if you bring the basics listed for the trip:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes
• Hiking shoes
• Camera
• Cash
• Hiking pants

Other practical things you may want, even though they are not listed: water, a layer for cold mornings, and sun protection, since mornings can be sharp at altitude and the later sun can be intense. Keep it simple, but be ready for changing conditions.

What is not allowed includes weapons or sharp objects, smoking indoors, and alcohol or drugs. So pack like you are going trekking, not like you are going out for a bar crawl.

Who this Cusco day trip suits best

This is a good match if you:

• Enjoy hiking as the main activity
• Want a guided day with breakfast, lunch, and practical support
• Care more about scenery and altitude walking than short easy sightseeing
• Want to see the full set of seven named Ausangate lagoons in one organized day

It is not a good fit if you have:

• Children under 8 years
• Pregnancy
• Back problems
• Mobility impairments
• Respiratory issues
• Low fitness

One more honest point: because it starts so early and involves several hours of trekking, you should only book if you are comfortable committing to the pace. This is not a “light” outing, even though the tour provides sticks and oxygen.

Should you book this day trip to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons?

Book it if you want a serious dose of high-Andes scenery with a guided route, and you are okay with a long day that starts before sunrise. The combination of the included breakfast, lunch, oxygen, trekking sticks, and guide makes the logistics easier than DIY, and the lagoon-focused walking plan is the right structure for actually appreciating the colors and names.

Skip it if you want a relaxed sightseeing day, or if your body is not ready for a multi-hour trek plus altitude conditions. The trip explicitly flags several medical and mobility concerns, and that is the kind of guidance you should take seriously.

If you do go, I would prioritize this: go into it with the mindset of “steady effort, big payoff.” When the viewpoint opens up and you can see the chain of lagoons, you understand why people make this journey. It is a full day, but it is a focused one.

FAQ

What time does the tour pickup start in Cusco?

Pickup from your hotel is at 04:00 a.m.

Where does the tour go first after pickup?

After pickup, you travel to the town of Pacchanta.

Is breakfast included?

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

How long is the hiking during the day trip?

You walk about 2 hours to reach a viewpoint, then about 3 more hours covering a large part of the lagoons route, returning toward Pacchanta for lunch.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and lunch are included.

Are the hot springs entrance tickets included?

No. Entrance tickets to the hot springs are not included, even though visiting the thermo-medicinal waters is an option.

What languages is the guide?

The live tour guide speaks English and Spanish.

Is oxygen provided?

Yes. Oxygen is included.

Is this tour suitable for kids or people with mobility issues?

No. It is not suitable for children under 8 years, and it is also not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, pregnancy, or respiratory issues.