Turquoise lagoons under Ausangate can feel unreal. I really like the shades of the lagoons and the home-style welcome in Pacchanta. One drawback to keep in mind: the meals are sometimes described as pretty basic, so picky eaters may want a backup snack.

This trip also handles high altitude better than you might expect for a one-day outing, with a trekking pole and even an oxygen bottle. The trade-off is that you’ll be moving early, dressing warm, and taking a strenuous-first-hike pace seriously.

Key highlights worth your attention

• A tough first push: about 1.5 hours to reach the first lagoon
• A local family breakfast in Pacchanta over 4,000 meters
• Ausangate views: the snowcapped glacier that feeds the boiling lagoons
• Color pop at Comercocha and Alqacocha: green-turquoise water at the glacier’s base
• A photogenic circuit: around 2.5 hours from first lagoon to the restaurant
• Optional hot springs: about 40 minutes, bring a swimsuit

From Cusco to Pacchanta: the morning drive and Ccatcca window

You start with hotel or Airbnb pickup in Cusco, then head south for roughly three hours. This is not a “rush right to nature” day. The drive itself is part of the experience: you’ll pass through Andean villages, viewpoints, and daily life tucked into colorful houses and traditional clothing.

One stop that helps set the tone is Ccatcca, where you can see women still wearing traditional dress and catch a glimpse of narrow streets that feel tied to older patterns. It’s a good reminder that you’re visiting a living culture, not just a backdrop for photos.

As you keep going, the route follows the Interoceanic highway area that connects Peru with Brazil until you reach Pacchanta. Once you arrive, you’ll be above 4,000 meters, so the day’s rhythm changes. It’s less about speed and more about regulating effort and warming up.

Pacchanta home breakfast: altitude prep without the lecture

In Pacchanta, you’ll be welcomed by a local family into their home. That matters because it changes the day from a “tour bus to photo stop” vibe into something more grounded: you’re eating and resting where people actually live.

You’ll have a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients. The goal isn’t to turn you into an expert on every ingredient—it’s to get you fueled before you start climbing. At altitude, that fuel helps. If you’re the type who gets lightheaded easily, this is exactly why breakfast on arrival is smart.

From here, you’ll look toward the Vilcanota mountain range and the snowcapped Ausangate. The glacier isn’t just scenery; it’s described as feeding the boiling lagoons you’ll visit. Whether you think of it as glacier runoff or a high-altitude hydrology system, the practical point is this: the water you’ll see later didn’t travel far from the mountains.

Seven-lake circuit: the hike that sets the difficulty level

The first part of the “7 Lakes” adventure is the most strenuous. You hike about 1.5 hours to reach the first lagoon. This isn’t a technical climb, but altitude makes everything feel steeper and slower than it would at sea level.

My tip for how to pace it: go slower than you think you need to. Short steps, steady breathing, and frequent pauses (even 20–30 seconds at a time) can make the difference between coping comfortably and feeling wiped out early.

Once you reach the first lake area, the scenery shifts into that “how is this real?” zone. You’ll visit lagoons such as Comercocha and Alqacocha, which are described as green and turquoise lakes sitting at the foot of the mystical glacier. This is one of the reasons the trip is so popular: the colors look saturated in a way photos rarely capture.

On the way back toward Pacchanta, you’ll pass additional lagoons—Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha. You’ll have time to take photos and simply watch the water and mountains shift in the light. From the time you arrive at the first lagoon area until you return to the restaurant, you’re looking at about 2.5 hours, which is long enough to explore without feeling rushed.

If you’re curious, some experiences on this route may also offer a horse option along the way. The key word is “might,” so ask your guide if it’s available during your particular day.

What the buffet lunch really means for your day

After the hiking portion, you return to your host family’s home for a buffet lunch with locally grown natural products. This is a solid reset: it’s warm food after time outside, and it gives you calories before the optional hot springs.

That said, there’s a theme worth acknowledging: some people find the meal not very flavorful or elaborately prepared. Translation for your planning: if you’re sensitive about taste, you’ll feel safer bringing a small backup snack (something you like and can eat fast). The included meal is enough to keep you going, but it might not satisfy everyone’s food standards.

Also, keep in mind timing. You’ll be eating and then moving on, so lunch is best viewed as fuel and comfort—not as a culinary highlight of the day.

Optional hot springs: 40 minutes at altitude

Once lunch is done, you’ll get about 40 minutes to visit the hot springs. This is optional, and the practical note is simple: bring your swimsuit if you want to actually use the soak time.

Hot springs at high altitude feel different because you cool quickly once you step out. If you run cold easily, plan to dry off fast and get back into warm layers. Think “short soak, quick recovery,” not spa-day lounging.

Some days may feel more “hot springs on the list” than “hot springs you fully experience,” depending on timing and how the day flows. If hot springs are a must-have for you, ask your guide when you board exactly where the time goes and how much you’ll have for soaking.

Price and logistics: is $38 good value?

At $38 per person for a 15-hour day, the value is pretty clear when you look at what’s included.

You’re getting:

• Roundtrip transportation from Cusco
• Breakfast + buffet lunch
• An English/Spanish speaking professional guide
• First-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle
• A trekking pole
• Pickup from your hotel or Airbnb

Entrance fees are extra: PEN 20.00 for the main site and PEN 5.00 for the hot springs. Those are manageable add-ons, and they’re common for outdoor attractions where land use and facility maintenance cost money.

Where the math tilts strongly in your favor is the altitude safety piece and the guide support. When you’re visiting areas over 4,000 meters, it’s reassuring to have oxygen gear and first-aid equipment in the mix.

So who is this best for? People who want a full-day mix of culture, hiking, and dramatic lagoons without renting equipment or arranging separate transport. If you already have your own plan and are chasing the cheapest option only, you might find alternatives. But for most people starting from Cusco, this price often works out as a “pay once, show up ready” kind of day.

Who will enjoy this most (and who should reconsider)

This kind of day trip fits best if you:

• want big mountain scenery in one go
• are comfortable with a strenuous first hike segment
• can handle cold mornings and warm layers
• travel with a realistic mindset about simple buffet meals

You should be cautious or skip the tour if:

• you’re pregnant
• you have pre-existing medical conditions
• you’re traveling with children under 2

Altitude is the main reason. The route goes above 4,000 meters, and while the tour includes oxygen and first aid, you still need to be medically appropriate for high elevation.

What to bring (so the cold doesn’t steal the fun)

The packing list here is practical, not fancy:

• Comfortable shoes (you’ll be on uneven ground)
• Warm clothing (temperatures can drop fast at altitude)
• Water (bring more than you think you’ll need)
• Sunscreen (high altitude sun is no joke)
• Camera
• Optional but smart: a small snack you like, in case you want extra flavor or something familiar

Also, if you’re prone to headaches at altitude, keep your routine simple: don’t overexert early, drink water steadily, and avoid going all-out just to beat the clock.

Guide energy: why names like Felipe and Tony matter

The guide can seriously affect your experience on a long, altitude-heavy day. Two guide names stand out from past participants: Felipe and Tony, both praised for being enthusiastic and fun, which helps during the tough stretch of hiking.

Language is another thing to think about. The tour includes English/Spanish support, but your comfort may still depend on your particular guide’s language strength that day. If English is your only working language, it helps to be patient and use simple questions. If you speak at least a little Spanish, you’ll feel more relaxed asking for pace breaks or photo stops.

Should you book the 7 Lakes with hot springs?

Book it if you’re chasing colorful high-altitude lagoons, want a day that mixes local culture + hiking, and you like the idea of soaking later if your body feels okay.

Pass or choose another option if:

• you know you struggle with altitude
• hot springs are the entire reason you’re going and you’re worried about limited time
• you’re very picky about food flavor and don’t plan to bring a backup snack

If you do book, go in expecting a cold, early start and a real hike—then you’ll likely come out thinking the views were worth every step.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts early in the morning. The exact starting time can vary, so check available start times when you reserve.

What meals are included?

You’ll get a breakfast at the local family home in Pacchanta and a lunch buffet after the hiking.

Is the hot springs visit included?

The hot springs visit is optional. If you want to use it, bring a swimsuit. There is also an entrance fee for the hot springs.

Are there entrance fees?

Yes. There is an entrance fee of PEN 20.00, and hot springs have an additional PEN 5.00 entrance fee.

What should I bring for high altitude and the hike?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a camera, sunscreen, and water. The route goes above 4,000 meters.

Who should not take this tour?

It’s not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.