From Cusco: Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals

A dawn trek into Mount Ausangate country is pure payoff. On this Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour you get big color, high Andean air, and a route that feels far from mass tourism. I especially love the seven-lake views (including Laguna Azul and Lake Rojo) and the fact that the walking is paced for a small group. The one drawback: it’s a sporty day starting at 4:00 AM, and it’s not a match if you have respiratory issues or other medical conditions.

You’ll drive out of Cusco toward Pacchanta, eat a proper breakfast, then hike up toward a viewpoint where the lakes appear in one sweep. Later, you’ll spend time walking between the lakes themselves and end back in Pacchanta for lunch before heading home around 6:00 PM.

The tour also includes a stop in the community area of Pakanta, with hot springs on the menu (entry fees are not included). You’ll be supported with walking sticks, a first aid kit, and oxygen—good comfort when you’re moving at altitude for hours.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Seven lakes with memorable names: Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, Lake Alqa
• A route that actually gets you off the road near Mount Ausangate
• Small group size (max 15) means less waiting and a calmer pace
• Real meals: breakfast and lunch are included
• Guide support in English or Spanish, plus walking sticks and oxygen
• Optional hot springs in Pakanta (thermal bath entry not included)

Why Ausangate 7 Lakes is worth the 4 a.m. start

This is an early morning kind of tour for one reason: the Ausangate lakes look their best when you’re not arriving in the harsh middle of the day. Your day starts with pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 AM (only hotels in the historic center area are included). That means you’re in the van while most people are still asleep in the city.

Once you’re moving southeast of Cusco, the environment changes fast. You’re headed toward a totally natural scenic area at the foot of Mount Ausangate, where you can see mountains, flora, and fauna along the way. The point is not a postcard drive. It’s a walk through high-altitude terrain that keeps rewarding you with wider and wider views.

I like that the tour is built around the landscape and weather you’re already in. You’re not chasing theme parks or waiting in lines. You’re hiking to vantage points and then moving from one lake view to another while your timing is still fresh.

The one thing to know up front: the “one day” part hides the effort. Expect hours of walking, and plan to dress and pace accordingly.

The drive to Pacchanta and how the day gets paced

After pickup at 4:00 AM, you’ll drive to Pacchanta. Breakfast is the first real anchor of the day—a chance to get energy before the hike starts. From there, you begin walking from Pacchanta and work your way up toward your first big viewpoint.

Why this pacing matters: starting with food and then moving gradually helps a lot when you’re adjusting to altitude and cold morning air. Even if you feel fine in Cusco, once you’re walking at elevation, your breathing and rhythm change.

You’ll also have support gear that’s genuinely useful. The tour includes walking sticks, a first aid kit, and oxygen. That doesn’t remove the physical challenge, but it does mean you’re not doing the day completely on your own if you feel off for a bit.

The tour also sticks to a clean day rhythm. You’re not bouncing from activity to activity every ten minutes. It’s structured: drive, breakfast, hike to viewpoint, hike between lakes, lunch, then return to Cusco around 6:00 PM near the main square.

From Pacchanta to the viewpoint: the first big payoff of the Siete Lagunas

The first walking segment is about 2 hours. You’ll start from Pacchanta and head toward a viewpoint where you can see the seven lagoons of Ausangate.

This stop is the moment the tour’s name makes sense. You’re not just hearing about seven lakes—you’re seeing them spread out in the high Andes setting. If you’re trying to understand why people talk about this route so much, this viewpoint is where it clicks.

One practical note: the viewpoint is also where you’ll want to be ready with your camera, sunglasses, and a warm layer. In the Andes, sunlight can be intense even when the air feels cold. Bring sun protection seriously.

A small group helps here too. If there are fewer people, you spend less time waiting for your turn and more time enjoying the view.

Lake-hopping without the rush: Superior to Alqa

After the first viewpoint, the tour shifts into the “walk between lakes” portion. You’ll continue for about 3 more hours, visiting most of the seven lakes before heading back to Pacchanta for lunch.

The seven lakes you’ll encounter include:

• Lake Superior
• Lake Otorongo Hombre
• Lake Otorongo
• Lake Rojo
• Lake Ccomer
• Laguna Azul
• Lake Alqa

Here’s what this section means in real life: you’re walking, stopping, looking, and taking quick time at each spot. You won’t have an all-day picnic at one lake. Instead, you’ll stitch together views as the terrain and angles shift.

That’s a good approach if you care more about the overall experience than checking off one perfect spot and staying there. It’s also why fitness helps. A review noted the trek is about 13 km, so you’ll feel the distance even if the pauses are frequent.

One balanced consideration from the feedback: there can be limited time actually spent at each lake. If you want slow, lingering lake sessions, you might wish there were more time between stops. The trade-off is you get to see a broader set of views rather than one lake in depth.

Pakanta hot springs: when you want warmth after the hike

Between the hiking segments and your return, the tour includes a visit to the community settlement of Pakanta and its hot springs.

This is one of those “optional recovery” moments. You’ve walked for hours, and warm water is a simple way to soothe legs and reset your body before the drive back toward Cusco. The catch: thermal bath entry fees are not included, so if you want to go into the baths, plan for extra cost.

If you’re the type who feels better after stretching or soaking, this stop is a nice mental switch: from cold, windy walking to warm, quiet recovery. If you’re short on energy, even just seeing the hot springs area can help you feel like the day ends on a more human note.

Meals that keep you going: breakfast and lunch in Pacchanta

The tour includes breakfast and lunch, and that matters more than it sounds. A high-altitude hike drains energy fast. If you’re stuck waiting for snacks at random stops, the day turns stressful.

Breakfast happens in Pacchanta before you start the main hike. Lunch comes back at Pacchanta when you finish the lake circuit. Reviews specifically mention lunch as excellent, with fresh products, which is exactly what you want: a real meal after a long trek, not just a token bite.

What you should still bring: the tour asks you to pack water and snacks (plus sunglasses and sunscreen). The included meals help, but they won’t replace your personal snack preferences—especially if you like something salty, sweet, or familiar.

The guide experience: small group energy, helpful pacing

Tours like this succeed or fail on the guide. You want someone who manages pace, keeps you safe, and makes the day flow.

This tour runs with a professional tour guide, and the day is offered in English and Spanish. Feedback also highlights a guide named Jonatan, described as kind and supportive throughout the route. That kind of guiding shows up in simple ways: regrouping when needed, explaining where you are, and helping you move at a comfortable rhythm.

With a small group limited to 15 participants, you’re less likely to get stuck behind a big crowd. You also tend to feel more human-to-human out on the trail, which is a big part of why this route feels more authentic than many “see it from a bus window” days.

What to bring for a long, cold, sunny day

This is an “Andes walking” tour, so pack for sun, cold, and stamina. The basics from the tour guidance are:

• Passport (bring it)
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Hat
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Snacks
• Cash
• Daypack

You’ll also want layers. Even if the sun is bright, mornings and higher elevations can feel sharp. Keep a warm layer accessible so you’re not fumbling in windy conditions.

Also note what’s not allowed: smoking and alcohol and drugs. It’s a safety and respect rule, and it keeps the day comfortable for everyone.

One more practical tip: the tour includes walking sticks, but if you have your own trekking poles and know how to use them, you can often be more comfortable. Still, don’t rely on that as your only plan—bring what you’re used to.

Difficulty level: sporty walking, not a stroll

The itinerary is straightforward, but the day is physically demanding. You’re looking at about 5 hours total walking (2 hours to the viewpoint, then about 3 hours visiting most of the lakes). One review describes it as a 13 km hike.

That’s why the tour isn’t for everyone:

• Wheelchair users are not suitable
• People with respiratory issues or pre-existing medical conditions are not suitable

You should also treat this as an all-morning effort, even if the drive segments give you a bit of time to reset. If you’re coming from Cusco, your first instinct might be to say you’re fine. Then you hit sustained walking at altitude and learn you’re not as fine as you thought. The included oxygen and first aid kit help, but prevention still wins.

If you’re unsure, pick a pace that feels sustainable for you, not one that makes you redline early. It’s better to arrive a bit calmer than to power through and struggle later.

Price and value: what $37 really buys you

At about $37 per person, this tour can feel surprisingly affordable for a full day that includes transportation, a professional guide, breakfast and lunch, walking sticks, oxygen, and a first aid kit.

Here’s what you’re paying for, in plain terms:

• The early logistics from Cusco (that 4:00 AM start is real work)
• The drive to Pacchanta and back
• The guide to manage the trail and keep the group moving safely
• Meals that stop you from scrambling for food mid-trek
• Support gear that matters at altitude (oxygen and first aid)

What you may pay extra for:

• Horse ride (not included)
• Thermal bath entry fee in Pakanta (not included)
• Any extra expenses you choose during the day

If you want a day where your money turns into time outside, moving through genuine terrain, this is solid value. If you’re hoping to do minimal walking and spend most of the time at a single lake, you’ll likely feel the mismatch.

Who should book this Ausangate 7 Lakes tour

Book it if you:

• Want a true day in the Cusco highlands, not a short viewpoint stop
• Like photo-heavy itineraries where each hour brings a new angle
• Can handle cold mornings and several hours of walking
• Prefer a small group with real guide support (English/Spanish)

Consider skipping if you:

• Need wheelchair accessibility
• Have respiratory issues or a pre-existing medical condition
• Want a slow, relaxed “sit all day and soak in one place” experience

Also, if you’re tempted by the hot springs, know that you might still need to budget for entry fees.

Should you book? My decision guide

If you’re ready for an early start and you’re okay with a sporty hike that trades slow lake lounging for seeing all seven, this tour is a strong choice. I think it’s especially good value when you want meals, gear support, and a small group guide who keeps the day moving smoothly.

If you hate long walking days or you’re sensitive to altitude exertion, you’ll feel the effort more than the views. In that case, it’s better to look for something gentler in the Cusco area.

FAQ

FAQ

What time is pickup in Cusco?

Pickup is at 4:00 AM from hotels in the historic center area.

Where do you hike from, and how long do you walk?

You walk from Pacchanta. The schedule is about 2 hours to the viewpoint, then about 3 more hours visiting most of the lakes.

Is breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch after the lake visits.

What is included in the tour besides transport and meals?

You get roundtrip transportation, a professional tour guide, a first aid kit, oxygen, and walking sticks.

Are hot springs included?

The itinerary includes a visit to Pakanta and its hot springs, but thermal bath entry fees are not included.

How many people are in the group?

The group is small, limited to 15 participants.