No sleep, just mountains. This one-day hike to Ausangate’s seven lagoons and Pacchanta hot springs starts at dawn and rewards you with serious Andean views. I especially like the way the hike moves between high-altitude lagoons with colors from turquoise to emerald, and how the day ends with a soak in the thermal baths in Pacchanta. The main catch is the altitude: the lakes sit above 4,600 meters, so you’ll want to be ready for cold, wind, and that “less oxygen, more breathing” feeling.

You’ll also get food that’s simple but filling, plus an oxygen bottle and a first-aid kit with the group. Still, logistics can be a little tense because pick-up timing and guide details don’t always match what you expect the night before.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• A very early start from Cusco (typically around 4:00 a.m.) so you can hike while the air is crisp
• Seven lagoon names you’ll actually remember: Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha
• Photo stops with real time to look (a free window at the top of the route) for panoramas and water color changes
• Pacchanta hot springs time at the end, with big views of Ausangate from the baths area
• Practical included basics: breakfast, lunch, guide, hotel pick-up, first-aid kit, and an oxygen bottle
• An extra cost to plan for: entrance fees to the lagoons and thermal baths (30 soles), not included in the tour price

A Very Early Cusco Departure That Sets the Tone

This tour is built around one reality: the best views come with an early start. You’re generally picked up in Cusco around 4:00 a.m., then you ride by van for about 3.5 hours to Pacchanta.

What I like about this timing is that you’re not hiking after your body has already had a full day’s worth of stress. If you’ve ever hiked high-altitude trails, you know that starting early helps your pacing. You also get a better chance of clear visibility for photographing the snow-capped Andean peaks and the lagoons’ color.

The one drawback to respect

Because pick-up is so early, you need to stay flexible. One traveler had confusion around guide information and pick-up timing, with calls needed to sort things out. Nothing is guaranteed, so I’d treat this as a “leave nothing to chance” morning: keep your phone handy (the agency contacts you the day before) and be ready when they say they’re coming.

Van Ride to Pacchanta: Comfort Matters at Altitude

The van portion is roughly 3.5 hours, and it matters more than you’d think. At altitude, every hour you can rest is time you can save for your legs later.

Use the ride smart:

• Keep your layers on. Morning can be cold.
• Sip water when you can. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty.
• If you get motion sickness, consider what usually works for you, since you’ll be on the road for a while.

You’ll arrive in the Pacchanta area and head straight to breakfast.

Breakfast in Pacchanta (30 Minutes) Before the First Steps

In Pacchanta, you get a traditional Andean breakfast for about 30 minutes. This is not a fancy buffet. It’s fuel. And at 4,600+ meters, fuel is the difference between a steady climb and a shaky one.

What to expect from this stop

• Quick, community-style meal timing.
• Enough food to start the hike without feeling stuffed.
• Time to get organized: water, sun protection, and your trekking rhythm.

Even if you’re not a breakfast person, force down what you can. You’ll thank yourself when the trail climbs and the air feels thinner.

The Sendero de las Siete Lagunas: 3.05 Hours Out, 2 Hours Back

From Pacchanta, you hike the trail known as the Sendero de las siete lagunas. The day is arranged so you get a strong uphill stretch, a lagoon viewpoint period, then a return trek.

• Outbound hike: about 3.05 hours
• Return hike: about 2 hours

That structure is useful because it gives you a clear “go there, then come back” flow. It also makes planning gear easier: you’ll want warm layers for both directions, plus protection from wind that can show up fast at altitude.

Difficulty: moderate to challenging, but paced

The hike is listed as moderate to challenging, with approximate hiking time around 4 to 5 hours (not counting pauses). The route isn’t described as wheelchair-friendly, and people with certain health conditions should avoid it.

If you’re reasonably fit, you may find it less brutal than your fear voice suggests. One traveler even said the trek wasn’t as hard as expected. Still, “not as hard as expected” is different from “easy,” so don’t underpack and don’t overestimate your pace at altitude.

Seven Lagoons of Ausangate: Comercocha to Q’omercocha

This is the heart of the day. During your hike, you’ll visit the seven main lagoons:

• Comercocha
• Patacocha
• Alqacocha
• Otorongococha
• Azulcocha
• Pucacocha
• Q’omercocha

Each lagoon has its own mood. The water color can shift from turquoise to emerald green, depending on light and conditions. You’ll also be surrounded by the Andean snow-capped mountain scene of Ausangate, which is the reason most people book this trek.

Why these lagoons feel different from other hikes

It’s not just “pretty water.” The colors can look almost unreal against the cold air and the mineral-looking rock around you. And each lagoon offers a different angle, so the views evolve as you walk.

Also, this is a trail where you’re more likely to notice local life: you might spot alpacas and llamas along the route, plus Andean flora and small wildlife details.

The photo stop and free time

Once you reach the main cluster of viewpoints (the 7 lagoons area), you’ll have a photo stop and free time for about 30 minutes. That’s your window to:

• get those panoramic shots,
• sit for a moment without rushing,
• and let your breathing catch up before the return hike.

Bring your camera strap setup or keep your hands free. High-altitude wind loves to steal your focus.

Lunch and a Reset at Pacchanta

After your hike and your time at the lagoon viewpoints, you return to Pacchanta. Lunch is included and takes about 40 minutes.

This isn’t a long, lingering meal. It’s a recovery stop. You want warm food and quick calories. Think of it as the moment you switch from “climb mode” to “human mode.”

If you’re sensitive to altitude, this is also a good moment to slow down. Sit, eat, and avoid immediately jumping back into movement.

Pacchanta Hot Springs: Soak With Views (Free Time 30 Minutes)

After lunch, you get free time—about 30 minutes—at the Aguas Termales Pacchanta thermal baths.

The value here is practical. Your muscles are likely tight. The heat helps, and the fact that the baths have panoramic views of Ausangate makes the soak more than just a reward.

Don’t miss the small money detail

Entrance fees to the lagoons and thermal baths are not included. Plan on 30 soles for those fees. Build that into your budget so there’s no surprise at the end of the day.

Price and Value: What You Really Get for $35

The tour price is $35 per person for a 12-hour day. On paper, that can sound like a lot for “a hike and some baths.” In practice, the value comes from what’s included and how early the day starts.

What $35 covers (and why it matters)

You get:

• hotel pick-up and drop-off near the historic center of Cusco,
• a professional guide,
• breakfast and lunch,
• a first-aid kit,
• and an oxygen bottle.

At high altitude, guides and basic safety planning are not optional extras. They make the difference between feeling confident and feeling alone out there.

The part you should budget extra

You’ll still pay 30 soles for entrance fees to the lagoons and thermal baths. So think of the real cost as the tour fee plus that add-on.

If you want the full day packaged—transport, food, guiding—this is priced fairly.

Guide and Group Reality: Good Hike, Watch the Morning Details

The tour includes a live guide in Spanish and English. You may get a guide like John, who was described as nice and professional. Another traveler mentioned a planned guide name of Antoni but ended up dealing with mismatched information before things were corrected.

That points to a pattern: the actual hike experience seems solid once you’re rolling, but the morning coordination can be imperfect.

My practical advice

• Be early to your pick-up location.
• Save the agency contact number (and answer calls).
• Confirm the guide name if they tell you one, then treat it as “subject to change until you’re actually with the group.”

It’s not glamorous, but it prevents stress when you’re already climbing at altitude.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This is not for everyone, and the limits make sense. It’s not suitable for:

• pregnant women,
• people with heart problems,
• wheelchair users,
• people with respiratory issues,
• and people over 65.

If you have any of those health concerns, talk to a doctor before going. The route runs above 4,600 meters, and that altitude isn’t a casual outing.

If you should book

You’ll likely enjoy this if you:

• can handle a moderate-to-challenging day hike,
• have already spent time adjusting to Cusco altitude (the advice is 2 or 3 days in Cusco),
• want a guided route with built-in meals and transportation.

If you’re on the fence

If you’re the type who hates early alarms and doesn’t like cold wind, you may find this tour tiring. It’s a long day: van time, hiking time, then soaking time.

But if you’re drawn to Ausangate’s snow-capped views and colored lagoon scenery, this is the kind of day that sticks.

What to Bring So the Day Feels Easier

You’ll want:

• hiking shoes (real traction matters),
• comfortable clothes and hiking pants,
• a sun hat and sunglasses,
• water plus energy snacks if you like extra fuel,
• rain gear (mountain weather flips),
• a light backpack and trekking gear if you use it.

Also, bring layers even if it looks sunny in Cusco. At altitude, conditions can change fast.

Should You Book the 7 Lakes of Ausangate Day Trip?

Book it if you want:

• a structured day hike to the seven lagoons,
• real time for photos and viewpoints,
• end-of-day recovery in Pacchanta hot springs,
• and you’re okay with a very early departure.

Skip it if:

• altitude is a serious concern for your health,
• the idea of a long, cold, early day sounds miserable,
• or you’re not able to handle moderate-to-challenging trekking.

My bottom line: for the price, you’re paying for a complete package—transport, guide, meals, and safety support—and you get an experience tied to Ausangate that’s hard to recreate on your own in a single day.

If you’re prepared for the altitude and you show up ready at dawn, this is a strong bet.

FAQ

How long is the 7 lakes of Ausangate day trip from Cusco?

The total duration is about 12 hours, starting early in the morning and returning to Cusco in the late afternoon (around 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm).

What time does the tour usually pick me up in Cusco?

Pickup is generally around 4:00 a.m. (the morning can be early enough that you should be ready ahead of time).

What’s included in the price?

Included items are hotel pick-up, a professional tour guide, breakfast, lunch, a first-aid kit, an oxygen bottle, and drop-off near the historic center of Cusco.

What is not included?

Entrance fees to the lagoons and thermal baths are not included, and the listed cost is 30 soles.

What lagoons will we see?

The tour visits Comercocha, Patacocha, Alqacocha, Otorongococha, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Q’omercocha.

How difficult is the hike and how long is it?

The hike is described as moderate to challenging, with approximate hiking time around 4 to 5 hours. The itinerary includes about 3.05 hours hiking on the way out and about 2 hours on the way back.

What should I bring for a comfortable hike?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, hiking shoes, water, rain gear, comfortable clothes, hiking pants, and trekking gear if you use it.

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