Turquoise lagoons feel unreal up here in the Andes. This 15-hour Ausangate route brings mountain views and a local-family breakfast in Pacchanta, then ties it all together with 7 high-altitude lakes and optional hot springs. One caution: the included meals can be pretty plain, so plan for basic comfort food.

You’ll start early, ride south from Cusco, and spend real time above 4,000 meters where the air is thin and the weather flips fast. The good news is that the hikes are steady and the day has natural “wow” moments built in, from snowy Ausangate to the colored lagoons like Comercocha and Alqacocha.

Key highlights worth circling

• A local family welcome in Pacchanta for breakfast with Andean ingredients at over 4,000 meters
• Ausangate in your sightline as the glacier that feeds the steaming lagoons
• A 1.5-hour first hike that sets the tone (strenuous part of the day)
• Multiple lagoon stops with photo time across the Vilcanota mountain range
• Buffet lunch with locally grown ingredients after the morning effort
• Optional hot springs soak (40 minutes) so you can match the day to your energy

Morning pickup and the ride toward Ausangate’s high lakes

This is a full 15-hour day, and the schedule starts early because you’re heading into thin-air territory. Pickup is from your Cusco hotel or Airbnb, and you’ll drive south for about three hours through villages and countryside.

As you roll along the road, you’ll see everyday Peru at work: small towns, colorful houses, and people in traditional clothing. One stop that stands out is Ccatcca, where you can spot women wearing the local dress and peek at narrow streets that still feel tied to older ways.

Then the road continues along the interoceanic highway, which connects Peru with Brazil. You won’t need to understand the geography to enjoy the drive. What matters is that the scenery slowly shifts into the kind of high-Andean view where the mountains start to look close enough to touch.

Two practical notes for the ride: temperatures can drop quickly at altitude, and the roads can be bumpy. Warm layers and a water bottle aren’t optional in practice.

Ccatcca to Pacchanta: traditional village life and a real home-style breakfast

When you reach the municipality of Pacchanta, you’re already more than 4,000 meters above sea level. That’s not just a number. It changes how the day feels, from the pace you naturally take to how “heavy” breath can seem.

Here’s where the trip gets more human. A local family welcomes you into their home and serves breakfast using ingredients grown in the area. It’s not a fancy hotel meal. It’s nutritious, Andean, and meant for people who are actually living with this landscape every day.

This part is also where you’ll feel the friendliness that makes the day memorable. Small moments tend to matter more than grand speeches: you’re not just being “shown” around, you’re being fed and included.

If you’re sensitive to altitude, this is still a good place to slow down. Eat, sip water, and give your body a few minutes to catch up before you start climbing.

Getting your bearings: Ausangate views before the first tough hike

After breakfast, you head toward the Vilcanota mountain range. This is the moment when snow-capped Ausangate enters the picture more clearly, and it’s not a quick glimpse. You get the classic glacier-and-lagoons connection: Ausangate feeds the system of hot, boiling lagoons you’ll be visiting.

Next comes the first hike—the most strenuous part of the 7 lakes adventure. Plan for about 1.5 hours to reach the first lake. The trail isn’t described as technical, but it’s the altitude that does the heavy lifting.

My advice: treat the hike like a steady effort, not a sprint. Short steps help. If you stop for photos (and you will), pause for a minute, catch your breath, then keep going.

You’ll arrive at Comercocha next—one of the “this can’t be real” stops.

Comercocha and Alqacocha: where the color surprises actually happen

Comercocha and Alqacocha are both described as green-turquoise lakes with strong color against the mountains. These are the kinds of lakes where photos can’t fully explain it. You need to see the shade in person, in the light, with the high altitude air making everything feel sharp.

You’re visiting these lagoons near the foot of the mystical glacier. That detail matters because it ties the colors and the heat together as part of the same natural system, not separate “random scenic spots.”

What to expect physically: after your first hike, you’ll be transitioning from climbing to walking between viewpoints. Pace yourself. You’ll likely want to take breaks even if you feel okay at first—thin air builds fatigue differently.

Also, bring a camera you can access quickly. If you’re fumbling for gear, you’ll lose that one-minute window when the light hits just right.

The other lagoon stops: Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha

On the way back toward Pacchanta, the route includes additional lagoons: Patacocha, Otorongococha, and Azulcocha. This is where the day becomes a string of “small reveals.”

Instead of one dramatic lake, you get a set of views that each have a different mood. Some look brighter, some feel more intense, and some seem to shift with cloud cover. It’s less about checking boxes and more about letting the scenery keep changing.

You’ll also have a good chunk of photo time here. The total time from arrival at the first lagoon until you return to the restaurant is around 2.5 hours, so you’re not rushing through these stops. You can take pictures, breathe, and still have time to enjoy the power of the place.

One more practical point: the sun is strong at altitude, even when it feels cool. Sunscreen helps. So does a hat if you’re sensitive to glare.

Lunch buffet in the host family’s home: fuel up, then keep it simple

After you finish the lagoon portion and return to your host family’s home, you’ll get a buffet lunch. The key detail is the sourcing: it’s made with locally grown natural products.

Now for the real talk part. The meal quality seems to be a mixed point depending on what you’re used to. Some people found it basic or not very seasoned, while others were fine with it as practical energy after a long day. If you’re picky about flavors, you might want to carry a small snack for peace of mind.

Also, altitude affects digestion. Big, heavy meals can feel uncomfortable. Keep it balanced: eat enough to recover, but don’t try to out-eat the mountains.

This lunch is your “reset button” before the optional hot springs.

Optional hot springs: the 40-minute soak at altitude

After lunch, you get about 40 minutes to visit the hot springs. This part is optional, so you can decide based on your energy level and how your body reacts to the day.

If you do go, bring a swimsuit. Coming out of the water into cool high-altitude air can feel sharp. Think of it like a warm break that you’ll still need to manage carefully with layers afterward.

The hot springs visit time is short enough that you’ll want to move efficiently: change quickly, get in, relax for a bit, then warm up fast.

One caution based on real outcomes: not everyone feels the time lines up for a full hot-springs moment. If this is a top priority, double-check you can actually fit it into your day-of schedule.

Price and logistics: what $38 really buys you

At $38 per person for a 15-hour day, this tour is priced like a solid value. The biggest “value lever” is what’s included: roundtrip transportation, a hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch buffet, a professional guide in English/Spanish, and helpful safety items like a first-aid kit and an oxygen bottle.

You also get trekking poles. That one small inclusion matters on uneven ground at altitude. Poles can reduce strain and help you keep stable footing when your legs feel heavy.

What’s not included is also important to plan for: there are entrance fees—PEN 20.00 for the lake area and PEN 5.00 for the hot springs. So budget a little extra on top of the $38.

Bottom line on logistics: you’re paying for a full-day structure—transport, guide, and meals—plus the safety kit. If you were to do the route on your own, you’d spend time coordinating drives, timing hikes, and finding local hosts for meals.

Guides, pace, and language: what to expect from the people on the trail

The tour includes an English/Spanish speaking professional guide, and it can make a real difference in how the hike feels. In past experiences, guides like Felipe were described as enthusiastic and fun. Another guide, Tony, was praised for an energetic, upbeat personality that helped make the hike enjoyable and easier to manage.

There’s also one practical caution: language quality can vary by guide. One experience noted that the guide’s English wasn’t strong, even though the tour is advertised as bilingual. If you’re relying on English for detailed explanations, it’s worth going in with realistic expectations—your best “translation” will be the visuals and your guide’s general enthusiasm.

Pace-wise, the itinerary is built around a strenuous first hike and then shorter lagoon stops. You’ll want to follow the group’s rhythm, but don’t ignore your body. Altitude doesn’t negotiate.

What to bring for 4,000+ meters and cold-but-sunny weather

This day has one big theme: warmth plus movement-friendly gear.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain
• Warm clothing (it can be cold even if the sun is bright)
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Swimsuit if you want the hot springs

Also, consider carrying a small snack if you’re sensitive to simple meals. Reviews suggest the food is sometimes basic, and a backup snack can save your mood.

And yes, the altitude matters. If you know you get winded easily, plan to take slower steps than you think you need.

Who this tour suits (and who should skip it)

This trip is a good fit if you want:

• Big natural sights in a single day
• A mix of walking and photo stops
• Meals included without needing to plan restaurants
• A guided route that handles the logistics

It’s not suitable for:

• Children under 2
• Pregnant women
• People with pre-existing medical conditions

That’s not a judgment. It’s a safety call. With visits above 4,000 meters and a meaningful hike portion, you need your body to handle altitude.

If you’re generally healthy but not very fit, you’ll still be able to go at a slower pace, but the first hike will feel like the day’s main challenge.

Should you book the 7 Lakes + hot springs Ausangate day trip?

Book it if you’re chasing the kind of colors that don’t look real on screens and you want a guided day that includes breakfast, lunch, transport, and safety support. The combination of Ausangate glacier views plus multiple lagoons is the main win, and the optional hot springs add a “reward after effort” feel.

Consider skipping or choosing carefully if:

• You’re very picky about seasoning and want reliably tasty included meals
• Hot springs are your one must-have, since time and access may not always feel like a full experience
• You’re worried about altitude or have medical concerns that could be affected by 4,000+ meters

If you go, you’ll do best with a simple mindset: dress warm, walk steady, drink water, and don’t get stuck thinking too hard about the food. The lagoons are the reason you’re there.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts early in the morning. The exact starting time depends on availability, so you’ll want to check your date when you reserve.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is 15 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Pickup from your hotel, roundtrip transportation, breakfast, a lunch buffet, an English/Spanish speaking professional guide, first-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle, and trekking poles are included.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are listed as PEN 20.00, and hot springs have an additional PEN 5.00 fee.

Is the hot springs visit included?

You get time for hot springs after lunch, but the hot springs visit is optional. Bring a swimsuit if you want to use it.

How strenuous is the hike?

There’s a first hike that takes about 1.5 hours and is described as the most strenuous part of the day. The rest of the walking is more about lagoon stops and viewpoints.

What should I bring for the altitude and weather?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a camera, sunscreen, and water. Since you’ll be above 4,000 meters, warm layers are important.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

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

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