Cusco : full day 7 lagoons with lunch

Seven lagoons, one very long day. This Cusco excursion combines Ausangate’s snowy mountain views with a 10-kilometer hike through high-country scenery, breakfast, lunch, and time in Pacchanta’s thermal baths. I like the strong mix of walking and nature, and I like that a guide, meals, transport, first-aid kit, and walking sticks are included. The main caution is the cramped van, which one passenger found difficult for such an early and lengthy outing.

You leave around 4:30 a.m. and return to Cusco near 7 p.m., so this is not a gentle sightseeing trip. You will pay extra for the lagoon entrance, thermal baths, and any horse rental. Still, at $43 per person, the package offers solid value if you want to see the Ausangate area without arranging transport and food yourself.

Key points to know before booking

• The hike covers about 10 kilometers: You visit the lagoons on foot, making comfortable shoes essential.
• Ausangate provides the main spectacle: The snowy mountain gives the route its dramatic backdrop.
• Pacchanta adds two useful breaks: You eat breakfast before walking and return for lunch and hot springs afterward.
• The advertised price is not the final cost: Add $5 or 15 soles for lagoon entry and a separate fee for the thermal baths.
• The day starts very early: Pickup is approximately 4:30 a.m., with a return to Cusco around 7 p.m.
• The group is limited to 15 people: English and Spanish guiding are available, though vehicle comfort may vary.

Why the Ausangate Seven Lagoons Are Worth Your Day

The draw here is simple: you get a full day in the country southeast of Cusco, with the giant snow-covered Ausangate mountain nearby and a series of lagoons known for changing colors. The scenery does the heavy lifting. You are not visiting a museum or a carefully staged attraction. You are walking through open nature, with flora, fauna, water, and mountain views shaping the day.

I like the fact that the tour gives the scenery enough time. A quick stop at one viewpoint would feel thin for such a long drive, but the route visits all seven lagoons. The approximately 10-kilometer walk also gives you a better sense of the area than a bus ride with two photo stops.

The tradeoff is effort. The tour information does not give an altitude, trail difficulty rating, or detailed elevation profile, so you should not assume this will feel easy. A full day, a very early start, and a long walk demand reasonable fitness. The operator specifically says the excursion is not suitable for pregnant women or people with respiratory issues.

The 4:30 a.m. Pickup and Ride From Cusco

Pickup begins at approximately 4:30 a.m. from selected areas, preferably in Cusco’s historic center. That early departure is necessary for a full day in the Ausangate region, but it can make the ride feel long before the walk even starts.

Transportation is included, along with the return trip to Cusco. The group limit is 15 participants, which helps keep the tour smaller than a large coach excursion. Still, vehicle size matters. One passenger specifically found the van very small, with little room to move in the seats. If you care strongly about personal space, ask about the vehicle before booking, since the group limit does not guarantee a roomy ride.

The early morning is also when you should be most practical. Have your passport or ID card ready, wear comfortable shoes, and carry anything you need for a long day outdoors. The tour runs rain or shine, so a forecast check is sensible even though weather alone will not cancel the outing.

Breakfast in Pacchanta Before the Hike

The first major stop is the community of Pacchanta. Here, you have breakfast before setting off on foot. That meal matters because the pickup comes so early, and you may not want to rely on eating before leaving your lodging.

Pacchanta also becomes the tour’s base for the later hot springs and lunch. This gives the day a useful rhythm: arrive, eat, walk, return, soak, and eat again. The food is included, and one passenger specifically praised both the guide and the food.

Do not mistake breakfast for a reason to skip your own preparation. The supplied information does not describe the menu or the exact serving time, so a small personal snack may be helpful if you need food early. That is practical advice for any 4:30 a.m. departure, not a promise about what the tour provides beyond breakfast.

Walking to the First Lagoon

From Pacchanta, the hike begins with the first lagoon. The exact order and names of the seven lagoons are not provided, so you should think of this as a guided route through a group of mountain lakes rather than a stop-by-stop sightseeing schedule.

The first lagoon marks the shift from transport to walking. You will be out in open nature, looking for the colors and shapes that make these waters the main attraction. The tour highlights the different lagoon colors, but the exact appearance can vary with weather and light. That is part of the appeal, though it also means photographs may not always match promotional images.

The included walking sticks are a useful touch. They can help with balance and make a long route more manageable, especially when the ground feels uneven. The guide also carries a first-aid kit, adding a basic safety measure for a remote outdoor day.

Visiting All Seven Lagoons Across 10 Kilometers

After the first stop, you continue to the remaining lagoons, covering approximately 10 kilometers in total. This is the core of the experience, and it is where the tour earns its price.

You are not paying only for a set of photographs. You are paying for round-trip transport from Cusco, a guide, two meals, walking sticks, and access to a planned route in an area that would be harder to reach independently. At $43, that is a reasonable package for someone who wants the logistics handled.

The walk may also suit you if you prefer variety. The focus shifts from snowy Ausangate to water, rock, vegetation, and mountain views. The tour promises opportunities to appreciate local flora and fauna, but it does not specify particular species. Keep expectations broad: the natural setting is the attraction, not a guaranteed wildlife sighting.

A small group can make this section easier to manage. With up to 15 people, the guide can give basic direction without the feel of a huge procession. The available languages are English and Spanish. If you need detailed information in English, confirm language arrangements when booking.

The biggest issue is pace. The tour description does not state how long the walking portion takes or how much elevation it involves. You should be comfortable walking for a substantial part of the day and prepared for the possibility that weather could make the route less pleasant. Rain or shine means rain gear and sensible clothing are your responsibility.

Returning to Pacchanta for Thermal Baths

After visiting the lagoons, you return to Pacchanta for its medicinal thermal waters. Entrance to the thermal baths is not included, so bring extra money if soaking is part of your plan.

This stop is well placed. After a long hike, warm water offers a chance to rest before lunch and the ride back to Cusco. It also gives the day a local-community element rather than ending immediately after the final lagoon.

The exact entrance price is not provided, so budget separately. The same applies to horse use. Horses are not included, and you pay extra if you choose that option. The information does not say which parts of the route horses cover or how availability works, so ask before relying on a horse as your main plan.

If you do not want the baths, you can treat this as a break in Pacchanta before lunch. The activity information does not say that bathing is compulsory. Still, confirm the day’s arrangements with the guide so you know where to wait while others use the thermal waters.

Lunch and the Ride Back to Cusco

Lunch follows the hot springs in Pacchanta and is included in the tour price. That is another practical advantage, since buying food during a remote day can be inconvenient.

One passenger specifically described the food positively, while also praising the guide. Another rated the overall outing highly for its punctual pickup, friendly staff, and views. Those details matter because a tour this long can be spoiled by poor timing or unfriendly handling, even when the scenery is beautiful.

The return to Cusco is scheduled for around 7 p.m. That makes this a full-day commitment, not an activity to pair casually with an evening reservation. Leave your night flexible, especially because the exact return time may depend on weather, road conditions, and the group’s pace.

The van concern returns here. A tight vehicle may be tolerable on a short transfer, but it matters more after a 10-kilometer hike. If comfort is a priority, ask about seating and transport before you reserve.

What the $43 Price Really Includes

At $43 per person, the price is attractive because several useful pieces are bundled together:

• Pickup in selected Cusco areas
• Round-trip transportation
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Professional guide
• Walking sticks
• First-aid kit

You still need to add the 7 Lagoons entrance fee of $5 or 15 soles. Thermal bath entry is separate, and horse use is also extra. The final amount therefore depends on which add-ons you choose.

I see this as good value for a visitor who wants a managed day outside Cusco. Organizing transport to Pacchanta, finding the route, arranging meals, and returning safely would take more work than the headline price suggests. The value is weaker if you dislike long group transfers, need lots of vehicle space, or want a slow private outing.

The overall rating shown for the activity is 3.7 out of 5 from six ratings. That points to a generally worthwhile experience with some clear limitations, rather than a flawless product. The strongest praise centers on the views, punctual pickup, friendly staff, guide, and food. The clearest complaint concerns the small van, while one person felt the outing did not match expectations despite agreeing that the scenery was very beautiful.

Who Should Book This Seven Lagoons Tour?

I would point this tour toward active visitors who want dramatic mountain scenery and do not mind sacrificing a little comfort for a lower price. It suits you especially well if you want a complete day with transport, meals, a guide, and a planned walking route.

It is also a good match if you like having a second activity after the main hike. The thermal baths turn the day into more than a simple out-and-back trek, though you must pay their entrance fee.

I would be cautious if you have respiratory problems, are pregnant, or are not comfortable with a 10-kilometer walk. The lack of detailed trail information makes it hard to judge the physical demands precisely, so ask for current conditions before booking if you have concerns.

You should also think hard about the early start and van. A 4:30 a.m. pickup followed by a long ride and a full hike can be tiring. If you value spacious transportation above all else, this may not be your best choice.

Practical Packing Advice for the Day

The operator asks you to bring your passport or ID card and comfortable shoes. Take that seriously. This is a walking tour, and footwear will affect your entire day.

Because the trip runs rain or shine, prepare for changing weather with suitable layers and rain protection. The supplied information does not provide a packing list beyond identification and shoes, so keep your daypack focused on basic outdoor needs rather than assuming the operator supplies everything.

Keep cash available for the 7 Lagoons entrance fee, thermal baths, and possible horse use. The lagoon entrance is listed as $5 or 15 soles. Having soles may be useful for local payments, though the tour does not specify which payment methods are accepted.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those policies help if your Cusco schedule is still moving, but they do not change the physical demands of the day.

Should You Book It?

Book this excursion if your priority is seeing Ausangate and seven colorful lagoons with the basic logistics already arranged. The price is fair, the views are the main event, and breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, walking sticks, and first-aid support give you a useful package.

Skip it if you need a spacious van, a short walk, or detailed information about trail difficulty and altitude before committing. My practical verdict is positive but measured: choose it for scenery and convenience, not comfort. Bring proper shoes, extra money for entrance fees, and patience for a very early start.

FAQ

Where is the Seven Lagoons tour located?

The tour visits a natural attraction southeast of Cusco in the Cusco Region of Peru, near the community of Pacchanta and the Ausangate snow-capped mountain.

How long does the tour last?

It lasts one full day. Pickup is approximately 4:30 a.m., and the return to Cusco is planned for around 7:00 p.m.

How far is the hike?

The walking route is approximately 10 kilometers and includes visits to all seven lagoons.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup in selected areas of Cusco and round-trip transportation are included.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is provided after returning to the community.

Is the entrance fee to the seven lagoons included?

No. The entrance fee costs $5 or 15 soles and must be paid separately.

Are the thermal baths included?

No. Entrance to the thermal baths is not included in the tour price.

Is a horse included?

No. Horse use is an additional cost.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Spanish.