From Cusco: Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour with Meals

The lakes earn every step. This full-day trip from Cusco takes you into a raw mountain setting beneath Ausangate, with seven striking lakes, snowy peaks, local scenery, and a visit to Pacchanta’s hot springs. I like the small group of up to 15 people and the fact that breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, oxygen, and walking sticks are included. I also like that the route feels far removed from city sightseeing and follows a quieter natural attraction.

The main drawback is the hike. You walk for roughly five hours, with the full route reaching about 13 kilometers, and the altitude and early start make this a serious day rather than a gentle outing. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory problems, or those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lakes beneath Ausangate: The route visits Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa.
• A 4:00 AM pickup: Hotel pickup is available in selected areas of Cusco, especially hotels inside the historic center.
• About five hours on foot: You walk from Pacchanta to a viewpoint, then continue around the lakes before returning to town.
• Breakfast and lunch included: You eat breakfast in Pacchanta before walking and lunch there after the hike.
• A small group of up to 15: This gives the guide a better chance to manage the pace and keep the group together.
• Hot springs cost extra: Pacchanta’s thermal baths are not included, so bring cash if you want a soak.

Why Ausangate’s seven lakes are worth the long morning

Ausangate is one of the major mountain landmarks in the Cusco Region, and this tour puts you at the foot of the mountain rather than viewing it from the city. The appeal is not one single lake. It is the changing mix of water, rock, snow, open mountain scenery, plants, and wildlife across the route.

The seven lakes have individual names, but the colors are the real attraction. Depending on light and weather, the water can appear blue, green, dark, or reddish. Lake Rojo is especially memorable by name alone, while Laguna Azul promises the kind of clear color that makes the camera come out repeatedly.

You should keep your expectations practical. This is not a day spent quietly beside each lake. The route is designed as a long walking circuit, and one account put the total distance at 13 kilometers. You may get only a short time at some stops before the group moves on. That tradeoff lets you see more of the area in one day, but it can feel rushed if your main goal is slow photography.

The views of snow-covered peaks add much of the drama. A good day can give you a sharp contrast between colorful water below and snowy mountain tops beyond. That combination is the reason this outing attracts people who want a natural setting rather than another collection of buildings and museums.

The 4:00 AM departure from Cusco

Your day begins early. Pickup is scheduled for 4:00 AM from selected hotels in Cusco, with the clearest coverage for properties inside the historic center. You should confirm your pickup point and be ready before the stated time. At this hour, the most useful preparation is simple: pack your daypack the night before and keep water, sun protection, and warm layers close at hand.

The early departure serves a purpose. The tour must travel southeast from Cusco to Pacchanta, fit in breakfast, complete the walk, and return to the city by about 6:00 PM near the main square. That makes this a long day even before you start walking.

Round-trip transport is included in the $37 price, which makes the cost attractive for anyone who would otherwise need to arrange a private vehicle. You are paying for a full day of transport and guiding, not just entry to a viewpoint. The low price also includes two meals, first aid equipment, oxygen, and walking sticks.

The schedule leaves little room for a relaxed morning. If you value sleep and a late breakfast, this is the wrong excursion. If you want to use one day to reach a mountain area that is difficult to organize independently, the early start is a fair exchange.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike

Pacchanta is the practical base for the walk and one of the most useful parts of the schedule. You stop here for breakfast before setting out, so you do not need to begin the hike with only snacks in your bag.

The town also gives the day a local connection. This is not simply a drive to a distant photo stop, followed by a drive back. Pacchanta is a community settlement, and the route returns here for lunch and the thermal baths.

Breakfast matters because the walking portion is long. Eat enough to support several hours outdoors, but still carry snacks because the tour information specifically recommends them. Water is also essential, along with sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, and a camera.

The guide supplies walking sticks, which can help on an uneven mountain route. You should still wear footwear suitable for extended walking. The information provided does not promise a particular trail surface, so sensible preparation is better than assuming the route will be smooth.

Two hours to the viewpoint above the lakes

From Pacchanta, the group walks for about two hours to reach a viewpoint overlooking the seven lakes. This first section is where the tour asks most of you physically before delivering its biggest visual reward.

The viewpoint gives you the broadest understanding of the area. Instead of seeing one body of water at a time, you can take in several lakes set among the mountains. The guide can also help identify the named lakes and point out the surrounding flora, fauna, and peaks.

The route is described as pleasant but sporty. That is a useful distinction. You do not need to be an elite mountaineer, but normal fitness is important, and you should be comfortable walking for hours in a high mountain environment. The tour specifically excludes people with respiratory issues and certain pre-existing medical conditions, so take those restrictions seriously.

Oxygen and a first aid kit are carried as safety equipment. Their inclusion is reassuring, but they do not turn a hard hike into an easy one. If you feel unwell, tell the guide early rather than trying to push through the route.

Visiting Lake Superior, Otorongo, Rojo, and the rest

After the viewpoint, you continue for about three more hours, visiting most of the seven lakes before returning to Pacchanta. The named stops are Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa.

The names help you follow the route, but the visual differences are what make the circuit worthwhile. Water color can change from one lake to the next, giving you a varied set of views instead of one repeated scene. The surrounding mountains keep the setting grand even when a lake itself looks less colorful than expected.

I would plan your photography carefully. You may have only a limited amount of time at the lakes, and one account specifically noted that there was not much time actually spent beside them despite the excellent views. Use the walk between stops to prepare your camera, and do not wait until the final seconds to take the picture you want.

This is also a place to look beyond the water. The tour includes views of mountain peaks, native plants, and local wildlife. The material does not promise a particular animal sighting, so treat fauna as a possible bonus rather than a feature you can count on.

The route’s quiet setting is one of its strongest qualities. This is presented as a newer natural attraction, and it is described as less touristy than many famous Cusco area outings. That does not mean you will have the mountains entirely to yourself, especially in a group setting, but the focus remains on open scenery rather than a crowded monument.

Lunch, hot springs, and the return to Cusco

Once you complete the walking circuit, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. A fresh, high-quality meal was singled out as one of the day’s pleasures, and that is important after a five-hour hike. You are not finishing the route and immediately climbing into a vehicle hungry and worn out.

Pacchanta’s thermal baths offer a welcome option after the walk. The entrance fee is not included, so carry cash if you want to use them. The tour information does not state the fee or guarantee a specific amount of time at the baths, so ask the guide about the practical arrangements on the day.

The hot springs are a useful bonus, but they should not be the reason you book. The central experience is the seven-lake hike. If the baths are closed, crowded, or outside your budget, the main portion of the excursion remains the mountain route and scenery.

After lunch, transport takes you back to Cusco. Arrival is expected around 6:00 PM near the main square. Since the day starts at 4:00 AM, keep your evening light. You will have spent a long stretch on the road and trail.

What the $37 price really covers

At $37 per person, this is a strong value if you want a guided day trip without arranging the complicated pieces yourself. The price includes selected-area pickup, round-trip transportation, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, oxygen, and walking sticks.

That list matters because meals and equipment can quietly raise the cost of a budget excursion. Here, breakfast and lunch are already part of the package, and the guide helps with the route and group pace. A group capped at 15 people is also more manageable than a large coach outing.

You still need money for the thermal bath entrance, a horse ride if you decide you want one, snacks, water, and other personal expenses. Horse rides are not included and should not be treated as an automatic backup if the walking becomes difficult. If you are unsure about completing the route, address that concern before booking.

The price does not remove the need to prepare. A budget tour can still be physically demanding. The best value goes to someone who wants the full outdoor day and is ready to walk, not someone looking for a cheap scenic drive.

Guide support and group size with Chullos Tours

Chullos Tours provides a live guide in English or Spanish, and the small-group format limits the outing to 15 participants. That is useful on a route where the group must stay organized across several hours of walking.

A guide named Jonatan received particular praise for keeping a pleasant pace and offering kind support throughout the route. That detail suggests the human side of the tour can make a real difference, especially when the walk feels demanding. Guide quality can vary by departure, so I would still ask questions about pace, rest stops, and the walking route at the start.

The group size is not private, but 15 people is small enough to feel more personal than a large bus tour. It also means you should be considerate of the group schedule. Spending twenty minutes taking pictures at one lake may not be possible if the guide needs to keep everyone on time.

English and Spanish coverage makes the tour accessible to a broad range of visitors. If you need detailed instructions or have a health concern, communicate clearly with the guide before leaving Pacchanta.

What to pack for this mountain day

The recommended packing list is sensible and should be followed closely:

• Passport
• Daypack
• Water and snacks
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat and an extra hat if needed
• Camera
• Cash
• Warm, practical walking clothing

The list includes both a sun hat and a hat, which may simply reflect the need for protection from strong mountain sun and changing conditions. You should carry layers because the day includes an early start, outdoor walking, and long periods in exposed scenery.

Cash is especially important if you plan to pay for the thermal baths or cover other extra expenses. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed on the activity.

A daypack is preferable to a large suitcase because the route is on foot and you need your hands free. The tour supplies walking sticks, but you should not rely on included equipment for every personal need.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this outing if you want big mountain scenery and colorful lakes in one demanding day from Cusco. It suits people with normal fitness who can manage about five hours of walking and who understand that the route may feel sporty rather than leisurely.

It is also a good fit if you value included meals, guided transport, and a small group. The $37 rate keeps the day affordable, especially when you count breakfast, lunch, equipment, and the guide.

I would hesitate if you have respiratory problems, a pre-existing medical condition, or difficulty with long walks. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the horse ride is an extra rather than a guaranteed alternative to walking.

Photographers should book with realistic expectations. The scenery is excellent, but the schedule may allow only short visits at the lakes. If you want to sit quietly beside one lake for a long time, a private or slower arrangement would be better.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, tightly organized day in a natural mountain setting and you are ready for a 13-kilometer route, an early start, and a long return to Cusco. The seven lake colors, snowy peaks, included meals, and Pacchanta hot springs create a lot of value for the price.

Skip it if you need an easy outing or want generous time at every lake. This tour gives you a broad taste of the Ausangate area rather than a slow, private mountain retreat. For fit hikers who want striking scenery without arranging every detail, it is a worthwhile day with a clear physical cost.

FAQ

How long is the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

It lasts one full day, with pickup around 4:00 AM and arrival back in Cusco around 6:00 PM near the main square.

How far do you walk on the tour?

The walking route is about 13 kilometers, with approximately two hours to the viewpoint and three more hours visiting most of the lakes and returning to Pacchanta.

Which lakes are visited?

The named lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Otorongo Hombre, Lake Otorongo, Lake Rojo, Lake Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Lake Alqa.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is provided after the walk when you return to town.

Is transportation from Cusco included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation and pickup from selected areas of Cusco are included. Pickup is specified for hotels located within the historic center.

Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?

No. Entrance to the thermal baths is not included, so you need to pay the entry fee separately.

Is a guide provided in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live guide, with English and Spanish available.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with respiratory issues?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.