Snow-capped Ausangate starts your day before dawn, and the hike to seven color-shifting lagoons feels truly special. I love the majesty of Apu Ausangate and the way lagoons like Azulcocha can look like natural mirrors.

Because the pickup is around 4:30 a.m. and the trail is long, this is not a leisurely day.

If you’re ready for cold air, high views, and a warm finish, you’ll likely enjoy how the day stays structured—then ends with thermo-medicinal hot springs.

Key highlights at a glance

• Apu Ausangate photo stop with snowy, dramatic views
• Seven lagoons with blue, turquoise, and green tones (some mirror-like)
• A steady climb with wildlife sightings like alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and Andean birds
• Warm recovery time in hot springs after lunch
• Bilingual English/Spanish guide support plus help with pacing and regrouping

A very early start from Cusco to Pacchanta

This tour is built for early light and better mountain conditions. You’ll get picked up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., then ride by tourist transport for about 3 hours toward the starting area.

What I like here is the clear rhythm. You travel first, then eat, then hike—so you’re not spending the morning trying to guess what to do. Also, the tour includes a first aid kit, which matters on a long day at altitude.

The real consideration is that you’ll need to be awake quickly. A 4:30 a.m. departure means you should pack warm layers the night before and avoid any last-minute delays.

Pacchanta breakfast: fuel for a 5-hour round-trip hike

Once you reach Pacchanta, you’ll have breakfast for about 30 minutes. Then you start hiking and gradually ascend, lagoon by lagoon.

This “little by little” approach is a big part of why the day is enjoyable for many people. When you pace the climb instead of sprinting upward, you give your body a better chance to handle the altitude and the long walking time.

Breakfast plus a full hike also means you should treat snacks like a real tool, not an optional extra. Bring snacks and cash, because you’ll want something on hand if you get hungry between stops or need a small energy boost while waiting for photo moments.

The lagoon circuit: Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, and more

The heart of the day is the lagoon loop. You’ll walk for about 5 hours round trip, visiting seven lagoons known for their blue, turquoise, and green hues. Some lagoons are big and can look like natural mirrors—perfect for photos if the light cooperates.

Here are the lagoon names you’ll be focusing on:

• Azulcocha
• Otorongo
• Pucacocha
• Alqacocha
• Q’omercocha
• Orqo Otorongo
• China Otorongo

What makes this section special is that you’re not just looking at one view—you’re comparing colors as you move. One lagoon can feel calmer and reflective, and another might show more vivid tones as the angle changes. For photography, it’s a huge advantage to have multiple “reset” moments built into the route.

One practical thing: wear hiking shoes and comfortable layers. The ground can be uneven, and you’ll want stable footing. Also bring sunglasses and a sun hat, since snow peaks and open sky can mean strong UV even when the air feels cold.

Guided pacing, plus time to wander and regroup

The hike is guided, but it’s not robotic. At least once during the experience, the guide offered freedom early on—then the group regrouped later to view the lagoons together. That pattern is exactly what you want: enough structure to keep you oriented, plus enough flexibility to match your pace and photo style.

You’ll also have scenic photo stops along the way, plus guided tour moments connected to the Ausangate area. The day gives you time for pictures, but it never becomes a long sit-and-wait situation. You’re always moving toward the next payoff.

And because the schedule is tight, you’ll feel the value of a guide who actually manages timing. When the group is coordinated, you spend less energy worrying and more energy noticing the views.

Wildlife on the trail: alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and Andean birds

This is one of those hikes where the mountains keep talking to you in small ways. As you walk, you can spot alpacas, llamas, Andean birds, and vizcachas along the route.

The best advice is simple: watch the ground and the edges of the path. Vizcachas and many small animals tend to show up where the terrain offers cover. Meanwhile, birds often appear in flight or at points where the landscape opens up.

Also, keep your distance. You’re in wildlife country, and the more you act calm and slow, the more likely you’ll see something without disrupting the animals’ routine.

Lunch in Pacchanta, then a long soak in thermo-medicinal hot springs

After you return to Pacchanta, you’ll have lunch (about 45 minutes). Then comes the payoff for sore legs: hot springs.

Two important notes:

1) Thermal waters entry is not included (it’s listed as 10 soles), so bring cash.

2) The springs are described as thermo-medicinal, meaning the idea is both comfort and recovery time after the hike.

This is where the day changes gears—from breathless mountain altitude to slow warmth. If you’re smart, you’ll treat the soak like part of the itinerary, not an afterthought. Give yourself a little time to settle before you try to rush into taking photos or changing layers again.

Price and value: what you pay for, and what costs extra

The tour price is $36 per person, and for the amount of structure it offers, it can be good value. You get hotel pickup in Cusco, a bilingual English/Spanish guide, tourist transport, plus breakfast and lunch. You also get a first aid kit.

What’s not included is where you should plan ahead:

• Ausangate entry ticket: S/ 20.00
• Hot springs entry: 10 soles
• Horses: not included
• Drop-off at your exact hotel: not included (the finish point is listed near San Bernardo, Cusco)
• Dinner: not included

So the real budgeting tip is this: don’t think the ticket price is your only cost. Bring cash for the access fees, and be ready to walk the last stretch if you don’t get dropped at your door.

For many people, the value is the combination: early transport, full-guided lagoon circuit, and food plus recovery time. If you tried to build this yourself, you’d be assembling transport, guides, permits, and timing—often without the same level of day coordination.

What to bring, and who should think twice

This is a high-altitude hike, and the tour makes that clear. You need to acclimatize in Cusco, and you should have a good physical condition. The tour also runs rain or shine.

Here’s what you should pack based on what the tour requests:

• Comfortable shoes and hiking shoes
• Warm clothing
• Rain gear
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Snacks
• Cash

You should also take seriously these “not suitable” notes:

• People with altitude sickness (or who are likely to get it)
• People with high blood pressure

Even if you feel okay on day one in Cusco, conditions can change fast in the mountains. If you have health concerns, it’s smart to plan your decision around your own limits, not just excitement.

Photo strategy: seven lagoons plus snowy mountain drama

The tour is built for photos. The day includes photo stops and multiple lagoons with color changes—plus the snowy presence of Apu Ausangate. If you want your best shots, move with purpose but don’t rush every stop.

A few photo-friendly habits:

• Take a couple of images quickly, then watch the lagoon as the light shifts.
• Try different angles when a lagoon looks reflective—often the best shot comes after you’ve moved slightly.
• Keep your camera protected if weather turns. The tour runs in rain or shine, and wind can be a factor in high places.

Also, remember the route has a lot of moving time. If you stop too long in one spot, you’ll feel it during the later walk. Balance “time for pictures” with “time for energy.”

Should you book this Ausangate 7 Lagoons day?

Book it if you want a full-day mountain experience with big views, a clear itinerary, and a satisfying finish in the hot springs. It’s a great fit for people who can handle a long day, enjoy walking, and care more about real nature than city-style sightseeing.

Skip it if you know you struggle with altitude or have high blood pressure. And be honest about the early wake-up call. This is not a quick morning outing—it’s a serious hike with an even bigger payoff.

If you’re traveling with friends, this is also one of those days where the group rhythm helps. A guide who manages the pacing and keeps you oriented can turn a complicated route into a calmer, more enjoyable day.

FAQ

What time is the pickup in Cusco?

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

How long is the walking part of the tour?

The walk is about 5 hours round trip.

What lagoons does the tour visit?

The lagoons listed are Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, and China Otorongo.

Are the hot springs included?

No. Entry to the thermal waters is not included and costs 10 soles.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included.

Is the tour suitable for altitude sickness or high blood pressure?

No. It is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or for people with high blood pressure.

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