You wake up before sunrise for a reason: the 7 Ausangate Lagoons sit far from the city noise. This day trip takes you southeast of Cusco to a natural mountain setting at the foot of Ausangate, where the color of the water and the big views do most of the talking.

What I like is the mix of movement and payoff. I love the walk to the viewpoint because you get your bearings fast and then the lagoons appear as a group. I also like the fact that you’re not just driving past scenery—you spend hours actually around the lagoons, ending in Pacchanta for lunch.

One drawback to plan for: it’s a long day on your feet. With about 5 hours of walking plus an early 4:00 a.m. pickup, it’s not a good choice if you have low fitness or any mobility, back, pregnancy, or respiratory limitations.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• 04:00 a.m. pickup means you’ll be on the road in the dark—set your alarm and pack the night before.
• Two walking segments (2 hours to the first viewpoint, then about 3 hours onward) shape the day more than the drive does.
• Seven specific lagoons are part of the experience: Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.
• Pacchanta hot springs are optional, and entrance tickets aren’t included.
• Practical safety extras are included, like trekking sticks, an oxygen supply, and a first aid kit.

The Ausangate Lagoons: What Makes This Day Trip Worth It

Cusco day trips can blur together: a bus ride here, a photo stop there, then back to town. This one feels different because the main event is the walking route and the lagoons themselves. You’re heading to the foot of Mount Ausangate, and that changes the mood quickly—from city routine to open, high-country air.

The tour is built around a simple idea: you’ll reach a viewpoint to see the lagoons as a set, then you’ll continue on a longer stretch that brings you near a large part of them. Even the lagoon names help you “read” what you’ll see along the way. You’ve got Laguna Roja (red), Laguna Azul (blue), plus others like Otorongo Macho and Otorongo Fembra, which sound intimidating—but the actual experience is more like following a guided trail through mountain water and rocky terrain.

The price—$40 per person—makes sense when you compare what’s included. This isn’t only a ride out of town. You get pickup, round-trip transport, a guide, breakfast, lunch, plus hiking support items like trekking sticks and oxygen. That matters on a day trip where you don’t want to scramble for basics.

4:00 a.m. Pickup in Cusco and the Road to Pacchanta

You start early: pickup from your hotel at 04:00 a.m. Pickup is included, and the standard move is to be ready in the hotel lobby. If you’re traveling light, that’s easy. If you’re the type who likes to review maps with coffee, you’ll need to switch gears and get sleep before the alarm.

The ride heads southeast toward Pacchanta, a town used as a base for the morning. Once you arrive, you get a restorative breakfast. That early meal is key because the first part of the day is a steady walk and not a sit-down activity.

Practical tip: plan your breakfast time like it’s part of the hike prep. You’ll want simple energy foods and something you can digest comfortably. Also, bring the ID you need (passport or ID card). You’ll likely want cash on hand too, especially if you choose to pay for hot springs entrance later.

Breakfast in Pacchanta: Fuel Before the 2-Hour Viewpoint Walk

In Pacchanta, breakfast comes before you start the trek. This helps you avoid the common mistake on early tours: going out too fast with empty stomach energy. You’ll begin the walk from the town area, and the first goal is a viewpoint.

This first walking segment takes about 2 hours. The goal here isn’t speed. It’s getting you high enough, soon enough, to get a strong view of all the lagoons together. When a tour is designed with an early viewpoint, it usually means you’ll get a big “wow” sooner rather than later—and you can pace the rest of the day with that payoff behind you.

What to watch for: your feet and your breathing. Comfortable shoes are required, and the tour provides trekking sticks. Those sticks aren’t a gimmick. They help you keep balance and reduce strain, especially on uneven ground. If you’re not used to hiking, plan to slow down even if others around you feel faster.

The Viewpoint Reveal: Where the 7 Lagoons Come Into Focus

After the first walk, you reach the viewpoint where you can see the 7 Ausangate lagoons. This is the moment the day trip earns its reputation. Instead of isolated ponds, you get the idea of an interconnected water system spread out near Ausangate.

Seeing seven lagoons from one place changes how you experience the rest of the route. You’re not wondering what you’re walking toward. You’ve already mapped it in your mind, so the next hours feel like a guided “close-up follow-the-water” experience.

If you like photos, this is your strongest shot zone. If you prefer just absorbing it, this is still the best place to do that—pause, look for the named colors and shapes (for example Laguna Roja and Laguna Azul), and let the group size and the tour pace settle down around you. You don’t need to rush.

The 3-Hour Walk After the View: Around the Lagoons and Back to Lunch

From the viewpoint, you continue on another 3 hours of walking. This segment is described as covering a large part of the 7 lagoons, and it ends back at the starting point in Pacchanta, where lunch is served.

This part of the day is about proximity. The tour has two different strengths: the viewpoint gives the overview, and the longer walk gives the closeness. You’ll be moving through a totally natural environment with mountain scenery, and you’ll also get to appreciate flora and fauna typical of the area. That phrasing matters: you’re not just walking beside water—you’re in a functioning ecosystem.

The drawback here is simple: after two hours already, three more can feel long. If you’re deciding whether you can do it, be honest about your stamina. This tour is not positioned as a gentle stroll. It’s an active nature hike.

Gear reminder (based on what the tour asks for): wear hiking pants if you have them, and keep your camera accessible. You’ll want to capture the colors and the water, but don’t let the camera become a reason to stop moving too often. Short pauses are fine. Long stops can make you feel colder and stiffer if conditions change.

Optional Pacchanta Hot Springs: Thermo-Medicinal Time

You also have the option to visit the populated center of the Pacchanta Community and its thermo-medicinal waters. This isn’t automatically included as a guaranteed stop, but it’s part of what can add variety to the day after trekking.

One important detail: entrance tickets to hot springs are not included. That means you should plan to have cash ready if you want to do it. It also means you should mentally treat the hot springs as a bonus, not the core of the schedule.

Why this optional soak is worth considering: after hours of walking, especially if you feel sore, hot water can make recovery easier. It’s also a cultural contrast. You go from quiet nature and trail time into a community setting, and that shift can make the day feel more complete.

What You Really Get for $40: Inclusions That Matter on a Trek Day

A $40 price tag can feel suspicious on day trips—so I look at what you’re actually receiving. Here, the value is in the practical support.

Included:

• Hotel pickup and round-trip transport
• Breakfast and lunch (so you’re not hunting for food on the run)
• Professional guide
• Oxygen and a first aid kit
• Trekking sticks
• Language support in English and Spanish

That oxygen and first aid kit inclusion is especially meaningful. It suggests the tour expects you might be dealing with tougher air and a physical hike effort, even if the day stays “only” one day long. You can still take it slow and hydrate, but having that safety layer helps you feel less exposed.

Also, this is a full-day package built around timing. Pickup is early. The walking blocks are scheduled. Having meals included reduces the stress of guessing what you’ll eat or when you’ll find it.

Pace, Fitness, and Who This Tour Fits Best

This is where you should be strict with yourself. The tour is not suitable for:

• children under 8
• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• people with mobility impairments
• people with respiratory issues
• people with low level of fitness

Even if you feel “sort of fit,” ask: can you handle 5 hours of walking total (2 hours + 3 hours), plus the early start and transport? If the answer is uncertain, I’d lean toward a less demanding excursion.

On the flip side, if you enjoy hiking as part of sightseeing—not as a chore—this tour will feel natural. You’ll get movement, big views, and the satisfaction of reaching a viewpoint and then walking among the lagoons.

Practical ways to succeed:

• Wear comfortable shoes and ideally hiking shoes.
• Bring your hiking pants and a camera.
• Bring cash for any optional payments (like hot springs entrance).
• If you’re prone to stiffness, loosen up before the walk starts—your feet will thank you.

Where the Real Experience Happens: Natural Setting and Lagoon Colors

The tour’s highlights are exactly what you should pay attention to: the impressive colors of the lagoons, the natural landscape environment, and the ride to the lagoons.

The ride matters more than you might think. The early departure means you’re watching the region change from Cusco-area life toward a mountain-focused day. By the time you start walking, the whole atmosphere has shifted. That is part of the “journey” feel, even if the roads are just the transport.

Then comes the water. Names like Laguna Roja and Laguna Azul tell you this is not a generic hike to a single lake. The tour is designed around multiple lagoon stops and multiple visual moments. The colors aren’t a side show—they’re central to the experience.

And because you’re walking through a natural area with typical flora and fauna, it doesn’t feel like a staged attraction. You’re moving through a place where the land and the water define what’s around you.

Should You Book This Tour? My Take

If you want a low-effort drive-by, skip it. This trip earns its value through walking, timing, and the lagoon-focused route. It’s best for people who:

• enjoy hiking at a moderate pace
• can handle an early 04:00 a.m. start
• want more than a quick photo stop—something you feel in your legs and remember in your eyes
• like the idea of pairing lagoons with optional Pacchanta hot springs

I’d think twice if you fall into the tour’s “not suitable” categories, or if you’re traveling with health concerns that affect breathing or stamina. This is a real mountain day, even with support like trekking sticks and oxygen.

FAQ

What time does hotel pickup start?

Pickup is at 04:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 1 day.

Where does the tour go for breakfast?

Breakfast is in the town of Pacchanta before you begin the walk.

How much walking is included?

You walk about 2 hours to a viewpoint, then about 3 hours covering a large part of the lagoons, returning to Pacchanta for lunch.

What are the 7 lagoon names on this route?

Laguna Superior, Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Fembra, Laguna Roja, Laguna Ccomer, Laguna Azul, and Laguna Alqa.

Is the Pacchanta hot springs visit included?

A visit to Pacchanta’s thermo-medicinal waters is optional, and hot spring entrance tickets are not included.

What’s included in the price?

Pickup, round-trip transport, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, oxygen, trekking sticks, and a first aid kit.

What should I bring?

Bring passport or ID card, comfortable shoes (and hiking shoes), a camera, cash, and hiking pants.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide works in English and Spanish.

Who shouldn’t take this tour?

It is not suitable for children under 8, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with respiratory issues, or people with low fitness.

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