From Cusco: 7 Lagoons of Ausangate Trek with Hot Springs

The seven turquoise lagoons of Ausangate are the reason to make this very early start. Set below the snowy Ausangate mountain, the lakes appear in different shades as you climb through broad Andean scenery. You’ll also have a chance to see llamas, alpacas, vizcachas, and perhaps an Andean condor.

I like two things especially: the day combines a serious mountain walk with a hot-spring soak and typical lunch, and the guide is there to help you manage a route that sits well above 4,600 meters. The drawback is just as clear: this is a demanding high-altitude hike, not a gentle photo stop. If your fitness is low or you have altitude problems, choose another outing.

Key points to know before booking

• The highest lake reaches about 4,867 meters, so altitude matters more than the one-day length suggests.
• Pickup begins around 4:30 AM, followed by roughly two hours on the road to Pacchanta.
• All seven lakes have different names and elevations, from Azulcocha at about 4,618 meters to Pachaspata at about 4,867 meters.
• Pacchanta’s hot springs come after the hike, giving tired legs a useful break before lunch.
• Guide Ozuna Baby received specific praise for staying attentive and helping people who needed support during the walk.
• The $43 price includes transport, breakfast, lunch, and a guide, but entrance charges and personal costs are extra.

Why Ausangate’s seven lakes are worth the effort

Ausangate is one of the major sacred mountains of the Cusco region. The area feels far removed from the city, with wide slopes, snow-covered peaks, grazing animals, and water fed by high glaciers. You are not visiting one famous viewpoint and turning around. The day gives you a sequence of lakes, each with its own position and color, linked by a high mountain trail.

The scenery is the main reward, but the setting also carries cultural meaning. In Inca belief, Ausangate and the nearby lakes help create the masculine energy that fertilizes Pachamama, or Mother Earth. The waters are said to travel toward the Amazon and return at night as the River of Stars, the Milky Way. You do not need to treat this as a literal explanation to appreciate what it says about the region: water, mountain, sky, and community are closely connected here.

The Chillca community has traditionally lived as llama and alpaca herders and is known as a guardian of these high valleys. The area also connects with the longer Path of the Apu Ausangate, a multi-day route with lodges and tambos. This outing gives you a demanding sample of that country without asking you to spend several nights in the mountains.

The 4:30 AM start from Cusco

Pickup is offered from several central points, including Cusco Plaza Hostel, Plaza San Francisco, Limacpampa, Plazoleta de San Blas, and Avenida El Sol. The stated finish is Plaza Regocijo, with arrival back in Cusco expected around 6:30 PM.

That schedule makes for a long day. You leave before sunrise, ride for about two hours, hike at high altitude, soak in hot springs, eat lunch, and then return to the city. I would not schedule an important evening activity after this tour. Give yourself time to rest.

Breakfast is served in Pacchanta, where you gather energy before walking. This is a practical inclusion. At these elevations, starting the hike without food is a poor plan, especially when the route will take you past several lakes and up toward its highest point.

The transport is included, which gives the trip good value at $43 per person. Still, do not confuse low cost with low effort. The price covers the main necessities, but you should bring cash because entrance fees and personal expenses are not included, and ATMs may not be available.

Arriving in Pacchanta at the foot of the hike

Pacchanta is the base for the walking portion and the place where you return later for the hot springs and lunch. The morning begins here with breakfast before you head toward the snowy Ausangate and its lakes.

The route is described as moderate, but altitude makes that label important to interpret. A moderate walk at sea level can feel much harder above 4,600 meters. The path includes ascents, stops at several lakes, and a high point near Pachaspata. The supplied route does not give a precise distance or walking time, so you should judge the day by elevation rather than by mileage alone.

Your guide leads the group and pauses at the lakes. These stops are useful for photographs, but also for catching your breath. A good pace matters here. Rushing from one viewpoint to the next can turn a beautiful day into an uncomfortable one.

The seven lagoons, from Azulcocha to Q’omercocha

The lakes are the heart of the outing. Their colors can look blue, green, or turquoise depending on the water, sky, and light. You visit them as you climb, so the route builds toward a high point rather than presenting all seven at once.

• Azulcocha Lagoon, about 4,618 meters: This is one of the first named lakes, and its name refers to its blue color. It gives you an early look at the water that makes this route famous.
• Otorongo Lagoon, about 4,620 meters: Otorongo is another early lake, close in elevation to Azulcocha. Having two lakes near the beginning helps the outing feel varied from the start.
• Oq’ecocha Lagoon, about 4,631 meters: The trail continues upward only slightly, but the thin air remains a serious factor. Take the stop slowly and use it to drink water.
• Pucacocha Lagoon, about 4,670 meters: At this height, the surroundings feel increasingly open and severe. The broad views toward Ausangate are a major part of the appeal.
• Pachaspata Lagoon, about 4,867 meters: This is the highest named lake on the route and the point that demands the most from your legs and lungs. It is also where you should be most honest about your condition.
• Alqacocha Lagoon, about 4,752 meters: The route then includes another lake at a slightly lower elevation. The change is small, but every stop adds another angle on the mountain country.
• Q’omercocha Lagoon, about 4,666 meters: This completes the seven-lake sequence before you return toward Pacchanta.

The order and walking details may vary with the guide and conditions, so treat the elevations as useful reference points rather than a promise about the exact rhythm of the day. The important point is that every lake is high. This is not a low-altitude stroll with one steep section.

Wildlife on the trail

Llamas and alpacas are part of everyday life in these valleys, not staged attractions. You may see them grazing near the route or being tended by local herders. Their presence helps you understand how people use this high country, where agriculture is limited and pastoral life remains important.

Vizcachas are another possible sight. These Andean animals can appear among rocky areas, though wildlife is never guaranteed. If conditions are favorable, you might also spot an Andean condor. The condor is a possibility, not a scheduled part of the tour, so bring patience and keep your eyes on the cliffs and open sky.

I like this part of the experience because it keeps the focus from narrowing to photographs of water. The region is a living place, with animals, herding communities, and sacred mountains. Just remember that the animals are not the central promise of the day. The seven lakes and Ausangate views are what you can count on.

A demanding route that requires honest preparation

The most important practical issue is altitude sickness. The route reaches well above 4,600 meters, and the highest lake is close to 4,867 meters. The tour information recommends altitude sickness pills and warns that the weather can be very cold, particularly at night.

Bring warm clothing even if Cusco feels mild when you leave. You also need comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks. Sun at high elevation can be strong, while wind and cold can arrive quickly. A camera is worthwhile, but it should not replace the basics.

The route is not suitable for people with altitude sickness, low fitness, back problems, or for pregnant women. That is not a minor disclaimer. A verified booking review described the walk as very demanding and advised people not to treat it as a simple social-media photo stop. That is good advice.

If your fitness is not strong, bring cash in case taking a horse is possible and necessary. The available information does not promise horse support for every participant, so do not book this assuming a ride will automatically be available. Ask the provider about that option before departure if you have concerns.

Guide support can make a real difference. Guide Ozuna Baby was specifically praised for staying attentive and giving timely help to people who needed it. The tour offers live guiding in English or Spanish. Even with a helpful guide, you remain responsible for saying early if you feel unwell.

Pacchanta hot springs and the post-hike meal

After the lakes, you return to Pacchanta for free time in the hot springs. This is well placed in the schedule. The soak comes after the hardest physical part, not as a rushed extra before the hike.

The springs give you a chance to relax before lunch, but they do not erase the demands of the route. You should still drink water and pay attention to how you feel. If you are very tired, keep the soak simple and save your energy for the return journey.

A typical lunch follows the hot springs. It is included in the price along with breakfast, so you do not need to plan for a separate restaurant stop. Dinner is not included, and the tour returns to Cusco around 6:30 PM, so arrange your evening meal after you get back.

This combination of mountain walking, hot springs, and local food is one of the tour’s strongest features. A cheaper outing might show you the lakes but leave you to arrange transport and food. Here, the basic day is bundled together, which helps explain the $43 cost.

What the $43 price really covers

At $43, this is a low-priced full-day excursion from Cusco. You receive hotel pickup, transport, breakfast, a typical lunch, and a guide. Those inclusions matter because the destination is remote and the departure time is inconvenient for arranging everything independently.

The price does not include entrance fees or personal expenses. Keep cash with you, since there may not be ATMs. You should also budget for anything you might need during the day, such as extra snacks or a possible horse, if one is available and you decide you need help.

The main compromise is likely comfort and flexibility. The supplied information does not state the group size, vehicle type, exact distance, or precise entrance fee. If those details matter to you, ask before paying. At this price, I would choose the tour for its access and basic inclusions, not for a private, customized mountain experience.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those policies are useful if your Cusco plans are still shifting, but the more important decision is your physical readiness.

Ausangate, Qoyllur Rit’i, and the meaning of the region

Ausangate is more than a scenic backdrop. On its northern side, the annual Qoyllur Rit’i festival draws thousands of Quechua pilgrims before Corpus Christi. The pilgrimage goes to the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i at the Sinakara temple, a rock painting, and the event is recognized on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This day tour is not the festival and does not include a pilgrimage. Still, knowing about Qoyllur Rit’i gives the mountain a fuller meaning. The same peaks and lakes admired by hikers are also part of a living spiritual tradition.

The reference to the River of Stars, or Willkamayu, adds another layer. According to Inca mythology, water moves from the mountain and lakes toward the Amazon, then returns in the night sky as the Milky Way. You will see the physical water and the enormous sky. The story helps connect the two.

Who should book this one-day trek?

I would choose this tour if you want dramatic high mountain scenery but have only one day from Cusco. It suits people who are comfortable with an early start, long transport, cold conditions, and a demanding walk at extreme elevation.

It is also a good match if you value a complete day rather than a single viewpoint. Breakfast, lunch, a guide, transport, seven named lakes, and hot springs make the schedule feel full and purposeful.

I would not choose it if you are new to high altitude, have a low fitness level, have back problems, or are already experiencing altitude sickness. I would also hesitate if you want a slow, easy excursion or dislike leaving before dawn.

Final call: book it only if you respect the altitude

The seven lagoons route offers a lot for $43. You get access to Ausangate’s high country, local wildlife, two meals, transport, a guide, and a hot-spring visit. The turquoise lakes and snowy mountain views are the clear payoff.

But the altitude is not a footnote. The route reaches nearly 4,867 meters, and the walk has been described as very demanding. If you are prepared, bring warm layers, water, snacks, sunscreen, cash, and sensible shoes. If your body is not ready for this height, admire Ausangate through a less strenuous plan instead. Book this tour for the mountain experience, not just for a photograph.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven lagoons tour last?

It lasts one day. Pickup begins around 4:30 AM, and the expected return to Cusco is around 6:30 PM.

Where can I be picked up in Cusco?

Pickup options include Cusco Plaza Hostel, Plaza San Francisco, Limacpampa, Plazoleta de San Blas, and Avenida El Sol.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Spanish.

How high does the trek go?

The seven lagoons range from about 4,618 meters to about 4,867 meters above sea level. Pachaspata Lagoon is the highest at approximately 4,867 meters.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and a typical lunch are included. Dinner is not included.

Are the hot springs included in the day?

The schedule includes free time to relax in the hot springs of Pacchanta after visiting the lagoons.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, a camera, snacks, sunscreen, and water. Altitude sickness pills are recommended, and cash is useful because there may not be ATMs.