7 Lagoons of Ausangate Tour Full Day Trek & Pacchanta Hot Springs
Seven turquoise, blue and red glacial lakes at the foot of sacred Ausangate (6,384 m), then a soak in the Pacchanta hot springs. Meals, entrance and trekking poles included — from $40.
The 7 Lagoons of Ausangate trek is the wildest day trip from Cusco: a loop of about five hours past seven glacial lakes — Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha and others — each a different colour, below the glaciers of Ausangate (6,384 m), the highest mountain in the Cusco region and its most sacred peak.
We pick you up at 4:30 AM, drive about three hours to the village of Pacchanta for breakfast and walk the loop among herds of alpacas, reaching about 4,700 m. Back in Pacchanta you have a buffet lunch and a well-earned soak in its natural hot springs before returning to Cusco at around 7:30 PM. Breakfast, lunch, entrance, hot springs, poles, a guide and oxygen are included for US $40. See our 7 Lagoons guide to prepare.
Turquoise, green and red lakes, each coloured by the minerals and algae of the Ausangate massif.
Ausangate up close
The ice walls of the highest mountain in the Cusco region tower above the trail.
Alpacas and herders
Pacchanta is a herding community, and alpacas graze around the lakes.
Hot springs to finish
A soak in the natural thermal pools of Pacchanta after the hike, included in the price.
A real high-Andes hike
About five hours above 4,200 m — for fit travellers who have acclimatized in Cusco.
Breakfast and lunch included
Breakfast and a buffet lunch in Pacchanta, before and after the loop.
Tour at a glance
Duration
Full Day · 15 h
Price
From US $40 per person
Hotel pickup
4:30 AM
Back in Cusco
7:30 PM
Max altitude
4,700 m
Walking
≈5 h loop
Difficulty
Moderate
Drive from Cusco
about 3 h
Meals
Breakfast + buffet lunch
Entrance fees
Included (+ hot springs)
Group size
Small group, max 14 travelers
Last-minute booking
Until 11:30 PM the night before
Book today, travel tomorrow
Online booking stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). With a 4:30 AM pickup you can book until 11:30 PM the night before — the calendar updates by itself. You receive your confirmation by email as soon as you pay. Need a seat even sooner? Message us on WhatsApp and we will check availability for you.
A spectacular high-Andes trek — early drive to Pacchanta, a 5-hour loop past seven lakes, lunch and a soak in the hot springs before returning to Cusco.
FULL DAY
Full Day · 7 Lagoons of Ausangate
04:30 AMDeparture from Cusco. Hotel pickup between 4:30 and 5:00 AM, then a scenic 3-hour bus ride to the village of Pacchanta.
08:00 AMBreakfast in Pacchanta. We enjoy a hearty breakfast before lacing up for the trek.
09:00 AMTrek the seven lakes. A gradual ascent leads past the seven vivid lakes — Azulcocha, Otorongo, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha and more — over roughly 5 hours round trip.
02:00 PMLunch in Pacchanta. Back in Pacchanta we savour a delicious buffet lunch.
03:00 PMHot springs. Unwind in the natural thermal hot springs of Pacchanta.
07:30 PMReturn to Cusco. We head back to the city, arriving around 7:30 PM.
Good to know: The trek reaches high altitude (above 4,500 m) over about 5 hours. Good fitness and prior acclimatization help; oxygen and trekking poles are provided.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your 7 Lagoons of Ausangate tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Breakfast & buffet lunch.
Entrance tickets.
Comfortable transportation from your hotel.
Trekking equipment, poles & oxygen.
Tour & trekking guide for the entire journey.
Pacchanta hot springs access.
Not Included
Tips for guide and driver (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your 7 Lagoons of Ausangate day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize first
Spend 2–3 days in Cusco before this high-altitude trek. The route climbs above 4,500 m over ~5 hours. Hydrate, pace yourself and bring warm layers — oxygen and poles are provided.
Physical fitness
This is a moderate to demanding day: about 5 hours on foot above 4,300 m, reaching around 4,700 m. The path is not technical but the altitude is real — come after at least two or three days in Cusco and walk at a steady pace. Horses can be arranged locally.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, when the lagoons shine in turquoise, green and red under clear skies and Ausangate is in full view. Nights are freezing from June to August; from December to March rain and snow are frequent.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,700 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers: early morning is close to freezing, midday can feel warm in the sun.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $40 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $120 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $38 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $36 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
The dry season, May to September, brings clearer skies and more stable weather for the trek.
It is moderate to challenging — around 5 hours at high altitude. Good fitness and acclimatization are recommended.
Comfortable hiking boots, warm layers, a rain jacket, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water and a camera.
Basic facilities including breakfast/lunch service and the natural hot springs — amenities are limited, so expect a rustic setting.
Acclimatize in Cusco for a couple of days, hydrate well, avoid heavy meals and take it steady. We carry oxygen throughout.
US $40 per person in a shared group, including hotel pickup, breakfast, buffet lunch, entrance, access to the Pacchanta hot springs, trekking poles, a guide and oxygen. Private service is US $120 per person.
Yes. Online booking for the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). Pickup is at 4:30 AM, so you can book until 11:30 PM the night before. Pick your date in the calendar — any date still shown as available can be booked — and you will get your confirmation by email as soon as you pay.
Moderate to demanding because of altitude: about 5 hours walking above 4,300 m. The trail is gradual and suitable for fit travelers who have acclimatized. If you want colors with less effort, see Palcoyo or the Rainbow Mountain ATV Express.
Yes — bring a swimsuit and a small towel. After the trek we stop at the natural thermal pools of Pacchanta, included in the price.
