Ausangate 7 Lakes Day Trip from Cusco with Hot Springs

Summary

Hiking Ausangate’s colored lakes and soaking in Pacchanta’s warmth

You’ll start early in Cusco for a full-day hike around Ausangate’s seven colored lakes with a local guide — spotting alpacas and Andean birds along winding trails. After lunch in Pacchanta village, you’ll relax in natural hot springs before heading back. It’s tiring but you’ll carry home those mountain colors and that feeling of quiet awe.

What’s the experience like?

"You’ll want to try the coca tea," our guide, Maribel, said as we tumbled off the van in Pacchanta, still half-asleep and shivering a bit. It was barely past sunrise, and the village had this quiet hum — dogs stretching, someone stirring a pot outside. The air smelled faintly of wood smoke and something sweet I couldn’t place. We sat down for breakfast with the group (the bread was warm, which felt like a small miracle at that hour), and Maribel went over the plan for our Ausangate 7 lakes day trip from Cusco. I kept looking at the mountains — they were just sitting there, huge and patient.

The hike started slow. My boots crunched over frosty grass as we followed Maribel up a gentle slope. She pointed out alpacas grazing near Otorongo Lagoon — their wool looked impossibly fluffy up close — and showed us tiny purple flowers I’d have missed on my own. The first lake was so blue it almost looked fake; then came another one that was greenish, then one that mirrored the sky so perfectly I stopped to stare until my breath caught up with me again. There were moments when all you could hear were birds or the wind moving through grass, and sometimes someone would laugh or curse quietly about the altitude (I did both). Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so small in a good way.

Lunch back in Pacchanta tasted better than it probably should have after five hours of walking — soup first, then something hearty with potatoes (I never quite figured out what meat it was but it worked). Then Maribel led us to the thermal baths. The water was hot enough to sting for a second before settling into every tired muscle. Steam drifted up and blurred out the mountains; everyone got quiet for a while, just soaking. I remember thinking: this is one of those days you can’t really photograph right.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hike to Ausangate 7 lakes and hot springs

• Pick up from hotel in Cusco
• Travel 3 hours to Pacchanta
• Have breakfast in Pacchanta
• Begin 5-hour round-trip hike
• Visit Azulcocha Lagoon
• Visit Otorongo Lagoon
• Visit Pucacocha Lagoon
• Visit Alqacocha Lagoon
• Visit Q'omercocha Lagoon
• Visit Orqo Otorongo Lagoon
• Visit China Otorongo Lagoon
• Observe Andean birds and animals
• Return to Pacchanta
• Enjoy lunch in Pacchanta
• Relax 45 minutes in hot springs
• Return to Cusco city

Top questions

How long is the Ausangate 7 lakes hike from Cusco?

The hike itself takes about 5 hours round trip, not counting transport time between Cusco and Pacchanta.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup from central Cusco is included in your booking.

Are meals provided during the Ausangate 7 lakes tour?

Both breakfast and lunch are included during your day trip from Cusco.

What wildlife might I see on this tour?

You may spot alpacas, llamas, Andean birds, and sometimes vizcachas along the trail.

Are Pacchanta hot springs part of the itinerary?

Yes, you’ll have time to relax in Pacchanta’s thermal baths after hiking before returning to Cusco.

What level of fitness do I need for this tour?

You should be moderately fit; altitude can make the hike more challenging even though it’s not technical.

What time does the tour return to Cusco?

You’ll arrive back in Cusco at around 7:30 p.m., depending on traffic and group pace.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup from central Cusco by air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast on arrival in Pacchanta village before setting out with your professional guide for a five-hour hike past all seven Ausangate lagoons. Lunch is served back at Pacchanta followed by about 45 minutes relaxing in natural hot springs before returning to Cusco in the evening; oxygen and first aid are carried throughout.