Seven lagoons. One intense start to the day. This Ausangate hike strings together distinct blue-and-green waters you reach in a full morning of walking, with hotel pickup and a guided route that takes you lagoon to lagoon. You’re also moving at altitude in snowy scenery, so it feels like you’re doing something real, not just ticking off a viewpoint.

What I like most is the way the day is built around meals and pacing. You start with breakfast in Pacchanta, get lunch on the way back, and you even get a window of free time for hot springs. My second favorite thing is how the route has named lagoons in a clear order, so you’re not guessing what you’re looking at.

One thing to consider: this is not a slow, lounge-around nature day. You’ll be walking for hours and hitting multiple stops, and there’s an extra on-site cash requirement—20 soles—since the entry ticket is not included.

Key things to know before you go

• 5:00am start with pickup generally between 4–5am depending on where you’re staying
• Pacchanta breakfast to fuel the hike before you start walking
• Seven lagoon names in one route: Pukaqocha to Blue Qocha, with several stops in between
• ~3 hours on foot across snowy scenery and lagoons
• Lunch back in Pacchanta plus free time for hot springs
• Bring cash for entry (20 soles) since the ticket isn’t included

Why This 7-Lagoon Ausangate Hike Starts at 5am

If you hate early mornings, this tour will test your character. Pickup runs between 4 to 5am (varies by hotel), and the day is set up so you reach the trail area early and keep the hike moving. That means you’re not stuck waiting around for the sun to come up—you’re getting time on the ground while conditions are still good.

The upside is big: you’ll see these lagoons as part of a single connected walk, rather than splitting your day into random, separate stops. With the route structured to visit multiple lagoons in sequence, the early start helps fit everything in.

Also, the tour is sized in a way that keeps it practical. It caps at 15 travelers, so you’re less likely to get lost in a huge group shuffle when the pace quickens.

The Cusco → Pacchanta transfer: the 3-hour warm-up

You’re looking at about 3 hours of transport from Cusco to the community of Pacchanta. Since pickup is so early, this is your main “warm-up” before you hike. It’s not a scenic drive you’ll remember forever, but it is what makes the rest of the day work.

Once you arrive, you’ll have breakfast to begin the tour. That matters more than it sounds. At high altitude, energy dips can hit fast, and you don’t want to start a multi-stop hike on an empty tank.

After breakfast, you’ll get ready and receive instructions from your guide. I like this setup because it helps you understand what’s coming next—especially when you’re headed into snowy terrain and multiple water stops.

Getting ready for snowy footing (and why the canes help)

Before the walking begins, the guide gives instructions, and the tour provides canes for walking. They’re not there to make you feel like you need help; they’re there to make the trail safer and steadier when ground is uneven or slippery.

You should also go in with a moderate physical fitness level. This is a long day—about 12 hours total—and it includes a hike portion plus return transport. The tour uses a full-day schedule, so you’ll want to feel comfortable hiking for a sustained stretch even if you plan to take a slower rhythm.

And yes, you’ll be walking amid snowy and lagoon scenery. That’s the kind of description that should translate to practical planning: dress for cold and wind, and protect hands and feet. If you’re the type to get chilled easily, this is the day to err on the side of warmer layers.

The lagoon route: what you’ll see at each named stop

This tour is all about sequence. You start the hike in the area of Ausangate lagoons and then work through a lineup of named waters. The order matters because each stop feels like a waypoint, not just one photo moment.

You start by appreciating Pukaqocha, then move on to Pataqocha, and then reach Alqa Qocha. After that, you continue to Q’ome Qocha. From there the route continues through Orq’o otorongo and china otorongo, and finally you end with the Blue Qocha lagoon.

A big practical note: the tour describes about 3 hours of walking before you head back to Pacchanta. That time window means you should expect short photo stops, not long exploration at every single lagoon. You might get a few minutes to look, pause, and take pictures—but don’t count on settling in for a picnic at each water.

Still, there’s value in doing it this way. When lagoons are all close enough to connect on foot, you experience variety without wasting time shuttling between unrelated viewpoints. You’re basically seeing a system, not one isolated pond.

Why the names matter

If you’ve ever visited places where the view is stunning but you leave with zero context, this is the opposite. The route gives you specific names for the lagoons, which helps you anchor what you see. Even if the colors shift with light and weather, you’ll remember which lagoon is which.

That’s one reason this hike feels more “guided experience” than random sightseeing. You’re not just walking. You’re learning the route as you go.

Returning to Pacchanta: lunch plus a hot springs breather

About 3 hours into the hike, you return to Pacchanta. You’ll be greeted with lunch, which is a welcome reset after walking in cold air. Then you get free time for hot springs before heading back toward Cusco.

This is honestly one of the smartest parts of the schedule. If your legs are tired, the hot springs window gives you a chance to loosen up without doing anything complicated. It’s also the kind of relief that makes an early-morning hike feel more “worth it” when the day could otherwise feel like work.

Keep in mind: you’re not staying there all afternoon. The tour notes that at 2:30pm you begin the return to Cusco, with an arrival around 5:30pm.

The Cusco finish: right near Plaza de Armas

After the return trip, you end around 5:30pm in Cusco, and the tour finishes a block from Plaza de Armas. That’s a convenience win. You don’t need to hunt for a ride or figure out how to get back into the center after a long day.

It also means you can plan an easy evening—dinner near the center, a relaxed walk, maybe a quick recharge in your hotel. Just remember you’ve been active since early morning, so treat that dinner like recovery, not like a second hike.

Price and value: what $35 gets you (and what it doesn’t)

The price is listed at $35.00 per person, and for that you get:

• Hotel pickup
• Tourist transport
• 1 breakfast and 1 lunch
• Canes for walking
• First aid kit
• Mobile ticket
• English offered

That’s solid value for a full-day active outing. Many hikes at this level end up costing more once you add meals, transfers, and basic safety items. Here, the day is packaged so you’re not scrambling once you arrive.

Now for the one cost you must not forget: carry 20 soles in cash for entry to the 7 Lagoons. The entry ticket is explicitly not included. If you show up without cash, your day can get messy fast. I’d treat the 20 soles as part of the real price of admission, even though it’s outside the listed cost.

Also, the tour runs with a small group cap (maximum 15 travelers), which tends to improve how smoothly things flow—especially with pickup timing and moving between stops.

Group size and how the day will feel

With a maximum group size of 15 travelers, you’ll likely find it easier to keep track of what’s happening. Too-big groups can turn a hike into a herd—slow for the front, rushed for the back. Here, the tour description suggests a tighter group format.

Expect the day to feel structured and time-conscious:

• Early pickup
• Breakfast before hiking
• A guided route visiting seven named lagoons
• Return to Pacchanta with lunch and hot springs
• Back to Cusco by early evening

You’ll enjoy this more if you like clear timing and don’t mind that the photo stops are brief. If you’re the type who wants to linger for an hour at every view, consider that this route is designed to cover a lot in one go.

What to pack and how to pace yourself

The tour provides canes, a first aid kit, and meals, so you’re mostly responsible for personal comfort. Because you’ll be walking amid snowy scenery and lagoons, plan for cold and wind. Bring layers you can peel on and off, and make sure your footwear is up to uneven ground.

Since the tour is about 12 hours total, you also need to think about your stamina. A moderate fitness level is recommended, which tells you the hike is active but not described as extreme mountaineering. Still, pacing is everything. If you keep a steady rhythm and take short breaks when needed, you’ll get more enjoyment out of the lagoon views instead of burning energy too early.

One more practical tip: since you must carry 20 soles cash, make sure it’s reachable. Don’t bury it at the bottom of a bag you won’t access until you’re already at the entry point.

Who should book this Ausangate 7-lagoon hike?

This is a great fit if you want:

• A guided, structured route with named lagoons
• A full-day experience that includes breakfast, lunch, and hot springs time
• A reasonably priced outing centered on Ausangate’s lagoon system
• A group experience that stays small (up to 15 people)

It’s also ideal if you’re visiting Cusco and want a day trip that feels like more than a drive and a single viewpoint. The connection between lagoons gives the hike a sense of progression.

If you’re very slow-moving, or you dislike early departures, this one might feel like a grind. The start time is early and the walking portion is built in—so your comfort with long days matters.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you like the idea of a morning-to-early-evening hike that hits seven lagoons in a guided loop, with real meals and a relaxing hot springs break in Pacchanta. The value is strong at $35, especially because transport and food are included.

Skip it (or choose carefully) if you need long, lingering time at each stop. The schedule covers a lot, and the total hiking time is about 3 hours, which usually means shorter pauses. Also, don’t forget the extra on-site cash: 20 soles for entry.

FAQ

What time does pickup start?

Pickup starts between 4 and 5am, depending on where your hotel is located. The experience start time is listed as 5:00am.

How long is the hike and how long is the whole tour?

The total duration is about 12 hours. You’ll walk for approximately 3 hours among snowy areas and lagoons.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes hotel pickup, tourist transport, 1 breakfast and 1 lunch, walking canes, and a first aid kit.

Do I need to pay an entry fee?

Yes. You should bring 20 soles in cash for entry to the 7 Lagoons. The admission ticket is not included.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour offers English.

What level of fitness do I need?

You should have moderate physical fitness level for this hike.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.