7 Lakes of Ausangate Full Day Tour

• Walk at the foot of Ausangate Mountain — the Seven Lakes route is located near the community of Pacchanta, in the Ocongate district of Quispicanchi Province, southeast of Cusco. Public route guides place Pacchanta at more than 4,200 meters above sea level.
• See a full circuit of mountain lakes — route descriptions commonly mention lakes such as Otorongo Macho, Otorongo Hembra, Puca Cocha, Alqa Cocha, Ccomer Cocha, Azul Cocha, and Pata Cocha.
• Hike through a high-Andean landscape — the route includes open puna, cold wind, high-altitude grassland, alpacas, rocky ground, and wide views of Ausangate, Jampa, Pucapunta, Tinke, and the Qayangate range.
• A mountain route with real altitude — several route references place the circuit between roughly 4,200 and 4,650 meters above sea level, with some sources listing a top elevation of about 4,630 meters.
• Breakfast and lunch in Pacchanta — the day is organized around the local community, where travelers usually eat before and after the hike.
• Optional hot springs after the walk — Pacchanta is known for thermal baths. Current tour references list the hot springs entrance as a local extra payment, often around S/5 to S/15, depending on the operator and local conditions.
• A strong alternative to the busiest one-day hikes — the Ausangate lakes route feels more open and less crowded than some classic Cusco day hikes, although visitor levels may change by season and weather.
• Good for travelers who want more than a viewpoint — this tour gives you a walking circuit, several lakes, local community life, mountain views, and the option to finish with thermal water.

Hotel Pick-Up

Pick-up is scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 AM from your hotel in Cusco. Some streets in the historic center are narrow or restricted for tourist vehicles, so we may coordinate a nearby meeting point if direct access is not possible.

Please send your hotel name and address before the tour date so our operations team can organize the route properly.

Luggage Storage

This is a full-day high-altitude hike, so you should bring only a small daypack. Large luggage is not allowed during the route unless approved in advance.

If you need to store luggage, coordinate with your hotel or with our team before the tour date.

Payment Conditions

A reservation payment may be required to confirm your space. This allows us to organize transport, guide assignment, restaurant coordination, entrance logistics, and daily operation.

Any remaining balance must be paid before departure or according to the terms given by the reservations team. Some local fees may require direct payment in soles because local controls and optional services are managed separately.

Availability

This tour does not include Machu Picchu, so availability is usually easier than tours that require Machu Picchu entry tickets or Inca Trail permits.

It is often possible to reserve this tour with at least 24 hours of notice, but last-minute bookings depend on transport space, guide availability, restaurant coordination, hotel location, weather, and road conditions.

For private service, earlier booking is recommended, especially for travelers who need a slower pace, special health support, custom timing, or more time at the hot springs.

• Trekking shoes or strong walking shoes
• Warm jacket
• Fleece or thermal layer
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Gloves
• Warm hat
• Sun hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Small daypack
• Reusable water bottle
• Energy snacks
• Passport or valid ID
• Personal medication
• Altitude medication, only if recommended by your doctor
• Motion sickness medication, if needed
• Trekking poles, if you prefer bringing your own
• Camera or phone with enough battery
• Cash in Peruvian soles
• Swimsuit for the hot springs
• Small towel
• Sandals for the hot springs
• Plastic bag for wet clothes
• Personal first-aid items, if needed

If you have special requirements such as mobility aids, professional filming equipment, service animals, medical devices, dietary restrictions, or health conditions that require extra support, please inform our reservations team in advance.

Seven Lakes Entrance

Your original service description states that the entrance ticket is included. If your reservation includes this entrance, no separate payment should be required for the standard circuit entrance.

However, local fees can change depending on community controls and tour operation. Some current route references list the Seven Lakes entrance around S/10 to S/20, paid locally when not included.

Pacchanta Hot Springs Entrance

The hot springs are optional and paid locally. Current public tour references vary, with fees commonly listed around S/5 to S/15 depending on operator information and local rules.

Transportation Included

The tour includes tourist transport from Cusco to Pacchanta and back to Cusco after lunch and optional hot springs time.

The road includes early morning driving, rural roads, curves, highland sections, and community access roads. Travelers sensitive to motion should bring personal medication.

Meals Included

The tour includes breakfast before the hike and lunch after the lake circuit. Drinks, extra snacks, or special meal upgrades may not be included unless your reservation says so.

If you have dietary restrictions, inform the reservations team before the tour date.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included because this is a one-day tour from Cusco. Travelers usually take this tour while staying in Cusco before or after other trips.

Travel Restrictions

Strikes and Demonstrations

Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some tours. Roads can be blocked, transport may be delayed, and access to certain areas may change without much notice.

Under these circumstances, the tour may be modified, delayed, rescheduled, or canceled. If this happens, our operations department will coordinate directly with you. Your safety comes first, and all decisions will be made with that priority.

Lost Objects

Please pay attention to your belongings during the tour. Check your seat before leaving the vehicle and keep your phone, passport, wallet, and camera with you.

You are responsible for your personal items during the tour.

Health and Altitude Restrictions

The Seven Lakes of Ausangate route is a high-altitude hike. Public route references place the circuit generally above 4,200 meters, with upper areas around 4,630–4,650 meters, depending on the route version.

This tour is not recommended for travelers with serious heart conditions, severe respiratory problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, strong altitude sensitivity, recent major surgery, or severe mobility limitations unless approved by a doctor.

Older travelers can do the tour if they are in good physical condition, but they should consult their doctor first and consider private service.

Pregnant travelers should consult a medical professional before joining this tour.

If you feel strong headache, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, confusion, or severe shortness of breath during the hike, inform the guide immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the Seven Lakes of Ausangate hike?

The hike is moderate to demanding mainly because of altitude and walking time. Some route references list the circuit around 7 to 10 km, with walking times between 4 and 6 hours, depending on the route and pace.

Do I need to acclimate before the tour?

Yes. We recommend spending at least 2 days in Cusco before doing this hike. The route takes place above 4,000 meters, so acclimatization matters.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. The original tour description includes breakfast and lunch.

Are the hot springs included?

No. The hot springs are optional and require a local payment. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sandals, and cash in soles if you plan to use them.

Is the entrance ticket included?

According to the original tour description, yes, the entrance ticket is included. If your booking conditions change, confirm this with the reservations team before departure.

Can I rent a horse?

Horse assistance may be available locally, depending on demand, route conditions, and local providers. It is not included unless clearly stated in your reservation.

Can children do this tour?

Active children who tolerate altitude well may be able to do the route, but parents should consider the walking time, cold weather, and altitude. Private service is recommended for families.

What time does the tour return to Cusco?

The tour usually returns to Cusco around 6:30 PM, depending on weather, road conditions, lunch timing, hot springs time, group pace, and local controls.