Trekking to the Seven Lakes

If we interrupt your sleep, it’s to get ahead of time and depart early from Cusco (3,400 m a.s.l.) towards Pacchanta (4,200 m a.s.l.). The drive to this rural community in the district of Ocongate (province of Quispicanchi) takes approximately 3 hours.

Pacchanta, nestled at the foot of the Ausangate glacier, is a strategic stop on this route. From here, you’ll begin your hike to the seven lagoons, but before setting off, you’ll enjoy a hearty local breakfast, providing all the energy you need for high-altitude trekking.

At this key stop, your guide will provide essential information and tips to ensure a smooth journey. Remember, you don’t need to leave Cusco with a heavy backpack. However, be sure to carry one or more bottles of water, extra warm clothing, a rain jacket, and sunscreen.

From lagoon to lagoon

With a happy heart and a full stomach (though not too full, as digestion is slower at altitude), you’ll set off towards your seven destinations. The approximate departure time from Pacchanta is 8:30 a.m. From that moment on, the experiences you’ll get convinced that choosing our tour was an excellent decision.

However, don’t let enthusiasm get the better of you. Walk cautiously, gauging how your body responds to the altitude and the challenge of the route. Bear in mind that the stretch to the first lagoon, Pucacocha (4,500 m a.s.l.), is a demanding and challenging incline that you’ll ascend in about one hour.

You’ll reach Pucacocha, the “red lagoon” (so-called due to the hue of its waters), at around 9:30 a.m. or a little later. This will be your first sighting. Six more lagoons remain to be discovered, all relatively close, though at different altitudes. Exploring them will take approximately two hours.

The order in which you’ll visit the remaining lagoons is as follows:

Patacocha (4,620 m a.s.l.) with its crystal-clear waters; Alqacocha (4,650 m a.s.l.) offering beautiful views of the mountain range; and Qomercocha (4,655 m a.s.l.) with its green and turquoise hues.

The next two are named after the largest feline in the Amazon, the jaguar. The first one is a small one known as Orco Otorongo (4,620 m a.s.l.), and its name bears the shape and markings similar to a male jaguar, and the second one is known as China Otorongo (4,550 m a.s.l.) — it represents the female of this mythical creature.

Before starting the return journey, you’ll visit Azulcocha (4,500 m a.s.l.), the “blue lagoon” in English. After that, it’s back to the community for lunch at 1:45 p.m. It wouldn’t hurt to pick up the pace a little and eat a bit quicker than usual so you can unwind in the hot springs of Pacchanta.

An Optional Hot Springs Experience

If you’d like your tour to finish at around 3:30 p.m. with a relaxing soak in the warm waters of Pacchanta, it will depend on how quick you are — and the rest of the group — complete the route. If there are delays along the circuit, there may simply not be enough time left for the hot springs.

That said, this is not about “rushing” or walking at a frantic pace. The main goal of the day is to enjoy and admire the seven lagoons. The hot springs are an optional extra. It’s impossible for us to know each traveller’s fitness level in advance or to predict unexpected situations along the way, such as sudden rain.

If you’re an experienced hiker and prefer not to depend on the pace of others, we can offer private tours to the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate. However, whether you travel alone or in a group, it will still be essential to return to the community at the scheduled time — it’s the only way you’ll be able to enjoy a well-deserved dip in the hot springs.

Returning to Cusco

If your group manages to enjoy some time at the hot springs, the return journey by road will begin at around 4:30 p.m. In that case, our vehicle will arrive back in Cusco at approximately 8:00 p.m. Once in the city, we will drop you off at a location close to the Plaza de Armas.

If you book a private tour, we will take you directly to your hotel. The arrival time is the same as on the group itineraries. Whichever option you choose, you can be sure you’ll have a wonderful time at the lagoons — not only because of the breathtaking scenery, but also thanks to the knowledge, dedication, and warm service of our guides.

Are the visit times to the attractions punctual?

No, all visit times are approximate, as they depend heavily on road traffic, visitors’ physical condition, and the weather. If you book a private tour, the times listed in the tour description are generally followed more closely.

What is the road like?

Most of the route is paved; however, the last part is a dirt road (compacted earth).

Where do I buy tickets to enter the attraction?

All entry tickets are purchased at the attraction’s gate on the day of the tour—just make sure to bring cash in Peruvian soles.

What are the differences between shared and private tours?

On a shared tour, you will join other tourists, with the group size typically averaging 20 people. The pick-up of tourists from the historic centre of Cusco can take 30 to 40 minutes, and the guided tour is conducted in both Spanish and English.

However, if you book a private tour, it will be just for you and your travel companions (with no strangers). The pick-up will be very punctual, and once we pick you up from your hotel, we will immediately depart for the destination. The guided tour will be exclusively in either English or Spanish.

Do you have guaranteed departures every day?

Yes, we depart every day, but to ensure your spot on the bus, we recommend booking in advance.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can always cancel the tour, but there will be no refund unless you cancel at least 48 hours in advance.

How do refunds work?

You can request a refund as long as you cancel the tour 48 hours in advance.

When issuing a refund, we will deduct 5% of the total amount paid, as this is the commission charged by banks and PayPal for processing the transaction. Additionally, we do not cover the money transfer fee when issuing the refund.