7 Lakes of Ausangate Full Day Tour from Cusco

Seven lakes, one long day, and very little city noise. The 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour takes you from Cusco into the Vilcanota mountain range for a quiet mountain hike near Ausangate. I like the uncrowded setting and the chance to see turquoise-green lakes alongside local mountain life. I also like that breakfast, lunch, transport, hiking poles, first aid equipment, and therapeutic oxygen are included.

The main drawback is the schedule. A 3:30 am start and roughly 12 hours on the road make this a demanding outing, even before you begin walking. At $186 per person, the price is also high for a day tour, so you should book it for the scenery and convenience, not because it is a bargain.

Key points before you reserve

• The day begins at 3:30 am, so set out your clothes and small bag the night before.
• Seven turquoise-green lakes sit near Ausangate in the Vilcanota mountain range.
• The hike requires moderate fitness, with mountain walking rather than a simple sightseeing stop.
• Breakfast and lunch are included, but snacks, dinner, and the PEN 20 entrance fee are extra.
• Groups can reach 15 people, while a private option offers more personal attention.
• Transport picks you up at your Cusco hotel, which is useful for such an early departure.

Why the Ausangate lakes are worth the long day

Ausangate gives you a very different day from the better-known sights around Cusco. Instead of ruins, busy plazas, or a short viewpoint stop, you spend the day near a major mountain and a chain of seven colored lakes. The setting is peaceful and open, with broad mountain views and signs of local life along the way.

The lakes are the clear reward. Their turquoise-green tones provide the visual drama, while the surrounding Vilcanota range gives the walk a grand scale. I would choose this trip for the sense of space and quiet. If your main goal is archaeology or a gentle cultural outing, this is probably not the right match.

The destination is described as peaceful and uncrowded, but you should not confuse that with easy. The route is a one-day hike, and the operator asks for a moderate level of fitness. You need to be comfortable walking for much of the day and keeping to a group schedule.

The 3:30 am departure from Cusco

The day starts before dawn, with hotel pickup at about 3:30 am. That early hour is not a minor detail. It allows time for transport to the mountain area and leaves enough daylight for the walk, but it also means you will begin the experience short on sleep.

I suggest going to bed early and keeping your morning routine simple. Have your walking clothes ready, carry water and snacks, and avoid assuming that the included breakfast will cover every need until lunch. Snacks are not included, and a 12-hour outing gives you plenty of time to get hungry.

Hotel pickup removes one annoying part of early-morning travel. You do not need to find a taxi or walk through Cusco before sunrise. Still, confirm the pickup details when you book, since a precise meeting arrangement matters when the departure time is this early.

The transport is tourist transportation, and the group size can reach 15 people. That is small enough to feel more organized than a large coach excursion, but it is still a group. The guide has to keep the schedule moving and wait for the slower members without allowing the day to lose its shape.

Breakfast, lunch, and the practical value of the package

Breakfast and lunch are included, which is useful on a remote mountain day. You avoid the trouble of finding food before sunrise and arranging a midday meal in an unfamiliar area. The package also includes a professional guide, hiking poles, a first aid kit, and therapeutic oxygen.

Those extras matter more here than they would on a short city tour. Hiking poles can help with balance and rhythm, while first aid equipment gives the guide basic support if someone has a problem. Therapeutic oxygen is also listed as part of the equipment, though that should not be treated as a substitute for preparing properly or knowing your own limits.

Food quality may not be perfectly consistent. One account described an alpaca dish as difficult to eat and raised concerns about the meal and accident procedures. The operator responded that the meal choice changed at the last minute, from fish to alpaca, which shows why it is wise to make your food preference clear early and avoid changing plans once the group is ready to eat.

I would bring extra snacks even though breakfast and lunch are supplied. This is not because food is guaranteed to be inadequate, but because snacks are specifically excluded and a long hiking day calls for a little backup.

Walking among the seven lakes

The main stop is the Ausangate Seven Lakes area. You visit seven turquoise-green lakes in the mountain range, with views toward Ausangate and opportunities to see local life. The attraction is not one single monument. It is the sequence of lakes, mountain views, and changing scenery during the walk.

Each lake helps break up the hike. You can enjoy the color and shape of the water, then look up toward the surrounding peaks before continuing. The experience rewards people who like walking with a destination, not people who want to step off a bus, take one photograph, and leave.

The supplied information does not give a precise walking distance, elevation gain, or time spent at each lake. That makes it difficult to judge the physical challenge in exact terms. I would ask the operator for those figures before booking, especially if you have concerns about stamina or previous hiking experience.

The moderate fitness requirement is your best guide. You should expect a genuine mountain walk, not a paved path. Take the guide’s instructions seriously, use the hiking poles if they help, and remember that group outings work best when everyone respects the agreed pace.

Photography can be a major part of the day, but it needs some discipline. One account described repeated stops for pictures that led to about 40 minutes of waiting for the group. You should certainly take photographs, but stay within sight of the guide and do not assume the group can pause each time you find another angle.

Group discipline matters more than usual

A maximum of 15 people is a reasonable group size for this setting. It keeps the price below a fully private outing while offering more structure than traveling alone. The private option makes sense if you want a slower pace, more control over photo stops, or closer attention from the guide.

On the shared tour, the guide is responsible for the entire group. That means your freedom has limits. If you walk far ahead, fall well behind, or stop repeatedly without telling anyone, you can affect every other person’s day.

The operator reported that the group waited about 40 minutes for one party during the hike. That sort of delay can make a long day feel much longer, especially when people have already been awake since the middle of the night. My practical advice is simple: tell the guide when you need a break, take your photographs promptly, and return to the group before it moves on.

The same issue can arise at lunch. A last-minute food change may be possible, but it can slow service and delay the return to the vehicle. You will have a better experience if you treat the schedule as shared property, not a private timetable.

What the service concerns mean for your decision

The natural setting receives the strongest praise. The lakes and mountain views are the reason to consider this tour, and they appear to be the part most likely to stay with you. The concerns are mainly about value, food, biosafety practices, accident procedures, and the strain created when a group member does not follow the schedule.

One complaint questioned the use of safety measures before boarding the van and during the walk. The operator responded that masks were used in the vehicle and along the hike, with more than two meters of distance maintained in the open air. Practices can change, so if health precautions are important to you, ask the agency for its current procedure before departure.

The operator also said the guide had to manage the full group rather than focus on one party. That is a fair reminder of the tradeoff built into a shared tour. You get included transport, food, equipment, and a guide, but you give up some control.

The first aid kit and therapeutic oxygen are reassuring inclusions, yet the information does not describe a full emergency plan. If you have a medical condition, ask specific questions before booking. You should know how the operator handles a serious incident, rather than relying only on the presence of basic equipment.

Is $186 a fair price?

At $186 per person, this is an expensive day trip by ordinary Cusco standards. The price includes hotel pickup, tourist transportation, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, hiking poles, a first aid kit, and therapeutic oxygen. It also buys you the ease of having the day arranged from start to finish.

That convenience has real value. You do not need to plan transport into the mountains, find a place for breakfast, organize a lunch stop, or carry your own hiking poles. For someone with limited time in Cusco, that can make the price easier to accept.

Still, the cost is hard to justify if you judge it only by the included meals and vehicle. You are paying for access to the remote Ausangate area, coordination, and a guided mountain day. The experience is worthwhile mainly if the seven lakes are a high priority and you value a ready-made plan.

The private option will likely cost more, though no private price is provided here. I would compare that option with the shared tour if you are traveling as a small party and want more freedom. A private arrangement could reduce the tension around photo stops and walking pace, but you should confirm the exact price and inclusions before paying.

Remember the extra costs. The entrance fee is PEN 20 per person. Snacks and dinner are not included, so budget for those as well.

Who should book this mountain day?

I would recommend it to you if you want dramatic mountain scenery, enjoy a full day outdoors, and are comfortable with an early start. It also suits people who prefer an organized outing with meals and equipment included.

This tour may suit you especially well if you have already seen Cusco’s main historic sights and want a quieter day away from the city. The seven lakes offer a strong contrast to museums, churches, and archaeological sites.

I would be cautious if you dislike early mornings, struggle with long walks, or need a flexible schedule. The 3:30 am pickup and 12-hour duration leave little room for a relaxed start or an early return.

You should also think carefully about group behavior. If you want to stop often for photographs, move at your own pace, or change meal plans at the last minute, choose the private option if available at a price you accept. On the shared tour, your choices affect up to 14 other people.

Booking, cancellation, and weather

Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 3:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour depends on suitable weather. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with a different date or experience offered as an alternative.

Because the experience is booked an average of 19 days ahead, I would not leave it until the last minute if the Ausangate lakes are important to your Cusco plans. Give yourself enough time to ask about walking distance, current safety measures, and the exact pickup arrangement.

Should you book the 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour?

Book it if your priority is the scenery: seven colorful lakes, Ausangate views, and a quieter mountain setting reached in one organized day. The included transport, food, poles, guide, and safety equipment make the logistics easier, even though the $186 price is high.

I would skip it if you want a cheap excursion, a gentle sightseeing stop, or complete control over the day. The best way to enjoy this tour is to arrive prepared for a long outing, respect the group pace, carry snacks, and ask direct questions about the walk before reserving.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 3:30 am, with pickup from your Cusco hotel.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes tourist transportation, hotel pickup, a professional guide, hiking poles, a first aid kit, therapeutic oxygen, breakfast, and lunch.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee for the Seven Lakes of Ausangate is PEN 20 per person.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The shared tour has a maximum of 15 participants. A private option is also available for a more personal experience.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.