From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

The Andes reward an early start. This one-day trip takes you from Cusco to the remote village of Pacchanta, then into high country beneath 6,384-meter Ausangate Mountain. I especially like the string of colorful alpine lakes and the chance to finish with a soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs. The included breakfast, lunch, guide, transport, oxygen, and first-aid kit also make the $29 price unusually strong.

The catch is altitude. You will walk at more than 4,600 meters, with some trip information warning of sections above 4,800 meters. This is a hard day, even though the trail is not always steep. The long drive, cold wind, thin air, and roughly 13-kilometer hike can test you well before the lakes appear.

The experience earns a 4.8 rating from 360 reviews, and I can see why guides such as Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, Inti, and Joseph receive repeated praise for checking on people and adjusting the pace. Still, you should not book this as a gentle sightseeing outing. It is a high-altitude trek with a rewarding finish.

The 7 details that matter most

• A 4:00 to 4:30 am pickup: Expect a very early hotel lobby pickup and a long ride before walking.
• Ausangate reaches 6,384 meters: You see one of Peru’s great snow peaks from the Pacchanta area.
• The trek covers about 13 kilometers: Plan on around 4.5 hours of walking over rough, steep, and changing ground.
• The highest point is above 4,600 meters: The information for the trip also warns of elevations above 4,800 meters, so altitude is the main challenge.
• Horse rental can save the day: If the air gets to you, local horses may be available for an extra 120 to 130 soles.
• Pacchanta hot springs finish the outing: After lunch, you can swim for about 30 minutes while looking toward the highlands.
• Bring cash in Peruvian soles: The 30-sol entrance and hot-spring charge, horse rental, water, snacks, and tips require extra money.

The 4 am departure from Cusco

Pickup is included from accommodation in or near Cusco’s historic center. The listed pickup window is about 4:00 to 4:30 am, but group collection can take 30 to 45 minutes. If you are picked up first, you may sit in the van while the driver gathers everyone else.

That early start matters because Pacchanta is roughly a three-hour drive away. The itinerary also lists a 3.5-hour van ride, so I would allow closer to three and a half hours each way rather than counting on a quick transfer. You return to Cusco around 6:00 to 7:00 pm, making this a full day from before sunrise to evening.

The road is a rough dirt route in places. That is not just a comfort issue. The motion, combined with altitude and little sleep, can make some people feel sick. Bring any personal medicine you need, and ask your doctor about altitude medication before the trip if that is relevant to you.

Wear your warmest practical layers. Morning temperatures in the area can range from 5 to 9°C, and wind at the high lakes can make it feel colder. Pack a sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves, then add rain gear because conditions can change. Sunglasses are required throughout the hike, not just useful for photographs.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the trail

Pacchanta is the practical starting point. After the drive, you stop for breakfast, use the chance to buy forgotten water or snacks, and prepare a small day pack. Do not bring a large bag or luggage. The van is for transport, not a moving storage room for everything you own.

Breakfast is simple, but it gives you something in your stomach before the hard part begins. The meal has been described as decent, healthy, and sufficient, though you may still want a small snack for the trail. Water is important, and you should not assume you can pay for it with a card. Carry Peruvian soles.

From Pacchanta, you get your first clear views of Ausangate. The mountain rises dramatically above the highlands, and its snow-covered summit gives the day a strong sense of place. This is not just a walk to a photo stop. Ausangate is a major sacred mountain in the region, and the setting feels more remote and open than the heavily visited routes near Cusco.

Walking toward the first Ausangate lake

The trail begins over steep and uneven ground, then continues across changing high-altitude terrain. The full walking route is about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, and the hiking portions add up to roughly 4.5 hours. The pace is described as comfortable, but comfortable at sea level and comfortable above 4,600 meters are two very different things.

Your guide stays with the group and checks on people along the route. The group may spread out because everyone handles the altitude differently. Some guides walk ahead, others stay behind with slower walkers, and you may need to wait at points along the way. This can feel rushed if you want long periods for quiet viewing, so I would aim to stay near the front if you walk quickly.

The route passes several lakes rather than offering one short viewpoint. Their colors and reflections change with the weather, and the snow-capped peaks provide the backdrop. On a clear day, the views can be extraordinary. On a cloudy or rainy day, the scene becomes moodier and less photographic, but the walk still has appeal. Bring rain protection instead of trusting a sunny departure from Cusco.

Alpacas and llamas can appear along the route, adding a welcome local detail to the high-country scenery. You may also see the working side of the area, with animals and open grazing land rather than a polished park experience. That helps explain why the dirt road and trail can feel basic.

The altitude is the real test

The most important fact here is not the number of lakes. It is the elevation. The highest point is listed at 4,620 meters, while the practical information warns that the trek can pass above 4,800 meters. Either figure puts this among the highest day hikes commonly attempted from Cusco.

You may feel short of breath even when walking slowly. Cold, wind, headache, nausea, and unusual tiredness are all reasons to tell your guide immediately. The tour carries an oxygen bottle and a first-aid kit, which is reassuring, but neither replaces sensible pacing or personal preparation.

A horse may be available if you struggle. Previous riders paid about 120 or 130 soles for the return, depending on the arrangement that day. The local partner does not manage the rental process, so do not treat a horse as a guaranteed included backup. Ask locally, carry cash, and understand that you are arranging it directly.

One useful point is that the trail can feel less brutally steep than Humantay Lake, even though it is longer and colder. That does not make it easy. It simply means the effort is spread across more distance instead of concentrated in one sharp climb. I would choose this trip over Humantay if you prefer a longer route with several viewpoints and fewer crowds, but only if you are ready for the altitude.

Seven lakes and time for photographs

The Ausangate 7 Lagoons area is the visual center of the day. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes for a photo stop, while the wider walk around the lakes takes several hours. That distinction matters. You are not being dropped at one viewpoint, taking a quick picture, and leaving. You spend much of the day moving through the surrounding highlands.

The precise appearance of the lakes depends on cloud, sun, wind, and rain. Clear weather gives you stronger color and sharper mountain reflections. Cloud can cover Ausangate and flatten the view, but it may also make the area feel quieter and more dramatic.

Your guide can help with photographs and explain local culture and history. Kevin was praised for taking excellent pictures and sharing information, while guides including Eduardo, Carlos, Inti, Joseph, Noe, and Waldri were singled out for patient support. Guide quality can vary from one departure to the next, but the strongest pattern here is active care for people who are tired or affected by altitude.

Do not expect a long private meditation at every lake. Groups move at different speeds, and some waiting is built into the day. The tour works best if you see the walking itself as part of the experience, not just a way to reach a final postcard view.

Optional horse riding, with a clear warning

Horse riding appears in the schedule, but it is not included in the price. It is an optional local arrangement for people who cannot comfortably manage the route on foot. The extra cost reported for the outing is around 120 to 130 soles.

This can be a sensible safety choice, not a failure. One visitor with asthma and a heart condition used a horse to reach the lakes and return, while another person recommended it for anyone unused to high altitude. Still, the tour information says it is not suitable for people with heart, respiratory, mobility, or back problems. That means you should be honest about your health before booking rather than relying on a last-minute horse.

The weight limit is also listed at 120 kilograms, or 264 pounds. Wheelchair users cannot take part, and large bags are not allowed. These limits reflect the rough trail and high elevation, not just company policy.

Lunch and Pacchanta’s hot springs

After returning to Pacchanta, you get lunch before the hot springs. The meal is described as basic but plentiful, with some people finding it healthy and diverse, while one person found it cold and low quality. I would treat lunch as useful fuel rather than a culinary reason to book the trip.

The hot springs are the payoff for tired legs. You get about 30 minutes to swim and relax with views of the surrounding highlands. After a cold morning and a long return walk, warm water changes the mood of the day completely.

The entrance and hot-spring fee is not included. Budget 30 soles per person, paid in cash. Pack a swimsuit and a small towel if you have one, but remember that large bags are not permitted. The provided details do not confirm towel rental, so do not count on it.

The timing is a little tight. Lunch, changing, and a half-hour soak all happen before the long drive back to Cusco. You will enjoy the hot springs most if you keep your belongings organized and do not expect an extended spa visit.

Is $29 a good value?

At $29 per person, this is a strong package. You get hotel pickup, a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, transport to and from Cusco, first aid, oxygen, and a drop-off near the city center. A comparable private day of transport and guiding could cost much more, even before meals.

The low base price needs one adjustment. Add 30 soles for entrance and hot springs, plus cash for water, snacks, souvenirs, or a horse. If you need a horse, the cost can exceed the original tour price. The real value is highest for a fit visitor who can complete the trail on foot.

Private groups are available if you want more control over pace and stops. The standard group can be a good social option, but you should expect some waiting and a guide who moves between faster and slower walkers. The free-cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later, which helps if your Cusco plans are still shifting.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have already spent time acclimatizing in the Cusco area, enjoy demanding day hikes, and want mountain scenery away from the busiest routes. It is also a good choice if Humantay is unavailable, as happened to one person after landslides disrupted that plan.

Families with older children may manage it. Two children, ages 11 and 12, completed the walk and enjoyed seeing alpacas, but that does not mean every child will handle the altitude. You know your child’s fitness and response to cold better than any schedule can.

I would not choose it if you want a relaxed day, dislike rough roads, have not prepared for high altitude, or have a heart, respiratory, mobility, or back condition. Anyone over 120 kilograms is also listed as unsuitable. Altitude pills, warm clothing, sunglasses, water, and a willingness to turn back or use a horse are not optional extras in spirit, even when some are technically optional in the booking.

My verdict on Ausangate’s seven lakes

Book this tour if your priority is dramatic high Andes scenery and you accept a strenuous day. The combination of Ausangate, several remote lakes, local animals, included meals, and Pacchanta’s hot springs gives you a lot for the price.

Skip it if you are searching for an easy photo outing. The best guides, including Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, Inti, Joseph, and others praised for their care, can help you manage the day, but they cannot make 4,600-plus meters feel like sea level. Go prepared, carry cash, dress warmly, and let the mountains set the pace.

FAQ

How long does the 7 Lakes Ausangate trip last?

It is a one-day tour. Pickup begins around 4:00 to 4:30 am, and return to Cusco is expected between 6:00 and 7:00 pm.

How far is the hike?

The total hike covers approximately 13 kilometers, or about eight miles, with around 4.5 hours of walking.

How high does the trek go?

The highest point is listed at 4,620 meters above sea level. The practical information also warns that parts of the trek may reach above 4,800 meters.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike begins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided after you return to Pacchanta.

Are the entrance fee and hot springs included?

No. You need to pay 30 soles in cash for the entrance and hot springs.

Can I rent a horse?

Horse rental may be available locally for an extra cost. The amount reported is about 120 to 130 soles, and the local partner does not manage the rental arrangement.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring water, snacks, rain gear, hiking shoes, sunglasses, comfortable clothing, and an extra warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.