Horseback Riding at 7 lakes Ausangate Private |Optional Hike

High mountains, bright lakes, and a long day await. This private Ausangate trip gives you a close look at the Cusco Region’s high Andes, with a horseback riding option for easing the hardest walking. I like the chance to eat breakfast in a local home and finish at Pacchanta’s hot springs. I also like the private format, especially if you prefer asking questions and setting a comfortable pace with your own guide.

The main drawback is the altitude and length of the day. Pacchanta sits at 4,100 meters, the drive from Cusco takes about three hours each way, and the walking portion can reach 10 kilometers. This is not a casual outing, even if you choose a horse for part of it. Guides Alexander and Julio have received especially strong praise for their service, food arrangements, and explanations of the area.

Key points at a glance

• Pacchanta begins the day at 4,100 meters: You eat a hearty Andean breakfast before heading toward the lakes.
• The seven lagoons change color: Expect shades described as turquoise and emerald green, with Ausangate Mountain in the distance.
• Horseback riding can reduce the strain: The horse option is available when selected, but you should still be ready for high-altitude walking.
• A private group means a more personal day: You can ask questions and receive explanations about local flora, fauna, and the Ausangate glacier.
• The day ends in thermal waters: Hot springs and lunch provide a welcome finish after the mountain route.
• Plan for a 12 to 15 hour outing: Hotel pickup is usually between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m., with a return to Cusco later in the day.

Why the Seven Lakes trip is worth considering

The Ausangate area offers a very different day from Cusco’s famous archaeological sites. Here, the focus is open mountain scenery, cold high-altitude air, grazing alpacas, local communities, and lakes set among the Andes. You are not visiting one viewpoint and turning around. The route gives you several changes of scenery and repeated views of Ausangate Mountain.

I like this trip most for the mix of nature and local contact. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta by local people using Andean ingredients, rather than being treated as a simple roadside stop. That small detail gives the morning a more human feel and lets you begin the route with food prepared in the community.

The seven lakes are the visual reward. Their colors can range from turquoise to emerald green, and the contrast with the surrounding mountains makes each stop feel different. Weather matters a great deal in the high Andes, so clear skies can make the views exceptional. The tour runs rain or shine, which means you need proper clothing rather than hoping for perfect conditions.

The early pickup and three-hour drive from Cusco

Pickup from your Cusco hotel generally takes place between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. The exact time depends on the day’s arrangements, so keep the previous evening light and have your daypack ready before bed. A 12 to 15 hour schedule leaves little room for a slow start.

The private vehicle is one of the practical strengths of this trip. You avoid joining a large group and can spend the drive with your own party and bilingual guide. The road time is still substantial: about three hours to the Ausangate area and another three hours back to Cusco. Bring water, warm clothing, and anything you need to stay comfortable during a long mountain day.

This early departure is not just a minor inconvenience. It is part of the cost of reaching a remote high-altitude area and seeing several lagoons in one outing. If you want a short activity with a late breakfast, choose something closer to Cusco. If you want a full day in the Ausangate region, the schedule makes sense.

Breakfast in Pacchanta at 4,100 meters

The first major stop is the village of Pacchanta, near Ausangate Mountain. At about 7:30 a.m., local people invite you into their homes for a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients. The meal is included, and it gives you a chance to meet people who live in the area rather than simply passing through it.

Breakfast also matters for the walk ahead. At 4,100 meters, even a modest climb can feel demanding, especially if you have only recently arrived in Cusco. Eat well, drink water, and do not rush out of the village. Your body may need time to adjust to the altitude.

The personal nature of this stop is one of the tour’s best features. I would value it more than a standard boxed meal because it connects the route to local life. The setting is simple, and that is part of the point. You are visiting a community at the foot of one of Peru’s great mountains, not stopping at a polished visitor center.

Reaching the first lagoon after 5 to 6 kilometers

From Pacchanta, the first lagoon is about 5 to 6 kilometers away, with roughly 1.5 hours of walking listed for this section. That distance and time can vary with the group’s pace, altitude, and trail conditions. The route begins to open into mountain scenery, with Ausangate visible in the distance.

The first lagoon gives you an early reward, but it is not the end of the route. You will continue to other bodies of water set among the Andes, with vegetation and broad mountain views around you. This gradual approach helps the day feel like a series of discoveries rather than one long walk to a single photo stop.

Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole morning looking through it. The colors of the water, the mountain backdrop, and the open air are the main reasons to make this trip. Gloves are also listed among the recommended items, and they make sense at this altitude, where early morning conditions can be cold.

Five hours among seven Ausangate lagoons

The main walking section lasts about five hours and covers approximately 10 kilometers. The route visits seven lagoons, described as a range of turquoise and emerald green. Their appearance depends on weather and light, so you should expect natural variation rather than identical postcard colors.

You may also see alpacas and local people in traditional clothing along the way. Those details add life to the route and remind you that this is not an empty wilderness set aside only for sightseeing. The area is part of a living Andean region, with communities and animals sharing the high mountain environment.

A bilingual guide can add useful meaning to what you see. Michaela’s experience included explanations about local flora, fauna, and the importance of the Ausangate glacier. That kind of interpretation improves the walk because you learn why the mountain and water matter, not just where to take photographs.

The tour is private, so your group does not have to match the pace of a large crowd. That is helpful at altitude. You can ask for explanations, take a pause, or enjoy a viewpoint without feeling that dozens of people are waiting. The walking distance remains real, though. Private does not mean effortless.

What the horseback riding option really changes

Choosing horseback riding can make the full day more manageable, especially if you are concerned about the high altitude or the 10-kilometer route. A horse is included if you select that option. The supplied details do not specify exactly which sections are ridden or how much time you spend on foot, so confirm the riding arrangement before booking.

I see the horse option as a practical choice, not a way to turn the activity into a short ride. You should still bring comfortable shoes and be prepared for walking, standing, and getting on or off the horse. The route remains a mountain outing at 4,100 meters.

It may suit you if you want to experience the seven lagoons but are unsure about completing the whole walking route. It is less suitable if you are looking for a fully relaxed sightseeing excursion. The tour excludes people with altitude sickness, respiratory issues, and certain mobility limitations, so take those restrictions seriously.

Lunch and Pacchanta’s hot springs

After the lake route, you return toward Pacchanta for lunch. The meal is included, and the combination of local food, mountain air, and a long morning should make this a welcome pause. Jack gave special praise to both breakfast and lunch, which suggests the food is more than a minor part of the day.

The final treat is the thermal water in Pacchanta. The hot spring costs 10 soles and is not included in the tour price. You should carry cash for this fee, as well as for any other personal spending.

The hot springs are well timed. After several hours at altitude, warm water gives you a chance to relax before the return drive. Do not mistake this for a spa day, since it comes after a demanding outing, but it gives the schedule a satisfying finish.

Is $139 a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see mountain scenery near Cusco. The value comes from what the price bundles: hotel pickup, private transportation, a bilingual guide, attraction admission, breakfast, lunch, a medical or first aid kit, and the horse if you choose the riding option.

A private vehicle and private guide matter on a day with six hours of road travel. You are not paying only for access to the lakes. You are also paying for transport, route support, local meals, and a more personal format. If you are traveling with friends or family, the private arrangement may feel especially worthwhile.

The hot spring fee is extra, and dinner is not included. Since you return to Cusco after a very long day, plan for your evening meal separately. The price makes the most sense if you want the full Ausangate experience in one day and value the horse option, local food, and private attention.

Who should book this experience?

This trip suits fit adults who want dramatic mountain scenery and can handle a very early start. It is also a strong choice for people who prefer private outings, want a bilingual guide, and enjoy learning about local culture alongside natural sights.

The private format works well for friends who want to keep together, couples who dislike large groups, or families with older teenagers. Children under 12 are not accepted. Pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, people experiencing altitude sickness, and people over 75 should not book this activity.

You should also think honestly about altitude. Cusco itself is high, but Pacchanta is higher at 4,100 meters. If you already feel unwell from altitude, a strenuous five-hour mountain route is not the place to test your limits.

Practical packing advice for a rain-or-shine day

Pack for cold, sun, wind, and rain. The recommended list is sensible:

• Passport
• Camera
• Gloves
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Comfortable shoes
• Warm clothing
• Daypack

Sunscreen is important even when the air feels cold. Warm layers let you adjust as the day changes, while comfortable shoes remain useful even if you choose horseback riding. Keep cash available for the 10-sol hot spring fee.

Because the tour operates rain or shine, do not rely on a clear forecast alone. The supplied information does not specify rain gear, but you should make sure your warm clothing and daypack can handle wet weather. A long day in cold, damp clothes can change your opinion of even the finest mountain view.

Booking flexibility and guide quality

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Cusco plans are still shifting, though you should still check availability and the exact pickup time before confirming.

The guide service has drawn strong praise. Alexander was singled out for a day with excellent food and outstanding views, while Julio was praised as the guide for the Ausangate trek. Guide quality matters here because the day includes long transfers, altitude, local interaction, and a route with several stops.

The listed languages are English and Spanish. If you have a specific preference, make it clear when arranging the tour. A private bilingual guide can make the difference between simply seeing colored lakes and understanding the mountain environment around them.

Should you book the Ausangate Seven Lakes ride?

Book it if you want a full, demanding day in the Andes, with colorful lagoons, Ausangate views, local food, alpacas, a private guide, and hot springs at the finish. The horse option makes the route more approachable, but it does not remove the altitude or the need for comfortable walking shoes.

Skip it if you want a short activity, dislike early departures, or are not comfortable at high elevation. For the right person, the $139 price is reasonable because it covers transport, meals, guiding, admission, and private service. Just arrive prepared for a long day rather than expecting an easy scenic ride.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour last?

The full activity lasts about 12 to 15 hours, including transportation from Cusco, the mountain visit, meals, and the return journey.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is generally scheduled between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco.

How long is the drive from Cusco?

The drive takes about three hours each way, for approximately six hours of total transportation.

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located at about 4,100 meters near Ausangate Mountain.

How far is the hiking route?

The walking portion is approximately 10 kilometers and takes about five hours. The first lagoon is about 5 to 6 kilometers from the starting village and takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach.

Is horseback riding included?

A horse is included if you choose the horseback riding option when booking. The available details do not specify exactly which parts of the route are ridden.

Are meals included?

Breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner is not included.

Does the tour include the hot springs?

The hot spring entrance is not included. It costs 10 soles.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Spanish.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.