Horseback Riding In Ausangate 7 Lakes Full Day – Private

High mountains, seven glacial lakes, and hot springs. This private Ausangate horseback tour gives you a long but rewarding day outside Cusco, with a 4:30 am hotel pickup, local meals, trained horses, and direct transport back to your hotel. I like the private format, which lets you set a more comfortable pace, and I like the combination of dramatic mountain scenery with a soak in Pacchanta’s thermal pools.

The main consideration is the altitude and length of the day. Pacchanta sits at about 4,100 meters, or 13,451 feet, and the full outing lasts roughly 10 to 11 hours. The horses save your legs, but this is still a serious high-altitude excursion, and one rider found hiking on foot more appealing after trying the horseback route.

Key Points to Know Before Booking

• The day begins at 4:30 am: You leave Cusco early for the drive to Pacchanta and return to your hotel later that day.
• The route visits seven named lakes: Otorongo, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Patacocha are fed by glacier water.
• Ninaparayoc Viewpoint is a highlight: You get broad views of the lakes and Ausangate’s high peaks from this scenic stop.
• The tour is fully private: Only your group takes part, so the guide can adjust the pace and timing to your needs.
• Pacchanta hot springs follow lunch: The mineral-rich pools offer a welcome rest after the ride and time in the mountains.
• Meals and entry fees are included: You receive breakfast, lunch, drinking water, park access, and hot-spring admission.

Why the Private Format Matters at Ausangate

A private tour makes good sense here. The route is long, the altitude is high, and people in the same group may have very different comfort levels on horseback. With only your companions taking part, the guide can give more attention to your riding experience and work around your preferred pace.

That flexibility is especially useful if you want more time at Ninaparayoc Viewpoint or need a slower return to Pacchanta. You are not tied to the rhythm of a large group. You also finish with a direct drop-off at your Cusco hotel, rather than arranging your own ride from a shared meeting point.

The private setup does not make the outing short or effortless. You still have an early start, a long drive, several hours around the lakes, and a return journey. Think of privacy as a comfort and pacing benefit, not a way to turn this into a light half-day activity.

The 4:30 am Pickup and Drive to Pacchanta

The day starts early, with pickup from your hotel in Cusco at about 4:30 am. That timing is necessary because the drive to the Ausangate area takes you well beyond the city and leaves enough daylight for the lakes, lunch, hot springs, and return trip.

The early hour can be rough, especially if you have spent only a short time in Cusco. Still, it gives you a practical advantage: you reach Pacchanta in time for breakfast and have most of the day available for the high-mountain route.

Your transport is private in both directions. That matters after several hours on horseback and at altitude. At the end of the day, you do not need to find a taxi or walk to another pickup point. The vehicle takes you back to your Cusco hotel.

Breakfast With Local Families in Pacchanta

Pacchanta is the starting point for the horseback route, located at the foot of Ausangate Mountain. Before setting off, you receive a warm buffet breakfast prepared by local families.

This is more than a convenient meal. It gives you a chance to eat before the demanding part of the day and adds a direct connection with the community that serves the Ausangate area. Since breakfast is included, you do not need to arrange food before the early pickup.

After breakfast, the guide organizes the horses and explains the route and safety guidelines. That briefing is important even if you have ridden before. The experience is described as an adventure rather than a polished equestrian lesson, so listen carefully to the instructions and be honest about your comfort level.

The horses are trained for the full circuit, which means you can ride for the main portion of the outing rather than using them only for a short photo opportunity. Even so, horseback riding can feel demanding in a different way than walking. You may save your legs while still spending hours seated and adjusting to the movement of the horse.

The Seven Ausangate Lakes by Horseback

The central section lasts about six hours and takes you through seven lakes fed by clear glacier water. The lakes are Otorongo, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Patacocha.

The appeal is the variety of views across one connected high-mountain route. Instead of stopping at one scenic pool and turning back, you move through a sequence of lakes, with Ausangate and other high peaks providing the backdrop. The setting is open, quiet, and exposed, with very little between you and the surrounding mountains.

I like that the horseback option lets you cover this broad circuit with less leg strain than a full walking day. One rider specifically felt that the horses helped save energy. That benefit can be important when you want to see all seven lakes but do not feel ready for a long hike at 4,100 meters.

There is a fair counterpoint. Another rider said they would choose to hike by foot next time. That does not mean the horseback option is poor. It means you should choose based on what kind of movement you enjoy. If you like being on a horse and want help with the distance, this format is sensible. If you prefer to control every step and enjoy walking through mountain terrain, the riding may feel less natural.

The route is also described as challenging. You should not expect a flat, leisurely ride through a park. Terrain, altitude, and the length of the circuit all add effort. The horses reduce the work for your legs, but they do not remove the physical demands of a high-altitude day.

Ninaparayoc Viewpoint and the Best Photo Stop

Ninaparayoc Viewpoint is one of the most appealing points on the route. From here, you get wide views of the lakes and peaks, with your private group able to enjoy the setting without a large organized crowd around you.

This is the place to slow down. The route contains several named lakes, but a viewpoint helps you understand the scale of the area. Bring your camera, but also leave room to look away from the screen. At this altitude, the combination of glacier-fed water, open slopes, and Ausangate’s peaks provides the main reason to make the long trip from Cusco.

The tour allows plenty of time for photographs and scenery before returning to Pacchanta. Exact timing can depend on the group and conditions, but the private arrangement gives the guide more room to respond to your pace.

Returning to Pacchanta for an Andean Lunch

After the lake circuit, you ride or walk back to Pacchanta. The wording matters because the return can involve either the horses or walking, depending on how the route is managed and what suits the group.

Lunch is served as a buffet with traditional Andean dishes. It is included in the price, along with breakfast and drinking water for the route. After a very early start and several hours outside, a proper meal is a useful part of the package, not a minor extra.

Food is also one of the ways this outing feels connected to Pacchanta rather than simply passing through it. The meals prepared by local families give the day a local element that you would miss with a packed lunch from Cusco.

Pacchanta Hot Springs After the Ride

The hot springs are the second major reason to choose this excursion. After lunch, you have ample time in Pacchanta’s naturally heated pools, with Ausangate Mountain views around you.

The mineral-rich water is intended to soothe tired muscles, and the timing is excellent. You can change from active sightseeing to a slower final stop without needing to rush through the pools. The horseback format may also leave you with more energy to enjoy the hot springs than a full walking route would.

The springs are used by local people, adding a grounded feel to the stop. You are not visiting a luxury spa. The attraction is the naturally heated water, the mountain setting, and the chance to rest after the route.

I would treat the hot springs as a comfort bonus, not the main purpose of the tour. If the lakes and Ausangate scenery do not appeal to you, a thermal soak alone does not justify the long day from Cusco. But after the early start and the six-hour lake circuit, this pause can make the return journey much easier.

Is $180 a Fair Price?

At $180 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ausangate. The price is easier to justify because the experience is private and includes nearly all of the major costs: hotel transport from Cusco, return transport, breakfast, lunch, drinking water, a Spanish and English-speaking guide, trained horses, entry to the seven-lake area, and admission to the Pacchanta hot springs.

You are also paying for convenience. A self-arranged version would require organizing transport to a remote starting point, finding horses, arranging a guide, paying entrance fees, and handling the return to Cusco. The private vehicle and hotel drop-off remove much of that work.

The value depends on your group size and priorities. A private tour is particularly useful for couples, families, or friends who want a shared pace and do not want to be combined with strangers. Solo visitors should look closely at the per-person cost, since the private arrangement may feel less economical for one person.

The experience also includes a local breakfast and lunch rather than asking you to carry all food from Cusco. That helps explain the price, though you should still compare it with a walking version if your main goal is simply to reach the seven lakes.

Who Will Enjoy This Ausangate Horseback Tour?

This excursion suits you if you want the major views but would rather not walk the entire route. It is also a good fit if you value a private guide, direct hotel transport, and a slower finish in hot springs.

You should be comfortable with a very early pickup and a high-altitude setting. The fact that most people can participate does not mean the day is easy for everyone. You need to judge your own health, fitness, and response to altitude.

The tour may also work well for mixed-ability groups. One person may be more comfortable on horseback while another prefers to walk sections. Since the group is private, you have more room to discuss those preferences with the guide.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a relaxed morning outing, a short ride, or a luxury spa day. The route is long and remote, and the altitude is a central part of the experience.

Practical Details That Matter

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 4:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met, with the choice of another date, another experience, or a refund.

Tips for staff are not included, so bring some extra money if you want to thank the guide, drivers, or horse handlers. The guide speaks English and Spanish, and confirmation is provided when you book.

One unusual detail from the horseback experience is the presence of two friendly guard dogs on part of the route. They helped protect the group from three aggressive dogs. This is not something to count on as part of the service, but it gives you a sense that the day takes place in a working rural area rather than a staged attraction.

Should You Book the Ausangate 7 Lakes Horseback Tour?

Book it if you want a private, well-organized way to reach seven high-altitude lakes without walking the full circuit. The trained horses, included meals, private transport, and Pacchanta hot springs give the day a strong package of practical value.

Choose a walking tour instead if you enjoy hiking more than riding or want to control your movement on the trail. Also think carefully about the 4,100-meter altitude and the 10 to 11-hour schedule.

For the right person, this is a memorable day from Cusco: demanding, scenic, local in character, and softened by a warm meal and hot springs at the end. The 4.9 rating from 14 evaluations and 100 percent recommendation fit the experience’s strongest points, especially the patient service, private attention, and useful combination of horseback travel with a thermal soak.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup in Cusco begins at approximately 4:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about 10 to 11 hours.

Where does the horseback route begin?

The route begins in Pacchanta, at about 4,100 meters, or 13,451 feet, near Ausangate Mountain.

Which lakes are included?

The route includes Otorongo, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Patacocha.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast prepared by local families and a buffet lunch with traditional Andean dishes are included.

Are the hot springs included?

Yes. Admission to the Pacchanta hot springs is included in the tour price.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates, with private transportation from your Cusco hotel to the route and back to your hotel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.