Horseback riding in Ausangate 7 lakes full day – private

Glaciers, horses, and seven colored lakes await. This private Ausangate trip gives you a comfortable way to reach one of the Cusco region’s most striking mountain areas, with horseback riding for the full circuit rather than a short add-on. I like the personal format, since only your group takes part, and I like that breakfast, lunch, transport, entrance fees, a bilingual guide, medical supplies, and oxygen are included. The main catch is the long day, about 12 hours, with much of your time spent getting to and from the high mountain area.

I also like the chance to meet local people and see alpacas and other fauna along the route, not just lakes and ice. Guides such as Ricardo, Julio, Felipe, and Juan have been praised for their care and organization, with Felipe even introducing a Quechua ceremony. You should still be ready for a demanding mountain day, and remember that dinner and tips are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• The entire lake circuit is done on trained horses, a useful choice if the high altitude makes a long hike difficult.
• The tour is private, so your party alone takes part rather than joining a large mixed group.
• Ausangate delivers glacier and multicolored lake views, with alpacas, mountain air, and contact with local communities.
• Breakfast and lunch are included, which matters on a day lasting about 12 hours.
• A bilingual guide, medical kit, and oxygen are provided, adding practical support in a remote mountain setting.
• Hotel pickup is arranged through reception, and the guide asks for you by name when arriving.

Why Ausangate makes such a strong day trip

Ausangate is one of the more dramatic outings from Cusco. The appeal is not one single viewpoint. It is the combination of high peaks, glaciers, colored lakes, open mountain air, alpacas, and local culture in one long day.

The centerpiece is the group of seven lakes. Their colors vary across the area, giving the ride a changing parade of blue, green, and other mineral shades. The exact appearance depends on light and weather, but you can expect the lakes to be the main photographic draw.

I like that the experience is not limited to looking at scenery from a vehicle. Riding gives you a slower way to move through the mountains. You have time to notice the animals, the shape of the peaks, and the quiet of the area. It also reduces the amount of sustained walking required, which is important at high elevation.

The tour description places about four hours at Ausangate 7 Lakes. Since the full experience lasts roughly 12 hours, you should expect a substantial amount of road time around the lake visit. That is not a flaw, but it changes the nature of the outing. This is a full mountain expedition from Cusco, not a quick nearby attraction.

A private ride from Cusco, with less waiting around

Your guide meets you at your hotel reception and asks for you by name. That is a simple arrangement, but it avoids the uncertainty of searching for a vehicle on the street or wondering if you have missed the pickup.

Private transportation is one of the tour’s most useful features. Your group does not have to fit into a large shared schedule, and the guide can focus on your party. The private format is especially valuable if you are traveling with family or friends who want to ride together and keep the day more personal.

It also helps with timing. The company has been praised for running on schedule and organizing the details well. That matters on a 12-hour outing, where a late start or disorganized transfer can make an already long day feel much harder.

Still, private does not mean short. The drive and mountain visit together fill most of the day. If you want a relaxed morning, a long lunch in town, or an early return to Cusco, this is not the right excursion.

Breakfast first, then the long mountain day

Breakfast and lunch are included, which makes the $185 price easier to assess. Food is not an afterthought here. You begin with breakfast and receive lunch during the day, so you do not have to arrange meals while moving through a remote area.

Dinner is not included. Since the tour lasts around 12 hours, you should plan your evening meal after returning to Cusco. No dinner arrangement is promised, so do not assume the package covers every meal from hotel pickup through the end of the day.

The included meals also make the tour more practical for people who do not want to pack a full day of food. You will still want to bring personal water and any snacks you normally need, but only the listed breakfast and lunch should be counted as part of the price.

Riding the full Ausangate 7 Lakes circuit

The central promise is horseback riding around the lake area, with horses trained to ride for the entire circuit. This is more useful than a short horseback segment followed by a long hike.

One direct benefit is reduced physical strain. A mountain route at this elevation can be hard even for fit walkers, and the horse takes much of the effort out of covering the circuit. One person specifically described adding horses as the best decision because the hike required a lot of physical effort. That is a strong clue about who should consider this option.

The ride does not make the day effortless. You still spend time outdoors in the mountains, and you need enough comfort and balance to ride for the circuit. If you have never ridden before, ask the company for current guidance before booking. The supplied information confirms the horses are trained, but it does not describe riding lessons, saddle type, or the exact terrain.

You should also remember that horseback riding changes the experience. You get a good view while moving through the area, but this is not a leisurely photo stop at every lake. The guide and rider manage the route, and your time at each point may vary. If your priority is hiking slowly around every shoreline, a walking tour may suit you better.

Glaciers, colored water, and alpacas

The visual rewards begin with the glaciers. Ausangate’s icy peaks provide a sharp backdrop to the lakes and give the area its grand scale. You are not simply visiting a set of ponds. You are seeing water, ice, and open mountain country together.

The lakes add color and variety. Their changing tones are one reason this excursion is so popular, but the setting around them matters just as much. The views open across the mountains, and the fresh air gives the day a clear break from Cusco’s busy streets.

Alpacas are another part of the appeal. The tour includes the chance to see these animals and other fauna in their natural area. That adds a living element to the trip, rather than making it only a sightseeing circuit of viewpoints.

I also appreciate the cultural side. The experience offers contact with local people and a chance to learn about their culture. Felipe, one of the named guides associated with the company, was praised for showing a Quechua ceremony. That kind of moment can give the excursion more meaning than a run of photo stops, though the exact cultural activities can vary.

What the guide and safety support add

A professional bilingual guide is included. The named guides connected with this experience include Ricardo, Julio, Felipe, and Juan, and the strongest praise centers on their professionalism, care, and ability to explain the area.

Ricardo was praised for helping the day run smoothly, including the meals. Julio was described as an expert and professional guide who helped make the mountain visit memorable. Felipe was noted for his cultural knowledge and for checking that everything was in order. Juan was praised alongside the rider for their work during the horseback experience.

Those details matter because a guide in a remote mountain area does more than point out views. The guide coordinates the vehicle, horses, food, timing, and communication with the local team. On a private trip, that personal attention can make the day feel organized rather than improvised.

The tour also includes a medical kit and oxygen. These supplies do not remove the need to take high elevation seriously, but they show that basic emergency support is part of the planning. You should tell the operator about any health concerns before departure and follow the guide’s instructions during the day.

The provided information says most people can participate, but it does not offer a detailed medical screening policy. If you have trouble with altitude, riding, or long days outdoors, contact the company before paying.

Is $185 a fair price?

At $185 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ausangate. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: private transportation, entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, a bilingual guide, trained horses for the complete circuit, and medical equipment with oxygen.

A cheaper group tour may cost less, but it may not provide the same privacy or flexibility. Here, you are paying for a managed full-day experience rather than only transport to the lakes. The horse option also has real value if a long hike would limit your ability to enjoy the area.

The price is strongest for a small group that values comfort and organization. If you are traveling alone, the per-person cost may feel high. Group discounts are offered, so a party of friends or family should ask about the current rate before booking.

The key question is not simply how much the tour costs. It is how much effort and planning you want to handle yourself. At this price, the company takes care of the transfer, admissions, meals, guide, and horse arrangements. That can be worth it for a remote outing where mistakes are inconvenient.

Who should choose the private horseback option?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to people who want the Ausangate scenery but do not want to walk the full circuit. It is also a good fit for a couple, family, or group of friends that prefers a private vehicle and a guide focused only on them.

It suits you if you value:

• A full day in the mountains rather than a short sightseeing stop
• Horseback riding for the complete lake circuit
• Glacier views and multicolored lakes
• A private group experience
• Included breakfast and lunch
• Cultural contact and possible Quechua traditions
• Support from a bilingual guide and basic medical equipment

It may not suit you if you dislike long transfers, want an early return to Cusco, or prefer to explore entirely on foot. It is also not the best choice if you expect dinner to be included or want a short, easy excursion.

Bring practical mountain clothing, comfortable riding clothes, and protection from changing outdoor conditions. The supplied details do not specify a packing list, so ask the provider what is recommended for the current season. Most important, do not treat the horse as a substitute for preparation. The ride reduces walking effort, but you are still spending a long day at high elevation.

Booking details and cancellation flexibility

Confirmation is provided at booking, and pickup is offered from your hotel. The guide will ask for you by name at reception, so make sure the hotel has your correct name and knows to expect the pickup.

This is an English-language offering, and a professional bilingual guide is included. The tour is private, meaning only your own group participates.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

My verdict on the Ausangate horse ride

I think this is a strong choice if you want to see Ausangate 7 Lakes without committing to a full day of strenuous walking. The horses, private transport, meals, entrance fees, and experienced guides make the $185 price easier to justify, especially for a small group sharing the private format.

The tradeoff is time and altitude. You are signing up for roughly 12 hours, not a quick outing, and the tour will be tiring even with horses. Book it if the glaciers, colorful lakes, alpacas, and local culture are worth a long mountain day to you. Skip it if you want a shorter Cusco activity or prefer to control every stop on your own.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately 12 hours. The Ausangate 7 Lakes portion is listed as about four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the guide asks for you by name at your hotel reception.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner is not included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees are included in the tour price.

Are horses provided for the entire route?

Yes. The horses are trained to ride for the entire circuit.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A professional bilingual tour guide is included, and the experience is offered in English.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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