Horseback Riding at 7 lakes Ausangate Private |Optional Hike

Ausangate’s seven lakes are the main event: high in the Andes, they shift in color from turquoise to emerald green beneath the massif’s snowy heights. This is a full-day outing from Cusco, not a quick photo stop. You’ll set off before dawn, reach Pacchanta at 4,100 meters, then spend several hours among lakes, mountain vegetation, and open high-country views.

I like two things in particular: the private format, which keeps the day away from a large group, and the chance to meet local people over breakfast in Pacchanta. The other draw is the choice of horseback riding, useful if you want help covering the route. The main drawback is altitude: the day begins high and lasts 12 to 15 hours, so it is a poor fit if you have altitude sickness or respiratory problems.

At a glance

• Seven high-altitude lakes: Expect a long route through the Andes, with colors ranging from turquoise to emerald green.
• A 4,100-meter start: Breakfast is in Pacchanta, near Ausangate Mountain, after about three hours on the road from Cusco.
• Horse or foot: Choose the horseback riding option if you want a horse for the experience. The tour also includes a substantial walk.
• Private transport and guide: The group is private, with a bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• Meals and hot springs: Breakfast and lunch are part of the day; the hot-spring entry fee is 10 soles and is not included.
• A very long outing: Plan on 12 to 15 hours from Cusco, including roughly six hours of driving.

The early drive to Pacchanta

Pickup from your Cusco hotel is scheduled between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. The precise time depends on the departure, so expect an early start and a long ride. The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours. A private vehicle makes the trip more personal than a large-group bus, and lets your guide work with your group rather than a crowd.

Pacchanta sits at about 4,100 meters, close to Ausangate Mountain. That elevation is not a minor detail: even before the walking begins, you are already high in the Andes. If you have altitude sickness or respiratory problems, this tour is specifically listed as unsuitable. It is also not recommended for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 75.

The mountain setting begins to feel real as you leave Cusco behind. This route is a good choice if you want a full day outside the city and are comfortable with an early alarm, long transfers, and high elevation. If you are looking for a relaxed outing with little physical effort, choose something closer to town.

Breakfast with local hosts

In Pacchanta, local people welcome the group into their homes for a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients. The meal is scheduled for around 7:30 a.m., after the drive. It is a welcome chance to sit down, eat, and meet people in the village before setting out for the lakes.

This human part of the day matters. The outing is not only about reaching a viewpoint; it also gives you a brief connection with a community that lives near the mountain. Keep expectations grounded: the visit is a breakfast stop, not a long cultural program. Still, a meal in a local home offers a more personal start than eating from a box beside the road.

Breakfast also helps set the pace before several hours of walking. Bring water and warm clothing, and keep your daypack accessible. The early pickup means you will be out in the cold well before the sun has warmed the day.

Seven lakes beneath Ausangate

The route heads into the Andes toward seven lakes surrounded by mountain vegetation. The first lagoon lies about 5 to 6 kilometers away and takes around an hour and a half to reach on foot. From there, the group continues to the other lakes, with the full walk described as about 10 kilometers and five hours.

The lakes are the reason to make the trip. Their colors can range from turquoise to emerald green, making each stop feel distinct rather than repetitive. Ausangate Mountain forms the backdrop, and the open setting gives you room to take in the scale of the region. Bring a camera, but leave time to look around without a lens in front of you.

The walking is a meaningful part of the day, not a short stroll from the van. The stated distances and times give you a useful sense of the commitment, but conditions and pace can affect how the day unfolds. The tour takes place rain or shine, so footwear and warm layers matter. Comfortable shoes, gloves, sunscreen, and water are all on the suggested packing list.

A horse is available if you select the horseback riding option. That can make the outing more manageable for someone who wants to experience the route without relying entirely on walking. The provided details do not specify how much of the route is covered on horseback, so ask the operator about the horse arrangement before booking if that will shape your decision. The tour still describes a substantial hike, so do not assume the horse turns this into a no-walking day.

The pace is private, which is a practical advantage here. You are not joining a large group, and the guide can explain the area and help the group move through the route. Alexander and Julio have guided trips in this region; your assigned guide may be someone else. English- and Spanish-speaking guides are available.

One guide has explained the flora and fauna as well as the importance of the Ausangate glacier. That kind of context can make the route more meaningful than a succession of scenic stops. If those details interest you, tell your guide. The setting also brings chances to see alpacas and local people in traditional clothing, adding human and animal life to the mountain views.

Lunch and hot springs in Pacchanta

After the lakes, the group returns to Pacchanta for lunch and a stop at the hot springs. The warm water is a fitting way to close a day spent at altitude and on foot. The entry fee is 10 soles and is not included in the tour price, so bring cash. Dinner is also not included, though by the time you return to Cusco you may be ready for an early night rather than another meal.

The tour information describes breakfast and lunch as part of the day, and the meals have been a highlight for people on the route. Still, check the details with the operator when you book if you have dietary needs, since no menu or special-meal arrangements are specified.

The hot springs are a bonus, not a reason to book on their own. They add a local stop and a chance to rest before the drive back, but they cost extra and your time there depends on the day’s pace. Bring cash and a change of clothes if you plan to use them.

The return to Cusco

The drive back takes about three hours, making the total day 12 to 15 hours from pickup to return. The schedule has a lot packed into it: early transport, breakfast, a five-hour walk, lunch, hot springs, and the ride back. It is worth treating this as your main activity for the day rather than trying to add another Cusco plan in the evening.

The long return is part of the value calculation. At $139 per person, the price includes hotel pickup in Cusco, private transport, a bilingual guide, the attraction entrance ticket, and a horse if you choose that option. Breakfast and lunch are included in the described day, while the hot-spring fee is extra. For a private outing with transport and a guide, the price can make sense if you want to see the lakes without arranging the logistics yourself.

It is less compelling if you mainly want a short scenic excursion or are not comfortable with the altitude. The route takes time, and the mountain setting is the point: there is no quick way to turn this into a half-day visit from Cusco.

Who will get the most from this trip?

I would consider this tour if you want an active day in the Andes, prefer a private group, and are keen to see several lakes rather than just one viewpoint. It also suits you if local food and conversation are part of what makes a trip worthwhile. The horseback option gives you another way to approach the route, though you should confirm the details if you are relying on it to reduce walking.

Think carefully before booking if you have not been comfortable at altitude, have respiratory issues, or want an easy day. Pacchanta is already at 4,100 meters, and the tour includes hours on foot. The tour is also unsuitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people over 75.

Pack for shifting weather, since the outing runs rain or shine. Bring your passport, camera, gloves, water, sunscreen, cash, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a daypack. The passport is on the suggested list, and cash will cover the hot-spring fee. With the start time and return time both varying, keep the following day’s schedule light.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a full, private day among Ausangate’s lakes, and you are prepared for an early start, high altitude, and a substantial walk. The combination of colorful water, a local breakfast, a bilingual guide, and Pacchanta’s hot springs makes for a varied day, not just a hike.

Skip it if you need a low-effort outing or if altitude is a concern. For the right person, the $139 price buys a lot of ground covered and removes the need to organize transport independently. Just make sure the horse option and walking expectations match what you want before you commit.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

Plan on 12 to 15 hours, including pickup, the drive from Cusco, time at the lakes, and the return journey.

What time does pickup happen?

Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is scheduled between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. The exact time depends on the departure.

Where does the tour start its mountain route?

The group drives to Pacchanta, a village near Ausangate Mountain at about 4,100 meters.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is offered as a private group with private transportation.

What languages can the guide speak?

The live guide is available in English or Spanish.

Is horseback riding included?

A horse is included if you choose the horseback riding option. Ask the operator how the horse is used on the route if you need to know how much walking to expect.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch are part of the described day. Dinner is not included.

How much does the hot spring cost?

Entry to the hot springs costs 10 soles and is not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, camera, gloves, water, sunscreen, cash, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a daypack.