From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

Ausangate’s snow-capped summit rises above a chain of alpine lakes, and this long day trip brings you close to both without requiring an overnight trek. I like the remote setting near Pacchanta and the chance to warm up afterward in the local hot springs.

I also like that breakfast, lunch and a guide are included at a starting price of $29. The trade-off is real: this is a strenuous hike at extreme altitude, after a very early start and a long drive on a rough road.

What to know before you book

• Ausangate reaches 6,384 meters: The mountain is a dramatic backdrop, while the trail climbs to high, thin-air terrain.
• Expect about 12 to 13 kilometers on foot: The route takes around four and a half hours at a comfortable pace, though the day’s schedule and altitude make it a demanding outing.
• The hot springs are an extra: Set aside 30 soles for the stated entrance and hot-spring costs, payable in cash and Peruvian soles.
• Horse rental is optional and separate: The local partner does not handle horse arrangements. Past riders paid about 120 to 130 soles, but treat that as a guide, not a guaranteed price.
• The day starts before sunrise: Pickup is around 4 to 4:30 am, and you can expect to return to Cusco between 6 and 7 pm.
• Guides can make a difference: Guides named in past trips include Eduardo, Kevin, Carlos and Inti, with particular praise for checking on slower walkers and people struggling with altitude.

A dawn departure, then a long ride to Pacchanta

The day begins with hotel pickup in central Cusco, usually between 4 and 4:30 am. The van may take 30 to 45 minutes to collect the full group, so being ready on time does not necessarily mean the wheels will turn right away. One person described a pickup time that shifted earlier than expected, so confirm your exact time with the operator before bed.

The drive to Pacchanta is usually described as about three hours, though the route details give three and a half hours each way. The road is rough, and that matters: a bumpy ride at altitude can leave you feeling unwell before you have taken a single step. If you are prone to motion sickness or altitude symptoms, bring the medicine you normally use. The tour includes an oxygen bottle and first-aid kit, but those are safety resources, not a substitute for preparing your body.

Bring warm layers for the journey and the first part of the morning. Temperatures in the area can be around 5 to 9°C, and wind, rain or cloud can make it feel colder. A hat, gloves, warm sweater and jacket are sensible basics, not overpacking.

Breakfast in Pacchanta and the first view of Ausangate

In Pacchanta, you have breakfast and a chance to pick up forgotten water or snacks. The meal is described as simple, with opinions varying on quality, but it gives you a useful start before several hours of walking. Pack a snack anyway. Even when breakfast and lunch are included, a little food in your day pack is handy on a high-altitude trail.

This is also where the scale of the day becomes clear. Ausangate, at 6,384 meters, towers over the surrounding highlands. You do not climb the mountain itself, but the views of its snow-covered slopes and the open Andean terrain are a central part of the outing.

Before setting off, organize your day pack and make sure your sunglasses are on hand. The tour information calls them mandatory throughout the hike, a sensible rule at altitude where glare can be intense. Bring water, rain gear and sturdy hiking shoes, and leave large bags and luggage behind.

The lakes: a beautiful route with a serious altitude test

The walk covers roughly 12 to 13 kilometers, or about eight miles, and usually takes around four and a half hours. The ground is steep in places, and you move through changing elevations rather than following an easy, flat lakeside path. The reward is a succession of alpine lakes with broad views across the Andes, plus the chance to see llamas and alpacas along the way.

The highest elevation is not stated consistently. The main route description gives 4,620 meters, while the safety information says you will trek above 4,800 meters. Those figures are far apart enough to matter, especially if you are planning around altitude. Ask the operator to confirm the actual high point before you book, and prepare for very high elevation either way.

Go at a pace that lets you breathe and keep your footing. The guide may be spread across the group to help people at different points, rather than walking beside every person for the entire route. Guides such as Kevin, Eduardo and Carlos have been praised for checking on the group, waiting for slower walkers and offering cultural context. Still, the group format means you should speak up early if you feel unwell, rather than trying to keep pace in silence.

The lakes themselves are the reason to make the effort. Their colors and the surrounding mountains give you a changing sequence of views, not just one photo stop. You may have time to pause and take pictures, but the day has a long return drive and a full schedule. One practical tip is to keep your camera ready and take advantage of natural pauses. If you want a long stretch of quiet contemplation at every lake, the pace may feel brisk.

Cloud and rain are possible, and weather can change the experience. A cloudy day still offers a worthwhile walk, but visibility can soften the mountain views. The operator does not control the weather, so check conditions and choose a departure date with that uncertainty in mind.

Walking or renting a horse

This tour is best understood as a hike, not a horse-riding excursion. The route details include horse-riding segments, but rental is not included, and the local partner does not manage the arrangements. If you are considering a horse, expect to organize it locally and pay separately in cash. Past participants have mentioned costs around 120 to 130 soles, but prices can vary.

A horse can help if altitude or fitness makes walking difficult, but it is not a simple guarantee of an easy day. One person with asthma and a heart condition found riding helpful, while still describing the outing as hard. That experience is not a reason to ignore the tour’s restrictions: it is listed as unsuitable for people with heart or respiratory problems, mobility impairments, back problems, wheelchair users and people over 120 kilograms.

If you have a medical condition or are unsure how you will respond to altitude, speak with a medical professional before booking. The tour reaches extreme elevation, and an optional horse should not be treated as a substitute for making a safe decision about whether to go.

Lunch, hot springs and the return to Cusco

After the walk, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. It is a local meal, usually described as sufficient and simple, though some people have found the food cold or disappointing. Think of it as welcome fuel after a demanding hike, not a fine-dining stop. If you have strict dietary needs, the information provided does not confirm special meal options, so check before booking.

Then comes the hot spring stop, a welcome chance to rest and enjoy the highland views without climbing. The water and entrance cost extra, with the stated charge listed as 30 soles. Bring cash in Peruvian soles for this and other purchases. Cards are not available for extra expenses such as water, souvenirs or local horse rental.

The drive back takes around three to three and a half hours, with arrival in Cusco usually between 6 and 7 pm. By then you will have spent a full day on the road and trail. Do not plan a tight evening commitment, especially after a strenuous hike at altitude.

Is $29 good value?

At $29 per person, the tour offers a lot for the headline price: hotel pickup, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, a first-aid kit, an oxygen bottle and drop-off near central Cusco. The value is particularly good if you want transport and meals arranged, rather than trying to reach Pacchanta independently.

But $29 is not the full cost of the day. Budget extra for the 30-soles entrance and hot-spring fee, water or snacks, and any horse rental. You will also want proper hiking clothes and shoes. For a trip this long and remote, the included guide and transport are meaningful parts of the value, while the extra cash costs are manageable if you know about them in advance.

A private group is available, but the basic group experience means people move at different speeds. This can be a plus if you appreciate a guide who checks on the group and gives slower walkers room. It can feel less ideal if you want to set your own pace or linger for a long time at each lake.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this trip if you are already acclimatized, comfortable with a long hike and eager to see a quieter part of the Cusco region. Several people described the area as less crowded than Humantay Lake, and one especially valued the silence and sense of connection to the high Andes. That quieter feel is a major part of the appeal, though crowd levels can vary by day.

It can also suit active families. One family completed the hike with children aged 11 and 12, and enjoyed seeing alpacas along the route. That is encouraging, but it is not a promise that the altitude will suit every child. Consider each person’s health and walking ability, not just their age.

I would think twice if you have not had time to acclimatize, struggle with strenuous exercise, or are sensitive to altitude. The tour information specifically excludes people with heart or respiratory problems and several mobility-related limitations. The guide and optional horse may offer support, but they do not erase the physical demands.

The experience has a strong record of positive feedback, especially for the scenery and guides’ care. Past guides named include Diana, Sebastian, Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, Joseph, Inti, Waldri and Noe. Names are not a guarantee of who will lead your departure, but the consistent practical advice is clear: tell your guide how you feel, walk at a steady pace, and do not hide symptoms to keep up.

Should you book the Ausangate Seven Lakes trek?

Book it if you want a full, physical day in the high Andes, value a guide and included meals, and are prepared for cold weather, rough-road travel and extreme altitude. The lakes, Ausangate views and Pacchanta hot springs make a satisfying combination, especially if you want a less crowded alternative to some of Cusco’s better-known day hikes.

Skip it, or choose a gentler outing, if altitude is a serious concern or you need a relaxed day with lots of unstructured time. Before paying, confirm the actual highest elevation, your pickup time and the extra costs. Then arrive with warm layers, sunglasses, cash and a realistic sense of your fitness.

FAQ

How long is the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour?

It is a one-day trip. Pickup is around 4 to 4:30 am, and the group usually returns to Cusco between 6 and 7 pm.

How far do you hike?

The hike is described as about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, and around four and a half hours. Another trip description gives 12 kilometers, so expect roughly 12 to 13 kilometers.

How high does the trail go?

The information gives two different figures: a high point of 4,620 meters and a warning that the trek goes above 4,800 meters. Ask the operator to confirm the route’s actual high point before booking.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is served there after the walk. The meals are generally simple, and you can bring snacks in case you want extra food.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Entrance and hot-spring costs are listed as 30 soles. Bring cash in Peruvian soles for this and other extra expenses.

Can I rent a horse?

Horse rental is not included, and the local partner does not arrange it. Past participants have mentioned paying around 120 to 130 soles, but that amount is not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring water, snacks, rain gear, hiking shoes, sunglasses and comfortable clothes. An extra warm sweater, jacket, hat and gloves are recommended because mornings can be cold.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in Spanish and English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.