Full-Day Tour to Ausangate 7 Lakes

The draw is a long walk among seven mountain lakes beneath Ausangate, with glaciers and high Andean scenery as your backdrop. I like the early drive, when sunrise gives you a changing view of the route, and the chance to meet the region through a local guide’s stories and traditions.

The day also includes breakfast, lunch, and an optional hot-springs stop in Pacchanta, so you get more than a hike for the $69 price. But don’t mistake the outing for an easy stroll: much of the route is above 4,000 meters, and the walk may cover about 17 kilometers.

The day at a glance

• A 4 a.m. start: Expect a long day, with a drive of about three and a half hours each way between Cusco and Pacchanta.
• Seven lakes on foot: Allow roughly three and a half hours to visit the lakes, though the full walking effort can be longer.
• High-altitude effort: The route reaches elevations above 4,000 meters, with one account placing the trail at about 4,800 meters.
• Meals are included: Breakfast in Pacchanta and an Andean lunch are part of the price.
• A hot soak is optional: You can pay separately to use Pacchanta’s hot springs after the hike.
• Small group cap: The maximum is 17 people, and horseback riding is available locally for an additional fee.

Setting out from Cusco before sunrise

Pickup is scheduled for 4 a.m. You’ll want to be ready on time, dressed for cold weather, and prepared for a full day away from your accommodation. The drive to Pacchanta takes about three and a half hours. As the light comes up, the scenery along the route becomes part of the outing, rather than just time spent getting to the trail.

That early departure is practical, not luxurious. You’ll reach the mountains with much of the day ahead, but it also means a very early alarm and a long stretch in the vehicle. The tour is about 15 hours in total, with arrival back in Cusco expected around 6:30 p.m. If you have plans that evening, leave room for a late return.

Transport is included, and the group is capped at 17. That is small enough to make it easier to stay connected with your guide than on a large coach tour, though it is not necessarily a private hike just because private transportation is listed. Ask the operator how pickup and group arrangements work for your date if that distinction matters to you.

Breakfast in Pacchanta, and time to adjust

Pacchanta is the starting point for the hike and the place where you’ll have breakfast before setting off. A hot meal matters here: it gives you energy and a chance to warm up after the chilly drive. Breakfast is included, as is lunch later in the day.

The village also offers a first look at life in a remote Andean community. Keep expectations practical. Facilities along the route may be basic, including the toilets. Bring small bills if you expect to buy anything locally, and be respectful of residents and their homes.

The high elevation is the main issue to think through before booking. The route stays above 4,000 meters for much of the hike, and one reported elevation reaches about 4,800 meters. That can make ordinary walking feel demanding, even if the path itself is not especially steep. Give yourself time to acclimatize in Cusco before attempting this trip; the tour information itself recommends moderate fitness, and the altitude deserves more attention than that phrase may suggest.

Walking among Ausangate’s seven lakes

The main hike takes you past seven lakes in the Ausangate area. The stated time to visit them is about three and a half hours, but the walk can amount to roughly 17 kilometers, according to one account. Those figures are worth keeping in mind together: your pace, altitude response, and time spent at viewpoints can affect how strenuous the day feels.

The reward is the close-up view of the lakes and the mountains around them. The water is the main attraction, but the scale of the setting matters too: glaciers sit nearby, and the route offers views throughout rather than saving everything for one final lookout. The tour is a good fit if you want a full mountain walk and a succession of scenic stops, not a quick roadside photo break.

Descriptions of the trail suggest it is not too steep in places, but that should not be confused with easy. Walking for hours at altitude is its own challenge. You’ll need to pace yourself, drink water, and tell your guide promptly if you feel unwell. Guides have included Ernesto, Juan, Milton, Roberto, and Jehomar, and the accounts of their support describe guides checking on people, helping with photos, and explaining local traditions. The guide assigned to your departure will vary.

A Quechua ceremony was part of one outing, and guides have shared how local people relate to nature. Treat those cultural moments as possible, not guaranteed: the tour description does not promise a ceremony. The more reliable expectation is a guided walk among the lakes, with interpretation along the way.

If you would rather not walk the whole route, horseback riding is offered as an optional alternative through local villagers. The listed cost is about 80 soles, or roughly $22, paid directly to them. Confirm the arrangement with your guide, and don’t assume a horse is included in the tour price.

Lunch, hot springs, and the return drive

After the lakes, you return to Pacchanta for a meal at a local restaurant. Lunch is included and features Andean food, a welcome chance to sit down after several hours on your feet. If you have dietary needs, make them known in advance. Vegan food was accommodated on one outing when requested, but it is sensible to confirm directly rather than count on a particular menu.

The hot springs are optional and not included in the stated price. If you want to soak, bring what you need for a change of clothes and check the current fee with the operator or locally. If you skip the springs, you’ll have free time to explore the village before the drive back.

The return journey is another three-plus hours across the Andes, with arrival in Cusco expected at about 6:30 p.m. After a 4 a.m. start and a high-altitude hike, you may be ready to do little more than eat and rest. That is a feature of the trip’s design: it packs a remote mountain outing into one day, but does so by making that day long.

Is $69 good value?

At $69 per person, the price includes transport, a professional guide in Spanish or English, breakfast, and lunch. For a trip that involves a lengthy drive in each direction and a guided hike, that is a useful bundle. You are not arranging transport and meals separately, and the guide can help make the high-altitude walk more manageable.

There are extra costs to factor in. The hot springs are optional, alcoholic drinks and other meals or drinks are excluded, and a horse costs about 80 soles. If you choose to ride or soak, your total will rise. The tour’s value is strongest if you plan to walk, eat the included meals, and appreciate having transport and guidance organized for you.

The group limit of 17 is another practical point. It keeps the outing from becoming a very large group, while allowing the operator to run a shared service. If you want a completely private experience, confirm that before booking rather than reading private transportation as a promise of a private group.

Who should book the Ausangate lakes tour?

Book this if you are comfortable with a demanding day outdoors, have had time to acclimatize, and want to see mountain scenery beyond Cusco without organizing a multi-day trek. It is especially appealing if you value a guide who can explain local traditions as well as lead the walk, and if you like the idea of ending with a meal and an optional soak.

Think twice if you have not adjusted to the altitude, have a heart condition or other concern that limits strenuous exercise, or simply do not want to walk for hours at high elevation. The route is beautiful, but it is not a gentle sightseeing excursion. Ask the operator about the day’s expected walking distance, trail conditions, and horse arrangements before you commit.

The booking is usually made in advance, averaging about 17 days, though availability can vary. Confirmation is provided at booking, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start. The tour depends on good weather; if poor weather cancels it, you’ll be offered another date or a refund.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 4 a.m. Pickup is from your accommodation, so be ready at the arranged time.

How long does the tour last?

The full day is about 15 hours. You are expected back in Cusco around 6:30 p.m.

How long is the drive to Pacchanta?

The drive from Cusco to Pacchanta takes about three and a half hours each way.

How difficult is the hike?

The tour calls for moderate physical fitness. The route is at high altitude, above 4,000 meters, and one account describes a walk of about 17 kilometers. It is not a light stroll.

What is included in the $69 price?

The price includes transport, a professional guide in Spanish or English, breakfast, and lunch. Other meals and drinks are not included.

Can I ride a horse instead of walking?

Horseback riding is an optional local service, listed at about 80 soles, or roughly $22. You pay the villagers directly.

Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?

No. The hot springs are optional, and their cost is not included in the tour price.