From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

The Andes start before sunrise. This full-day trip takes you from Cusco to the remote Ausangate region, where snow-capped peaks, high alpine lakes, alpacas, and hot springs fill one demanding but rewarding day. I especially like the small-group pace and the chance to finish the hike in Pacchanta’s warm pools. The low $29 price is appealing too, though you should budget another 30 soles for entrance fees and hot springs.

I also like that guides such as Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, and Inti are repeatedly praised for checking on slower walkers and helping with altitude trouble. The catch is simple: this is a serious high-altitude outing, not a gentle sightseeing ride. Cold, wind, rough roads, and thin air can make the 13-kilometer route feel much harder than the distance suggests.

Ausangate Lakes tour highlights

• A 4,620-meter high point: You will hike far above Cusco, with the tour information also warning that parts of the route can exceed 4,800 meters.
• Seven highland lakes: The route brings you through a striking chain of blue and green alpine waters beneath Ausangate.
• A 3-hour road journey each way: The remote setting is part of the appeal, but the dirt road can be rough and tiring.
• Breakfast and lunch included: Meals are basic but useful fuel for a long day in the cold.
• Optional horses: Local horse rentals can help if altitude, fatigue, or breathing problems make the hike too difficult.
• Hot springs at Pacchanta: A 30-minute soak gives your legs a welcome break before the return to Cusco.

Why the Ausangate region is worth the long day

Ausangate is one of the great high mountain areas near Cusco. The peak rises to 6,384 meters, and the seven lakes route gives you a close look at the mountain and its surrounding highlands without requiring a multiday expedition.

This is a very different outing from the better-known Humantay Lake trip. The route is longer and colder, but much of the walking is less sharply steep. You get a broader view of the Andes, more time among grazing llamas and alpacas, and a stronger feeling of being far from town.

I like the quiet quality of the place. Several groups have described seeing very few other people for much of the walk, especially on less busy days. That can change with weather and season, but the setting usually feels more open than Cusco’s most popular day hikes.

The scenery is the main reason to come. You will see snow-covered Ausangate, wide mountain slopes, glacial-looking lakes, and high pasture. The colors of the water can change with cloud, sun, and weather, so do not expect every photograph to look identical to a postcard.

The 4 a.m. start and the road to Pacchanta

Pickup from central Cusco accommodation generally begins between 4 and 4:30 a.m. The full group collection can take 30 to 45 minutes, so you may wait in the hotel lobby before the van arrives. One practical tip: confirm your pickup time and location the night before, because an advertised early-morning time may not match the final collection schedule.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours. The road is not in ideal condition, and the combination of jolts, darkness, and altitude can make some people feel unwell before the walk even starts. If you are prone to altitude sickness, bring any personal medicine or altitude tablets you already use.

You should wear your warmest practical layers from Cusco. Morning temperatures in the area are listed around 5 to 9 degrees Celsius, but wind at high elevation can make it feel colder. Pack a sweater, insulated jacket, hat, and gloves, even if Cusco feels mild when you leave.

Breakfast takes place in Pacchanta and lasts about 30 minutes. It is simple rather than luxurious, but it gives you a chance to eat, buy water or snacks, and make final adjustments to your day pack. Bring cash in Peruvian soles, since extra purchases and local fees are not handled by card according to the tour information.

Starting beneath 6,384-meter Ausangate

After breakfast, you prepare for the trek and get your first clear views of Apu Ausangate. At 6,384 meters, this is an imposing mountain, and the first sight helps explain why the region has such spiritual importance in Andean culture.

Your guide sets off with the group toward the first lake. The walking pace is meant to be comfortable, but do not confuse that with easy. The air is thin, and every uphill section demands more effort than it would at sea level.

The route covers roughly 13 kilometers, or about eight miles, over approximately four and a half hours of walking. The supplied schedule also breaks the day into several hiking and horse-riding segments, so your exact time on foot can depend on group pace, weather, and any horse use.

Guides are not always beside every person at every moment. They move through the group, assisting people at different speeds. That system worked well for several people who needed extra attention, including those struggling with breathing or altitude. Still, you should be comfortable walking independently for portions of the route while remaining with the group.

Seven lakes, thin air, and big views

The seven lakes are the heart of the day. You will stop at the lake area for photographs and views, but the walk itself is just as important as the final photo stop. The terrain shifts as you climb, with open highland scenery and changing views toward Ausangate.

The highest point is listed at 4,620 meters, while the safety notes warn that the trek goes over 4,800 meters. Since those figures do not perfectly match, plan for the more demanding possibility. At either height, this is high enough for altitude symptoms to appear suddenly.

You may notice headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or unusual fatigue. Do not try to hide symptoms to keep up. Tell your guide early. Several guides, including Eduardo, Carlos, Kevin, Inti, and Joseph, have been singled out for checking on people, waiting for slower walkers, arranging help, or offering reassurance when breathing became difficult.

The cold also matters. One person found the route hard simply because of the cold and wind, while another said cloudy weather and rain did not spoil the walk. Pack rain gear even when the morning sky looks clear. The local operator cannot control changes in weather, so choosing your date after checking the forecast is sensible.

Sunglasses are required throughout the hike. At high elevation, glare can be strong even on a cloudy day, and the instruction is not merely a suggestion. Hiking shoes, comfortable clothes, water, snacks, and sun protection belong in your small day pack.

Horses: useful backup, not a guaranteed tour feature

Local horses may be available if you find the altitude or terrain too difficult. This can be a sensible safety option, particularly for people who are struggling, but horse rental is separate from the tour company. The operator does not manage the rental process.

Recent riders paid about 120 to 130 soles for a horse, though you should confirm the current price directly in Pacchanta. Bring enough cash in soles if you think you may need one. One person with asthma and a heart condition managed the route by horse, while another found a horse especially helpful after becoming ill before the trip.

That said, a horse does not make the day effortless. You still spend hours at extreme altitude, and the cold and rough conditions remain. Horse use is best viewed as a backup, not a reason to book this hike if you have a serious mobility, heart, respiratory, or back problem.

Large bags are not allowed. Bring only what you need for the day, and keep it light. A heavy pack can make the first uphill section noticeably harder.

Lunch and Pacchanta hot springs

After the lake circuit, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. The meal is described as a basic buffet or simple local spread. Many people found it plentiful and adequate, but one person found the food cold and poor in quality. Set your expectations correctly: this is refueling in a remote mountain village, not a restaurant meal in central Cusco.

The food matters because you have just spent several hours walking in thin air and cold weather. Even a plain meal can feel welcome at this point. If you have strict dietary needs, ask ahead, and keep a snack in your pack in case the meal does not suit you.

The hot springs are the day’s practical reward. After lunch, you get about 30 minutes to swim and soak while looking out at the surrounding highlands. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and a dry change of clothes if those are not already supplied, since the provided packing list does not specifically mention them.

Entrance to the hot springs and other local fees costs 30 soles and is not included in the $29 tour price. That extra amount is modest, but you need cash in Peruvian soles. The soak is short, so treat it as a pleasant finish rather than a long spa session.

What the $29 price really buys you

At $29 per person, this is strong value if you want transport, a guide, breakfast, lunch, first-aid support, oxygen, and drop-off near central Cusco. The 6-hour round-trip drive alone would be difficult to arrange at a similar cost, and the remote location makes guided transport worthwhile.

The price does not cover the 30-sol entrance and hot-spring charge. You may also pay for water, snacks, souvenirs, or a horse. A realistic budget should include those extras, especially if you are unsure how your body will handle the altitude.

You also need to accept the tradeoff behind the low price. The van ride is long, pickup can be slow, meals are simple, and the group may include people walking at different speeds. Some people felt they had to move on quickly from scenic points, while others appreciated the flexible pace and patient guides.

A private group is available if you want more control over timing. That may be worth considering if you have children, a mixed-ability group, or a strong preference for lingering at the lakes.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend this trip to you if you:

• Have already spent enough time in Cusco to understand how altitude affects you.
• Enjoy a demanding mountain day more than a polished sightseeing tour.
• Want dramatic Andean scenery without committing to several days of trekking.
• Are comfortable with an early start, a rough road, and basic meals.
• Like having a horse option available as a backup.
• Can carry only a light day pack and manage uneven ground.

I would be cautious if you have heart, respiratory, mobility, or back problems. The experience is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users, people with significant mobility limitations, or people over 120 kilograms. The altitude warning is serious, not legal fine print.

Families with older children may enjoy it. One family reported that children aged 11 and 12 liked the walk and the alpacas, but your child should be prepared for cold, thin air, and a long day. This is not a casual park stroll.

Practical packing advice for the high lakes

Bring:

• Water and snacks
• Hiking shoes with good grip
• Rain gear
• Warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves
• Sunglasses, which are mandatory
• Comfortable clothing
• Cash in Peruvian soles
• Personal altitude or other medicine
• Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes for the hot springs

Leave large luggage behind. Keep your pack light, because extra weight becomes surprisingly tiring above 4,000 meters.

If you are choosing between this and Humantay Lake, pick Ausangate if you want a longer, quieter route with several lakes and a hot-spring finish. Pick a different activity if your priority is a shorter day or lower physical strain.

Should you book the seven lakes trek?

Book it if the thought of snow-capped Ausangate, remote lakes, alpacas, and a hot soak sounds worth a very early alarm and a hard day in thin air. The scenery is exceptional, the guide support is a real strength, and the price is hard to beat once you understand the extra fees.

Skip it if you are not acclimatized, dislike rough roads, or need a predictable pace and comfortable facilities. For prepared hikers, this is one of the better-value mountain days from Cusco. Pack warmly, carry cash, keep your bag small, and speak up quickly if the altitude starts winning.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven lakes tour last?

It is a one-day tour. Pickup begins around 4 to 4:30 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is expected between 6 and 7 p.m.

How far is the hike?

The total hike covers about 13 kilometers, or roughly eight miles. Walking time is approximately four and a half hours, though the exact pace can vary.

What is the highest point?

The route information lists a high point of 4,620 meters, or 15,090 feet. The safety notes also warn that the trek goes over 4,800 meters, so you should prepare for extreme altitude.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta after the drive from Cusco and lasts about 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served in Pacchanta after the hike. It is generally a simple local meal or buffet.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Entrance fees and hot springs cost 30 soles and are paid separately in cash.

Can I rent a horse?

Horse rentals may be available locally if you need help with the hike. The tour company does not manage the rental process, and recent prices were reported at about 120 to 130 soles.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Spanish.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from accommodation in the Cusco historic center is included. You should wait in the hotel lobby, and group collection can take 30 to 45 minutes.