Horseback Riding at 7 lakes Ausangate Private |Optional Hike

The seven lakes near Ausangate are the main event, but the day begins with something just as memorable: breakfast in a local home at 4,100 meters. From Pacchanta, you head into high Andean country where turquoise, emerald, and other mineral-tinted waters sit below Ausangate Mountain.

I like the private format, since your guide can keep the pace suited to your group. I also like the chance to eat Andean food in a local home rather than starting with a standard roadside meal. The main concern is the altitude and the very early start. This is a long, demanding day, not a gentle outing from Cusco.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven Ausangate lakes: See a sequence of high-altitude lagoons in shades from turquoise to emerald green.
• Horseback option: Choose a horse if you want help with the long route, but confirm how much of the outing is ridden before departure.
• Local breakfast: Begin in Pacchanta with a nutritious meal made from Andean ingredients.
• Private guiding: Travel in your own group with an English or Spanish-speaking guide, including guides named Alexander and Julio.
• Pacchanta hot springs: Finish the mountain day with thermal waters, available for an additional 10 soles.
• Serious altitude: The village sits at 4,100 meters, and the day includes roughly 10 kilometers and five hours of walking.

Before dawn from Cusco to Pacchanta

Your pickup takes place between about 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. from your Cusco hotel. That broad pickup window matters, so confirm your exact time with the operator and be ready early. The drive to the Ausangate area takes about three hours in private transportation.

This is a lot of road time for a single-day outing. Still, private transport gives you more control than a large shared bus. You can keep your daypack close, travel with only your own group, and ask your guide questions along the way.

The destination is Pacchanta, a village near Ausangate Mountain. At roughly 4,100 meters, it is already higher than many people expect. You do not start with a gradual climb from low country. You arrive in the high Andes and begin the day there.

If you have respiratory problems, a history of altitude sickness, or little experience at high elevation, take the restrictions seriously. The outing is not suitable for people with respiratory issues, people suffering from altitude sickness, children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 75.

Breakfast in a Pacchanta home

At about 7:30 a.m., local people invite you into their homes for breakfast. The meal uses Andean ingredients and gives the morning a personal touch that a quick café stop cannot match.

I like this part because it connects the scenery to daily life in the region. You are not simply passing through Pacchanta on the way to a trail. You have a chance to meet local residents and learn about their culture through food, conversation, and the setting itself.

The breakfast also has a practical purpose. You need fuel before several hours at altitude. Bring water and eat well, even if you do not feel especially hungry early in the morning. High elevation can dull your appetite, but the walk will still ask plenty of you.

The day’s meals received particularly strong praise, so food is more than a minor detail here. Breakfast and lunch help break up the long outing, and they give the experience a local flavor that is easy to miss on a rushed mountain excursion.

The first 5 to 6 kilometers toward the lakes

From Pacchanta, the route heads into the Andes toward the first lagoon. The stated distance is about 5 to 6 kilometers, with roughly 1.5 hours of walking to reach it. The full route is described as around 10 kilometers and five hours on foot.

Those figures do not line up perfectly, so I would treat them as useful estimates rather than a strict promise. Your exact walking time can change with weather, trail conditions, stops, and the pace of your group.

The setting changes as you go higher into the mountains. You have open views, fresh air, high-country vegetation, and Ausangate Mountain in the distance. Alpacas may be part of the scene, and you may see local people in traditional clothing, details that add a human presence to an otherwise vast setting.

The altitude is the real challenge. Five hours of walking at 4,100 meters can feel much harder than the same distance near sea level. You should walk steadily, take the guide’s advice, drink water, and avoid treating the first hour as a race.

Seven lagoons in changing colors

The seven Ausangate lakes are visited one after another, with each lagoon offering a different view and color. The waters range from turquoise to emerald green, with the exact appearance shaped by minerals, light, and weather.

Do not expect seven identical postcard stops. The appeal lies in the changing arrangement of water, mountain, vegetation, and sky. Ausangate provides the dramatic backdrop, while the lagoons give the route its color.

You will have time for photographs, but cold, wind, rain, and strong sun can all affect how long you want to linger. The tour runs in all weather, so bring warm clothing and rain protection even if Cusco begins with clear skies.

A camera is worth carrying, but keep it protected in your daypack. At this elevation, the light can be strong and the weather can shift quickly. Gloves are also listed among the recommended items, and they are sensible for chilly morning stops.

Hiking or choosing the horse option

The experience offers horseback riding as an option, along with the possibility of hiking. A horse can make the long route more manageable if you are concerned about fatigue, though the supplied details do not specify how many sections are ridden or how the riding schedule works.

I would ask the operator a direct question before booking: does the horse cover the full route, selected sections, or only part of the approach? The answer matters because the outing is advertised as a horseback experience but also describes about five hours of hiking.

The horse option may suit you if you want to see the lakes but are unsure about completing the entire distance on foot. It is not a way to remove every altitude concern. You still spend the day at high elevation, and you should be comfortable around horses before choosing it.

If you enjoy walking and have adjusted well to the altitude, hiking gives you the most control over your pace and the clearest connection with the surroundings. If your group has mixed fitness levels, the private setup should make it easier to discuss the best approach with the guide.

What the private format changes

This is a private group experience, not a large departure with strangers. That can make a real difference on a demanding mountain day. You can ask questions about Ausangate’s glacier, local flora, fauna, and the communities around Pacchanta without waiting for a guide to address a busload of people.

Guides Alexander and Julio are specifically associated with highly praised days on this route. The service is offered in English and Spanish, so choose the language that will make trail instructions and cultural explanations easiest for you.

A private group also helps with photography and rest stops. You can spend more time at a favorite lagoon or move along when the cold sets in. The tradeoff is that the price is higher than a basic shared excursion, though you are paying for private transport, a private group, a bilingual guide, and a more personal pace.

Lunch, hot springs, and the ride back

After the lake route, you return to Ausangate and take a break for lunch. The meal is an important part of the day because you will have spent several hours walking or riding in thin air.

The day then finishes in Pacchanta with its hot springs. Entry costs 10 soles and is not included in the tour price. Bring cash, since cash is also listed as an essential item for the outing.

The thermal waters are a welcome finish. They give tired legs a chance to relax before the drive back, and they turn the day from a mountain walk into a fuller visit to Pacchanta. Pack swimwear if you plan to use the pools, though it is not specifically listed in the required items.

After lunch and the hot springs, the drive back to Cusco takes about three hours. With the early pickup, mountain route, meals, and return drive, the complete day lasts about 12 to 15 hours. You may reach Cusco tired, so avoid scheduling a demanding evening plan afterward.

Is $139 a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Ausangate lakes. The price makes more sense if you value private transportation, a bilingual guide, hotel pickup, attraction entry, a medical or first aid kit, and the option to add a horse.

The local breakfast and lunch also add value, especially if you prefer food and community contact over a purely scenic stop. You are paying for a long day with substantial driving, but private transport avoids the complications of arranging the route yourself.

The hot spring fee of 10 soles is modest, but remember that it comes separately. Dinner is also not included, so plan for an evening meal after you return to Cusco.

For a solo participant, $139 can feel steep. For a small private group splitting the cost of transport and guiding, it becomes easier to justify. The strongest value comes when you want a private day, need the horseback option, or prefer a guide who can explain the area in English or Spanish.

What to pack for this high-altitude day

Use a small daypack rather than a large suitcase. You need room for warm layers, water, sunscreen, gloves, a camera, and cash.

Wear comfortable shoes with good support. The route includes several hours of walking, and the combination of uneven ground, cold, and altitude can wear down feet quickly.

Your basic packing list should include:

• Passport
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Gloves
• Warm clothing
• Comfortable shoes
• Camera
• Cash
• Daypack

The trip runs rain or shine. That means weather is not a reason for the operator to cancel, so you should be ready for rain as well as cold and strong sunlight. A flexible attitude helps, but proper clothing matters more.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to a fit adult who wants a full Ausangate day without joining a large group. The private format works especially well for friends, couples, or families with older teenagers who can handle high altitude and a long schedule.

It also suits you if local contact matters. Breakfast in a Pacchanta home, traditional clothing, alpacas, and explanations of local plants, animals, and the Ausangate glacier give the outing more substance than a quick photo stop.

The horse option makes the day more accessible for people who are uncertain about the walking distance, but it does not make the trip low-altitude or effortless. Ask how the riding portion works before you commit.

I would not choose this as your first activity immediately after landing in Cusco. The tour reaches 4,100 meters and includes a long route. You need to be honest about how your body handles altitude.

Should you book the seven lakes Ausangate tour?

Book it if you want colorful mountain lakes, a private guide, local meals, and the chance to finish in Pacchanta’s hot springs. The views are the clear reward, while the home breakfast and personal guiding give the day a stronger local character.

Skip it if you want a short excursion, dislike pre-dawn departures, or are not prepared for five hours of high-altitude walking. The horseback option may help, but clarify the riding details first.

For the right visitor, $139 is a reasonable price for a private, full-day Ausangate outing with transport and guiding. Pack warmly, carry water and cash, confirm your pickup time, and treat the altitude with respect.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven lakes experience last?

The full experience lasts about 12 to 15 hours, including transportation between Cusco and Pacchanta.

What time does pickup take place?

Hotel pickup in Cusco takes place between approximately 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. Confirm your exact pickup time with the tour guide.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Pacchanta?

The drive takes about three hours each way in private transportation.

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located at approximately 4,100 meters near Ausangate Mountain.

How much walking is involved?

The route is described as approximately 10 kilometers and about five hours of walking. The first lagoon is around 5 to 6 kilometers away and takes about 1.5 hours to reach.

Can I choose horseback riding instead of hiking?

Yes. A horse is available if you choose the horseback riding option. The available information does not specify how much of the route is completed on horseback, so ask the operator before departure.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Hot spring entry costs 10 soles and is paid separately.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Can children or people with altitude sickness join?

Children under 12 and people with altitude sickness are not suitable for this activity. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, or people over 75.