From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

Ausangate’s seven lakes sit beneath a wall of snow-capped peaks, and the setting feels far removed from Cusco’s busy streets. At a top altitude listed around 4,620 meters, with some trip information warning of more than 4,800 meters, this is a serious mountain day dressed up as a bargain excursion.

I like the quiet highland setting and the chance to see llamas and alpacas along the route. I also like the ending: a local meal followed by Pacchanta’s hot springs, with Ausangate country around you. The catch is simple: the altitude, cold, rough road, and long day can make this much harder than the low price suggests.

Key points before you book

• A 13-kilometer mountain walk: Expect about 4.5 hours on foot over steep and changing ground.
• Very high altitude: The route reaches at least 4,620 meters, and the operator warns that parts of the trek may exceed 4,800 meters.
• Optional horses can help: Horse hire costs about 120 to 130 soles, paid locally, and is useful if altitude or fatigue becomes a problem.
• Breakfast, lunch, and hot springs: Meals are included, but the 30-sol entrance and hot spring charge is extra.
• Early pickup and a long road journey: Pickup begins around 4:00 to 4:30 am, followed by roughly three to three and a half hours in a van each way.
• Guides make a real difference: Guides including Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, Inti, Joseph, Noe, and Sebastian have been praised for checking on slower walkers and helping with altitude trouble.

Why the Ausangate lakes feel special

The Ausangate region gives you a different day in the Andes from the better-known Humantay Lake outing. The main reward here is not one dramatic viewpoint reached after a short climb. It is the changing procession of high lakes, ridges, snowy summits, grazing animals, and wide-open silence.

Ausangate, known locally as an Apu, rises to 6,384 meters. In Andean culture, an Apu is a sacred mountain spirit, so this is more than a pretty backdrop. The mountain gives the day a strong sense of place, especially when clouds lift and reveal the white summit above the lakes.

The route is remote enough that you may find long stretches with little around you besides rock, grass, water, and sky. Several people have particularly liked that the area feels less crowded than Humantay. That quiet comes with a tradeoff: this is not a polished park walk with easy paths and frequent facilities.

The 4:00 am start and the road to Pacchanta

Your guide collects you from your accommodation in Cusco’s historic center. Pickup can take 30 to 45 minutes as the van gathers the group, so keep your phone nearby and wait in the hotel lobby rather than assuming the advertised time means an exact departure.

The road journey takes about three hours, although the detailed schedule allows three and a half hours each way. The route is rough in places, and the operator warns that the dirt road itself can contribute to altitude sickness. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring the personal medicine you normally use. Altitude pills should also be discussed with a medical professional before your trip.

This is the part of the day when an extra layer matters most. Bring a warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. Morning temperatures in the area are listed at roughly 5 to 9 degrees Celsius, but wind, rain, and exposure can make it feel colder.

At Pacchanta, you stop for breakfast for about 30 minutes. This gives you a useful chance to eat, buy water or snacks, and make any final preparations before the walk. Breakfast and lunch are described as simple but sufficient. One meal was considered poor by a participant, while most other accounts found the food basic, healthy, plentiful, or good enough for the day. I would treat the meals as practical fuel, not a reason to book the tour.

Pacchanta and the first view of Ausangate

Pacchanta is more than a transfer point. It is the village connected with the hot springs and the gateway to the lakes. Once you step out of the van, the scale of the Andes becomes clear. The first view toward Ausangate gives you a good idea of the day ahead: big mountain country, thin air, and no quick shortcut through the route.

Use this stop to repack your day bag. Take only what you need. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and one participant found even a heavy day bag made the first section harder. Carry water, snacks, rain gear, sunglasses, and any personal medicine, but keep the load light.

Sunglasses are required throughout the hike. At high altitude, bright sun reflects off pale rock, snow, and water. Even on a cloudy day, you should have eye protection ready.

Walking the seven-lake route

The trek covers about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, and takes roughly 4.5 hours of walking. The detailed schedule breaks the activity into several walking and horse-riding periods, but horse hire is optional and costs extra. On foot, you move at a comfortable group pace, with the guide spreading out to assist people at different points along the route.

This is a difficult altitude walk, even though some sections are less steep than the climb to Humantay Lake. The challenge comes from the thin air, cold, wind, uneven ground, and repeated changes in elevation. One participant with asthma and a heart condition used a horse for much of the route and still found the day demanding. The activity is not suitable for people with heart, respiratory, back, or mobility problems.

The route reaches a listed high point of 4,620 meters, while the safety information says you will trek over 4,800 meters. Because the figures do not match exactly, plan for the higher number. This is not a place to judge your ability by distance alone. A short uphill stretch can feel surprisingly hard at this elevation.

Your guide should monitor the group, but you need to speak up early if you feel unwell. Headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual breathlessness, or confusion are reasons to stop and ask for help. The vehicle carries an oxygen bottle, and the guide has a first aid kit, but neither replaces good acclimatization or sensible pacing.

The best way to enjoy the route is to start slowly. Keep your breathing steady, drink regularly, and do not race to the first lake. Some groups move at different speeds, and a guide may be ahead helping faster walkers or behind with slower ones. If you want more time for photos and quiet, staying near the front can reduce the amount of waiting behind the group.

What you see around the lakes

The seven lakes are the main event, but the appeal lies in the sequence. Each one gives you another angle on the surrounding ridges and Ausangate. Water color changes with light and weather, so do not expect every lake to look identical to a carefully edited photograph.

Clear weather gives you the strongest mountain views, but the high Andes can change quickly. Cloud and rain do not erase the experience, though they can hide the snowy peaks and make the trail colder. One person completed the walk in cloudy, rainy conditions and still found it rewarding. You should choose your departure day after checking the forecast, since the operator cannot control weather changes.

There is plenty to photograph, but this is not always a slow sightseeing walk. Guides need to keep the group moving, and some people have felt the schedule was rushed when they wanted longer at each viewpoint. You can improve your chances of getting quiet photo time by walking near the front when possible and telling your guide if you need a short pause.

Look beyond the lakes. Llamas and alpacas often appear along the route, adding a human touch to what might otherwise feel like an empty mountain crossing. You may also see local life tied to herding and highland communities, though the exact encounters vary by day.

Should you ride a horse?

Horse hire is the main practical backup if the altitude becomes too much. Prices reported for the route range from 120 to 130 soles, so carry extra cash in Peruvian soles if you think you may want that option. The local partner does not manage the horse rentals, so the tour company is not involved in that separate arrangement.

A horse can help you reach the lakes and return to Pacchanta when walking becomes uncomfortable. It is not a guarantee of an easy day. You still spend time exposed to cold, wind, and altitude, and mounting or dismounting may be awkward on rough ground.

I would not book the excursion assuming a horse will automatically be available for every need. Treat it as a possible local service and bring the money to pay directly. If you have a serious medical condition, this option does not make the trek appropriate. The activity specifically excludes people with heart or respiratory problems, people with mobility impairments, and anyone over 120 kilograms.

Lunch and the Pacchanta hot springs

After returning to Pacchanta, you sit down to lunch for about 30 minutes. The food is described as a simple buffet or local meal, with enough variety to refuel after the walk. Most people have found it sufficient, although one person found the meal cold and low quality. Pack a small snack in case you need something during the trek or want more food than the meal provides.

The hot springs are a welcome finish. You pay an extra 30 soles for entrance and the springs, and cash in Peruvian soles is needed for this and other purchases. After the cold mountain route, warm water gives your legs a chance to relax before the long ride back to Cusco.

Do not think of the springs as a long spa visit. The schedule allows about 30 minutes for swimming, and the full day has to fit in the return drive. Still, the contrast works well: snow peaks and thin air earlier, warm water and a meal at the end.

The van ride back to Cusco

You leave Pacchanta after lunch and the springs, arriving back in Cusco around 6:00 to 7:00 pm. The return journey is another three to three and a half hours, so this is a full day from before sunrise until evening.

Drop-off is provided near Cusco’s center, including the Centro Histórico and San Bernardo 132. Exact vehicle timing can shift because the group pickup and road conditions take time. Keep your evening plans light, especially if you have an early departure the next morning.

The long transport is part of the price calculation. At $29 per person, the tour covers hotel pickup, a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, basic medical equipment, transport, and central drop-off. Add the 30 soles for the entrance and hot springs, plus any horse hire, water, snacks, or tips. Even with those extras, the cost is low for a remote full-day outing, but the price reflects a basic operation rather than luxury transport or a quiet private schedule.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would choose this experience if you want dramatic Andes scenery and can handle a high-altitude hike. It suits people who are already acclimatized in the Cusco region, pack light, and do not mind a pre-dawn start followed by a long road journey.

It also works for families with fit older children. One family completed the trek with children aged 11 and 12, who enjoyed the walk and seeing the alpacas. That said, children need to be comfortable with the cold, altitude, and long day.

You should think twice if you want a relaxed sightseeing outing, dislike rough roads, or need long stops at every viewpoint. You should not book it if you have heart, respiratory, back, or mobility problems, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 120 kilograms.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, Inti, Joseph, Noe, Sebastian, and others have been praised for patience, safety checks, cultural explanations, and help with photos. That does not remove the physical demands, but a guide who notices when you are struggling can make a tough day feel manageable.

Should you book the 7 Lakes Ausangate trek?

Book it if your priority is big mountain scenery at a very low price, and you want a quieter alternative to Humantay Lake. The lakes, Ausangate views, animals, and Pacchanta hot springs give the day a satisfying mix of nature, exertion, and local atmosphere.

Skip it if you are not acclimatized or if you expect a gentle walk with a polished timetable. Bring layers, light luggage, cash in soles, water, snacks, sunglasses, and rain gear. Start slowly, use the guide, and keep the optional horse service in mind. For a fit visitor who respects the altitude, this is one of the stronger value day trips from Cusco.

FAQ

How long does the 7 Lakes Ausangate tour last?

The activity lasts one day. Pickup begins around 4:00 to 4:30 am, and you usually return to Cusco between 6:00 and 7:00 pm.

How far is the trek?

The walking route covers approximately 13 kilometers, or about eight miles. The walking portion takes around 4.5 hours, depending on group pace and conditions.

What is the highest altitude on the route?

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

Is breakfast included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served after the trek in Pacchanta. It is described as a simple local meal or buffet.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Entrance to the hot springs and related fees cost 30 soles. Bring cash in Peruvian soles.

Can I ride a horse during the trek?

Horse hire may be available locally for an extra fee, with reported prices of about 120 to 130 soles. The local partner does not manage the rental, so you pay separately. The tour company is not responsible for that arrangement.

What should I bring?

Bring water, snacks, rain gear, hiking shoes, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, and extra warm layers including a sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. Large luggage and bags are not allowed.