From Cusco: 7 Lakes of Ausangate Full Day Tour

Ausangate’s seven lakes offer a very different day from the usual Cusco circuit. You leave the city behind, cross high Andean country, and walk among snowy peaks, llamas, alpacas, and bright turquoise-green water. The setting feels open and remote, with few roads and little city noise.

I like the five-hour mountain walk because it gives you time to see the Vilcanota range at a human pace, and I like that breakfast, lunch, transport, poles, and a guide are included. Guides such as Anibal and Ruben have earned praise for being friendly, well prepared, and encouraging.

The catch is the altitude and effort. This is not a gentle sightseeing ride, and some people may need long breaks or even a horse for part of the route. The sudden Andean weather adds another reason to bring proper gear.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven turquoise-green lakes: See a chain of striking mountain lakes around Ausangate during a roughly five-hour walk.
• High Andean setting: Expect snowy peaks, wide natural scenery, llamas, alpacas, and very little road traffic.
• Breakfast and lunch included: Eat at Pacchanta before and after the hike, so you are not relying on snacks alone.
• Pacchanta hot springs: Finish the mountain outing with a visit to the local hot springs.
• Helpful guides: Guides named Anibal and Ruben have been praised for clear explanations, patience, photography, and support with altitude breaks.
• $130 value: The price covers round-trip transport, meals, guiding, hiking poles, and a first aid kit, but not the entrance fee to the lakes.

Why Ausangate feels different from Cusco’s usual day trips

Cusco gives you grand Inca sites, handsome plazas, and busy roads. Ausangate gives you space. The day takes you into the Vilcanota mountain range, where the main attractions are water, rock, snow, animals, and the daily life of Andean communities.

The lakes are the headline, but the wider setting is what makes the outing memorable. You walk through the natural habitat of llamas and alpacas, pass high mountain slopes, and meet local people who live among these peaks. Their ornaments and colorful textiles add a human side to what could otherwise be just a scenic hike.

I also like the fact that the outing is built around a walk rather than a quick roadside stop. You will not simply step out, take a picture, and climb back into a van. The five-hour walk asks more from you, but it gives the scenery time to change as you move through it.

That trade-off matters. If you want the easiest possible day, this is not the right choice. If you want a full mountain experience away from busy roads, the physical effort is part of the value.

Starting from Cusco and reaching Pacchanta

Pickup is available in Cusco’s historic center, with hotel pickup included. You are asked to wait at your hotel front desk at the arranged time, so have your day bag ready and confirm the pickup details before bed.

The drive takes you away from the city toward Pacchanta, listed at the location code 7QJ3+6V. The supplied schedule gives breakfast one hour before the hike begins. That is useful because the walking portion is long, and beginning with a proper meal is far better than starting with only coffee and a pastry.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the $130 price. The exact menu is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of the meals as practical support for a demanding day rather than a separate culinary event.

Pacchanta also gives you an early look at the local setting. You may encounter people from native Andean communities and see traditional ornaments and textiles. Be respectful when taking photographs, especially around people and their homes.

The five-hour walk around Ausangate’s lakes

The main outing is a hike of about five hours through the Ausangate area. You will visit seven lakes with turquoise-green water, each set against the high peaks of the range.

The colors are the great visual reward. Bright water, dark mountain rock, snow-covered summits, and open sky make this a place where the view keeps doing the work. You do not need elaborate sightseeing commentary to appreciate it, but a good guide can help you understand what you are seeing and manage the pace.

The route is described as a circuit through the mountain country, though the precise trail conditions and walking order can vary with weather and local conditions. Expect natural ground rather than a polished path. Hiking shoes are important, and hiking poles are supplied.

The five-hour figure deserves attention. It refers to the walking portion, not the complete day from Cusco and back. You will also spend time on transport, breakfast, lunch, and the hot springs. It is a full day, so do not schedule an evening activity that requires you to be back at an exact minute.

How difficult is the Ausangate hike?

The main challenge is altitude. The tour information does not give a specific elevation, but the descriptions of the high Andes, snowy peaks, and sudden weather make clear that this is a serious mountain outing.

You may feel short of breath, tired, or slower than usual. One guide, Ruben, was praised for giving regular breaks when the altitude became overwhelming, and that is the kind of support you should want from a guide on this trip. Anibal was also described as encouraging, well prepared, humorous, and informative.

Those details are useful because the guide can affect the day. A strong guide does more than point toward the next lake. The guide sets a safe rhythm, explains the setting, notices when you need to rest, and helps keep the group together.

You may also have the option to pay for a horse if the route becomes too strenuous. This possibility came up as practical advice, not as an included feature, so treat it as a potential extra cost. If you are unsure about your fitness, ask the operator about horse availability and pricing before departure.

The outing is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people over 65. That is a firm screening point, not a minor footnote. If you have any other health concern, seek medical advice before booking.

Llamas, alpacas, and life in the high Andes

One of the nicest parts of the experience is that the animals are not added for show. You travel through their natural mountain habitat, where llamas and alpacas belong to the scenery and local economy.

You may see them as you cross open ground, sometimes with snowy peaks behind them. Keep your distance and follow the guide’s advice. The setting is also home to Andean communities, so the day offers contact with a place that is lived in, not just photographed.

Meeting local people can be brief, and the activity does not promise a formal cultural workshop or a visit inside a home. Still, seeing ornaments, textiles, and community life adds context to the mountain route. You are not just ticking off seven lakes. You are passing through a region where people, animals, and difficult terrain are closely linked.

That is also why respectful behavior matters. Ask before photographing people, avoid handling textiles without permission, and remember that a remote place is still someone’s home.

Pacchanta hot springs after the hike

After the walk, you return to Pacchanta for lunch and a visit to the hot springs. The timing makes sense. After several hours on mountain trails, warm water can be a welcome change of pace.

The information provided does not specify how long you spend in the springs, whether admission is included, or what facilities are available. Check those points before booking if the hot springs are a major reason for choosing this tour.

Do not mistake the hot springs for the main event. The seven lakes and the mountain walk take up most of the day’s attention. The springs work best as a pleasant finish, not as the central reason to travel all the way from Cusco.

Lunch is scheduled for one hour at Pacchanta. Having a meal after the walk gives you time to rest before the return journey. It also means you can experience the community at both ends of the hike rather than passing through only for a quick stop.

What the $130 price really covers

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see mountain scenery near Cusco. It can still be fair value if you use the inclusions.

Your price covers:

• Round-trip transport from Cusco
• A professional English or Spanish-speaking guide
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Hiking poles
• A first aid kit

Transport is important here. Ausangate is far enough from Cusco that arranging the route, driver, meals, and trail logistics independently would take work. The guide also adds value on a route where weather and altitude can affect the day.

The main omission is the entrance fee to the seven lakes. That cost is not included, and the amount is not provided, so budget for it separately. The hot spring entrance is also not clearly listed among the inclusions, so confirm whether that is covered before you pay.

Private and small-group options are available. A private trip usually makes the most sense if you care about setting your own walking pace, taking longer photo stops, or receiving more personal support. A small group may offer better value while still keeping the outing more personal than a large coach excursion.

Weather, clothing, and what to pack

Andean weather can change quickly. A clear morning does not guarantee a dry afternoon, so bring rain gear even if the forecast looks friendly.

Wear hiking shoes with reliable grip. Comfortable city trainers are a poor match for a five-hour mountain walk, especially if the ground becomes wet or uneven.

Bring:

• Hiking shoes
• Rain gear
• Warm layers
• Water
• Sun protection
• Personal snacks
• Any required medication

Only hiking shoes and rain gear are specifically required in the supplied information, but warm layers and sun protection are sensible for a high mountain day. Pack light enough that you can walk comfortably, yet do not leave out weather protection.

Hiking poles are included, which is a useful touch. They can help with balance and reduce strain during long sections of walking. If you already use a preferred pair, you may still want to bring them, but the tour supplies poles.

Guide quality and group choice

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the guides. Anibal was described as friendly, humorous, well prepared, and good at explaining the area. Ruben, also written as Rubin in one account, was praised for being supportive with altitude breaks and for taking good photographs.

You should still confirm your guide and group type at booking. The activity is offered in English and Spanish, with private and small-group formats available, but a specific guide cannot be guaranteed from the information provided.

A guide is especially important here because the experience is not just a transfer to a viewpoint. You need someone who can explain the local setting, keep an eye on the group, and respond sensibly when the altitude or weather becomes difficult.

If photographs matter to you, mention it early in the day. A guide may be able to help, but photography support is not formally promised. Do not let picture-taking turn the hike into a race, since the scenery is best enjoyed at a steady pace.

Who should book this full-day outing?

This tour suits you if you want dramatic mountain scenery and are willing to work for it. It is a good fit for people who enjoy hiking, open spaces, local contact, and a day that feels far removed from Cusco.

It also suits you if you prefer having transport, meals, equipment, and a guide arranged in one booking. The small-group and private choices are useful for couples, families within the age and health limits, or friends who want a more flexible pace.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, struggle with altitude, or want a relaxed day with little walking. The tour is not built around sitting in a vehicle and taking occasional photos. Five hours on foot is a substantial part of the experience.

The route can also be a poor match if you need a fixed return time. Weather, trail conditions, breaks, and the needs of the group can all affect the schedule. The supplied drop-off points are Centro Histórico and Plazoleta Regocijo, but an exact return time is not stated.

Should you book the 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour?

Book it if your priority is a full Andean day with striking lakes, snowy peaks, local communities, animals, and a real mountain walk. The combination of seven lakes, meals, transport, guide support, poles, and Pacchanta hot springs gives the $130 price solid practical value, as long as you budget separately for entrance fees.

Skip it if you want an easy excursion or have health concerns that make high-altitude hiking risky. If you do book, prepare for changing weather, wear proper shoes, and be honest about your pace. For fit hikers who want to get beyond Cusco’s busy roads, this is one of the more memorable ways to spend a day in the region.

FAQ

How long does the 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour last?

The experience lasts one day. The schedule includes one hour for breakfast, about five hours of walking, and one hour for lunch, in addition to transport and the hot springs visit.

What languages are available for the tour guide?

Live guides are available in English and Spanish.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included, and you should wait at your hotel’s front desk at the provided time. Pickup is listed for Cusco’s historic center.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included. Breakfast is scheduled at Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch takes place there after the walk.

Is the entrance fee to the seven lakes included?

No. Entrance to the seven lakes of Ausangate is not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes and rain gear. Weather can change suddenly in the Andes, so additional warm layers and sun protection are sensible.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people over 65. The hike can also be strenuous because of the high-altitude setting.