From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

The Ausangate 7 Lakes trek gives you a full day of huge mountain views, icy-blue lagoons, alpacas, and quiet highland scenery. The star is Apu Ausangate, a snow-capped peak rising to 6,384 meters, but the real challenge is the thin air under your boots.

I like the small-group feel and attentive guides, with names such as Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, Inti, and Joseph singled out for checking on slower walkers and helping with altitude problems. I also like the simple rhythm of the day: breakfast before the hike, a filling local lunch afterward, and hot springs to soothe tired legs.

The catch is clear: this is a demanding high-altitude outing, not a gentle sightseeing ride. You may walk about 13 kilometers, reach an altitude listed between 4,620 and more than 4,800 meters, and spend seven hours or more on rough roads and mountain trails.

Key points to know before booking

• The altitude is the main event: Thin air, cold, wind, and a high trail can make this harder than the distance suggests.
• Ausangate is the backdrop: Snow-covered Apu Ausangate and a chain of alpine lakes provide the day’s best views.
• Breakfast and lunch are included: Meals are basic but useful, with mixed reports on taste and temperature.
• Horse rental can help: Horses may be available locally for people struggling with the altitude, but rentals are separate from the tour operator.
• Pacchanta hot springs finish the day: Bring 30 soles in cash for entrance fees and the springs.
• Expect a very early start: Pickup begins around 4 to 4:30 am, and the return to Cusco is usually between 6 and 7 pm.

Why the Ausangate 7 Lakes are worth the long ride

This is one of those Cusco day trips where the journey is part of the price. You leave the city before sunrise and ride for roughly three to three and a half hours to Pacchanta, a remote highland settlement near the Ausangate range.

The reward is scenery on a grand scale. Ausangate is regarded as an Apu, or sacred mountain spirit, and its snow-covered slopes tower over the trail. Around it sit several high-altitude lakes, each with its own color and setting. The exact shades depend on light and weather, so do not expect the same postcard colors every day.

I especially like that the route feels quieter than the famous Humantay Lake outing. The area can still have other groups, but several people have found long stretches with very few visitors. That gives you more space to hear the wind, spot alpacas and llamas, and enjoy the high Andes without a constant line of photo stops.

You also get a more active day than a standard lookout excursion. The trek covers about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, and takes around four and a half hours of walking at a comfortable pace. The terrain changes as you go, with steep sections, rough ground, and open mountain paths.

The 4 am departure from Cusco

Pickup is offered from accommodations around Cusco’s historic center. The stated pickup window is about 4 to 4:30 am, but collecting everyone can take 30 to 45 minutes. Put your day pack and warm clothing beside the door the night before, then wait in the hotel lobby.

This early start has two practical effects. First, you reach Pacchanta with time for the trek and hot springs before returning to Cusco. Second, you will probably be tired on the ride home. The return is expected around 6 to 7 pm, so do not plan an important evening activity immediately afterward.

The van ride takes roughly three hours, sometimes longer if the road is slow. The dirt road is reported to be in poor condition, and the combination of bouncing transport, early hours, and altitude can make some people feel sick before the walk even begins.

I would bring any personal altitude medicine you normally use, along with water and a few snacks. The tour includes an oxygen bottle and a first aid kit, but those are safety supplies, not a substitute for taking altitude seriously.

Breakfast and last-minute supplies in Pacchanta

The group stops in Pacchanta for breakfast, usually for about 30 minutes. This is also the useful moment to buy water or snacks if you forgot them in Cusco.

The food is described as simple, sufficient, and sometimes good. Some people enjoyed both meals, while one report found the food cold and low in quality. I would treat the included breakfast as practical fuel rather than a culinary feature, and carry a snack you know you will eat.

Pacchanta also serves as the starting and finishing point. Before setting out, you can organize your day pack, add layers, and prepare for the first views of Ausangate. Do not bring a large bag or luggage. A light pack is especially important here because every extra kilogram feels worse at high altitude.

The hike to the seven lakes

The walk begins near Pacchanta, where the first views of Ausangate come into sight. The trail climbs through open alpine terrain, with the mountain and surrounding peaks creating the backdrop from the start.

The highest part of the route is the main physical test. The activity details list a high point of 4,620 meters, while the safety information warns that the trek goes over 4,800 meters. Since those figures do not match, you should confirm the precise route and maximum altitude before departure.

At this height, distance alone does not tell you how hard the walk will be. Cold air, wind, steep ground, and reduced oxygen can slow you down. One person found the trail less steep than Humantay Lake but much longer and colder. Another found the altitude difficult even with a horse.

Your guide is expected to move around the group rather than remain at the front. That matters because people walk at different speeds. Guides including Eduardo, Kevin, Carlos, Joseph, and Inti received special praise for checking on people, waiting for slower walkers, and helping anyone who felt short of breath.

Still, do not assume a guide can make the trek easy. The pace may feel rushed if you want long periods for quiet viewing. A useful tip is to stay near the front if you want more time at scenic points, since the group may need to wait for slower walkers before continuing.

The lakes and the photo stops

The seven lagoons are the visual payoff. You will stop to take photographs and look across the water toward the snow-capped peaks. The open setting lets you see broad stretches of the Andes rather than a single enclosed viewpoint.

The weather can change quickly. A clear day can give you sharp mountain reflections and bright water, while clouds, rain, wind, and flat light can make the colors less dramatic. One person still found the walk worthwhile on a cloudy, rainy day, but you should bring rain gear and accept that the famous views are never guaranteed.

Sunglasses are mandatory throughout the hike, not just a nice extra. At high altitude, strong light and glare can be uncomfortable, especially around pale rock, snow, and water. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, comfortable clothing, and layers you can add or remove.

You should also expect a working mountain trail, not a paved park path. The route includes steep and uneven sections, and people with back, heart, respiratory, or mobility problems are advised not to take it. Wheelchair access is not available, and the activity is not suitable for people over 120 kilograms.

Horse rental for a difficult day

Horses may be available for people who cannot comfortably complete the walk. This can be a sensible option if altitude sickness, fatigue, or breathing trouble becomes a problem. One person with asthma and a cardiac condition used a horse to reach the lakes and return, while another strongly recommended renting one if you are not used to the altitude.

The extra cost reported in the supplied information is about 120 to 130 soles. Carry cash in Peruvian soles, since this expense is separate from the tour price.

There is an important practical wrinkle: horse rentals are handled locally, not by the tour company. The local partner does not manage the rental process or take responsibility for it. Ask about availability and price before mounting, and do not view a horse as a way to avoid all risk from altitude.

For a fit person who simply wants a different way to see the route, a horse can change the day. For someone with serious heart, lung, mobility, or altitude concerns, it does not make the outing automatically suitable.

Lunch and Pacchanta’s hot springs

After returning to Pacchanta, you get lunch before visiting the hot springs. The meal is described as a basic buffet or local meal, with enough food to restore energy after the hike. The quality can vary, so pack a small snack in case you need something familiar.

The hot springs are a welcome finish. You can soak for about 30 minutes while looking across the highlands, letting the warmth take the edge off sore legs before the long ride to Cusco.

Entrance to the hot springs and other local fees are not included. The listed cost is 30 soles, and you should bring cash. Water, souvenirs, horse rental, and similar extras also require cash in Peruvian soles.

The springs are not a reason to ignore the trek’s demands. You will still have a long van ride afterward, and a short soak cannot erase exhaustion. But as a final stop, they add real value to a day that would otherwise end with a tiring return journey.

Guides, group pace, and safety

The strongest part of this experience is the guide service. The named guides praised in the supplied feedback include Diana, Kevin, Sebastian, Carlos, Eduardo, Joseph, Inti, Waldri, Jonathan, Puma, Noe, and Juan. The recurring pattern is patient help, cultural information, and regular checks on people affected by the altitude.

That support is particularly useful when a group includes different fitness levels. You may not walk beside your guide every minute, since the guide moves between people, but the stated aim is to assist the group as a whole.

The tour includes a first aid kit and oxygen bottle. Those are reassuring, but you still need to tell the guide promptly if you develop a headache, nausea, dizziness, severe breathlessness, or unusual weakness.

Cold is another concern. Morning temperatures in the area can range from about 5 to 9°C, and wind at the lakes can make it feel colder. Wear or pack an extra sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. Rain gear belongs in your pack even on a clear morning.

Is the $29 price good value?

At $29 per person, this is an inexpensive full-day excursion. The price includes hotel pickup, transport, a guide, breakfast, lunch, first aid equipment, oxygen, and drop-off near central Cusco.

The value is strongest if you want a big mountain day without arranging private transport, meals, and a guide yourself. The included food also saves you from planning breakfast before a 4 am departure.

The advertised price is not the complete cost. Add 30 soles for the hot springs and entrance fees, plus water and snacks. A horse, if you need one, adds roughly 120 to 130 soles. Tips are optional, and cash is essential for the local extras.

You should also judge value by energy, not only money. This is a very long day with an uncomfortable road, extreme altitude, and a demanding walk. If you want a relaxed outing, the low price will not change the physical reality.

Who should book this trek

I would recommend it to you if you have already spent time acclimatizing in the Cusco region and want a challenging day among high peaks and lakes. It suits hikers who can manage a long walk, cold conditions, and uneven ground, even if they are not expert mountaineers.

It is also a good choice if you want something quieter than Humantay Lake. The setting feels remote, and the chance to see alpacas and llamas adds a pleasant rural touch.

Families with older children may manage it. One family completed the outing with children aged 11 and 12, but every child handles altitude differently. You should be ready to turn back or consider a horse if someone struggles.

I would not book this as a casual first day in the Andes. The altitude warning is too serious, and people with heart, respiratory, mobility, or back conditions are specifically advised against it. If you are unsure, ask a medical professional before booking.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

Book it if your priority is dramatic Andean scenery, a full day outdoors, and a strong sense of achievement at a low price. The combination of Ausangate, seven lakes, local food, and Pacchanta hot springs gives you more variety than a simple viewpoint trip.

Skip it if you dislike early departures, rough roads, cold weather, or high-altitude exertion. The walk can be tiring even at a steady pace, and bad weather may soften the views.

For the best chance of enjoying it, acclimatize first, pack light, carry water and cash, wear sunglasses, and bring serious cold and rain protection. Choose your departure date after checking the weather. With those precautions, this is a powerful one-day introduction to the high Andes.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour take?

The full activity lasts one day. Pickup begins around 4 to 4:30 am, and arrival back in Cusco is expected between 6 and 7 pm.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Pacchanta?

The van ride takes about three to three and a half hours each way.

How far do I walk during the trek?

The stated hiking distance is approximately 13 kilometers, or about eight miles. Walking time is around four and a half hours, although the day’s schedule also includes scenic stops and time for different group walking speeds.

How high does the trek go?

The activity details list a highest point of 4,620 meters above sea level. The safety information warns that the route goes over 4,800 meters, so confirm the exact maximum altitude before departure.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the trek, and lunch is provided after you return from the lakes.

Is the hot spring entrance included in the price?

No. Entrance fees and the hot springs cost 30 soles, paid separately.

Can I rent a horse during the trek?

Horses may be available locally, especially for people struggling with altitude or the walking distance. The reported cost is about 120 to 130 soles. The tour operator does not manage these rentals.

What should I bring?

Bring water, snacks, rain gear, hiking shoes, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, and an extra warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed. Bring only a light day pack.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from accommodations around Cusco’s historic center. Wait in the hotel lobby, and allow extra time because collecting the full group can take 30 to 45 minutes.