From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

Ausangate’s seven alpine lakes give you a very different day in the Cusco region. The snow-covered Apu Ausangate rises to 6,384 meters, while the trail moves through cold, open highlands with llamas, alpacas, and wide views in every direction. I especially like the quiet setting and the hot springs at the end.

I also like that guides such as Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, and Inti have been praised for checking on people throughout the hike and helping at different walking speeds. The main catch is the extreme altitude. This is a long, cold day, and the scenery does not make breathing easier.

Key points to know before booking

• The trail reaches very high altitude: Plan for a route above 4,600 meters, with the activity information warning that you may trek over 4,800 meters.
• The day begins before sunrise: Pickup from Cusco is usually between 4 and 4:30 am, followed by a roughly three-hour drive.
• You see seven lakes in a remote setting: The route feels quieter and less developed than the famous Humantay Lake trek.
• Horse rental is a useful backup: Local horses may cost about 120 to 130 soles, paid separately in cash.
• Breakfast, lunch, and hot springs are built into the day: Food is simple, and the hot springs offer a welcome finish.
• The hike covers about 13 kilometers: Expect roughly four and a half hours on foot, with steep sections and changing altitude.

Why Ausangate feels different from Humantay Lake

Humantay Lake is often the first high-altitude day hike people consider from Cusco. Ausangate gives you a broader day in the mountains. Instead of walking to one famous viewpoint and returning, you move through a chain of lakes beneath the snow-covered Ausangate massif.

That difference matters. You get more variety, more walking, and more time in the high Andes. The route passes through open terrain rather than a single enclosed valley, so the views keep changing as you climb and descend.

I would choose this trip if you want space and silence more than a quick landmark. One of the appealing details is the lower level of crowding reported on many departures. You might spend much of the route with only your group nearby, although conditions vary by day and season.

The tradeoff is effort. This is not a gentle sightseeing drive with a short stroll. The path covers around 13 kilometers and reaches an altitude where even fit people can feel slow, breathless, or light-headed. You need to treat the altitude as the main feature of the day, not a small footnote.

The 4 am pickup and long road to Pacchanta

Pickup takes place at your Cusco accommodation, usually between 4 and 4:30 am. The vehicle may spend 30 to 45 minutes collecting the rest of the group, so bring a warm layer you can keep on while waiting in the hotel lobby.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours, and the road is not always smooth. The early morning temperature in the area may sit around 5 to 9°C, so wear your jacket, hat, gloves, and an extra sweater from the start. The cold is sharper when you have been sitting in a van before beginning a demanding hike.

You stop in Pacchanta for breakfast and a chance to buy forgotten supplies such as water or snacks. Breakfast is described as simple but sufficient. Lunch later in the day receives mixed praise, ranging from plentiful and good to cold or bland, so I would bring a few favorite snacks even though the meals are included.

Carry cash in Peruvian soles. The entrance fees and hot springs cost 30 soles, and water, snacks, souvenirs, and horse rental also require cash. The tour price is listed at $29 per person, but that low figure does not cover every expense.

Meeting Ausangate at 6,384 meters

Pacchanta is the starting point for the mountain section. From here, you get your first clear views of Ausangate, one of the great snow-covered peaks of the Cusco region. In Andean tradition, an apu is a sacred mountain spirit, and the peak gives the entire day a strong sense of place.

You prepare a small day pack before setting out. Leave large luggage behind, since bags and heavy packs are not permitted for this activity. A light pack with water, snacks, rain gear, sunglasses, and a warm layer is the sensible setup.

The route climbs over steep and uneven ground. Your guide may be ahead with faster walkers, behind with slower walkers, or moving between parts of the group to check on everyone. This is normal for the trip, but you should not expect the entire group to walk together in one tight line.

Guides have been singled out for their care and patience. Kevin helped people with photos and explained local culture, while Carlos and Eduardo were praised for waiting for slower walkers and checking on the group. Inti was especially attentive to someone struggling after illness. These details matter at high altitude, where a calm guide who notices problems can make the day feel much safer.

The seven lakes and the high point of the trek

The main reward is the collection of lakes spread across the Ausangate highlands. Their colors can shift with cloud, light, and weather, and the water sits beneath broad views of the surrounding peaks. The lakes are not just one photo stop. The route gives you several chances to pause and see how the scenery changes as you cross the high ground.

The total hiking time is about four and a half hours, though the supplied schedule breaks the walking into separate sections. The route includes a photo stop at the seven lakes, with time to take pictures before continuing. Some groups have found the timing a little tight, especially when the weather is poor or the altitude slows the pace.

If you want more time for photos, try to stay near the front of the walking group when you can. That may reduce waiting later and give you more control over your stops. At the same time, do not race uphill simply to keep up. The point of this trip is the high-country scenery, and altitude sickness is not something to challenge for a better photograph.

The stated high point is 4,620 meters, or about 15,090 feet. The safety information also warns that you may trek over 4,800 meters. Since the figures vary in the supplied details, plan conservatively: expect to spend the day above 4,600 meters and possibly higher.

That altitude explains why a moderate-looking slope can feel hard. You may breathe heavily, need frequent pauses, or find that the cold and wind drain your energy. Sunglasses are mandatory throughout the hike. Snow glare, bright high-altitude light, dust, and wind can make unprotected eyes uncomfortable.

Horses, pace, and the real difficulty

Horse rental is available locally for people who need help with the climb or return. The extra cost is usually around 120 to 130 soles, and the tour operator does not manage the rental process. You arrange and pay for it locally, so carry enough Peruvian cash.

A horse can be a practical choice if you are not acclimatized, are recovering from illness, or find the altitude harder than expected. One person with asthma and a cardiac problem used a horse for the route and still enjoyed the lakes, but this should not be taken as medical approval. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with heart, respiratory, mobility, or serious back problems.

The horse is not a magic shortcut. You still need to cope with the altitude, cold, and long day, and the service may not be available in exactly the way you expect. Ask your guide about the local arrangement as soon as you reach Pacchanta.

This tour suits people who can manage a full day outdoors and have some experience with long walks. You do not need to be an elite hiker, but you should be honest about your fitness and your acclimatization. Children aged 11 and 12 have completed the route, yet family success will depend heavily on how well each child handles altitude.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch

After the lake circuit, you return to Pacchanta. By then, even a simple meal can feel welcome. Lunch is included and is generally described as adequate, varied, or plentiful, though one meal was judged cold and lacking in flavor.

I would not book this trip for gourmet food. Think of breakfast and lunch as practical fuel in a remote mountain area. If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not explain what alternatives are available, so ask before booking rather than assuming.

You may also see llamas and alpacas along the route. These animals add a distinctly Andean touch to the day and give you something to watch during slower sections of the walk. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from rain and cold.

Pacchanta hot springs and the trip back to Cusco

The hot springs are the best possible ending for tired legs. After lunch, you can soak while looking across the highlands, giving you a quiet half hour before the long ride back.

Entrance to the hot springs is not included. The listed extra cost is 30 soles, payable in cash. Bring a swimsuit, though it is not listed in the required packing information, and keep your dry clothes separate from wet items for the return drive.

The van leaves Pacchanta for Cusco after the swim. You should expect another three and a half hours on the road, with arrival near the city center around 6 or 7 pm. Pickup and drop-off are offered around Centro Histórico, with one listed drop-off near San Bernardo 132.

That makes this a very full day. You leave before dawn, hike at great altitude, soak briefly, and return after dark. I would avoid pairing it with another major activity on the same day or planning an early morning departure the next day.

What the $29 price really includes

At $29 per person, the package is strong value if you want transportation, a guide, breakfast, lunch, basic first aid, and oxygen support arranged in one booking. The remote location would be difficult to reach independently in a single day, especially without knowing the route or the road conditions.

The price is not all-inclusive. Add 30 soles for the entrance fees and hot springs, plus cash for water, snacks, and a horse if you need one. Horse rental can cost several times the tour price, so budget for that possibility before you leave Cusco.

The value also depends on your priorities. If you want a quiet day among high lakes and do not mind simple meals, the cost is attractive. If you want a relaxed schedule, long photo stops, or a polished resort-style operation, the early pickup, rough road, group pacing, and basic food may disappoint.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Still, choose your date with care. Weather can change quickly, and the local partner is not responsible for poor conditions.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Have already spent time in Cusco or otherwise know how your body reacts to altitude
• Want broad mountain views and several lakes rather than one short viewpoint walk
• Can handle about 13 kilometers of walking in cold, exposed conditions
• Enjoy small-group guiding and do not mind different walking speeds
• See the hot springs as a pleasant finish, not the main reason for going
• Are comfortable carrying only a light day pack and paying extras in cash

I would think twice if you have heart, respiratory, mobility, or serious back problems. It is also a poor match if you dislike pre-dawn starts, rough roads, cold weather, or long stretches at high altitude.

The guide makes a real difference here. Names such as Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, Joseph, Inti, and Waldri appear among the guides praised for patience, safety checks, local information, and help with tired walkers. You cannot choose a particular guide in advance from the supplied details, but you can reasonably expect the role to involve more than pointing at the lakes.

Should you book the Ausangate Seven Lakes trek?

Book this trip if you want one of the most striking mountain days reachable from Cusco and you are prepared for the altitude. The combination of Ausangate, seven lakes, high Andes scenery, local animals, included meals, and Pacchanta hot springs gives you a lot for the base price.

Skip it if you are not acclimatized, need a slow and highly flexible schedule, or have a medical condition affected by altitude. For everyone else, pack lightly, carry soles in cash, dress warmer than you think necessary, and treat the horse as a sensible backup rather than a failure. The day is tiring, but the open mountain setting and quiet lakes make the effort worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour take?

It is a one-day trip. Pickup begins around 4 to 4:30 am, and you generally return to Cusco between 6 and 7 pm.

How much walking is involved?

The total hike covers approximately 13 kilometers, or about 8 miles, and takes around four and a half hours. The route includes steep sections and changing altitudes.

How high does the trek go?

The stated highest point is 4,620 meters above sea level. The safety information also warns that the route may go over 4,800 meters, so you should prepare for very high altitude.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is provided after you return from the lakes. The food is simple rather than gourmet.

Is horse rental included?

No. Horses are rented locally and cost about 120 to 130 soles according to the supplied information. The tour operator does not manage the rental process.

What extra fees should I bring cash for?

Entrance fees and the hot springs cost 30 soles. You should also carry cash for water, snacks, souvenirs, and any horse rental.

What languages are available for the guide?

Guides are available in English and Spanish. Private groups can also be requested.