Full-Day Tour to Ausangate 7 Lakes

Ausangate’s seven colored lakes are the main event, but the real challenge is reaching them. This is a long day from Cusco, with roughly seven hours on the road and several hours walking above 4,000 meters. The views are huge, quiet, and memorable, with glaciers near the trail and very few buildings to interrupt the scene.

I like two things right away: breakfast and lunch are included, and the optional Pacchanta hot springs give you a welcome way to warm up after the hike. Guides such as Ernesto, Roberto, Milton, and Jehomar have been praised for staying attentive, taking photos, explaining local traditions, and checking on hikers.

The catch is the altitude. This is not a gentle sightseeing outing. Some of the route reaches about 4,800 meters, and one account describes a walking distance of roughly 17 kilometers. You need cold-weather clothing, decent fitness, and time to adjust to Cusco’s altitude before signing up.

Key points to know before booking

• The day starts at 4 a.m. and returns to Cusco around 6:30 p.m., so this is a full, tiring day.
• The walk reaches extreme altitude, with sections above 4,000 meters and a high point reported around 4,800 meters.
• Seven lakes and Ausangate views provide the main reward, with glaciers visible near the route.
• Breakfast, lunch, transport, and a bilingual guide are included in the $69 price.
• Pacchanta’s hot springs are optional, making the finish more relaxing if you still have energy.
• A horse is available for about 80 soles, or roughly $22, paid directly to local villagers.

Why the seven lakes are worth the long ride

The Ausangate region feels very different from the busy archaeological sites around Cusco. You leave the city before sunrise and watch the scenery change as the road climbs into the Andes. The early departure is rough, but it gives you a chance to see the morning light over the high mountain country.

The lakes are the focus of the walking section. Each one has its own color and setting, shaped by mineral deposits, light, and the surrounding rock. I would not expect every lake to look equally bright in all weather. Clouds, sun, and wind can change the view quickly at this height.

The biggest visual reward is the combination of water, open mountain country, and Ausangate’s snowy peaks. You are not simply stopping at one viewpoint, taking a photo, and getting back in a vehicle. You walk from lake to lake, with the scenery changing as you gain and lose ground.

This area also has cultural importance for Quechua communities. One account describes a Quechua ceremony during the outing, and guides have shared local traditions and the way Andean communities relate to nature. That cultural element gives the hike more meaning than a simple scenic walk, though the depth of interpretation may depend on the guide assigned that day.

The 4 a.m. departure and three-and-a-half-hour drive

Pickup begins at about 4 a.m. from your accommodation. Be ready before the scheduled time, especially because a late start can cut into the walking and relaxing portions of an already long day. One reported outing had a departure delay of more than an hour, so I would keep your morning flexible and avoid booking an important activity immediately afterward.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three and a half hours. This is a useful part of the trip, not just dead time. You may see the sunrise and watch the route shift from Cusco’s urban setting to broad Andean scenery.

Bring a warm jacket, hat, gloves, and extra layers. The information for this outing specifically warns you to bring cold-weather gear, and that advice matters. The high country can feel cold even when Cusco seems comfortable.

Transportation is provided, and the group is capped at 17 people. That is small enough for a guide to keep an eye on the group, though it is not a private tour for just your party. The vehicle ride is long, so comfort and patience matter almost as much as fitness.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the trail

Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before you start walking. This is a practical touch. You arrive early, cold, and likely short on sleep, so a meal gives you a chance to warm up and prepare for the altitude.

Pacchanta is also where the tour returns later for lunch and the hot springs. It functions as the day’s base rather than just a quick roadside stop. The village setting helps connect the outing to local life, even though most of your time is spent on the high trail.

Food is included at breakfast and lunch. If you have dietary needs, speak up in advance or at the start of the day. One account specifically notes that vegan food was possible when requested, but the supplied details do not give a full menu or guarantee for every diet.

Alcoholic drinks and food or beverages not listed are extra. I would carry water and a few personal snacks, since the day is long and the exact meal portions are not specified.

Hiking seven lakes above 4,000 meters

The walking portion takes about three and a half hours to visit the lakes, followed by the return to Pacchanta. The exact total walking time can feel longer when breaks, photo stops, and altitude are included. One description puts the route at around 17 kilometers, while another stresses more than five hours of walking above 4,000 meters.

Those details tell you what the short itinerary wording does not: this is a serious high-altitude hike. The path may not be sharply steep for every section, but thin air makes ordinary effort feel harder. A person who is acclimatized and moderately fit may find the route manageable. Someone who has just arrived in Cusco may struggle even if they exercise regularly at home.

You may walk at a steady group pace, with pauses to take in the views and check how you are feeling. The assigned guide matters here. Ernesto has been praised for clear explanations and family photos. Roberto has been described as attentive, careful, and ready to arrange oxygen if somebody needed it. Milton has been noted for steady support from beginning to end, while Jehomar has been praised for looking after people throughout the route.

Do not treat those names as a guarantee that you will receive one particular guide. They show the kind of support the operator has provided on different departures. A good guide can make a major difference at 4,800 meters, but no guide can remove the effects of altitude.

The trail also has basic facilities. Toilets along the route may be rough and precarious, particularly in a poor rural area. I would carry toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and small change if needed, though the supplied details do not state a specific restroom fee.

Ausangate views, glacier backdrops, and quiet trail time

The strongest part of the experience is the feeling of space. The lakes sit in a high mountain setting where the views stretch far beyond the next bend. Snow and glaciers appear close to the route, adding scale to the colorful water and rocky slopes.

The area can be less crowded than better-known Cusco day trips, which helps preserve the sense of quiet. Still, conditions vary by date, and a group of up to 17 people means you will not have the trail entirely to yourself.

The scenery is a good reason to carry a phone or camera, but remember that batteries drain faster in cold weather. Guides have taken photos for families and couples, which is helpful when everyone wants to appear in the picture. I would still bring a power bank because the tour lasts about 15 hours.

Some people may focus only on getting to the next lake. Try to allow time to stop and look around. The value here is not just the final collection of seven viewpoints. It is the steady change in color, mountain shape, light, and distance as you move through the high Andes.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch and hot springs

After visiting the lakes, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. Andean food is included, and several accounts describe the meal as delicious and typical of the area. The exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu.

Then comes the best choice of the day: soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs or use your free time to explore the village. The hot springs are optional, not part of the required tour cost according to the supplied details. Ask the guide about the current arrangement and any local entrance charge before you enter, since no price is provided here.

A hot soak can be a fine way to loosen tired legs after the walk. On the other hand, you may prefer to change into dry clothes, eat slowly, and save your energy for the long ride back. Bring a swimsuit and a towel only if you plan to use the springs, since they are not listed among the included items.

The village itself offers a quieter alternative. You can rest, look around, and take in the local setting before beginning the return drive. After a demanding hike, this free time is useful rather than filler.

Is $69 a good value?

At $69 per person, the price is strong for a full-day outing that includes transportation, a bilingual Spanish and English guide, breakfast, and lunch. The drive alone covers a substantial distance, and the tour combines transport, guiding, meals, the seven-lake route, and a return to Cusco.

The price does not include alcoholic drinks, unlisted food or beverages, or the optional horse ride. The horse costs about 80 soles, or approximately $22, paid directly to local villagers. If you need a horse for part of the route, budget for that separately.

You should also ask about the hot springs before departure. They are optional, but the listed information does not give an entrance price. A low base price can rise a little once you add personal snacks, drinks, hot-spring access, or a horse.

Even with those possible extras, the outing offers good value if you want the seven lakes and are comfortable with a group departure. It is less appealing if you dislike early starts, long drives, or fixed schedules.

Who should book this high-altitude day trip?

I would suggest it to you if you have moderate physical fitness, some time to adjust to altitude, and a strong interest in mountain scenery. It suits people who want a full Andean day without committing to a multiday trek.

You should think twice if you have a cardiac restriction or have been told to avoid strenuous activity at altitude. The route is intense, and the information specifically advises a moderate fitness level. Altitude sickness can affect fit people too, so take symptoms seriously and tell the guide if you feel unwell.

This is also a good choice for visitors who value cultural context. Guides may explain Quechua traditions and local connections to nature, and the possible ceremony adds a meaningful human element. If you want a polished luxury outing with long meals and easy transport, this is not the right match.

The 98 percent recommendation rate and 5 out of 5 score from 56 ratings suggest strong satisfaction overall. I would read that as encouragement, not a promise that the altitude will feel easy. The positive pattern centers on the scenery, attentive guides, helpful drivers, meals, and hot-spring option. The main concerns are the demanding elevation, possible departure delays, and unclear operator arrangements on at least one booking.

Booking details, timing, and cancellation

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour starts at 4 a.m., lasts about 15 hours, and normally gets back to Cusco around 6:30 p.m.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The tour allows service animals, but the high-altitude walking conditions still deserve careful thought. A service animal would need to cope with cold, a long vehicle ride, and several hours at extreme elevation.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

Book this tour if you want dramatic high-Andes scenery, appreciate a quiet trail, and can handle a long day above 4,000 meters. The combination of seven lakes, glacier views, local food, a bilingual guide, and optional hot springs gives you a lot for $69.

Do not book it simply because the price is low or because the walk is described as moderate. You need to prepare for thin air, cold, fatigue, and perhaps 17 kilometers on foot. Arrive in Cusco with time to acclimatize, bring serious warm clothing, and be honest about your fitness.

For the right person, this is one of the more rewarding day trips from Cusco. The scenery is the star, but the careful guides, Pacchanta meal, and hot springs help turn a hard day into a satisfying one.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at approximately 4 a.m. You should be ready at your accommodation at the scheduled time.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts about 15 hours, with arrival back in Cusco around 6:30 p.m.

How high does the hike go?

The route includes walking above 4,000 meters, and one section is reported at about 4,800 meters.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included. Alcoholic beverages and meals or drinks not specifically listed are not included.

Is the Pacchanta hot spring included?

The hot spring visit is optional. The supplied details do not state an entrance price, so you should ask about any local fee before entering.

Can I ride a horse instead of walking?

An optional horseback ride is available for about 80 soles, or approximately $22. You pay the local villagers directly.