From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

Ausangate’s seven lakes give you a full day of big mountain scenery, cold air, and demanding walking far above Cusco. You’ll begin before sunrise, reach Pacchanta after a long rough-road drive, then climb toward the snow-capped Apu Ausangate, which rises to 6,384 meters. The reward is a chain of striking alpine lakes, quiet highland views, and a hot-spring soak at day’s end.

I like the low price, especially since breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, and basic emergency equipment are included. I also like the way the best guides, including Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, and Inti, keep checking on people and allow slower walkers to set their own pace. The main catch is simple: this is a serious altitude day, not a gentle sightseeing outing.

I also like that the route can feel less crowded than Humantay Lake, with llamas and alpacas often grazing nearby. But you need to accept a 4:00 to 4:30 am pickup, several hours in a van, cold and changeable weather, and roughly 13 kilometers of walking at heights that can make breathing hard.

Key points to know before booking

• The hike reaches very high altitude: The route reaches about 4,620 meters, while the safety information warns that parts of the trek may go above 4,800 meters.
• The scenery is the main event: You’ll see seven alpine lakes, snow-capped Ausangate, broad Andes views, and herds of llamas and alpacas.
• Breakfast and lunch are included: Meals are simple but useful after the early start and long walk.
• Horses can help if altitude wins: Local horse hire has cost about 120 to 130 soles in reported cases, and it is arranged separately from the tour operator.
• The hot springs finish the day well: Pacchanta’s pools offer a warm break after the cold trek, but entrance and bathing cost 30 soles extra.
• The schedule is long: Pickup is before dawn, and return to Cusco is expected around 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

Why Ausangate’s seven lakes are worth the effort

This trip takes you into one of the high, open corners of the Cusco Region. The scenery is not built around ruins or city streets. It is about rock, snow, water, grassland, and enormous skies.

The centerpiece is Apu Ausangate, a sacred mountain in Andean culture and one of the highest peaks in Peru. You see it from Pacchanta before the hike begins, then keep it in view as you climb through changing terrain. The mountain gives the day a strong sense of place, rather than making the lakes feel like isolated photo stops.

The seven lakes vary in color and setting, though the exact appearance depends on clouds, sun, wind, and recent weather. On a clear day, reflections and blue-green water can make the stops look almost unreal. In cloud or rain, the mood changes to something darker and wilder. One person completed the walk in rain and still found the route rewarding, but you should bring proper rain gear rather than count on perfect skies.

The area can also feel quieter than Humantay Lake. That matters if you want time to look around without a constant stream of people around every viewpoint. It is not guaranteed to be empty, but several departures have had very light crowds, especially outside the busiest periods.

The pre-dawn pickup and long ride from Cusco

Your guide collects you from your accommodation or a central pickup point in Cusco’s historic center. The stated pickup window is about 4:00 to 4:30 am, though collecting the full group can take another 30 to 45 minutes. If you are picked up first, you may sit in the van while the driver gathers everyone else.

The drive to Pacchanta takes roughly three to three and a half hours. The road is not in excellent condition, and the combination of bumps, darkness, and rising altitude can make the trip tiring before you even start walking. Bring personal medication if you use it for altitude sickness, and ask your doctor about altitude pills before your trip rather than waiting until departure morning.

You should wear a warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves from the start. Morning temperatures in the area can be around 5 to 9 degrees Celsius, and wind can make it feel colder. Pack water and snacks in a small day pack, not a suitcase or large bag.

At Pacchanta, you stop for breakfast for about 30 minutes. This is also the useful moment to buy anything forgotten in Cusco, such as bottled water or extra snacks. Breakfast is described as simple but sufficient. Lunch is also basic, with some people finding it plentiful and good and one person finding the food cold and low quality. Treat the meals as practical fuel, not a culinary highlight.

Starting from Pacchanta beneath Apu Ausangate

Pacchanta is more than a parking point. It gives you your first close views of the Ausangate range and a chance to prepare your pack before the walking begins.

The trail climbs through open highland terrain. The route covers about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, and the walking portion takes roughly four and a half hours, although the day’s schedule also includes time for photo stops and possible horse riding. You will cross steep sections and changing ground, so hiking shoes with a firm grip are important.

The first part can feel demanding because you are climbing soon after a long drive. Altitude, cold, wind, and the lack of oxygen all matter more than the distance on paper. Several people describe the route as tiring but manageable, while others needed a horse because breathing became difficult.

The guide does not necessarily stay beside every person all day. People walk at different speeds, so the guide may move between the front and back of the group to help. That arrangement works best when you are comfortable walking independently for parts of the route and waiting at agreed points. Guides such as Eduardo, Carlos, Inti, and Kevin have been praised for checking on people, helping with photos, and watching for signs of altitude trouble.

The seven lakes and the high point of the route

The lakes are the reason to accept the early wake-up and hard walking. As you gain height, the views open toward broad Andean slopes and the snow-covered Ausangate massif. You will have time for photographs, but this is not a slow, all-day picnic beside the water.

The highest stated point is 4,620 meters, or about 15,090 feet. The safety information also warns that the trek goes over 4,800 meters, so the exact high point may vary by route or description. Either way, this is high enough for altitude sickness to affect fit people.

You should walk slowly, breathe steadily, and tell the guide early if you feel unwell. Headache, dizziness, nausea, unusual fatigue, or trouble breathing should not be treated as a challenge to push through. One guide stopped to help a participant with breathing trouble, and others have used the local horses after finding the altitude too difficult.

The lakes make excellent photo stops, but wind and weather can change quickly. Sunglasses are required throughout the hike because high-altitude light can be harsh, even when the sky is cloudy. Sunscreen is not listed in the supplied packing list, but the included instructions specifically call for sunglasses, and you should take that seriously.

You may also see llamas and alpacas along the route. These animals add a welcome local touch to a day otherwise dominated by rock, water, and snow. The quiet setting lets you pay attention to the land and the surrounding peaks rather than rushing from one attraction to another.

Horses: useful backup, not a guaranteed tour feature

Horse hire can make the difference between completing the route and turning back. People who were not used to the altitude have found it especially helpful for the uphill and downhill sections. Reported prices were around 120 to 130 soles.

There is an important catch. The local partner does not manage the horse rentals and is not involved in that transaction. Availability, price, horse choice, and the quality of the arrangement are outside the tour operator’s control.

You should not book this trip assuming a horse is included. See it as a possible local option if you need help, and carry cash in Peruvian soles. The same advice applies to entrance fees, snacks, water, and other purchases.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch and hot springs

After the lake circuit, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. By this point, a warm meal matters more than presentation. Some people find the food healthy, varied, or plentiful enough for the day, while others find it plain. Bring a snack anyway, especially if you eat early or need food between the lakes.

The hot springs are a smart finish. After hours of cold air and high-altitude walking, warm water gives your legs a chance to relax while you look back toward the surrounding highlands. The swimming stop is listed at about 30 minutes, so do not expect a long spa session.

Entrance to the hot springs and related fees cost 30 soles extra. That cost is not included in the $29 tour price. Bring a small towel only if you can manage it without adding a bulky bag, since large luggage is not allowed.

The soak also gives you a final pause before the long ride to Cusco. It will not erase the fatigue from the day, but it makes the return journey more comfortable.

Is the $29 price good value?

At $29 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a full-day mountain outing that includes hotel pickup, transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, first aid supplies, oxygen, and drop-off near central Cusco.

The value is strongest if you want access to Ausangate without arranging transport, meals, and a local guide yourself. The included oxygen bottle and first aid kit are reassuring at this altitude, though they are not a substitute for proper acclimatization or medical preparation.

Budget for at least 30 soles more for the hot springs and entrance fees. Add cash for water, snacks, and any horse hire. A horse can cost several times the tour price, so that backup expense is worth considering before you book.

The low price also comes with compromises. The ride is long, the road is rough, meals are simple, pickup times can shift while the group is collected, and you may not get a private pace throughout the walk. A private group is available if you want more control, but the supplied details do not state the private-group price.

Who should choose this Ausangate day trip?

I would choose this trip if you want dramatic mountain scenery and can handle a demanding day above 4,000 meters. It suits hikers who enjoy a challenge but do not need a technical climb, and it works well for people who want something quieter than Humantay.

It can also suit families with older children who are comfortable walking at altitude. Two children aged 11 and 12 completed the route and enjoyed the scenery and alpacas, but that does not mean every child will cope well. Fitness, prior acclimatization, and personal response to altitude matter more than age alone.

I would not choose it if you have heart, respiratory, back, or mobility problems, or if you use a wheelchair. The activity is also not suitable for people over 120 kilograms according to the supplied restrictions. If you have asthma or a cardiac condition, do not rely on a horse as a complete solution. One participant with those conditions enjoyed the area from horseback, but the route was still difficult.

Practical packing advice for the cold highlands

Keep your bag light. You need water, snacks, rain gear, sunglasses, sturdy hiking shoes, and comfortable clothes. Add a warm sweater, insulated jacket, hat, and gloves. Layers are better than one heavy item because conditions can shift during the climb.

Carry cash in Peruvian soles. You may need it for the 30-sol hot-spring and entrance charge, food or water purchases, and horse hire. Do not bring large luggage, since it is not allowed.

The tour provides a first aid kit and oxygen bottle, but you should bring personal medication and any altitude treatment prescribed for you. Tell the guide quickly if you feel ill. Waiting until you are severely affected makes the day harder for everyone.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your priority is big Ausangate scenery at a low price, and you are ready for an early start, a rough drive, cold conditions, and a high-altitude hike. The lakes, snow-capped mountain, alpacas, and hot springs create a memorable full day, and attentive guides can make a real difference.

Skip it if you want a relaxed excursion, guaranteed sunshine, a short walk, or a polished meal. This is a demanding mountain day with simple logistics. For an acclimatized person carrying a light pack, it offers excellent value. For anyone unsure about altitude, book only after taking the health warnings seriously and keeping money aside for a local horse.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven lakes tour take?

It is a one-day trip. Pickup begins around 4:00 to 4:30 am, and you normally return to Cusco between 6:00 and 7:00 pm.

How far is the hike?

The walking route covers approximately 13 kilometers, or about eight miles. The hike itself takes around four and a half hours, with time for lake stops and changing terrain.

How high does the hike go?

The stated highest point is about 4,620 meters above sea level. The safety information also warns that the trek goes 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 served after you return. The meals are simple, and you should still bring snacks.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

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

Can I ride a horse during the trek?

Local horses may be available to rent, but they are not included in the tour. Reported prices were around 120 to 130 soles. The local horse rental is arranged separately from the tour provider.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in Spanish and English. A private group option is also available.