From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

The Andes start early. This $29 day trip from Cusco takes you to the striking Ausangate lakes, with snow-capped peaks, alpacas, and wide-open mountain views at heights above 4,600 meters. I like the mix of a demanding trek and a soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs, and I also like that breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, and basic safety equipment are included. The main caution is altitude: the cold, rough road, thin air, and long day can turn a pretty hike into serious work.

I also appreciate the patient guides. Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, Inti, Joseph, and others have been praised for checking on people, helping with photographs, and allowing slower walkers to continue at their own pace. Still, this is not a gentle sightseeing outing. Horse rental costs extra, and some people found the meals basic or the pace a little rushed.

Key points to know before you go

• Expect an extremely early start: Pickup begins around 4 to 4:30 am, with group collection sometimes taking 30 to 45 minutes.
• The highest point is about 4,620 meters: That is roughly 15,090 feet, so altitude matters more than distance.
• The trek covers about 13 kilometers: You will walk for around 4.5 hours over steep and changing ground.
• Pacchanta adds a welcome finish: After lunch, you can relax in hot springs while looking toward the highlands.
• Cash in Peruvian soles is essential: The 30-sol entrance and hot spring fee, water, snacks, souvenirs, and horse rental are extra.
• The scenery is often quiet: Several people found the Ausangate area less crowded than Humantay Lake.

Why the Ausangate lakes are worth the long day

The Ausangate region gives you a different view of the Cusco highlands. The star is Apu Ausangate, a snow-covered mountain rising to 6,384 meters. Around it sit a series of alpine lakes, each reflecting different shades of blue and green depending on cloud, light, and weather.

You do not come here for one short viewpoint and a quick photograph. The appeal is the changing route: rough mountain paths, open slopes, grazing llamas and alpacas, icy peaks, and several lakes spread across a huge high-altitude basin. The setting feels more remote than many of Cusco’s most famous day trips.

The tradeoff is effort. The walk is about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, and reaches a high point of 4,620 meters. That distance is manageable for a fit person who has adjusted to altitude, but the thin air can make ordinary slopes feel surprisingly hard.

The 4 am departure from Cusco

Your guide collects you from accommodation around Cusco’s historic center. The advertised start is very early, but pickup can take time because the vehicle gathers the whole group. You should be ready in the hotel lobby and expect a wait if you are picked up first.

The ride to Pacchanta takes roughly three to three and a half hours. This is not a polished highway transfer. The dirt road is reported to be rough in places, and the combination of winding travel, poor sleep, and altitude can make some people feel sick before the walk begins.

Bring personal medicine if you need it, and ask your doctor about altitude medication before your trip. The vehicle carries an oxygen bottle and the guide has a first aid kit, but those are safety supports, not substitutes for preparation.

Morning temperatures in the area can be between 5 and 9 degrees Celsius. Pack an extra sweater, a warm jacket, hat, and gloves. You will be glad to have them before the sun reaches the valley.

Breakfast in Pacchanta and the first Ausangate views

The group stops in Pacchanta for breakfast, usually for about 30 minutes. This is useful rather than fancy. You can eat, buy water or snacks, and handle any last-minute shopping before setting off.

Pacchanta is also where the scale of the day begins to make sense. You get your first view of the Ausangate massif, with its snow-covered upper slopes towering over the settlement. Take a few minutes to organize your day pack here because you will not want to rummage through luggage once the hike starts.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the $29 price. Several people found the meals simple but sufficient, while one person found the food cold and poor in quality. I would treat the included meals as practical fuel, not a culinary highlight, and carry a snack in case you need something familiar during the hike.

The trek to the seven lakes

The path heads into the Andes over rough and steep sections. The route changes in altitude and surface, so hiking shoes are much more useful than ordinary trainers. Sunglasses are required throughout the walk because glare at high altitude can be intense, even when the sky looks cloudy.

The guide sets a general route, but the group will not move as one tight line. People walk at different speeds, and the guide may move between the front, middle, and back to assist. This can be reassuring if you need help, though it also means you may wait at certain points or feel the pace is brisk if you are struggling.

The most important issue is breathing. At this height, the cold wind and thin air can affect anyone, including people who are normally active. One person with asthma and a heart condition chose to use a horse for the route, and another visitor needed one after altitude sickness became a problem. The tour information specifically excludes people with heart, respiratory, mobility, or serious back problems, so take those restrictions seriously.

The rewards come steadily. You pass high mountain scenery and reach views of several lakes, with Ausangate forming a dramatic backdrop. Llamas and alpacas may appear along the route, adding a living touch to what could otherwise feel like a purely scenic excursion.

What the seven lakes visit feels like

The lakes are the main reason to make the trip. You have time for photographs and for taking in the mountain setting, but this is still a timed group excursion. Some people felt they had to move on too soon, especially when they wanted to sit quietly and study the views.

If you want more time for contemplation, position yourself near the front when possible. That can reduce the need to wait behind slower walkers and may give you more freedom at viewing points, although the guide still controls the day’s timing.

Cloud and rain do not necessarily ruin the experience. One person completed the walk on a cloudy, rainy day and still found it impressive. Even so, weather can change quickly at this altitude, and the local operator is not responsible for conditions. Check the forecast before choosing your date, then carry rain gear regardless.

The area’s quieter character is a real advantage. Several outings had very few other groups around, especially compared with Humantay Lake. If you want mountain scenery without a constant crowd at every viewpoint, Ausangate is a strong choice.

Horse rental for a demanding high-altitude route

Horses are available locally if you cannot manage all or part of the walk. They are not included in the tour price, and the local partner does not organize or supervise the rental process. Recent examples put the cost around 120 to 130 soles, so bring enough cash.

A horse is not only for people who dislike walking. At more than 4,000 meters, it can be a sensible backup if you develop a headache, feel breathless, or simply realize the altitude is winning. One person described the ride as highly worthwhile because it made the route possible despite breathing and fitness problems.

Still, do not book this trip assuming a horse solves every difficulty. Availability, price, and arrangements are local matters, and you remain responsible for paying directly. If the walk is already beyond your ability at altitude, this may not be the right excursion.

Lunch and Pacchanta’s hot springs

After returning to Pacchanta, you sit down to a filling local lunch. The food is described as plentiful by several people, though opinions on quality vary. After a cold, tiring walk, the meal serves its purpose: it gives you time to refuel before the final activity.

The hot springs are nearby and provide the day’s easiest half hour. The 30-sol entrance and bathing fee is not included, and you must pay in cash with Peruvian soles. The pools are valuable less as a luxury spa than as a place to loosen tired legs while looking out at the highlands.

Do not underestimate how welcome this stop can feel. The trek is long, and the return route does not end when you reach Pacchanta. A warm soak gives you a quiet pause before the drive back to Cusco.

The return journey and the real cost

The van normally reaches Cusco between 6 and 7 pm. Add the very early pickup, a three-hour outward drive, several hours on foot, and the return ride, and you have a full day of roughly 14 hours.

At $29 per person, the value is strong. Transport from Cusco, a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, first aid equipment, oxygen, and a drop-off near the center are bundled into a low price. You still need to budget for the 30-sol admission and hot springs fee, plus water, snacks, and possible horse rental.

The cheapest price is not the whole story. The guide matters greatly on a route where altitude can change your day quickly. Guides such as Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, Inti, Joseph, and Waldri received praise for checking on people, explaining local culture, helping with photographs, and making slower walkers feel supported.

The drop-off is near Cusco’s center, including Centro Histórico and San Bernardo 132. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so use a small day pack only.

Who should book this trek

I would choose this tour if you want dramatic mountain scenery, a physical challenge, and a less crowded alternative to Humantay. It also suits people who like a full day with several parts: a rural breakfast, a high-altitude walk, lake viewpoints, a local lunch, and hot springs.

You should be comfortable walking for about 4.5 hours and spending time above 4,000 meters. Previous hiking experience helps, but the bigger question is how your body handles altitude. Do not use the low price as a reason to ignore the health restrictions.

Families with older children may enjoy it. Two children, ages 11 and 12, completed the outing and especially liked seeing alpacas, but every child responds differently to cold and altitude. A private group is available if you want more control over the pace and a more personal day.

This is not a good match for wheelchair users or people with mobility limitations, heart trouble, respiratory conditions, or serious back problems. The stated weight limit is 120 kilograms, or 264 pounds.

Practical packing advice for a safer day

Keep your day pack light. Carry water, snacks, rain gear, sunglasses, personal medication, and warm layers. You need hiking shoes and comfortable clothing, but you do not need a large bag.

Bring cash in Peruvian soles. The entrance and hot springs charge is 30 soles, and horse rental, water, snacks, and souvenirs also require cash. Cards should not be your only plan in this remote setting.

Wear your sunglasses for the entire hike, not just at the lakes. Add sunscreen if you have it, though sunscreen is not specifically listed among the required items. Most important, keep your warm layers accessible rather than buried under the van seats.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes day trip?

Book it if you want some of Peru’s most impressive high mountain scenery at a very low starting price, and you are ready for a cold, tiring, high-altitude day. The lakes, Ausangate views, alpacas, patient guides, and Pacchanta hot springs make the long ride worthwhile.

Skip it if you need a relaxed sightseeing day, dislike rough roads, or have medical conditions affected by altitude. If you go, sleep well beforehand, pack for cold and rain, carry soles, and keep the horse option in mind as a backup rather than a promise. For fit visitors already acclimatized in Cusco, this is a powerful day out with unusually good value.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour take?

The 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 far is the hike?

The trek covers approximately 13 kilometers, or about 8 miles, and the walking portion takes around 4.5 hours.

What is the highest altitude on the route?

The highest point is about 4,620 meters, or 15,090 feet, above sea level. The information also warns that the trek goes above 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 returning from the lakes.

Is the hot spring entrance included?

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

Can I rent a horse?

Local horse rentals may be available, but they are not included. Recent prices provided for the rental were around 120 to 130 soles. The local partner does not manage the rental process.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring water, snacks, rain gear, hiking shoes, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, and extra warm layers including a sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.