Full-Day Tour to Ausangate 7 Lakes

The Andes wake up before you do. This full-day trip from Cusco takes you to Pacchanta and the high lagoons below Ausangate, with sunrise scenery, Andean meals, a guided hike, and optional hot springs for $69 per person. I like the combination of spectacular views and local experiences, especially the chance to enjoy a Quechua ceremony and regional food rather than simply stopping for photographs.

I also like that breakfast, lunch, private transportation, and a bilingual guide are included. Guides such as Ernesto, Roberto, Milton, Juan, and Jehomar have been praised for being attentive and helpful, particularly when people needed encouragement at high altitude. The main caution is serious: this is not an easy sightseeing trip. You may walk for several hours above 4,000 meters, with the route reaching about 4,800 meters.

Key points to know before booking

• A 4:00 am start from Cusco: You need to be ready early, but the drive offers sunrise views across the Andes.
• High-altitude hiking: The route visits seven lagoons and may involve roughly 17 kilometers of walking, depending on the exact route and pace.
• Pacchanta hot springs: After the hike, you can pay for an optional soak and give tired legs a welcome rest.
• Meals are included: Breakfast and lunch are part of the tour, with support for vegan food if you request it.
• Horseback riding is available: A horse may be hired from local villagers for about 80 soles, or approximately $22.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 17 people, with a bilingual English and Spanish guide.

Why Ausangate feels different from a standard Cusco day trip

Many day trips from Cusco focus on ruins, viewpoints, or carefully arranged village stops. Ausangate offers something more elemental. The attraction is the high country itself: broad slopes, glacial peaks, unusual-colored lakes, and the quiet of the mountains around one of Peru’s most important peaks.

The seven lagoons are the central prize, but the route is not just a string of photo stops. You spend much of the day moving through open Andean scenery, with the mountains changing as you walk. The lakes can appear turquoise, blue, green, or darker depending on the light and mineral content. The exact colors are never guaranteed, which is part of the appeal of seeing them in person.

The area also has strong cultural meaning. A Quechua ceremony may be included during the experience, and guides have shared local traditions and explained how Andean communities relate to nature. That gives the day more weight than a quick scenic outing. You are not only looking at beautiful places. You are hearing how the region is understood by the people who live there.

Still, the altitude changes the character of the trip. The scenery may look gentle from a distance, but the air is thin. A path that would feel easy near sea level can leave you short of breath here. I would treat the physical demands as the first thing to consider, not a footnote.

The 4:00 am departure from Cusco

Pickup begins at about 4:00 am. You should have your cold-weather clothing ready before going to bed, since the early morning in the highlands can be very cold. The long drive to Pacchanta takes around three and a half hours.

That early departure has one clear benefit: you may watch the sun come up as the road climbs through the Andes. The changing light is one of the best parts of the transfer, especially if you can stay awake long enough to see it. This is not a short ride, though. You spend a large part of the day in the vehicle, so the tour suits you best if you are willing to trade comfort and sleep for access to a remote mountain area.

The operator provides transportation, but the group can include up to 17 people. That is still a manageable size for a guided outing, though the experience may feel less personal than a truly private trip. The driver is an important part of the day because the road journey is long. Drivers named Julio and others have received praise for being polite and efficient.

Departure delays are possible. One account described a delay of more than an hour, so I would avoid scheduling an important evening activity in Cusco after the stated return time. The planned arrival is around 6:30 pm, but mountain roads and group timing can change that.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike

Pacchanta is the first main stop. After the drive, you have breakfast in the village before setting out. This is practical, not just decorative. You have been awake since the middle of the night, and eating before a high-altitude walk gives you a better start.

Breakfast is included, as is lunch later in the day. The food is described as typical Andean cooking, and the local flavors add something useful to the trip. You can also request vegan food, but make that request in advance rather than assuming it will appear automatically.

Pacchanta is more than a staging point. It is a small highland community, and the later meal and hot springs stop give you a little time to see the place beyond the trail. Do not expect a polished resort town. Basic facilities are part of the setting, including precarious restroom structures. That may be uncomfortable, but it also reflects the limited infrastructure in a poor rural community.

After breakfast, your guide explains the walk and leads the group toward the lagoons. Bring enough warm clothing for the start, but use layers so you can adjust as the day changes. The tour information specifically asks you to bring cold-weather gear, and that advice should be taken seriously.

Walking to the seven lagoons

The walk to the lagoons takes about three and a half hours according to the planned itinerary. Other route descriptions put the total walking distance near 17 kilometers and describe more than five hours on foot. That difference likely reflects the route used, stops at each lake, group pace, and time spent returning to Pacchanta.

The useful point is simple: plan for a long mountain walk, not a short stroll. You may be able to hire a horse for approximately 80 soles, about $22, paid directly to local villagers. This can help if the altitude affects you, but it is still wise to understand the physical demands before you arrive.

The path is described as not especially steep in places, which can make the route feel manageable for people who are already acclimatized. Altitude, not just slope, is the problem. At roughly 4,000 meters and higher, your breathing and energy may change quickly. The route reaches around 4,800 meters, so even people who exercise regularly at home may find it demanding.

Your guide is central to the quality of the day. Ernesto has been praised for clear explanations, flexibility, and taking family photographs. Roberto has been noted for checking on people throughout the walk and carrying oxygen for anyone who needed it. Milton has been described as punctual and supportive, while Juan has been praised for humor and careful attention. Jehomar has also received warm comments for looking after people and staying available along the route.

Those details matter. At this altitude, a guide who notices how you are doing is far more valuable than one who simply points at the next lake. You should still take responsibility for your own health, move at a steady pace, and tell the guide if you feel unwell.

The seven lagoons and Ausangate views

The lakes are the emotional center of the trip. Each one offers a different angle on the surrounding mountains, and the walk gives you time to see the colors change with the weather and light. Glaciers can appear close by, adding scale to the views.

This is the sort of scenery that can make you stop talking for a while. The open mountain setting feels peaceful, and the route is described as less crowded than some of the better-known attractions around Cusco. That quiet is a major reason to choose Ausangate over a more heavily visited day trip.

The word magical gets used too easily in tourism, but here it has some basis in the area’s spiritual setting. The lakes, peaks, and grazing lands are part of a living Andean world, not merely a backdrop. If your guide offers a Quechua ceremony or explains local traditions, pay attention. That cultural context can make the views feel more connected to place.

You should also keep your expectations sensible. Weather can affect visibility and even whether the outing runs. The experience requires good weather, and a cancellation may lead to another date or a full refund. Even on a day that goes ahead, clouds can cover the highest peaks or mute the lake colors. The mountains decide the final presentation.

Lunch, hot springs, and the return to Pacchanta

After visiting the seven lagoons, you return to Pacchanta. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, and this is a welcome pause after several hours on the trail. The meal gives you a chance to warm up, sit down, and enjoy food from the region without having to organize another stop yourself.

Then comes the optional visit to the Pacchanta hot springs. The soak is not included as a required part of the tour, and the provided details do not give a separate entrance price. If you want to use the springs, bring what you need for bathing and confirm the local payment details with the guide.

I see the hot springs as one of the smartest features of the day. A long walk at high altitude can leave you tired, and warm water offers a pleasant way to recover before the drive back. If you would rather skip the bath, you can use the free time to explore the village and its surroundings.

Alcoholic drinks and any meals or beverages not listed are extra. That is worth remembering because the day is long. Breakfast and lunch are covered, but you should not assume every snack, drink, or personal purchase is part of the $69 price.

The return to Cusco takes several hours, with arrival planned for about 6:30 pm. By then, you will likely be ready for a shower and an early night. I would not pair this tour with a late evening reservation or an early departure the next morning unless you have a generous buffer.

Is the $69 price good value?

At $69 per person, the tour is fairly priced for what it includes. You receive transportation from Cusco, a bilingual English and Spanish guide, breakfast, lunch, and access to a full-day route that would be difficult to arrange independently in one day.

The value is strongest if you want convenience. You do not need to organize a vehicle, find the trail, arrange meals, or negotiate a local horse hire on your own. You also have a guide who can help with pacing, photographs, cultural explanations, and basic support at altitude.

The price is less attractive if you want a private, flexible experience with no fixed schedule. The group can reach 17 people, the pickup is very early, and the day follows a long planned route. Optional costs remain, including the horse ride and hot springs if you choose them, plus drinks not included with the meals.

I would also factor in the physical cost. A cheap ticket is not good value if you spend the whole day feeling sick or exhausted. If you have not adjusted to Cusco’s altitude, consider spending time acclimatizing before attempting this outing. The tour information requires moderate physical fitness, and the reports of walking above 4,000 meters make that advice conservative rather than dramatic.

What to pack for this high-altitude day

Use layers. You need protection from cold at the start, but the walking portion can feel warmer once you are moving. A waterproof outer layer is sensible because weather conditions can change in the mountains, although the supplied information does not promise any particular equipment or weather protection.

Your practical packing list should include:

• Warm clothing and a reliable outer layer
• Comfortable footwear suitable for several hours of walking
• Water and any personal snacks you may want
• Sun protection for exposed high-altitude areas
• Personal medication and any altitude treatment prescribed for you
• A change of clothes if you plan to use the hot springs
• Cash for a horse ride, optional bathing, drinks, or small local purchases

Do not rely on the operator’s oxygen mentioned by one guide as a substitute for preparation. A careful guide is helpful, but you need to judge your own condition. If you have a cardiac restriction, this is not the right trip without medical clearance.

Who will enjoy the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want dramatic mountain scenery, accept a very early start, and are comfortable with a demanding day at high altitude. It is a good match for active visitors who have already spent enough time in the Cusco region to adjust to the elevation.

It also suits you if you value cultural contact. The Quechua ceremony, Andean food, local village setting, and guide explanations add meaning to the walk. This is not only about taking pictures beside seven bodies of water.

I would be cautious if you dislike long drives, basic facilities, early mornings, or group schedules. I would also avoid it if you are not physically prepared for several hours of walking at 4,000 meters or more. The route may not be steep throughout, but altitude can turn an ordinary walk into a serious test.

The guide quality appears to be one of the strongest parts of the operation. Names such as Ernesto, Roberto, Milton, Juan, and Jehomar come up with praise for care, patience, photographs, and local insight. Guide assignments can change, so you should not book solely to secure one particular person.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if your priority is the high Andes, not a relaxed day near Cusco. For $69, you get a lot: transport, two meals, bilingual guiding, seven lagoons, mountain views, and the option to recover in Pacchanta’s hot springs.

Skip it if you want an easy outing or if you are still struggling with altitude. The best preparation is to allow time to acclimatize, bring serious cold-weather gear, and be honest about your fitness. If you do that, Ausangate offers one of the most memorable natural experiences within reach of Cusco, with enough local character to make the long day worthwhile.

FAQ

What time does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour start?

The tour starts at approximately 4:00 am, with pickup from your accommodation in Cusco.

What time does the tour return to Cusco?

The planned arrival in Cusco is around 6:30 pm, although the total outing lasts approximately 15 hours.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Pacchanta?

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three and a half hours.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch at a local restaurant are included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour includes a professional bilingual guide in English or Spanish.

How difficult is the walking route?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The walk takes several hours at elevations above 4,000 meters, and the route can reach about 4,800 meters.

Can I ride a horse during the hike?

Yes. Horseback riding is optional and costs approximately 80 soles, or about $22, paid directly to the local villagers.

Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?

The hot springs are optional. The tour information does not state that their entrance fee is included, so confirm the price locally.

Is food available for vegans?

Vegan food can be supported if you request it. Make the request before the tour so the meal arrangements are clear.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.