From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

The Andes serve up a serious day out. This Ausangate trip combines seven high-altitude lakes with snowy peaks, alpacas, local meals, and a soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs. I especially like the chance to see the 6,384-meter Ausangate Mountain and the patient guide support, with guides such as Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, and Inti earning strong praise for checking on people throughout the hike.

The price is appealing at $29 per person, especially with hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, a guide, first aid supplies, oxygen, and a drop-off near central Cusco included. The catch is the altitude: this is a long, cold, demanding day, and the road to Pacchanta can be rough. You need to treat this as a real mountain trek, not a gentle sightseeing outing.

Key points to know before you go

• The highest point reaches roughly 4,620 meters, with trip information warning that parts of the route may pass above 4,800 meters. Altitude is the main challenge.
• The trek covers about 13 kilometers, taking around 4.5 hours at a steady pace over steep and changing terrain.
• Ausangate Mountain gives the day its drama, with snow-covered slopes, broad Andean views, and several colorful alpine lakes.
• Breakfast and lunch are included, but you still need water, snacks, and cash in Peruvian soles for entrance fees and optional extras.
• Pacchanta’s hot springs are a welcome finish, although the entrance fee and swimming charge of 30 soles are extra.
• Horses may help if the altitude gets to you, but rentals are arranged locally and cost extra, with recent prices around 120 to 130 soles.

Why the Ausangate lakes are worth the effort

Ausangate is one of Peru’s great mountain figures. At 6,384 meters, it rises above the route as an apu, a sacred mountain in Andean culture. You do not come here for polished paths or easy access. You come for open space, high peaks, quiet lakes, and the feeling that you have reached a remote corner of the Andes in a single day.

The seven lakes are the main prize. Their appearance changes with the weather and light, but the setting is always dramatic: cold water, rocky slopes, snow-capped peaks, and grazing llamas and alpacas. You will have time for photographs at the lakes, though this is still a walking day rather than a series of long scenic stops.

I like that the route feels less crowded than the famous Humantay Lake outing. One recent group found itself almost alone for much of the day, and another described the area as a place where you could enjoy silence and a stronger sense of connection with Pachamama. That quieter setting is a major reason to choose Ausangate.

The tradeoff is physical. Thin air makes every slope feel longer, and cold wind can make breathing harder. A cloudy or rainy day may soften the views, but it will not make the route easier. You should choose your departure day carefully and check conditions before booking.

The 4 a.m. start from Cusco

Pickup from accommodations around Cusco’s historic center begins between 4 and 4:30 a.m. The full group collection can take 30 to 45 minutes, so do not panic if the van does not arrive at the first advertised time. Keep your phone available, wait in the hotel lobby, and expect an early start.

The drive to Pacchanta takes roughly three to three and a half hours. The road is not always smooth, and the combination of winding travel, little sleep, and rising altitude can make the ride uncomfortable. If you know you are sensitive to altitude, speak with a medical professional before the trip and bring any personal medicine you normally use.

The van ride is also why this experience feels like a full expedition packed into one day. You leave Cusco in darkness and return around 6 to 7 p.m. There is little spare time, so this is best booked on a day when you do not have another major activity planned.

At Pacchanta, you stop for breakfast. It is described as simple but sufficient, and several people found the meals good enough to fuel the day. You can also buy water and snacks here if you forgot them in Cusco, but bring cash in soles. Do not count on using a card for small purchases.

Arriving in Pacchanta beneath Ausangate

Pacchanta is more than a starting point. It gives you your first proper view of the Ausangate range and provides the setting for the hot springs at the end of the day. After breakfast, you organize your day pack, put on your warm layers, and begin walking.

Morning temperatures in the area can sit around 5 to 9 degrees Celsius, and wind can make it feel colder. Wear a warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. Sunglasses are mandatory throughout the hike because high-altitude sunlight is intense even when the sky looks gray.

Bring hiking shoes with good grip, comfortable clothes, rain gear, sunscreen, water, and snacks. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and a heavy day pack can make the first part of the walk much harder. Pack only what you truly need.

As you leave Pacchanta, the guide sets a pace for the group and watches for signs of trouble. The guide may move between faster and slower walkers, so do not expect to have the same person beside you every minute. The best guides on this route are active helpers: Eduardo, Kevin, Carlos, Inti, Joseph, and others have been praised for checking breathing, waiting for slower walkers, explaining local culture, and helping with photographs.

Hiking the 13-kilometer route

The walk covers about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, with roughly 4.5 hours on foot. The route passes through steep sections, open mountain terrain, and changing elevations. The highest stated point is 4,620 meters, while the trip information also warns you to expect trekking above 4,800 meters. In practical terms, you should prepare for very thin air and rapid changes in how your body feels.

This is not necessarily the steepest hike around Cusco. One person found it longer than Humantay Lake but easier to walk because the path was not constantly steep. That does not make it easy. The altitude, cold, wind, and distance are what wear you down.

You may see llamas and alpacas along the way. They add a pleasant local touch, but the real attraction is the combination of mountain scale and open silence. There are no city sounds here, and few built features distract from the views.

Some people felt the pace was too quick at scenic points. The guide may allow time for photographs before moving on, and different walking speeds can create waiting periods. If you want more time to study the scenery, stay near the front when you can, but do not push beyond your breathing comfort. A photograph is not worth a headache or a fall.

The group format also matters. A small group can feel personal, but you may still spend part of the day walking at a different pace from the others. The guide’s job is to keep people safe and together, not to provide a private photographer at every lake.

Should you rent a horse?

Horse riding can make the route possible for some people, but it is not part of the $29 price. Local horse rentals are separate, and the tour provider does not control that transaction. Recent prices mentioned by participants were 120 and 130 soles, so carry enough cash if you think you may need one.

A horse is especially worth considering if altitude sickness, asthma, a heart condition, or low fitness makes the climb unsafe or overwhelming. One person with asthma and a cardiac problem used a horse to reach the lakes and return to Pacchanta, while another said getting a horse was highly recommended if you are not used to high altitude.

Do not treat the horse as a guaranteed shortcut. You still need to manage the cold, the altitude, and the long day. If you already have a respiratory, heart, mobility, or back condition, this outing may not be suitable. It is also not designed for wheelchair users, and the stated weight limit is 120 kilograms.

The lakes and the best photo stops

The lakes are not all presented as separate, carefully timed attractions. Instead, they appear along the route, with a main photo stop of about 30 minutes and views continuing as you walk. This is useful to know if you expect a relaxed photography tour. You will get memorable pictures, but the day is organized around completing the route.

The best images will likely include the sharp contrast between the water, dark mountain slopes, snow-covered Ausangate, and small figures crossing the open terrain. Wind, rain, or cloud can change the mood quickly. On a bright day, the views can be extraordinary; on a wet day, the experience becomes tougher but still atmospheric.

Your guide can add meaning to the scenery. Guides have explained local culture and history, helped people with photos, and even led a small ceremony on the high point. Ask questions when the group pauses. This is where the day becomes more than a demanding walk to a viewpoint.

Lunch and Pacchanta’s hot springs

After returning to Pacchanta, you get lunch before entering the hot springs. The meal is generally described as basic, plentiful, and sufficient, with some people calling it good and one person finding it cold and low quality. Keep expectations practical: this is remote mountain food, not a restaurant meal in central Cusco.

Lunch matters because the final drive is long and you will have used plenty of energy. If you have dietary concerns, bring a backup snack and confirm what is available before setting out. Breakfast and lunch are included, but extra food and drinks are your responsibility.

The hot springs are the day’s reward. For 30 soles, you can swim and warm up while looking toward the surrounding highlands. After hours in cold air, the water feels especially welcome. Still, bring suitable swimwear and a small towel if you have room, since the hot springs are an optional extra rather than part of the base price.

Do not rush the soak. The return drive to Cusco is another three to three and a half hours, and the group may leave after roughly 30 minutes in the water. You will probably be tired, damp, and ready to sleep.

Is $29 good value?

At $29, this is a strong value for a full-day excursion. Hotel pickup, transport, a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, first aid supplies, oxygen, and a central Cusco drop-off are included. Comparable private mountain days can cost far more, so the low price is attractive.

You need to add the 30 soles entrance and hot springs fee. Horse rental, water, snacks, souvenirs, and tips are also extra, and these costs require Peruvian soles. If you need a horse, the total price rises sharply, so budget for that possibility before you leave.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want dramatic mountain scenery, a guide, meals, and transport without arranging several separate services, this package works well. If you want a slow, private photo day with long pauses, the fixed schedule may feel rushed.

Private groups are available if you want more control over pace and stops. For a shared group, go in expecting a range of walking speeds and some waiting.

Who should book this day?

I would choose this trip if you have already spent time in Cusco or another high-altitude place and feel comfortable walking for several hours. You should be able to handle cold, wind, uneven ground, and a very early start.

It also suits people who want something quieter than Humantay Lake. Families with older children may enjoy it, and children aged 11 and 12 have completed the route successfully, but every child responds differently to altitude.

I would not choose it as your first activity after flying into Cusco. Nor would I recommend it if you have serious back, heart, respiratory, or mobility problems. The tour information specifically excludes those conditions, and altitude symptoms can become serious quickly.

Pack light, carry water, keep your warm layers accessible, and tell the guide early if you feel unwell. Guides have shown real care when people struggled, but no guide can remove the physical risk of a high mountain day.

Final verdict: beautiful, demanding, and worth planning carefully

You should book the Ausangate 7 Lakes trek if you want a big Andean day at a remarkably low price and are ready for the altitude. The scenery is the star, the hot springs are a smart finish, and guides such as Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, and Inti have helped make difficult days feel manageable.

You should skip it if you want an easy outing, dislike long van rides, or have not prepared for high elevation. Go with warm clothes, cash, modest expectations for the food, and enough time to walk at your own pace. For the right person, this is one of the most memorable mountain experiences available from Cusco.

FAQ

How long is the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

It lasts one full day. Pickup begins around 4 to 4:30 a.m., and return to Cusco is expected between 6 and 7 p.m.

How far is the trek?

The hiking route covers approximately 13 kilometers, or about eight miles, and takes around 4.5 hours.

How high does the trek go?

The highest stated point reaches 4,620 meters above sea level. The tour information also warns that you will trek over 4,800 meters, so you should prepare for very high altitude.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike begins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served after you return to Pacchanta from the lakes.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Entrance to the hot springs and related fees cost 30 soles.

Can I rent a horse?

Horse rentals may be available locally, but they are not included. The tour provider does not manage the rental process, and recent prices were around 120 to 130 soles.

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 clothing, and extra warm layers including a sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.