From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

The Ausangate Seven Lakes day trip gives you a close look at Peru’s high Andes without committing to a multiday trek. You’ll walk past glacial lakes beneath snow-capped Ausangate, Peru’s 6,384-meter mountain, then warm up in Pacchanta’s hot springs. The lakes, alpacas, and wide-open mountain views are the main event.

I like the small-group feel and attentive guides. Guides such as Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, Inti, and Waldri have helped people manage the slow pace and thin air. I also like the value: at $29, breakfast, lunch, transport, a guide, first-aid supplies, and oxygen are bundled in.

The catch is the altitude. This is a tough day, not a gentle sightseeing outing. You leave Cusco around 4 to 4:30 am, spend up to seven hours in a van, and hike about 13 kilometers at roughly 4,620 meters, with the safety notes warning that the route can pass above 4,800 meters. The dirt road is rough, and cold, wind, rain, and altitude sickness can all change the mood quickly.

Key points to know before booking

• Ausangate reaches 6,384 meters: You’ll spend the day beneath one of the Andes’ great snow-capped peaks.
• The walk covers about 13 kilometers: Expect around 4.5 hours of hiking over steep, high-altitude ground.
• Pacchanta hot springs finish the day: A 30-minute soak is a welcome reward after the trail.
• Horses can help with the altitude: Local horse hire costs about 120 to 130 soles and is separate from the tour company.
• Cash in Peruvian soles is essential: Entrance fees and hot springs cost 30 soles, and other purchases use cash.
• Meals are simple but useful: Breakfast comes before the hike, and lunch is served after you return to Pacchanta.

Why the Ausangate Seven Lakes route is special

Ausangate is sacred to many Andean communities and is often called an Apu, a powerful mountain spirit. You are not simply walking to a viewpoint. You are moving through a high, spare world of rock, snow, water, grass, llamas, and alpacas, where the scale of the mountains makes Cusco feel very far away.

The lakes are the star attraction, but the changing colors and shapes of the terrain make the walk worthwhile between viewpoints. Some water appears blue or green depending on cloud, sunlight, and mineral content. Do not expect every lake to look identical in every kind of weather. A cloudy or rainy day can soften the colors, but it also gives the route a more remote, moody feel.

This route is often a quieter alternative to the heavily visited Humantay Lake. You may still share the trail with other groups, but several departures have found long stretches with very few people around. That quiet matters here. At this altitude, the sound of wind and the sight of alpacas grazing can be more memorable than a crowded photo stop.

The 4 am start and the road to Pacchanta

Pickup is from your hotel or accommodation around Cusco’s historic center. The stated pickup window begins around 4 to 4:30 am, but collecting a full group can take 30 to 45 minutes. If you are picked up first, you may sit in the van while the driver gathers everyone else, so keep your jacket on and expect a wait.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three to three and a half hours. This is not a polished highway ride all the way. The dirt road is reported to be rough, and the combination of bends, poor road conditions, and rising altitude can make some people feel sick before the hike even starts.

I suggest keeping water, snacks, altitude medication if you use it, and a warm layer within reach rather than buried in a bag. Do not bring a suitcase or large pack. The tour is designed for a small day pack, and a heavy bag can make the first part of the route much harder.

Breakfast is served in or near Pacchanta and takes about 30 minutes. It is a practical stop, not a long meal. You can also buy water and snacks here if you forgot them in Cusco, though you should not rely on every last-minute item being available.

Starting beneath a 6,384-meter mountain

Pacchanta is the trailhead and the place where the scale of the trip becomes clear. From here, Ausangate rises above the highlands, often capped with snow and ice. Take a few minutes to organize your day pack, adjust your clothing, and use the restroom before walking.

Morning temperatures can sit around 5 to 9°C, and the wind can make it feel colder. Bring a sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. You also need rain gear, even if the sky looks clear in Cusco. Conditions can shift quickly in the Andes, and the company does not control weather changes.

The guide will explain the route and watch for signs of altitude trouble. The supplied safety equipment includes a first-aid kit and oxygen bottle. That is useful backup, but it does not make the hike easy or remove the need to judge your own condition.

Hiking 13 kilometers through thin air

The route covers about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, with roughly 4.5 hours of walking. The ground varies from steep sections to more manageable stretches, and you gain and lose altitude as you move among the lakes. The highest listed point is 4,620 meters, or about 15,090 feet. The safety information also says you should be prepared to trek above 4,800 meters, so plan for very high elevation.

At this height, ordinary tasks feel harder. Your breathing becomes quicker, your legs tire sooner, and the cold air can sting your throat. You do not need to be an expert mountaineer, but you should be comfortable with a long mountain walk and have time in Cusco or another high place to adjust before attempting it.

The guide does not always walk beside every person at once. People move at different speeds, and the guide may move forward or backward to assist the group. That can work well if you are patient, but you should stay aware of the route and tell the guide early if you feel unwell.

Several guides have been praised for checking on people throughout the walk and waiting for slower hikers. Eduardo, Carlos, Kevin, Inti, and Waldri are among the guides specifically singled out for patience, encouragement, cultural information, and practical help. Still, your experience depends on the guide assigned that day, and no guide can turn a high-altitude trek into an easy stroll.

Wear sunglasses throughout the hike. The instructions call them mandatory, and that makes sense in a bright, exposed setting where snow, pale rock, and strong sun can strain your eyes. Hiking shoes are also important. Comfortable city sneakers are a poor choice on steep or wet ground.

The seven lakes and the photo stops

You will pass several alpine lakes on the way to the main Seven Lakes area. The exact order and appearance can shift with weather and pace, but the day is built around repeated views of water, rock, snow, and Ausangate.

The photo stop at the Seven Lakes area lasts about 30 minutes in the listed schedule. That is enough for pictures and a quick look around, but it may feel short if you want to sit quietly and take in the view. Some people have found the schedule rushed, especially when cold, wind, and altitude make movement slower.

If scenery matters more to you than speed, try to stay near the front of the group when safe. You may have more time at viewpoints before the rest of the group arrives. At the same time, do not race uphill to gain a few extra minutes. The best photo is not worth worsening altitude sickness.

The setting is also a good place to look beyond the water. Llamas and alpacas are commonly seen along the route, adding a living part of Andean life to what might otherwise be a series of scenic stops. The animals are not a staged attraction. You may see them grazing or moving across the slopes as you walk.

Should you ride a horse?

Horse riding appears in the schedule, but it is not included in the $29 price. Local horse hire is an optional extra, usually reported at around 120 to 130 soles for the route. The tour company does not manage those rentals, so ask clearly about the price, route, and arrangements before setting off.

A horse can be a sensible choice if the altitude is affecting you, if you are not used to long mountain walks, or if your energy drops sharply. One person with asthma and a cardiac problem used a horse to reach the lakes and return to Pacchanta, while another person who became sick found horse support helpful. These examples do not mean the trip is suitable for people with heart or respiratory issues. The official restrictions specifically exclude those conditions.

If you rent a horse, treat it as a practical backup rather than a guarantee. You still need warm clothes, water, sun protection, and enough stamina for a high-altitude day. You should also carry cash in soles, since the extra ride is not covered by the tour price.

Returning to Pacchanta for lunch

After the lakes, you return to Pacchanta. The return walk takes about two hours in the listed schedule, though the total walking time is described elsewhere as around 4.5 hours. Allow for the group’s pace, photo stops, horse use, and weather rather than treating every timetable figure as exact.

Lunch follows at Pacchanta and takes about 30 minutes. It is generally described as simple, filling food, with some people finding it good and plentiful and one person finding it cold and low quality. That is a fair expectation: lunch is fuel after a demanding hike, not a reason to book the trip.

Breakfast and lunch are valuable at this price because buying food in Cusco, packing it, and carrying it all day adds work. I would still bring a snack. You may not feel hungry at altitude, but a small snack can help during a long stretch between stops.

The Pacchanta hot springs

The hot springs are the day’s most welcome change of pace. After hours in cold mountain air, you can swim for about 30 minutes while looking out at the highlands. The entrance and hot springs fee is not included and costs 30 soles.

Do not expect a luxury spa. This is a local hot-spring stop attached to a demanding mountain day. The appeal is the setting and the relief of warm water, not polished facilities or a long treatment. Bring what you need for swimming, but keep your packing light because large bags are not allowed.

The soak is short in the schedule, and the group must still drive back to Cusco. Think of it as a warm reset before the return journey, not a full afternoon of rest.

The long ride back to Cusco

The van leaves Pacchanta after lunch and the hot springs. Arrival in Cusco is expected between 6 and 7 pm, though road conditions, group pickup, and the day’s pace can affect the timing.

That makes this a full day from before sunrise until evening. If you have another early tour the next morning, consider the physical cost. The trip gives you a major Andean experience in one day, but the convenience comes with a long road journey and little spare time.

Drop-off is near the center of Cusco, with listed points in the historic center and near San Bernardo 132. Confirm your exact drop-off point with the guide before leaving Pacchanta, especially if you need to meet someone or reach a hotel on foot.

What the $29 price really gets you

At $29 per person, the price is unusually low for a full-day outing that includes transport from Cusco, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, first-aid supplies, oxygen, and return transport. Even with the 30 soles entrance and hot-springs charge added, the total remains good value for someone who wants a guided day rather than arranging transport and meals independently.

The low price does not mean every comfort is included. Horse hire costs extra. Water, snacks, souvenirs, and other purchases require cash in Peruvian soles. Meals are basic, and the road can be uncomfortable.

Private groups are available if you want more control over the pace, but the supplied information does not give a private-group price. For a shared departure, the strongest value comes from the guide support and transport to a remote area that is not simple to reach on your own.

Who should book this day trip?

You should consider it if you want dramatic high Andes scenery, prefer a one-day outing, and are ready for a physically demanding walk. It suits people who have already spent time acclimatizing in Cusco and who can manage steep ground, cold, wind, and altitude.

Families with older children may enjoy it. Children aged 11 and 12 have completed the route, but that does not make it easy for every child. You need to judge your family’s fitness and response to altitude carefully.

This is not a good choice for wheelchair users or people with mobility limitations, back problems, heart problems, respiratory issues, or anyone over 120 kilograms. It is also a poor match if you want a relaxed sightseeing day with long stops and comfortable roads.

Canceling up to 24 hours ahead allows a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those policies help if your Cusco plans are still changing, but they do not solve the central question: can you handle the altitude?

What to pack for a safer, better day

Keep your day pack light and include:

• Water and small snacks
• Warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves
• Rain gear
• Hiking shoes
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable clothing
• Cash in Peruvian soles
• Personal medicine or altitude pills, if appropriate for you

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. Tell the guide promptly if you develop a headache, severe breathlessness, dizziness, or other altitude symptoms. The guide can help, but you remain responsible for deciding when to slow down or stop.

Should you book the Ausangate Seven Lakes trek?

Book it if you want big mountain views and a real physical challenge at a very low price. The combination of Ausangate, colorful lakes, alpacas, local meals, and Pacchanta’s hot springs gives you a strong taste of the high Andes in one long day.

Skip it if your schedule leaves no room for recovery, if you have not adjusted to altitude, or if you want a gentle outing. The guide support is a major plus, and horses may help, but neither changes the fact that this is a cold, high, tiring trek.

For the best chance of enjoying it, acclimatize first, pack light, carry soles, wear serious warm layers, and choose a day after checking the weather. At $29, it is excellent value for a prepared hiker who understands what the altitude demands.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Seven Lakes tour last?

It is a one-day experience. 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 total route covers approximately 13 kilometers, or about eight miles, with around 4.5 hours of hiking.

What is the highest altitude on the route?

The listed highest point is 4,620 meters above sea level. The safety information also warns that the trek may pass above 4,800 meters, so you should prepare for very high altitude.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike and takes about 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served after you return to Pacchanta. The food is described as simple and filling, though quality can vary.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Entrance fees and the hot springs cost 30 soles and must be paid separately.

Can I ride a horse during the trek?

Local horses may be available for an additional fee of about 120 to 130 soles. Horse rentals are not managed by the local tour partner, so the arrangement and payment are separate.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Spanish. Private groups can also be requested.