From Cusco: 7 Lakes of Ausangate Full Day Tour

The seven turquoise-green lakes of Ausangate are the main event here, but the setting matters just as much. You walk through the Vilcanota range among snowy peaks, llamas, alpacas, native communities, and wide-open mountain country far from Cusco’s traffic.

I like two things in particular: meals are included, which saves you from managing food on a long day, and the trip ends with time at Pacchanta’s hot springs. Guides such as Anibal and Ruben have also earned praise for their friendly manner, useful explanations, and patience with altitude breaks.

The drawback is clear: this is a strenuous, high-altitude hike, not a gentle sightseeing outing. Sudden Andean weather, the five-hour walk, and the option of paying for a horse when the trail feels too much all deserve serious thought before you book.

Key points at a glance

• Seven lakes in one mountain circuit: Spend about five hours walking through the Ausangate area and viewing lakes in shades of turquoise and green.
• A real high-altitude day: The scenery is superb, but the hike can feel tough, especially if you have not adjusted to Cusco’s altitude.
• Warm guides make a difference: Anibal and Ruben are named in the feedback, with Anibal noted for humor, preparation, encouragement, and photography.
• Breakfast, lunch, poles, and transport included: The package covers several practical details that matter on a long day away from town.
• Pacchanta hot springs at the end: A welcome change of pace after the mountain walk.
• Small-group or private options: You can choose a more personal format, depending on availability.

Why the Ausangate lakes feel different from Cusco’s usual day trips

Cusco offers plenty of famous day outings, but the Ausangate region gives you something quieter and more physical. This is not a quick viewpoint stop followed by a bus ride. You spend much of the day on foot, crossing high Andean terrain and watching the colors of the lakes change with the light and weather.

The lakes are the visual reward. Their turquoise-green tones contrast with dark earth, rocky slopes, grass, and snow-covered peaks. The exact appearance can vary with cloud, sun, and season, so you should expect a natural setting rather than a carefully staged viewpoint.

I also like the human side of this outing. The route takes you through the home region of Andean communities, where you may meet local people and see colorful textiles, ornaments, llamas, and alpacas. That contact gives the day more meaning than simply collecting photographs from a van window.

The area is described as being free from busy roads and heavy crowds. That does not mean you will have the mountains entirely to yourself, but it does suggest a more remote feeling than the best-known Cusco attractions.

The early journey to Pacchanta

The day begins with pickup in Cusco’s Centro Histórico. You wait at your hotel front desk at the arranged time, then travel by round-trip transport toward Pacchanta, the mountain settlement used as the base for the day.

The schedule lists two possible pickup locations in central Cusco and two possible drop-off points later, including Centro Histórico and Plazoleta Regocijo. This is useful if your hotel is in the historic center, but you should confirm the exact meeting point and departure time when booking because the available starting times can change.

Pacchanta is more than a stopping point. It is the place for breakfast, the starting area for the seven-lake walk, lunch after the hike, and the hot springs portion of the day. In practical terms, the whole outing is organized around this mountain community.

The long transfer is part of the cost and convenience of the experience. You do not need to arrange separate transport to a remote trailhead, and the guide accompanies you through the day. Still, a full-day mountain trip from Cusco means you should expect a long schedule from pickup to drop-off.

Breakfast before the five-hour walk

The morning breakfast at Pacchanta lasts about an hour. That gives you time to eat before walking, rather than trying to manage a packed meal while climbing or crossing rough ground.

Food is a real plus here. Breakfast and lunch are included, so you can focus on the hike instead of finding food in a remote area. The provided information does not specify the exact menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish or special dietary arrangement unless you confirm it ahead of time.

Use breakfast as a chance to check your clothing, water, rain gear, and footwear. The Andes can change quickly, and the day combines a cold mountain walk with time in hot springs later. Layers are more useful than one heavy coat.

The guide supplies hiking poles and carries a first aid kit. Poles can help with balance and reduce strain on a long, uneven route, though they do not make the altitude disappear. You still need to pace yourself from the first hour.

Five hours among the seven Ausangate lakes

The main walk takes about five hours. It leads through part of the Vilcanota mountain range and past the seven lakes associated with Ausangate, one of the region’s great snowy peaks.

This is where the trip earns its place on a Cusco itinerary. You get wide views of the Andes, natural habitat for llamas and alpacas, and changing mountain scenery instead of a single photo stop. The walk gives you time to notice the scale of the area, with snowy summits and open ground stretching beyond the lakes.

Do not underestimate the route. One person who enjoyed the trip still described it as quite strenuous and noted that paying for a horse can be worth considering if the altitude becomes overwhelming. That is useful advice, even though horse availability and cost are not specified here.

The guide’s role matters a great deal. Anibal has been praised for being friendly, humorous, prepared, and encouraging, while also taking good photographs. Ruben has also been singled out for being a very good guide and for giving breaks when altitude became difficult. Those details tell you what to look for: someone who watches your pace and treats the mountain conditions seriously.

You should not measure success by walking fast. A steady pace, regular breaks, and honest communication with your guide will make the day more manageable. If you feel unwell, say so early. The scenery is not worth pushing past a serious health warning.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people over 65, according to the stated restrictions. Those rules may feel broad, but they reflect the demands of the altitude and the length of the walk. If you have a medical concern that is not listed, check with a medical professional before booking.

Meeting Andean communities along the route

One of the strongest reasons to choose this outing is the chance to see the mountains as lived-in country, not just a scenic backdrop. The route passes through areas connected with native communities, and you may meet local people on their own land.

You can expect to see colorful textiles and ornaments, along with llamas and alpacas in their natural surroundings. These details help connect the scenery to daily life in the Andes. The experience is still a tour, of course, but it offers more human contact than a trip focused only on viewpoints.

Approach these encounters with care. Ask before photographing people, clothing, animals, or market items, and follow your guide’s lead. A friendly greeting and respectful curiosity go a long way.

The inclusion of local communities also makes the day feel less packaged. You are not simply being driven to a famous site, taking a few pictures, and leaving. The walk places you within a broader mountain setting where herding, textiles, and community life remain visible.

Lunch in Pacchanta, then a soak in the hot springs

After roughly five hours on the trail, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. The one-hour meal gives you a chance to sit down, warm up, and replace some energy before the final part of the day.

Lunch is included, which improves the value of the $130 price. Remote transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, hiking poles, and a first aid kit are all bundled together. You still need to pay the entrance fee for the seven lakes, and the amount is not provided, so include that extra cost in your budget.

The hot springs at Pacchanta are the day’s gentler ending. After a high-altitude walk, soaking in warm water can feel like a fitting reward. The springs also give you a different view of the region, one based on rest rather than exertion.

The provided details do not confirm whether hot spring admission is included, so ask before you go. They also do not list towels, swimsuits, or changing facilities. Bring rain gear for the hike and confirm what you need for the springs, rather than assuming the tour supplies it.

What the $130 price really covers

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see mountain scenery near Cusco. It becomes easier to justify when you count the transport to and from the remote area, a live English or Spanish-speaking guide, two meals, hiking poles, and a first aid kit.

You are also paying for coordination. The operator handles the route, transport, meals, and timing, which is valuable on a one-day trip far from Cusco. A private or small-group format can add comfort and allow the guide to respond more closely to your pace, though the exact group size and private supplement are not stated.

The price does not cover the entrance fee to the seven lakes. That omission is small compared with the main cost, but it is still important. Ask for the current fee and confirm whether the hot springs have a separate admission charge.

I see the best value for people who want a full Andean day and would otherwise need to organize several pieces themselves. If you are mainly looking for a short, easy outing, the cost may feel less attractive because much of the experience is built around a demanding hike.

Weather, clothing, and altitude

Rain gear is essential. The weather can change suddenly in the Andes, and a clear start does not guarantee a dry afternoon. Pack a waterproof layer even if the forecast looks kind.

Wear proper hiking shoes. The route is long enough that soft casual footwear could make the day less comfortable, and the poles are intended to help with a genuine mountain walk, not a paved path.

You should also plan for cold conditions, sun, wind, and altitude in the same day. The supplied advice specifically warns that weather can change quickly, while the strongest praise for the experience also comes with repeated reminders about high altitude.

Give yourself a realistic chance to enjoy it. If you are already in Cusco, use your time there to understand how your body handles the elevation before scheduling this outing. The tour provider does not promise an easy route, and no guide can remove the physical demands of the mountains.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip if you want dramatic Andean scenery, a long walk, and a chance to meet people connected with mountain communities. It suits an active visitor who sees the hike as the heart of the day, not as an obstacle between photo stops.

It is also a strong choice if you prefer a smaller or private format. A guide who can give you breaks, explain the area, and help with photographs can make a major difference on a difficult route. Anibal and Ruben are two names associated with that kind of supportive guiding.

I would be cautious if you dislike changing weather, high altitude, or long periods of walking. The itinerary includes five hours on foot, and the option of a horse may involve an extra payment. That backup is useful, but it should not be your main plan unless you confirm the details.

The stated restrictions rule out the tour for pregnant women, people with heart problems, and people over 65. If any of those apply, choose a lower-demand activity instead.

Booking details that matter

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps when your Cusco schedule or mountain weather plans are still moving.

Pickup is included, with hotel-front-desk pickup at the assigned time. The languages offered are English and Spanish. Private and small-group options are available, but you should check which format, guide, pickup time, and starting point apply to your booking.

The experience is operated by Andina Expeditions. The overall rating is five out of five from 14 ratings, and the most consistent praise centers on the scenery and the guides. The strongest practical message is simple: prepare for the altitude, and you are more likely to enjoy the views, meals, local contact, and hot springs.

Should you book the 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour?

Book it if you want one demanding, memorable day in the high Andes and you value a guide, included meals, organized transport, and a route that combines scenery with local life. The turquoise-green lakes, snowy peaks, llamas, alpacas, and Pacchanta hot springs make for a varied day rather than a single attraction.

Skip it if you need an easy excursion or if altitude and heart concerns make a five-hour walk unsafe. Before paying, confirm the lake entrance fee, hot spring admission, exact pickup time, and what happens if you need a horse. With those details clear, the $130 cost is reasonable for an ambitious full-day mountain experience.

FAQ

How long does the 7 Lakes of Ausangate tour last?

The experience lasts one full day. The walking portion takes about five hours, with about one hour for breakfast and one hour for lunch.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from Cusco’s Centro Histórico. You should wait at your hotel front desk at the provided time.

What languages does the guide speak?

Live guides are available in English and Spanish.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included in the tour.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transport from Cusco is included, with drop-off options including Centro Histórico and Plazoleta Regocijo.

Are entrance fees included?

No. The entrance fee for the seven lakes of Ausangate is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes and rain gear. Weather can change suddenly in the Andes.