Horseback Riding at 7 lakes Ausangate Private |Optional Hike

The star of this long Cusco day is the seven-lake route beneath Ausangate Mountain, where turquoise, green, and other changing shades appear across the high Andes. You start in Pacchanta at about 4,100 meters, meet local families over breakfast, then make your way through open mountain scenery filled with alpacas and traditional dress.

I like two things right away: the private format gives you a more personal day with a bilingual guide, and the food is part of the experience rather than an afterthought. Guides including Julio and Alexander have been praised for explaining the local flora, fauna, and importance of the Ausangate glacier. The catch is the altitude, early start, and roughly five hours of walking, even with the horseback riding option available.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lakes in one high-Andes route: Expect colorful lagoons, broad mountain views, and Ausangate in the distance.
• Horseback riding is optional: Choose the horse option if you want less time on foot, but confirm how the riding portion fits your plan.
• Breakfast and lunch with local families: Meals use Andean ingredients and add a genuine community connection.
• Pacchanta hot springs finish the day: The thermal waters cost 10 soles and are not included in the tour price.
• Private transportation from Cusco: The drive takes about three hours each way, making this a very full day.
• High altitude matters: Pacchanta sits at about 4,100 meters, so this is not a casual outing for anyone affected by altitude.

Why the seven Ausangate lakes are worth the effort

This route is appealing because it gives you several kinds of scenery in one day. You are not simply walking to one viewpoint, taking a picture, and turning around. The path leads through the Andes toward a series of lagoons, each surrounded by open high-country vegetation and backed by the broad presence of Ausangate Mountain.

The colors are the main draw. The lakes can appear turquoise, emerald green, and other shifting shades depending on the light and conditions. The route also gives you views of the Ausangate glacier, an important feature that guides explain as part of the area’s natural setting.

You should keep expectations sensible. This is not a gentle lakeside stroll. The starting altitude is about 4,100 meters, and the full walk is roughly 10 kilometers over about five hours. Even fit hikers can feel the thin air. If you have respiratory problems or a history of altitude sickness, this tour is specifically not suitable for you.

The scenery also has a human side. Alpacas appear along the route, and you may see people in traditional Andean clothing. That makes the day feel connected to the communities around Ausangate rather than being only a viewpoint visit.

The 4:00 to 6:00 a.m. pickup from Cusco

Your day begins early, with hotel pickup in Cusco scheduled between about 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. The exact start time depends on availability, but you should plan for a pre-dawn departure and have your daypack ready the night before.

The drive to the Ausangate area takes around three hours. Private transportation is included, which matters here because the day is already long and a private group lets you avoid the fixed pace of a large coach tour.

This early drive is useful in one practical way: you reach Pacchanta with enough time for breakfast and the mountain route. It is less appealing if you dislike long road days. The tour lasts 12 to 15 hours in total, so you will not have much free time in Cusco afterward.

Bring water, warm clothing, gloves, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. You will face cold highland air early in the morning, then stronger sun once the day develops. A camera is worth packing, but protect it from rain and keep your hands free for the walk.

Breakfast in Pacchanta at 4,100 meters

Pacchanta is the starting village, located near Ausangate Mountain at about 4,100 meters. Around 7:30 a.m., local people invite you into their homes for a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients.

I consider this one of the best parts of the day. A meal in a local home gives you a direct connection with the community, and it is more memorable than eating a packaged snack beside a van. It also gives you a chance to meet local people and learn about their culture before heading into the mountains.

Breakfast is not just pleasant. At this altitude, you need fuel before walking. Eat well, drink water, and use the meal as a chance to settle your breathing. If you arrive from Cusco without much time at altitude, the first morning can feel demanding.

Food has received especially strong praise from the group, with Alexander singled out for a day that included excellent breakfast and lunch. Michaela also described the meals and the explanation of local plants, animals, and the Ausangate glacier as important parts of the experience.

Reaching the first lagoon after 1.5 hours

The first lagoon is about 5 to 6 kilometers away and takes around 1.5 hours to reach. That distance may sound modest, but the altitude changes how you experience it. You will likely walk at a slower pace than you would on a trail near sea level.

The first lake gives you an early reward, with the mountains and highland vegetation setting the tone for the rest of the route. This is a good place for photos, but do not rush through it. The point of this outing is the sequence of lakes and the changing views, not just collecting a single picture.

Your guide can also help make sense of the surroundings. Julio was praised for leading a private Ausangate trek, while Alexander was praised for his care with the food and scenery. Michaela specifically valued explanations about flora, fauna, and the glacier. Those details give the route more meaning than a silent walk between photo stops.

At this stage, pay attention to how your body feels. If you are struggling badly, tell your guide. The remaining route continues for several hours, and pushing too hard at the first lake can make the rest of the day unpleasant.

Five more hours among the high Andes

After the first lagoon, you continue to other lakes set among the Andes. The total walking portion is described as about 10 kilometers and five hours, with mountain views and vegetation around the lagoons.

The appeal is variety. One lake may appear greener, another more blue or turquoise, and the open setting lets you see the wide mountain country around them. The route also offers repeated views toward Ausangate, so the scenery changes as you move rather than staying fixed at one overlook.

This is where the optional horseback riding can matter. A horse is included if you select that option, and choosing it may help if you want to reduce the amount of walking. Still, the available details do not specify exactly how many kilometers you ride, which sections are on horseback, or how long the horses are available. If that choice is central to your decision, ask the provider for the riding plan before you pay.

The horseback option does not erase the altitude issue. You still begin high, spend hours outside, and need warm layers, water, and sun protection. Think of it as a way to change the physical demands of the route, not as a guaranteed easy ride.

The route takes place rain or shine. That makes waterproof protection important, even if the forecast looks friendly. Weather in the mountains can change, and the tour does not simply stop because conditions are less than perfect.

Meeting people, alpacas, and Andean traditions

The human details help set this outing apart from a standard scenic drive. Around the route, you may see alpacas and local people wearing traditional clothing. The combination of animals, community life, and high mountain scenery gives you a stronger sense of place.

You also have the chance to interact with local families during breakfast. The experience is not built around a long formal cultural presentation. Instead, it comes through small moments: sharing food, seeing how local hospitality fits into the day, and learning from your guide about the area.

A bilingual English and Spanish guide leads the private group. That is useful if you want to ask questions about the lakes, glacier, plants, animals, or local customs. Private touring also lets you raise concerns about pace, photo stops, or the altitude more easily than you might in a large group.

This is a good match for someone who wants scenery with some human contact. If you only want the fastest possible route to colorful lakes, the breakfast and local interaction add time. I think that extra time is worthwhile, but it is part of the price in hours as well as money.

Lunch, hot springs, and the ride back to Cusco

After the mountain route, you return to Ausangate and stop for lunch. Like breakfast, lunch is part of the appeal because it is tied to the local setting rather than being treated as a minor break.

Then comes the relaxing finish: Pacchanta’s thermal waters. The hot spring costs 10 soles and is not included in the $139 tour price, so carry cash. After a high-altitude walk, soaking in warm water is a smart way to end the active portion of the day.

The thermal bath is also a useful reason to choose this tour over a route that ends immediately after the lakes. You get a clear transition from exertion to rest before the long drive home.

The return to Cusco takes about three hours by van. With pickup, breakfast, five hours of mountain activity, lunch, hot springs, and the drive back, your total day reaches 12 to 15 hours. Do not schedule a demanding evening activity or a tight connection afterward.

Dinner is not included. Since you will be returning late after a very long day, plan to arrange your evening meal in Cusco yourself.

Is $139 a good value?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see highland scenery near Cusco. The value comes from what is bundled together: hotel pickup, private transportation, a bilingual guide, entrance fees, a first-aid kit, breakfast, lunch, and the option to include a horse.

A private group is important here. The day includes a long drive and a demanding walk, so having your own transport and guide can make the experience less tiring and more flexible. You are also paying for access to a local breakfast and a thermal-spring finish, not simply transport to a trailhead.

The price makes more sense if you value comfort and a personal guide. It may feel high if your main goal is only to photograph the lakes or if you are happy joining a large group. The hot spring fee is small, but remember to add it to your budget, along with dinner and any personal snacks.

The strongest value is for people who want a full day built around Ausangate rather than a quick scenic stop. You get nature, local food, cultural contact, a private vehicle, and a choice between walking and horseback riding.

Who should choose this Ausangate day?

I would suggest this experience to active adults who have prepared for high altitude and want a private outing with both scenery and local connection. It also suits friends who prefer setting their own pace and couples or small groups who do not want to spend the day with strangers.

The tour is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, anyone with altitude sickness, or people over 75. Those limits are practical, not minor fine print. The altitude and five-hour walk can be serious challenges.

You should also think about your recent time in the Cusco area. The tour data does not promise acclimatization support, so you need to judge your own readiness. If you already know that altitude affects you, this is a poor place to test your limits.

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing, and bring gloves even if Cusco feels mild. Add sunscreen, water, a camera, cash, your passport, and a daypack. The tour runs in all weather, so a rain layer is sensible even though it is not specifically listed among the required items.

Should you book the seven lakes horseback tour?

Book it if you want a demanding but varied Andes day with seven colorful lagoons, Ausangate views, local meals, and Pacchanta hot springs. The private format, guides such as Julio and Alexander, and strong praise for the food make it more appealing than a bare-bones transport-and-hike package.

Choose the horseback option if reducing walking matters to you, but confirm the exact riding arrangements first. If you are comfortable hiking at 4,100 meters, the standard walking route may give you the fullest connection with the scenery.

Skip it if you dislike pre-dawn departures, long van rides, unpredictable weather, or high-altitude exertion. For the right person, though, the combination of lakes, alpacas, local hospitality, and hot springs makes the $139 a fair price for a very full day near Ausangate.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven-lake experience last?

The full experience lasts about 12 to 15 hours, including pickup in Cusco, the drive to Pacchanta, the mountain route, meals, hot springs, and the return drive.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is scheduled between about 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco.

How long is the drive from Cusco?

The van ride takes about three hours each way, for roughly six hours of transportation during the day.

How much walking is involved?

The mountain portion is approximately 10 kilometers and takes about five hours. The first lagoon is around 5 to 6 kilometers away and takes about 1.5 hours to reach.

Is horseback riding included?

A horse is included if you choose the horseback riding option. The provided details do not state the exact riding distance or schedule.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. The Pacchanta hot spring costs 10 soles and must be paid separately.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with a live bilingual guide in English and Spanish.