From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

Ausangate’s seven high Andean lakes are the main event here, but the real challenge is reaching them. You leave Cusco in the dark, climb into thin air above 4,000 meters, and spend much of the day walking beneath the snow-covered Apu Ausangate. The views are enormous, quiet, and often far less crowded than Laguna Humantay.

I like two things especially: the excellent value at $29, with transport, breakfast, lunch, a guide, and safety equipment included, and the hot springs at Pacchanta, which give tired legs a proper reward. The drawback is clear: this is a long, cold, high-altitude day, and the rough road and early start can be as tiring as the hike.

Key points to know before you book

• The altitude is the real test: The route reaches about 4,620 meters, with warnings that parts may exceed 4,800 meters.
• You get a full mountain day: Expect roughly 13 kilometers of hiking and about 4.5 hours on foot, not a gentle sightseeing stroll.
• The views are the payoff: Snow-capped Ausangate, several vivid alpine lakes, wide Andean views, and plenty of alpacas make this a memorable route.
• The hot springs are included in the plan, but not the fee: Bring 30 Peruvian soles for entrance and swimming.
• Horses can help, but cost extra: Past participants paid about 120 to 130 soles, and the local horse rentals are separate from the tour operator.
• Guides make a real difference: Guides named Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, Sebastian, and others have been praised for checking on slower walkers and helping with altitude problems.

Why Ausangate feels different from other Cusco day hikes

Cusco has no shortage of famous mountain day trips. Ausangate feels more remote and more demanding than many of them. You are not simply walking to one viewpoint, taking a picture, and returning. The route moves through a broad highland setting, with lake after lake appearing among bare slopes, grazing alpacas, and the huge snowy bulk of Ausangate.

The scenery changes as your altitude changes. Some parts are open and gentle, while other sections are steep or exposed to cold wind. The highest point is listed at 4,620 meters, but the safety notes warn you to prepare for trekking above 4,800 meters. That difference matters less than the main point: this is extremely high country.

I would not choose this trip as your first serious activity immediately after landing in Peru. You need to be comfortable walking for several hours, and you need to take altitude symptoms seriously. Still, the route can work for a range of fitness levels if you move slowly and use the available support.

The 4 a.m. pickup and the long road to Pacchanta

Pickup from hotels around Cusco’s historic center begins around 4 to 4:30 a.m. The actual collection can take 30 to 45 minutes, so do not be surprised if you wait in the lobby after being picked up. One practical complaint has been confusion around the exact pickup time, so keep your phone available and confirm the meeting details in advance.

The drive takes about three to three and a half hours. It is a long stretch in a van, and the rough dirt road can make the ride uncomfortable. The road itself may contribute to nausea or altitude sickness, so bring any personal medication you normally use. Altitude pills are worth discussing with a medical professional before your trip.

The morning can be cold, with temperatures around 5 to 9 degrees Celsius. Pack an extra sweater, a warm jacket, hat, and gloves even if Cusco feels mild when you leave. You will also want water, snacks, rain gear, sunglasses, hiking shoes, and comfortable clothes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so use a small day pack.

Breakfast comes in Pacchanta. It is a useful stop, not just a meal. You can buy water or snacks here if you forgot them in Cusco, and you have a chance to organize your pack before walking. The food is generally simple and filling, though one assessment found the included food cold and disappointing. Set your expectations at basic mountain-tour fare rather than a restaurant meal.

Pacchanta and the first view of Apu Ausangate

Pacchanta is the starting point for the hike and the home of the hot springs used later in the day. From here, you get your first clear views of Apu Ausangate, a sacred mountain rising to 6,384 meters. In Andean culture, an apu is a powerful mountain spirit, so this is more than a scenic backdrop.

Your guide will explain the route and help the group get ready. The group walks at different speeds, and the guide may move between the front and back to assist people. That can feel less personal if you want a guide beside you every minute, but it is sensible on a route where people naturally spread out.

Guides have been a major strength of this outing. Kevin was praised for helping with pictures and sharing cultural background. Carlos was described as patient with slower walkers, while Eduardo was repeatedly noted for checking on everyone. Sebastian also allowed people to set their own pace. These details matter here because a supportive guide can help you make good decisions when the altitude starts to bite.

The seven lakes route at high altitude

The hike covers about 13 kilometers, or roughly eight miles, with around four and a half hours of walking. Another timing breakdown describes about three hours out, a photo stop, and two hours back. The route is not a single steep climb all day, but it does include demanding sections and changing altitude.

You will pass several lakes, each framed by wide Andean slopes and snow-covered peaks. The appeal is not only the color of the water. It is the scale of the setting. With little development around you, the lakes can feel remarkably quiet, especially on a clear day with a small group nearby.

The exact appearance depends heavily on weather. Cloud, rain, wind, and bright sun can all occur. One person completed the walk in cloudy, rainy conditions and still found it worthwhile, while another felt rushed and wished for more time to study the views. That is useful advice: the schedule gives you photo stops, but this is still a group trip with a return lunch and drive ahead.

If you want more time for quiet viewing, try to stay near the front of the walking group. Moving too far behind may mean catching up later, while staying ahead can give you a little more time at viewpoints before the group gathers. Do not race. At this altitude, steady breathing and a measured pace are more useful than speed.

The route also gives you a good chance of seeing llamas and alpacas in the highlands. They are part of the place, not a staged attraction, and they add life to an otherwise stark mountain setting. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from rain and cold.

Horses, altitude, and the limits of the tour

Horse riding appears in the schedule, but do not assume it is included in the $29 price. Horses are an optional local rental, with reported costs around 120 to 130 soles for the route. The local horse provider is separate from the tour company, so the tour operator does not manage the rental process.

A horse can be a sensible backup if the altitude overwhelms you or if you are not used to long mountain walks. One person with asthma and a cardiac problem used a horse to reach the lakes and return to Pacchanta. Another person who felt sick from the altitude appreciated having horses available.

This does not make the trip easy for everyone. Even with a horse, the cold, altitude, and rough route can be hard. If you have heart, respiratory, mobility, or serious back problems, this tour is specifically not considered suitable. It is also not designed for wheelchair users or people over 120 kilograms.

Use the horse option as a safety choice, not as a reason to book a hike you already know is beyond your health limits. Bring cash in Peruvian soles, since extra expenses such as horses, drinks, souvenirs, and entrance fees are paid locally.

Lunch in Pacchanta and the hot springs finish

After the walk, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. The meal is simple, but most reports describe it as sufficient, plentiful, or good enough to refuel after the trek. A few people praised the food, while one found it cold and low quality, so I would treat lunch as practical fuel rather than a culinary highlight.

The best part of the finish is the Pacchanta hot springs. After hours of cold air and high-altitude walking, soaking in warm water while looking toward the surrounding highlands is exactly the kind of ending this day needs. You get about 30 minutes for swimming, which is enough to relax but not a long spa session.

The hot springs entrance is not included in the advertised price. Set aside 30 soles in cash. Bring swimwear and a small towel if you have room, although the provided information does not confirm towel rental or availability. Keep your belongings compact because large bags are not permitted.

After the springs, you drive back toward Cusco. Arrival is usually between 6 and 7 p.m., making this a very full day. You may have little energy left for dinner or evening plans, so avoid scheduling anything important afterward.

What the $29 price really gives you

At $29 per person, this is strong value for a long day in a remote part of the Cusco Region. You receive hotel pickup, transport, a professional English- or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, an oxygen bottle, and drop-off near central Cusco.

The price does not cover the 30 soles entrance and hot springs fee. It also does not cover water, snacks, souvenirs, tips, or horse rental. Once you add those costs, the day is not completely all-inclusive, but the base price remains unusually low for the distance, meals, and guiding involved.

The low price also helps explain the practical compromises. You share a van, wait for other pickups, follow a group schedule, and eat basic food in a remote area. If you want private timing, a better meal, or a slower photography-focused day, ask about a private group or choose a more tailored trek.

The experience has a rating of 4.8 from 360 reviews, with especially strong praise for the guides, mountain views, and sense of accomplishment. The main negative points are consistent too: altitude, cold, rough transport, occasional rushed stops, and uneven food quality.

How to prepare for the altitude

Altitude is not a small footnote on this trip. The route begins high and climbs higher, and the drive itself can make some people feel unwell. You should already be comfortable at altitude in Cusco before choosing this outing.

Eat breakfast, drink water, and carry snacks even though meals are provided. Move slowly, tell the guide if you feel unwell, and do not treat headache, dizziness, nausea, unusual breathlessness, or weakness as something to ignore. The guide carries an oxygen bottle and a first aid kit, but those are backup measures, not a substitute for preparation.

Sunglasses are required throughout the hike. The high-altitude light can be harsh, and the open route offers little shelter. Rain gear matters too, since conditions can change quickly and the tour company cannot control the weather.

Good shoes are more important than fashionable clothes. Wear hiking shoes with reliable grip, and bring layers you can add or remove. Morning cold, wind, sun, and rain can all be part of one day.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

You should consider it if you want dramatic mountain scenery, prefer a full active day to a short viewpoint visit, and are willing to accept a very early start. It suits hikers who can walk 13 kilometers and who understand that altitude, not just fitness, will shape the experience.

It is also a good choice if Laguna Humantay feels too crowded or if you want a different highland setting. The route is still popular, but several outings have had quiet stretches with few other groups around.

Families with older children may manage it. One family completed the walk with children aged 11 and 12, who especially enjoyed seeing the alpacas. That said, every child responds differently to altitude, so do not use that example as a guarantee.

You should skip it if you need a gentle sightseeing day, dislike long van rides, have significant heart or respiratory concerns, or cannot walk at high altitude. The optional horse can help, but it does not remove the physical demands of the setting.

Final verdict: is it worth your day?

I would book this tour if your priority is scenery and value. The combination of Ausangate, several alpine lakes, a local lunch, and Pacchanta’s hot springs gives you a lot for $29, even after adding the 30 soles entrance fee.

I would not book it simply because the price is low. You must be ready for a 4 a.m. pickup, a rough three-hour drive, cold weather, and a serious hike above 4,000 meters. Go prepared, carry cash, leave large luggage behind, and keep the next evening free.

For the best chance of enjoying it, allow time to acclimatize in Cusco, pack warm layers, walk at a controlled pace, and speak up early if the altitude troubles you. With those precautions, this is one of the strongest low-cost ways to see the high Andes around Cusco.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate lakes tour last?

It is a full-day trip. Pickup begins around 4 to 4:30 a.m., and arrival back in Cusco is expected between 6 and 7 p.m.

How far is the hike?

The total hike covers approximately 13 kilometers, or about eight miles. Walking time is around four and a half hours, depending on the group’s pace and conditions.

How high does the trek go?

The highest listed point is about 4,620 meters above sea level. The safety information also warns that you may trek above 4,800 meters, so you should take the altitude seriously.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is provided after returning from the lakes. The meals are described as simple and sufficient, though food quality can vary.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

The hot springs visit is part of the day, but the entrance fee is not included. You need 30 Peruvian soles for entrance and swimming.

Can I rent a horse?

Yes, horses may be available locally if you need help with the route. Horse rental is extra, generally reported at about 120 to 130 soles, and the local horse provider is separate from the tour company.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour offers live guides in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring water, snacks, rain gear, hiking shoes, sunglasses, and comfortable clothing. You should also pack an extra warm sweater, jacket, hat, and gloves. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.