From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

The Andes save their best for early risers. This long day from Cusco takes you to the Ausangate Lakes, where snow-capped Apu Ausangate rises above brilliant mountain water and herds of alpacas graze nearby. I especially like the small-group guide support and the chance to finish with Pacchanta’s hot springs. The main catch is altitude: this is a hard day above 4,600 meters, not a casual sightseeing trip.

At $29 per person, the tour offers unusually good value, with hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, a guide, transport, and basic emergency equipment included. I also like that the area can feel quieter than Humantay Lake, though the early departure, rough road, cold, and long return drive make this a demanding 14-hour outing. Guides including Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, Inti, and Sebastian have been praised for watching the group closely and allowing people to move at different speeds.

Key points to know before booking

• The highest walking point reaches more than 4,600 meters, and the tour information also warns that parts of the route may exceed 4,800 meters.
• Apu Ausangate rises to 6,384 meters, creating the dramatic snowy backdrop for the lakes.
• The walk covers about 13 kilometers, usually taking around 4.5 hours over steep, high-altitude ground.
• Breakfast and lunch are included, but food quality can vary from simple and filling to cold and disappointing.
• Pacchanta hot springs are the perfect finish, but entrance and bathing fees cost 30 soles.
• Horses may be available locally, usually for about 120 to 130 soles, but the tour operator does not arrange or manage the rental.

Why the Ausangate Lakes are worth the long day

Ausangate is one of the great mountain areas near Cusco. The peak, known locally as an Apu or sacred mountain spirit, rises to 6,384 meters. You do not climb the mountain on this trip, but you spend the day looking toward its snowy ridges while walking among a series of high alpine lakes.

The appeal is not just one famous viewpoint. The route gives you changing scenery as you cross open slopes, rough paths, and high passes. The lakes can appear in different shades depending on light and weather, while alpacas and llamas often add a distinctly Andean touch.

I would choose this trip if you want big mountain scenery without committing to a multi-day trek. You get a full taste of the Ausangate region in one day, along with a hot-spring soak and two meals. The tradeoff is time. Much of the day is spent in a van, and the altitude makes every uphill section harder than the distance suggests.

The area may also feel less crowded than Humantay Lake. That quiet matters here. You have more chance to hear wind, see animals, and enjoy the open country without a constant stream of people around you. Conditions change, of course, and a busy departure can still bring other groups onto the route.

A 4 a.m. start and a rough road to Pacchanta

Pickup from accommodations around Cusco’s historic center is scheduled for roughly 4 to 4:30 a.m. The full pickup process can take 30 to 45 minutes, so you may wait in the lobby before the van arrives. If you are picked up early, expect to sit while the rest of the group is collected.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three to three and a half hours. This is not a smooth highway ride all the way. The dirt road is reported to be in poor condition, and the combination of early-morning travel, winding roads, and rising altitude can make some people feel sick before the hike even begins.

Bring medication you already use for altitude problems, or speak with a medical professional before your trip about suitable altitude precautions. The tour provides an oxygen bottle and a first aid kit, but those are safety measures, not substitutes for preparing your body.

Morning temperatures in the area can sit around 5 to 9 degrees Celsius. Pack an extra sweater, a warm jacket, hat, and gloves. You will be standing outside at high altitude, often with wind exposure, and cold hands can make photography and walking less pleasant.

At Pacchanta, you stop for breakfast for about 30 minutes. This is also the practical moment to buy water or snacks if you forgot them in Cusco. Bring cash in Peruvian soles because entrance fees, water, souvenirs, and horse rentals are not handled by card according to the tour information.

The first views of Apu Ausangate

Pacchanta is where the day begins properly. You can organize your day pack, check your clothing, and take in the first clear views of Ausangate before setting off.

The guide leads the group toward the first lake at a controlled pace. The route is steep in places, and the thin air changes how you judge effort. A short climb that might feel easy at sea level can leave you breathing hard here.

Guides are an important part of this experience. Kevin was praised for helping with photographs and sharing local culture and history. Eduardo, Carlos, Inti, Waldri, and Sebastian were also singled out for checking on people, helping slower walkers, and offering support when altitude sickness or breathing problems appeared.

The group may spread out. The guide will move between different parts of the walking line rather than staying beside every person at all times. If you are slower, tell the guide early when you need a pause. If you are faster, do not rush so far ahead that you lose contact with the group.

Walking the seven lakes at extreme altitude

The complete hike is about 13 kilometers, or eight miles, and takes around 4.5 hours according to the main description. The route includes several lakes and reaches a high point listed at 4,620 meters, while the safety information warns that you may trek above 4,800 meters. Those figures are high enough that you should treat this as a serious mountain outing.

The exact rhythm can vary. The published schedule includes several hours of hiking and horseback riding, but horses are not included in the $29 price. Local rentals may cost around 120 to 130 soles, paid directly. The operator does not organize these rentals or take responsibility for the horse transaction.

A horse can be useful if the altitude is troubling you, but do not view it as an automatic shortcut. One person with asthma and a cardiac problem used a horse for the route and still found the day difficult. If you have heart, respiratory, back, or mobility problems, this trip is listed as unsuitable, so seek medical advice before considering it.

The best approach is steady and conservative. Wear proper hiking shoes, carry water, and use sunscreen and sunglasses. Sunglasses are mandatory throughout the hike, which makes sense at high altitude where glare can be strong even on a cloudy day.

Weather can turn quickly. One person completed the walk in cloud and rain and still found it worthwhile. Bring rain gear and accept that your photographs may not match the clearest images you have seen. The provider is not responsible for weather changes, so choose your date after checking conditions carefully.

What makes the lakes special

The lakes are the main prize. You stop for photographs at the seven-lagoon area, with open views across the surrounding Andes and Ausangate’s snow-covered summit nearby.

Do not expect every lake to look identical. Their appeal comes from the succession of water, rock, grass, snow, and sky as you move through the route. The high setting gives the views a spare, powerful quality, with little development to distract from the mountains.

This is also a good place to watch for alpacas and llamas. Several people particularly enjoyed seeing them along the trail. They are not a staged attraction. They are part of daily life in this high country, and their presence gives the walk more character than a simple viewpoint stop.

You may have limited time at some viewpoints. One account found that the group sometimes took photographs and then continued before there was much time to sit and contemplate. If you want more quiet viewing, walk near the front when appropriate, follow the guide’s instructions, and use pauses wisely.

The route can feel tiring rather than technically difficult. It is not described as a technical climb, but steep sections, wind, cold, and thin air combine into a real challenge. You will get more from the day if you focus on a calm pace instead of trying to prove how fast you can walk.

Lunch, hot springs, and the ride back

After returning to Pacchanta, you sit down to lunch for about 30 minutes. Meals are generally described as basic but sufficient, with some people finding the food healthy, varied, plentiful, and good. One person found the meal cold, bland, and low quality, so keep your expectations practical rather than culinary.

Breakfast and lunch are valuable because food options are limited once you leave Cusco. Still, pack a snack for the trail. A sandwich, fruit, chocolate, or energy bar can help when you are cold and tired. Water is also your responsibility.

The final treat is Pacchanta’s hot springs. For 30 soles, you can soak in warm water while looking toward the highlands. After a cold, strenuous walk, this is more than a novelty. It gives your legs a chance to relax before the long van ride.

Entrance to the lakes area and the hot springs is not included in the advertised price, and the information lists a 30-sol charge. Bring soles in cash. The bathing stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes, so it is a short recovery session rather than a full afternoon at the pools.

The van returns to Cusco between 6 and 7 p.m. Drop-off is available near the historic center, including San Bernardo 132. You will likely be tired by then, so avoid scheduling an important evening activity or an early departure the next morning.

Is $29 a good value?

Yes, provided you understand what is and is not included. For $29, you receive hotel pickup, round-trip transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, an oxygen bottle, and drop-off near central Cusco. Even with the long drive, that is a strong package for a full day in a remote mountain area.

Your extra spending begins with the 30 soles for entrance and hot springs. Add water and snacks, plus 120 to 130 soles if you choose a horse. Tips and souvenirs are also cash expenses.

The low price may help explain why the day follows a shared schedule and why time at viewpoints can feel limited. A private group is available if you want a more tailored pace, though the information does not provide a separate private price.

The most important value question is fitness, not money. If you are well acclimatized and keen on high mountain scenery, the trip offers a lot. If altitude has already caused you trouble in Cusco, the same $29 can buy a very uncomfortable day.

Who should book this Ausangate day trip?

I would recommend it to people who want:

• A full-day mountain outing from Cusco
• Snowy peaks and several high-altitude lakes
• A quieter alternative to more heavily visited day hikes
• A guided route with basic meals and emergency equipment
• The option to use a local horse if walking becomes too hard
• A hot-spring stop after a strenuous walk

I would not choose it for anyone with serious heart, respiratory, back, or mobility problems. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 120 kilograms, according to the stated restrictions.

Families with older children may manage it. Two children aged 11 and 12 reportedly enjoyed the route, especially the alpacas, but that does not make the altitude easy for every child. You should judge your family’s fitness and recent acclimatization carefully.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking give you some flexibility. Still, your bigger decision is the weather and your health on the chosen date.

Final verdict: beautiful, demanding, and worth preparing for

Book this tour if you want a powerful Andes experience at a modest price and you are ready for a very early start, a rough drive, cold conditions, and a long walk above 4,600 meters.

The strongest parts are the views of Ausangate, the changing lakes, the alpacas, attentive guides, and the hot springs at the end. The weak points are the road, variable food quality, extra cash costs, and the possibility that the schedule feels rushed.

My practical advice is simple: acclimatize in Cusco first, pack light, bring warm layers and rain gear, carry soles, and do not underestimate the altitude. If your body is ready, the Ausangate Lakes can be one of the most memorable day trips in the region.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate Lakes tour take?

The activity lasts one 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 hike?

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

How high does the trek go?

The highest point is listed at 4,620 meters above sea level, and the safety information warns that parts of the route may exceed 4,800 meters.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from accommodations is included, with collection around Cusco’s Centro Histórico. You should wait in the hotel lobby.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta before the hike, and lunch is provided after you return from the lakes.

Are the entrance fee and hot springs included?

No. Entrance fees and the hot springs cost 30 soles. Bring Peruvian cash for these and other extra expenses.

Can I ride a horse during the trek?

Local horses may be available for rent, usually for about 120 to 130 soles. Horse rentals are not included, and the tour operator does not manage the rental process.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Spanish.

Who should avoid this tour?

The experience is not suitable for people with back, heart, mobility, or respiratory problems, wheelchair users, or people over 120 kilograms.