Full Day Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike from Cusco

Seven lakes, one very long day. The Full Day Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike packs striking glacial water, snow-covered peaks, alpacas, and high-Andean scenery into a single trip from Cusco. I like the chance to visit a quieter alternative to Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Mountain, and I like that breakfast, lunch, a guide, and Cusco pickup are included for $49. The main catch is the long road journey and the demanding altitude.

I also like the small-group promise, with a maximum of 12 people, because a hike at nearly 15,000 feet is better when the guide can keep an eye on everyone. Still, you should confirm the pickup point, group size, language service, and hot-spring stop before setting out. Some departures have had larger groups, cramped vans, delayed pickups, or limited English guidance.

Key points to know before booking

• The seven lakes sit at serious altitude: The hike is about 7.5 kilometers and takes roughly five hours, with high elevation making it much harder than the distance suggests.
• The drive takes most of the day: Expect about three hours each way, with the return sometimes stretching to four hours because of traffic.
• The views are the main reward: Azulqocha, Orqo Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha appear beneath Ausangate and other major peaks.
• Meals are included: Breakfast in Pacchanta and a local lunch help make the $49 price unusually strong for a full-day outing.
• Hot springs are part of the plan, but not guaranteed in practice: The listed fee is PEN 5, and some departures have had too little time or skipped the stop.
• Horses may be useful, not just decorative: If altitude hits hard, a horse can make the difference between continuing and turning back, but the extra cost is not included.

Why the Ausangate lakes make a strong day trip

Ausangate is one of the most impressive high-mountain areas accessible from Cusco in a single day. Instead of one famous viewpoint and a crowd gathered around it, this route links seven lakes in a broad circuit. The water changes color with the light and mineral content, while the surrounding peaks give the hike a grand scale.

The names are worth keeping handy: Azulqocha, Orqo Otorongo, China Otorongo, Puqacocha, Alqacocha, Qomercocha, and Patacocha. You do not need to memorize them, but knowing that this is a circuit rather than one short walk helps set expectations.

You may also see alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and native birds. An Andean condor is possible, though never promised. The animals make the route feel connected to the communities that live here, rather than like a simple sightseeing stop built around a single photograph.

This is also a good choice if you want mountain scenery without committing to a multiday trek. It is not a relaxed substitute for a city tour, though. The altitude turns a moderate distance into a serious physical outing.

The 5:00 a.m. start and the road to Pacchanta

The day begins around 5:00 a.m. with pickup from your Cusco accommodation. That is convenient, especially when streets are quiet and you do not know the city well, but you should be ready before dawn. The full experience lasts about 13 to 14 hours, and the bus usually drops people near Plaza de Armas late in the evening.

The road to the Pacchanta area takes about three hours in normal conditions, though the published schedule describes a longer journey overall. The return can take around four hours when traffic builds near Cusco. In other words, the hike is only part of your day. You will spend roughly six to eight hours in the vehicle, depending on traffic and group timing.

This matters more than the low price might suggest. A cramped vehicle can make the ride tiring before you even reach the trail. One departure had 19 people despite the advertised maximum of 12, and the back row was especially uncomfortable for a tall passenger. Another report noted a bus with damaged seatbelts, a broken seat, and a cracked windshield. These are not minor details on a road trip of this length, so it is sensible to ask the operator about the current vehicle and group size.

Pickup service has also been uneven. The tour is sold with hotel pickup, but some people were asked to meet at a nearby location instead. One person found the return walk difficult after dark, while another guide escorted the person back to the hotel. That was a kind fix, but clear pickup instructions matter more than a rescue afterward.

Breakfast and the Pacchanta community

The first meaningful stop is in Pacchanta, or the nearby Pacchanta Baja area, where you have a typical regional breakfast. The meal is included, and several accounts describe the breakfast and lunch as worthwhile, sometimes served buffet-style.

This stop gives you a useful pause before the hike. Your guide explains the route and what lies ahead, which is the time to ask about the pace, the return meeting point, and what happens if you cannot complete the circuit. At this altitude, a short briefing is not just filler.

Pacchanta is also where you return for lunch and, when time allows, the medicinal hot springs. The hot-spring entry fee is PEN 5 per person and is not included in the tour price. The idea of soaking after a cold, demanding hike sounds perfect, but do not count on a long visit. One account says the schedule made the hot springs impossible, and another says the stop was dropped without explanation.

Treat the pools as a possible bonus rather than the central reason to book. The lakes and peaks are the reliable part of the day. If the springs are important to you, confirm the current schedule before departure.

The five-hour walk among seven lakes

After breakfast, the route climbs toward the seven Ausangate lakes. The stated distance is about 7.5 kilometers, and the walking portion takes roughly five hours. A separate description estimated about nine miles and 1,500 feet of gain, so the exact distance and elevation figures may vary by route or tracking method.

The key fact is the altitude. Parts of the hike reach around 15,000 feet, where even a fit person can become breathless, develop a headache, or need frequent pauses. A reviewer who was struggling only 25 minutes into the trek was able to continue with help from a horse arranged by the guide. The extra charge was considered reasonable, but horses are not included in the $49 price.

You should not view a horse as a sign of failure. At this elevation, using one for part of the climb can be a practical safety choice. The route is physically demanding, and it is not recommended for children under 10 in the available guidance. Most adults can participate, but that does not mean the hike will feel easy.

The trail’s rewards arrive steadily. The lakes are surrounded by broad open slopes and large peaks, including Ausangate, Mariposa, Jampa, Pucapunta, Caracol, and Tinke. The route gives you changing angles instead of one fixed lookout. That makes the walking feel purposeful, especially when the weather is clear.

Weather can shift quickly. One group encountered hail during the walk, yet still found the day enjoyable. Bring protection for rain, hail, cold, and strong sun. This advice is especially important because there is little shelter described along the circuit.

Guides, pace, and language

The guide can make a big difference here. Tony received especially warm praise for helping a person who was struggling with altitude, arranging a horse, and keeping the mood upbeat during bad weather. Alvaro was also described as kind, informative, and careful about group safety.

The planned group maximum of 12 should offer more personal attention than a large coach tour. It should also make regrouping easier when the trail spreads people out. In practice, group size has not always matched the advertised limit, so you should verify this when booking if a smaller group is your main reason for choosing the tour.

The experience is offered in English, with English and Spanish listed for the guide. Actual language ability has varied. Some departures included clear bilingual explanations, while others offered only enough English to cover basic instructions. If you speak no Spanish, this is worth checking in advance. Important safety information should be understandable before you start walking.

The guide may allow people to walk at their own pace, which is helpful on a strenuous route. At the same time, you cannot assume that everyone will move quickly. Waiting for slower hikers can extend the day, especially when the van must leave together.

Lunch, hot springs, and the ride back

After the lake circuit, the group returns to Pacchanta for lunch. The meal is included, and the food has generally been considered acceptable to good, with some praise for the buffet breakfast and lunch. You should still remember that a simple local restaurant may not match the comfort or menu range you are used to.

The hot springs follow lunch when the schedule permits. The PEN 5 admission fee is modest, and the pools can be a welcome way to warm up and loosen tired legs. Yet a long drive, a five-hour hike, and group delays leave little spare time. The route can feel rushed at the end, or the stop may be shortened or omitted.

The return to Cusco is the least glamorous part of the trip. Traffic can stretch the drive to about four hours, and the van may feel even tighter after a full day outside. Drop-off is generally near Plaza de Armas rather than necessarily at your hotel. If you are staying outside the central area, confirm how far you will need to walk at night.

Is $49 good value?

At $49 per person, this is a strong deal if you want a full day in the Ausangate region without arranging transport, meals, and a guide separately. Breakfast and lunch are included, hotel pickup is offered, and the route visits seven lakes rather than one viewpoint. Even with the PEN 5 hot-spring fee and PEN 20 Tinki entrance fee, the total remains low for the amount of ground covered.

The price also reflects some compromises. You are paying for a long shared ride, not a private vehicle. The van may be uncomfortable, the schedule may run late, and the advertised group size or language support may not always be delivered exactly as described.

I would judge the value by your priorities. If your main goal is reaching the lakes affordably, the price is attractive. If you need a roomy vehicle, a truly small group, reliable hotel-to-hotel service, or polished English throughout, paying more with another operator may make sense.

The overall rating is 4 out of 5 from 18 ratings, which fits the pattern: strong marks for scenery, guides, and price, with weaker experiences tied to logistics and transport. That is a fair warning rather than a reason to dismiss the hike.

Who should book this hike?

I would choose this trip if you have limited time in Cusco and want a high-mountain day that feels less crowded than the best-known Rainbow Mountain routes. It suits hikers who accept an early start, a long bus ride, cold weather, and a demanding walk.

You should be comfortable spending most of the day away from the city. You should also have some experience with altitude, or at least allow time in Cusco to adjust before attempting the route. The available information specifically warns that the hike can be hard even for people in good physical condition.

I would not make this my first choice for children under 10, anyone seeking a gentle outing, or anyone who dislikes uncertain schedules. It is also a poor fit if you need guaranteed hot-spring time or a spacious vehicle.

Pack warm layers, waterproof protection, sun protection, water, and cash for the PEN 20 Tinki admission, PEN 5 hot springs, and a possible horse. Keep your day after the tour free. Returning near 8:00 p.m. after a pre-dawn pickup is a real possibility.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

Book it if the seven lakes and huge mountain views matter more to you than comfort and clockwork logistics. The scenery is excellent, the meals add real value, and guides such as Tony and Alvaro have shown the care needed on a high-altitude route.

Before paying, ask for written confirmation of the pickup location, group size, English support, vehicle condition, and hot-spring timing. If those answers are clear and you have prepared for the altitude, this can be one of the better-value day trips from Cusco.

Skip it if a long van ride, inconsistent communication, or a physically hard hike would spoil your day. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, so keep that deadline in mind while you make the final call.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour take?

The full experience lasts approximately 13 to 14 hours. Pickup begins around 5:00 a.m., and the return to Cusco may be late in the evening.

How far is the hike?

The stated hiking route covers about 7.5 kilometers and takes roughly five hours. Another description gives a longer estimate, so the exact distance may vary by route.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup from accommodation in Cusco is offered. However, pickup points have varied, so confirm the exact location before the morning of the tour.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. A regional breakfast is provided in Pacchanta before the hike.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Pacchanta is included after the lake circuit.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. The hot-spring entrance fee is PEN 5 per person. The stop may also be shortened or skipped if the schedule runs late.

What entrance fees are not included?

The Tinki entrance fee is PEN 20 per person, and the hot-spring entrance fee is PEN 5 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

The experience is offered in English, and an English and Spanish-speaking guide is listed. Actual English support has varied, so confirm the language arrangements if you do not speak Spanish.