Horseback Riding In Ausangate 7 Lakes Full Day – Private

The mountains start long before sunrise. This private horseback trip from Cusco takes you to the seven Ausangate lakes, with local meals, trained horses, glacier-fed water, and a long soak in Pacchanta’s hot springs. I especially like the private format, which lets your group set a more comfortable pace, and the combination of horseback riding and thermal baths, a welcome finish after hours at altitude.

The main caution is the setting itself. Pacchanta sits at about 4,100 meters, or 13,451 feet, and the day begins with a 4:30 am hotel pick-up. Riding saves your legs, but it does not remove the effects of high altitude, a very early start, or a full 10 to 11 hours on the road.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven glacier-fed lakes: See Otorongo, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Patacocha in one long day.
• Private from start to finish: Only your group takes part, with direct hotel transport in Cusco and a more flexible riding pace.
• High starting point: The route begins in Pacchanta at 4,100 meters, so altitude matters even if you ride instead of hike.
• Ninaparayoc Viewpoint: This is one of the best places for a broad view of the lakes and Ausangate’s surrounding peaks.
• Local food is part of the day: Breakfast prepared by local families and a traditional Andean buffet lunch are included.
• Hot springs after the ride: Pacchanta’s mineral-rich thermal pools give you time to relax before the drive back to Cusco.

Why the private format matters on a 10-hour day

A private tour is not just a smaller version of a group excursion. Here, you travel only with your own companions, guide, and drivers. That matters on a day that starts before dawn and includes several hours at high altitude.

You can ask for a slower pace, more time at a viewpoint, or a little less time in the saddle. The guide organizes the horses, explains safety rules, and helps shape the day around your group. One published account specifically praised the guide for being patient and accommodating with scheduling, which is exactly the sort of help you want on a private outing.

The private arrangement also gives you direct hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cusco. You are not asked to find a meeting point in the dark or wait for a large group to finish elsewhere. At $180 per person, that personal service is a major part of the value.

Still, private does not mean quick. The early departure and long return drive remain part of the bargain. You should think of this as a full mountain day, not a casual half-day horseback outing.

The 4:30 am departure from Cusco

Your day begins at 4:30 am, with private transportation from your Cusco hotel. The early hour is practical rather than glamorous. It allows the group to reach Pacchanta in time for breakfast and gives you the best chance to enjoy the lakes before the day feels too long.

Bring warm layers that you can adjust. The tour information confirms drinking water is provided, but you should still arrive ready for cold, sun, and changing conditions at high altitude. A small daypack is useful for water, sunscreen, personal items, and extra clothing.

The route to Pacchanta takes you far above Cusco. At 4,100 meters, even ordinary movements can feel harder than expected. If you have already spent time acclimatizing in Cusco, the day may be more manageable, but the experience still requires respect for the altitude.

The tour is described as suitable for most people, but that should not be read as a promise that it will feel easy. If you are uncertain about high-altitude activity, ask your medical professional before booking.

Breakfast with local families in Pacchanta

The first stop is Pacchanta, at the foot of Ausangate Mountain. Before riding, you have a warm buffet breakfast prepared by local families. This is a welcome touch because you are starting early and need food before spending several hours outside.

The meal also gives the morning a more local feel than a quick snack from a city hotel. It is a practical part of the experience, but it helps connect the outing with the community at the mountain’s base.

After breakfast, your guide organizes the horses and explains the route and safety guidelines. The horses are described as trained to ride for the entire circuit. That should reassure first-time riders, though horseback riding still requires balance and comfort with sitting in the saddle for an extended period.

You may find the ride easier on your legs than walking the full route, but one person who took the tour said they would choose to hike on foot next time. That is useful advice. Horses reduce the pounding on your knees and feet, but some people simply prefer the rhythm and control of walking in the mountains.

The seven Ausangate lakes by horseback

The main outing covers about six hours. You ride or travel through the high Andean area around Ausangate, visiting seven lakes fed by clear glacier water:

• Otorongo
• Alqacocha
• Q’omercocha
• Orqo Otorongo
• Azulcocha
• Pucacocha
• Patacocha

The appeal is the variety of views gathered into one route. Each lake offers its own shape, color, and angle toward the surrounding peaks. The names can be hard to keep straight during a long day, so do not worry about memorizing them. Focus on the changing water, slopes, and mountain backdrop.

The scenery is the star, but the scale of the day deserves attention. Six hours in a high-altitude setting is still demanding, even on horseback. You will want time for photos, but you should also pay attention to your comfort, especially if you are new to riding.

The horses make this option attractive for anyone who wants to see the lakes without committing to a full day on foot. They also make the trip appealing if you are traveling with companions who have different hiking abilities. The private guide can help the group keep together at a suitable pace.

The tradeoff is that riding is not automatically restful. You may feel tired from the saddle, and the route can still feel physically challenging because of the elevation. If your main goal is exercise and a stronger sense of walking through the mountains, a hiking version may suit you better.

Ninaparayoc Viewpoint and the big mountain panorama

One of the best moments comes at the Ninaparayoc Viewpoint. From here, you get a broad view of the lakes and the peaks around Ausangate. The open setting gives your private group room to stop, take photos, and enjoy the silence without a large organized crowd around you.

This viewpoint is also where the private format pays off. You can spend more time looking and less time being hurried along by a fixed group schedule. Ask your guide how long you have and use the pause to enjoy the view rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

The surrounding peaks and glacier-fed lakes are powerful reminders of how high and remote the area feels. There are no city distractions here, and that is part of the attraction. At the same time, the remote setting means you should bring what you need for the day and follow the guide’s instructions closely.

Lunch in Pacchanta after the ride

After the lake circuit, you return to Pacchanta by riding or walking. A buffet lunch with traditional Andean dishes is included and should be especially welcome after several hours outdoors.

The meal is more than a line item in the price. It means you do not have to arrange food in a remote area, and it keeps the day connected to local cooking and the Pacchanta community. Because the tour includes both breakfast and lunch, the $180 price covers a substantial part of your day’s practical needs.

Exact dishes are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular menu. The useful point is that lunch is prepared as a traditional Andean buffet and served after the main ride, when you are likely to appreciate a proper meal.

Pacchanta hot springs: the right ending

After lunch, you have ample time at the Pacchanta hot springs. The water is naturally heated and mineral-rich, with views toward the surrounding mountains. This is not an extra side stop squeezed into the schedule. It is the second major part of the experience.

A soak can ease the stiffness that comes from riding, and it gives you a calm break before the return to Cusco. The hot springs are especially valuable if your body is tired from the altitude or the saddle. One account described them as a way to remove much of the fatigue after a challenging ride, and that is easy to understand.

You should remember that the pools do not erase the demands of the day. You are still at high altitude, and you may feel more tired after lunch and hot water. Take it easy, follow your own comfort level, and use the time to rest rather than turning the stop into another activity.

The tour description also notes that the horseback option is less physically demanding than hiking, giving you more time to relax in the thermal baths. That makes this version particularly attractive if the hot springs are a major reason you want to visit Pacchanta.

What the $180 price includes

At $180 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Ausangate lakes. It is, however, a private, full-day service with several costs already covered:

• Private transportation from your Cusco hotel to Pacchanta
• Private transportation back to your hotel
• English and Spanish-speaking guide
• Trained horses for the circuit
• Entrance to Ausangate and the seven lakes
• Entrance to Pacchanta hot springs
• Breakfast and lunch
• Drinking water during the route

The private transfers are important. You avoid the uncertainty of arranging transport to a remote starting point, and you finish with a direct ride to your hotel. The meals, park access, horses, guide, and hot springs also reduce the number of extra payments you need to plan for.

Tips for the staff are not included. Set aside some cash for the guide, drivers, and horse-related staff if you feel the service deserves it.

I see the strongest value here for couples, families, or small groups who want a custom day and do not want to hike the entire route. A larger group splitting the private cost may also find it more reasonable. Solo visitors should compare the price with shared options if keeping costs low is the main concern.

Who should choose this horseback tour?

I would point this experience toward you if you want major mountain scenery but prefer not to walk the full seven-lake route. It also suits people who value a private guide, direct hotel service, local meals, and a long hot-spring stop.

It can work well for companions with different energy levels. One person may want to photograph every lake, while another may need a slower pace. The private structure gives the guide more room to respond.

You should think twice if you dislike horses, feel uncomfortable sitting in a saddle for hours, or want a serious hiking challenge. A rider may still feel tired, and the high altitude can make the day harder than the word horseback suggests.

The experience has received a 4.9 rating from 14 published ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on patient service, the relief offered by the horses, the memorable mountain setting, and the hot springs. One unusual account also described two friendly guard dogs helping protect the group when three larger dogs caused trouble. That is not a feature you should expect as part of the itinerary, but it gives the outing a glimpse of the real, working countryside around Pacchanta.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Book well ahead if your dates are fixed. This experience is booked an average of 49 days in advance, which suggests that the private format has steady demand.

Confirm that your hotel is within the Cusco pick-up area when you reserve. The stated start time is 4:30 am, and the service includes transport from your hotel, but the exact pick-up arrangement should be clear before the morning arrives.

Wear clothing in layers and shoes suitable for walking around the lakes and hot springs. You may spend part of the route on foot, and the tour description allows for riding or walking on the return to Pacchanta.

Keep your camera and phone protected from the elements, but do not let photography distract from the route. The Ninaparayoc Viewpoint and the seven lakes provide plenty of photo chances, yet the best part of the day may be simply sitting quietly above Pacchanta.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants, so poor conditions or insufficient bookings can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes horseback ride?

Book it if you want a private, well-supported way to see the Ausangate lakes without hiking the entire circuit. The horses, included meals, local guide, direct transfers, and Pacchanta hot springs make the $180 price easier to justify, especially for a small group that values comfort and flexibility.

Skip it if you want a hard hiking day, dislike horseback riding, or are not ready for a 4:30 am start and 4,100-meter altitude. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for a big Andean day that pairs dramatic scenery with a very practical reward: a hot soak before the long ride back to Cusco.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pick-up in Cusco begins at 4:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately 10 to 11 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $180 per person.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Where does the horseback ride begin?

The ride begins in Pacchanta, at about 4,100 meters or 13,451 feet, at the foot of Ausangate Mountain.

Which lakes are included?

The route visits Otorongo, Alqacocha, Q’omercocha, Orqo Otorongo, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, and Patacocha.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast prepared by local families and a traditional Andean buffet lunch are included.

Are the hot springs included?

Yes. Entrance to the Pacchanta hot springs is included.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation from your Cusco hotel to the starting point and back to your hotel is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.