Horseback riding in Ausangate 7 lakes full day – private

High mountains make every step count. This private Ausangate horseback tour gives you a gentler way to reach the region’s colorful lakes, with broad views of glaciers, alpacas, and high Andean scenery along the way. I especially like the private transportation and the fact that breakfast, lunch, entrance fees, horses, and safety equipment are included.

I also like the human side of the experience. Your guide can help you meet local people and learn about Quechua culture, while the horses carry much of the effort on a demanding route. The main drawback is the long day: the tour lasts about 12 hours, and the high altitude can still make the outing tiring even when you are riding.

Key things to know before you book

• Four hours on horseback: The riding portion takes about four hours, while the full day includes travel between Cusco and Ausangate.
• Private from pickup to return: Only your own group takes part, with hotel pickup and private transportation.
• Meals are included: Breakfast and lunch are provided, but dinner is not.
• Safety support is built in: The tour includes a medical kit, oxygen, and horses trained for the entire circuit.
• Guides receive strong praise: Ricardo, Julio, Felipe, and Juan are specifically praised for professional service, cultural insight, and careful organization.
• Best for a high-altitude mountain day: The horses reduce the physical strain, but this is still a demanding excursion with an early start and a long return.

Leaving Cusco for Ausangate’s high country

The day begins with pickup at your hotel. The guide asks for you by name at reception, a small but useful detail when you are waiting in a busy lobby before sunrise or early in the morning. Since transportation is private, you are not joining a large shared group or making repeated stops for unrelated pickups.

The ride from Cusco is part of the day’s commitment. This is not a quick outing close to the city. You are giving up roughly 12 hours, so I would plan it for a day when you have enough energy and no evening plans that depend on a precise return time.

Breakfast and lunch are included, which adds real value to a remote mountain trip. You do not need to arrange those meals yourself, and the tour is built around a full day outdoors rather than a short sightseeing stop. Dinner is not included, so plan that separately after returning to Cusco.

The private format matters most here. You can travel with your own companions, ask questions at your own pace, and receive direct help when deciding how much time to spend looking at the lakes or interacting with local people. It also makes the $185 per person price easier to understand. You are paying not only for the riding, but also for a private vehicle, guide, meals, entrance fees, horses, and safety support.

The four-hour ride around the seven lakes

The main activity is a horseback ride through the Ausangate seven-lakes area. The riding portion is listed as four hours, giving you a substantial amount of time in the mountains without requiring you to walk the full circuit.

That is the central reason to choose this tour. The route involves high-altitude terrain, and the horseback option can reduce the physical effort considerably. One direct account describes adding horses as the best decision because the hike required so much exertion. Another notes that the horses were especially helpful at that height.

You should still expect an active day. Horseback riding is not the same as sitting in a vehicle, and the mountain setting adds its own demands. The horses are trained to ride for the entire circuit, which is reassuring, but you should be comfortable spending several hours in the saddle.

The scenery is the payoff. You will see lakes in different colors, glaciers connected with Ausangate, open mountain views, alpacas, and other fauna in the area. The descriptions do not promise a single fixed color for every lake, and natural conditions can affect how the water appears. Still, the combination of multiple lakes, snow and ice, and high Andean wildlife gives the route a strong sense of place.

I would think of the ride as a way to see the mountain region rather than as a technical riding lesson. The key experience is moving through the scenery with the horse doing most of the uphill work while you take in the views.

Why the lakes are more than a photo stop

The seven lakes are the visual centerpiece, but the setting also gives the day a cultural dimension. Ausangate offers opportunities to interact with local people and learn about their culture, rather than simply arriving, taking photographs, and leaving.

That part depends on the guide and the circumstances of the day. Felipe, one of the named guides, was praised for showing a Quechua-language ceremony and making sure the group had what it needed. That detail suggests the cultural element can be more than a short explanation during a drive, though you should not expect a formal performance or a guaranteed ceremony on every departure.

A good guide can help you understand why the area matters to the people who live there. The provided information does not give a detailed cultural program, so I would treat local contact as a valuable possibility included in the setting, not as a scheduled show.

The natural setting is also a reason to slow down. Fresh air, quiet mountain space, alpacas, and distant glaciers create a very different day from Cusco’s streets and historic center. You get a look at rural life and the high Andes in one trip.

The guides: Ricardo, Julio, Felipe, and Juan

The guide can make a major difference on a long, private outing. Four guides are singled out by name in the available feedback, each for a slightly different strength.

Ricardo is praised for making a three-person horseback trip run smoothly, along with the quality of the breakfast and lunch. Julio is described as an expert and professional guide who helped make the seven-lakes visit memorable. Felipe receives praise for his cultural knowledge, his help throughout two trips, and the Quechua ceremony he showed the group.

Juan is also praised for professionalism, with particular appreciation for the coordination between him and the rider who worked with the horses. That last point matters because a horseback tour involves more than the person explaining the scenery. The people handling the horses and supporting the ride are part of your safety and comfort.

The comments also point to reliable timing and organization. One private trip used a comfortable car and a good driver, with the day running according to plan. That is useful reassurance for an outing with a long route, included meals, horse arrangements, and a fixed return to Cusco.

Guide assignments can change, so you should not book expecting one specific person unless the company confirms it. Still, the repeated praise for the staff gives the operator a strong record for service.

What the private format changes

A private tour is not automatically better for every budget, but it can be a smart choice for this particular day. You are traveling with only your own group, rather than sharing the experience with strangers. That lets you discuss your comfort level, ask for explanations, and make the day feel less rushed.

Private transportation also removes some of the uncertainty that can come with a large group excursion. The driver and guide are focused on your party, and you are not spending the day waiting for a long list of pickups.

The tradeoff is price. At $185 per person, this is a serious day-trip expense from Cusco. The value improves when you are traveling with two or more people, since the private vehicle and guide costs are shared across your group. Group discounts may also be available.

I would compare the price with what you would pay for a basic shared excursion, then remember what this package includes: transport, breakfast, lunch, entrance fees, a bilingual professional guide, horses for the circuit, a medical kit, and oxygen. If your main goal is the lowest possible price, this may not be the right fit. If you value privacy, support, and less physical strain, the package is easier to justify.

Meals, equipment, and practical support

The included breakfast and lunch are more than convenient extras. On a 12-hour mountain day, food helps you avoid wasting time arranging meals and gives the schedule a clear structure. The quality of the meals received specific praise, though the exact dishes are not provided.

The entrance fees are included, so you do not need to budget separately for admission at the seven-lakes area. The tour also supplies horses trained for the full circuit, rather than leaving you to arrange a short ride that covers only part of the route.

A medical kit and oxygen are included. That does not remove the effects of altitude, but it shows that the operator has planned for a remote, high-mountain setting. You should still pay attention to how you feel and tell the guide if you are struggling.

The tour is offered in English and includes a professional bilingual guide. That is useful for understanding instructions around the horses and for asking questions about local life, the lakes, and the surrounding mountains.

Tips for the staff are not included. Keep that expense in mind when working out your full budget. Dinner is also excluded.

Who will enjoy this Ausangate experience most

I would recommend this tour to someone who wants the scenery of the seven lakes but does not want to hike the entire route. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value a private day and want to share the vehicle, guide, and horse arrangements with people they know.

It is also a good match for riders who want a scenic outing rather than a short horse ride near town. The four-hour circuit gives the horses a real purpose: they help you cover mountain terrain and conserve energy for the views and cultural encounters.

You should think carefully if you dislike long road journeys, early starts, or full-day excursions. The 12-hour duration leaves little room for a relaxed evening afterward. The horseback option lowers the walking burden, but it does not turn the trip into an effortless sightseeing ride.

The information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed restrictions for age, riding experience, or medical conditions. If you have concerns about altitude, horseback riding, or a health issue, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the general participation statement applies to you.

Booking, pickup, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and pickup is offered from your hotel. The guide asks for you by name at reception, so make sure the provider has the correct hotel details and that reception knows you are expecting an early pickup.

The tour is a private activity, meaning only your group participates. The price is listed at $185 per person, with group discounts offered. Since no exact discount schedule is provided, ask for the current price based on the size of your party.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the start time is not refunded, and changes inside that same period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Peru.

Should you book the seven-lakes horseback ride?

Book it if you want Ausangate’s glaciers and colorful lakes without taking on the full physical burden of a long hike. The strongest reasons are the private setup, trained horses, included meals, safety support, and guides who have earned praise for careful organization and cultural insight.

I would be less eager to book it if your budget is tight or if you need a short, flexible outing. The day is long, the setting is high, and the $185 price makes the most sense when you share the private experience with companions.

For the right group, this is a well-supported way to reach one of the most striking mountain areas near Cusco. Choose it for the seven lakes, but also expect a day shaped by horses, local culture, open air, and the sheer scale of Ausangate.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately 12 hours. The horseback riding portion around the seven lakes is listed as four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from your hotel, and the guide will ask for you by name at the hotel reception.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity, and private transportation is included.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner is not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English and includes a professional bilingual tour guide.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.