Tour 7 Lakes Ausangate One Day

Wake up early for a big Andean day. The Ausangate 7 Lakes tour takes you from Cusco to Pacchanta for a breakfast, a demanding mountain hike, colorful high-altitude lakes, and a soak in hot springs. The scenery is the main event: snow-covered Ausangate, open mountain country, llamas, sheep, and lakes in shades ranging from turquoise to emerald.

I especially like the mix of wild scenery and local culture, along with the practical package of private transportation, breakfast, lunch, walking rods, and oxygen. The optional hot-spring visit is another smart touch after a long hike. The main drawback is the schedule: this is about 15 hours, begins very early, and takes place at high altitude, so it is not a casual day out.

The tour costs $70 per person, which is a fair price for the transport, two meals, admission, equipment, and a full day in the Ausangate region. You should still arrive in Cusco prepared for cold, sun, thin air, and fast weather changes. This is a mountain outing, not a gentle sightseeing ride.

Key points about the Ausangate 7 Lakes trip

• The day can begin around 4 a.m., so expect an early pickup and a long return to Cusco.
• Pacchanta provides the starting point, with a breakfast buffet before the hike begins.
• The hike takes about two and a half hours to reach the lakes, with roughly six hours assigned to the Ausangate section.
• Each lake has different colors and shapes, with Ausangate and snow-covered peaks forming the backdrop.
• Pacchanta hot springs are optional, making the end of the day easier on tired legs.
• The group is capped at 15 people, and the package includes private transportation, meals, rods, and oxygen.

Why Ausangate feels different from Cusco’s other day trips

Cusco is surrounded by famous archaeological sites and busy mountain routes. Ausangate offers something else: open space, powerful peaks, and a quieter sense of the Andes. The focus here is not on ruins or a single famous viewpoint. It is on the changing scenery as you walk.

The seven lakes are the highlight, but the route earns its keep before you reach them. You pass through broad mountain country where llamas and sheep may be part of the view, and local herders give the area a lived-in feel. That matters. You are not simply being delivered to a photo stop. You are moving through a place where people still work with the land.

The lakes also give the hike variety. Their colors can shift from deep turquoise to green, with different textures and mountain reflections at each stop. The snow-covered Ausangate peak gives the whole route a strong visual anchor.

The tour has received a 5 out of 5 rating from 13 published ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, but it points to a consistent strength: the scenery makes the effort worthwhile, especially when the guide sets a sensible pace and explains the area’s Quechua traditions.

The early ride to Pacchanta

The day starts with pickup from your accommodation or at the listed meeting point, Plaza Regocijo in Cusco. The outing lasts about 15 hours, and an early departure around 4 a.m. is possible. Bring patience for the long day and keep your warm clothes close, rather than buried in your luggage.

Pacchanta Baja is the first planned stop. Here you have a breakfast buffet before setting off on foot. That meal is more important than it may sound. At high altitude, a proper breakfast gives you a better base than starting the walk with only coffee or a snack.

The first section is assigned about four hours, including the transfer and breakfast arrangements. Exact road conditions and pickup timing can affect the morning, so treat the schedule as an estimate. The tour is built around a full day in the mountains, not a tightly timed city excursion.

Private transportation is included, which adds real value. You avoid arranging separate transfers to a remote starting point, and the group can return to Cusco after the hike and hot springs without another booking. With a maximum of 15 people, the outing should feel smaller than a large coach trip, although the exact atmosphere will depend on the group that day.

The hike to all seven lakes

After breakfast, the hike begins through the Ausangate area. The stated walking section lasts about six hours, and the lakes come after roughly two and a half hours of hiking. That timing is useful because it tells you this is not a short stroll to one viewpoint.

You should expect a moderately difficult walk made harder by altitude. No exact elevation is provided, so I would not pretend to give you a precise difficulty grade. The practical point is clear: the air is thin, and even a regular walker may need to slow down.

The supplied rods can help with balance and rhythm. They are especially useful when your legs tire or the path feels uneven. Oxygen is also included, but it should not be treated as a reason to ignore altitude symptoms or push beyond your limits. If you feel unwell, tell the guide promptly.

The scenery changes as you go. One stretch may show broad grassland and animals, while another opens toward ridges, snow, and water. That variety helps the walk feel less repetitive. You are not climbing for six hours toward one identical view.

The best part of the route is the sense of scale. Ausangate dominates the background, while the lakes sit lower in the broad mountain setting. The contrast between still water, rough ground, and snow-covered summits creates the strongest photographs of the day.

The seven lakes and their changing colors

The lakes are not all identical, and that is part of their appeal. Expect differences in color, shape, and surrounding ground. Some may look turquoise, others emerald or darker depending on light and weather.

Do not judge the experience only by photographs. High mountain weather can alter the view from minute to minute. Clouds may soften the colors, while clear sunlight can make the water appear far brighter. The route is worth doing even if conditions are not perfect, because the surrounding peaks and open country remain impressive.

I also like that the lakes carry cultural meaning beyond their appearance. The guides may explain their spiritual importance, the role of Ausangate in local belief, and aspects of Quechua culture. That information gives the walk a stronger sense of place. You are seeing more than pretty water in a remote setting.

The route is described as peaceful rather than crowded. That makes a difference after time in central Cusco. You can pause, take photographs, and look for birds, llamas, and sheep without the feeling of moving through a packed attraction.

Still, do not expect an effortless photo tour. The walk is the price of admission in physical terms. You need a moderate fitness level, and the thin air can make ordinary inclines feel serious. The guide’s pacing is important, but your own preparation matters just as much.

Pacchanta hot springs after the hike

After returning from the lakes, you can visit the Pacchanta hot springs. This stop is optional, so you can choose based on your energy, comfort, and interest.

For many people, the springs will be the perfect finish. A long high-altitude hike can leave your legs tired, and warm water offers a welcome change from cold mountain air. The setting also lets you experience a local Andean tradition rather than ending the day with another vehicle transfer.

If you are worn out or prefer not to bathe, skipping the springs is possible. The tour still includes lunch afterward, then transportation back to Cusco. That flexibility is useful because a day at this length can affect people differently.

The hot springs are not the main reason to book the experience. Ausangate and the lakes are. Think of Pacchanta as a pleasant reward and a chance to slow down before the return journey.

Meals, equipment, and what the $70 price covers

At $70 per person, this tour offers solid value for a remote full-day outing. The package includes private transportation, breakfast, lunch, admission, rods, and oxygen. Booking each part separately would be inconvenient, particularly for transport to a distant mountain area.

Breakfast comes before the hike, and lunch follows the lakes and optional hot springs. The food is described as a buffet breakfast and a delicious lunch, but no detailed menu is provided. If you have dietary needs, you should confirm those directly before booking rather than assume the meals will suit you.

The included rods are useful practical equipment. You do not have to arrange them yourself, and they can make the long walk more manageable. Oxygen is also available as part of the package, though it is best understood as a safety provision, not a substitute for acclimatization or sensible pacing.

Tips are not included. Horses are also not included, so you should not book this expecting an included animal ride or backup horse. That point matters if you are unsure about managing the hike. The information provided does not promise horses as part of the service.

The tour has a maximum of 15 people. That is a reasonable group size for a mountain route. It gives the guide a better chance to keep track of the group and offer encouragement, while still keeping the price below a private custom excursion.

What to pack for the mountain weather

The weather can change quickly, so layers are essential. You need clothing that works in cold conditions but can be adjusted if the sun comes out.

Bring warm clothes, sunscreen, and a camera. There is almost no shade on the route, making sun protection important even when the air feels cold. A hat and extra layers are sensible choices based on the changing conditions described for the hike.

You should also carry whatever personal items you need for a long day away from Cusco. The supplied information does not specify a packing list, so I would avoid assuming that every personal comfort item is provided. The tour includes meals, rods, oxygen, and transport, but not every hiking necessity.

Wear footwear suitable for a moderate mountain walk. The exact trail surface is not specified, so I would choose stability and comfort over city shoes. You will be on your feet for a substantial part of the day.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This is a strong choice for you if wide mountain views matter more than museums, ruins, or a relaxed schedule. It suits people who enjoy walking, photography, open spaces, and learning about Quechua culture while seeing the natural setting that gives those traditions meaning.

It is also a good option if you want a packaged day trip from Cusco. Transport, breakfast, lunch, admission, rods, and oxygen are arranged together, which removes much of the practical work.

I would be cautious about booking it if you dislike pre-dawn starts, long vehicle days, or strenuous walking. The activity requires moderate physical fitness, and the altitude can be intense. A high rating does not change that basic fact.

The route may also be less suitable if your main interest is a slow soak in hot springs. The springs are optional and come after the main hike. This is first a mountain excursion, with bathing as an extra.

Practical details before you reserve

The experience begins at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco, at the listed meeting point F2M9+5X2, Cusco 08002, Peru. It ends back at the same meeting point. The tour information also describes pickup from accommodation, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book.

Confirmation is received at the time of booking. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so check your date, fitness, and plans carefully before paying.

The provider is X Travel Peru. The maximum group size is 15 people, and the advertised price is $70 per person. Since the outing is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 97 days, planning early may be wise if your dates are fixed.

Do not confuse a long day with a rushed day. The schedule allows several hours for the Ausangate portion, breakfast, the hike, the lakes, the springs, lunch, and the return. The tradeoff is that you lose most of one day to the experience, but you gain access to a remote part of the Cusco region without arranging the route yourself.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

Book it if you want dramatic mountain scenery, colorful lakes, and a real walking challenge in one day from Cusco. The combination of Ausangate, local herding scenes, Quechua cultural context, included meals, and optional hot springs gives the outing more substance than a quick viewpoint stop.

Skip it if you need a short, easy excursion or if altitude and a 4 a.m. start sound miserable. The best preparation is simple: acclimatize in Cusco, bring layers and sunscreen, and be honest about your fitness.

For the price, this is a well-rounded day trip with unusually strong scenery. The lakes may be the photographs you remember, but the quiet mountain setting and the long route through the Andes are what give the day its lasting value.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 15 hours, including transportation, breakfast, the hike, the optional hot springs, lunch, and the return to Cusco.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Plaza Regocijo, F2M9+5X2, Cusco 08002, Peru. The tour information also describes pickup from your accommodation, so confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the listed meeting point in Cusco.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is provided at Pacchanta Baja before the hike, and it is described as a buffet breakfast.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided after the return from the seven lakes and the optional hot-spring visit.

Are the Pacchanta hot springs required?

No. Bathing in the hot springs is optional.

Are horses included?

No. Horses are not included in the tour price.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Is the tour suitable for every fitness level?

No. Participants should have a moderate physical fitness level. The hike can feel challenging because of the high altitude.

What is included in the $70 price?

The price includes private transportation, breakfast, lunch, admission, rods, and oxygen. Tips and horses are not included.

Can I cancel and receive a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.