Full-Day Tour to Ausangate 7 Lakes

The best part of this long day is the setting: seven mountain lagoons beneath the glaciers and high peaks of Ausangate. You leave Cusco before sunrise, reach Pacchanta after about three and a half hours, and spend the main part of the day walking above 4,000 meters.

I like the dramatic views and the chance to see a quieter corner of the Andes without committing to a multi-day trek. I also like the practical finish: a hot meal in Pacchanta and optional hot springs before the drive back. The catch is serious: this is a high-altitude hike, not a gentle sightseeing outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lagoons near Ausangate: Expect changing colors, mountain reflections, glaciers, and wide-open Andean scenery.
• A 4:00 am start: You need to be ready at your accommodation before dawn, with a long return to Cusco around 6:30 pm.
• High-altitude walking: Parts of the route reach roughly 4,800 meters, and the walk may cover about 17 kilometers.
• Pacchanta hot springs: You can soak after the hike, or use the free time to look around the village.
• Breakfast and lunch included: Meals help make the long day easier, though drinks and alcohol cost extra.
• Guides make a difference: Ernesto, Roberto, Milton, Jehomar, and Juan are praised for careful pacing, explanations, photographs, and personal attention.

Why the Ausangate 7 Lakes route is worth your day

Ausangate is one of the most striking mountain areas near Cusco. The appeal is not a single ruin or viewpoint. It is the steady change in scenery as the road climbs away from the city and the lagoons begin to appear around the high country.

The seven lakes are the main event, but the full day gives you more than a quick photo stop. You see sunrise on the road, pass through mountain scenery, walk beside open slopes, and return to Pacchanta for Andean food and a possible soak in hot water.

I would choose this trip if you want a demanding day in nature rather than another busy archaeological stop. It suits you best if you already have some time at altitude in Cusco or nearby. The air is thin, and the route can feel hard even when the path itself is not especially steep.

A guide can make a real difference here. Ernesto is noted for clear explanations, flexibility, and helping with family photographs. Roberto is praised for checking how people were feeling, carrying oxygen for anyone who needed it, and explaining local traditions. Milton receives similar praise for steady support, while Jehomar is described as attentive throughout the walk. Juan is also singled out for his humor and care.

Those details matter more than they might on an easy city tour. At nearly 5,000 meters, good communication and sensible pacing are part of the service, not a bonus.

The 4:00 am departure from Cusco

The day starts early. Pickup is scheduled for 4:00 am, so prepare your clothes and day bag the night before. The drive to Pacchanta takes about three and a half hours, giving you a chance to watch the sky brighten over the Andes.

This is a long transport day, but the timing has a purpose. You get to the trail area in the morning, when the route is planned around the main walk, breakfast, lunch, and the return drive. You should still expect a tiring schedule, with roughly 15 hours from pickup to return.

The transport is private, and the maximum group size is 17 people. That is small enough for a guide to keep an eye on the group, though it is not the same as a private hike for just your own party.

Wear proper cold-weather clothing. The morning can be very cold, and conditions can change quickly at this elevation. Bring layers, a hat, gloves, sturdy shoes, water, sunscreen, and something to protect you from wind. The supplied tour information specifically warns you not to forget cold-weather gear, and that advice deserves attention.

Breakfast in Pacchanta before the hike

Pacchanta is the practical starting point for the walk. After the long ride from Cusco, you stop for breakfast before heading uphill. The meal is included and serves two purposes: it gives you energy and provides a warm break before the cold mountain air and physical effort.

This stop also helps set the pace of the day. You are not expected to step straight out of the van and immediately begin a high-altitude walk. Take the chance to eat, drink, adjust your layers, and make sure your shoes and day pack are comfortable.

Pacchanta is also where you will return later for lunch and the hot springs. Facilities are basic. One account describes the toilets as precarious, a reflection of the rural setting rather than a problem created by the tour company. You should arrive with realistic expectations: this is a small Andean village, not a polished resort town.

Vegan food can be supported if you ask in advance or tell the team clearly. Meals and drinks not listed as included are extra, and alcoholic drinks are not part of the package.

Walking to the seven lagoons

The main walk takes about three and a half hours to reach and visit the lagoons, with another return to Pacchanta afterward. One account puts the full route at about 17 kilometers, so do not judge the difficulty only by the phrase seven lakes.

The path is described as not especially steep in many sections, but altitude changes the rules. A mild slope at sea level can feel hard above 4,000 meters. The route reaches around 4,800 meters, and the thin air can bring headache, breathlessness, dizziness, or unusual fatigue.

You need a moderate level of fitness, but fitness alone is not the whole issue. Acclimatization matters. If you have just arrived in Cusco, this may be a poor choice for your first major outing. Give yourself time to adjust before signing up for a high walk, and do not treat the optional horseback ride as a sign that the hike is easy.

The guides described for this tour focus on support as well as scenery. Roberto is noted for checking on people often and helping them remain calm on the route. One account also says he brought oxygen if someone needed it. That should not replace personal preparation or medical advice, but it shows why a careful guide matters in this setting.

The local culture adds another layer. A Quechua ceremony is mentioned as part of one outing, and the guides share traditions about how local people relate to nature. The exact presentation can vary, but the cultural element gives the walk more meaning than a simple series of viewpoints.

What makes each lagoon memorable

The route is presented as a visit to seven distinct lagoons, each with its own shape, color, and position among the mountains. The supplied details do not provide individual lake names or a fixed description for each one, so you should not expect a precise named-lake checklist from this review.

What you can expect is variety across the route. Some views focus on still water and mountain reflections. Others bring the glaciers and Ausangate closer into view. The wide surroundings are part of the appeal, since the high country feels open and quiet rather than crowded with buildings.

This is a place where weather changes the mood. Clear skies may reveal more of the snowy peaks, while cloud and shifting light can change the color of the water. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

You will want time for photographs, but keep the altitude in mind. Stop when you need to, walk at a steady pace, and tell your guide if you feel unwell. A guide who is taking photographs can be helpful, and several guides are praised for taking pictures along the route, but your comfort should come first.

Returning to Pacchanta for food and hot springs

After visiting the lagoons, you walk back to Pacchanta. This return leg is easy to underestimate. You have already spent hours above 4,000 meters, so tired legs and thin air may make the way back feel longer than expected.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant, with Andean food and regional flavors. It is a useful part of the day, not just an added meal. After an early breakfast and a long hike, a proper plate of food gives you time to sit down, warm up, and recover before the drive.

The hot springs are optional. If you choose to go, they offer a simple way to relax after the trail. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to use them, though the supplied details do not confirm whether towels are provided. If you skip the soak, you can use the free time to explore Pacchanta instead.

There is also an optional horseback ride for approximately 80 soles, about 22 US dollars, paid directly to local villagers. This can be useful if you need help with part of the route, but the price is not included. Ask about the arrangement before accepting the ride so you understand the cost and where it applies.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $69 per person, the price is fair for a 15-hour outing that includes transport from Cusco, an English or Spanish bilingual guide, breakfast, and lunch. You are paying for the long mountain transfer as well as the walk itself, so the value is strongest if you want an organized day and do not want to arrange transport to Pacchanta independently.

The package does not include alcohol, unlisted meals or drinks, or the optional horseback ride. The hot springs are described as optional, but the supplied information does not clearly state an admission fee, so confirm that detail when booking or with the guide.

A group of up to 17 is a reasonable size for this kind of trip. It keeps the cost down while still allowing the guide to provide help. If you want a completely private pace, ask about a private departure rather than assuming the included private transportation means a private group.

The tour is often reserved about 17 days ahead, which suggests planning is sensible during popular periods. Still, the policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Weather cancellations offer either another date or a full refund.

The hard truth about altitude

The most important point is simple: this is not a light walk. One account specifically warns that more than five hours above 4,000 meters requires preparation and adaptation. Another describes the trail as difficult but worthwhile, with a route near 4,800 meters.

You should be comfortable with sustained walking and honest about your health. The tour asks for a moderate fitness level, but the altitude makes the outing more demanding than the wording might suggest. Anyone with a cardiac restriction should get medical guidance before considering it.

Do not race to keep up. Walk slowly, drink water, eat breakfast, and speak up early if you feel sick. The guides are praised for their care, but no guide can make high altitude harmless.

The horseback option may help with some of the walking, but it does not turn the day into an easy sightseeing trip. You still spend hours at altitude, and you still need warm clothing and patience.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to you if you want striking mountain scenery, enjoy long day trips, and have already adjusted to the altitude around Cusco. It is especially appealing if you prefer a natural setting to a crowded attraction and want local food, cultural context, and a hot-spring option in the same day.

It is also a good choice if you value a guide who stays involved. Names such as Roberto, Ernesto, Milton, Jehomar, and Juan appear in the service record, and the repeated praise centers on care, photographs, explanations, and support.

I would hesitate if you have only just arrived in Peru, dislike very early starts, struggle with long van rides, or want a gentle walk. The scenery may be spectacular, but this is an intense day with a demanding altitude profile.

Should you book the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour?

Book it if you want one big Andean day and understand what high altitude demands. The price covers the key basics, the scenery is the reason to go, and the Pacchanta meal and hot springs give the day a pleasant finish.

Skip it if you are looking for an easy outing or have not allowed time to adjust to Cusco’s altitude. Pack for cold weather, ask for vegan food ahead of time if needed, and treat the 17-kilometer possibility and 4,800-meter elevation as real planning details, not fine print.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 4:00 am from your accommodation in Cusco.

How long does the tour last?

The full outing lasts approximately 15 hours. The group is expected to return to Cusco around 6:30 pm.

What meals are included?

Breakfast in Pacchanta and lunch at a local restaurant are included. Alcoholic drinks and meals or drinks not listed are extra.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. A professional bilingual guide provides the tour in Spanish or English.

How difficult is the walk?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. The route can reach about 4,800 meters, and one account describes a walking distance of roughly 17 kilometers. You should be acclimatized and prepared for a demanding high-altitude day.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.