Horseback Riding at 7 lakes Ausangate Private |Optional Hike

High lakes, hot springs, and a very early start. This private Ausangate outing takes you from Cusco to Pacchanta for breakfast in a local home, then into the Andes for seven colorful lagoons beneath Ausangate Mountain. I like the private format, which gives you more room to set the pace, and I like the chance to meet local people over a home-cooked Andean meal. The biggest appeal is that you can choose horses if a long high-altitude walk sounds too demanding.

The trade-off is serious altitude and a long day. You leave Cusco between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m., reach Pacchanta at about 4,100 meters, and spend roughly five hours around the lakes. If you have altitude sickness, respiratory problems, or little experience at high elevation, this is not the right outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lakes with changing colors: Expect lagoons ranging from turquoise to emerald green, with Ausangate Mountain visible in the distance.
• A local breakfast in Pacchanta: People from the village welcome you into their homes for a filling meal made with Andean ingredients.
• Horseback riding is available: Choose the horse option if you want help covering the route at high elevation.
• A long private day from Cusco: The round-trip drive takes about six hours, with another five hours set aside for walking and sightseeing.
• Hot springs finish the outing: After lunch, you can soak in Pacchanta’s thermal waters for an additional 10 soles.
• Small-group attention: The private setup suits people who prefer a personal guide instead of a large group.

Why the Ausangate lakes are worth the long day

The Ausangate region offers a different side of the Cusco area. Instead of ruins, paved viewpoints, and busy streets, you get open mountain country, grazing alpacas, native vegetation, and high lakes scattered around the base of one of Peru’s great peaks.

The seven lagoons are the main event. Their colors can range from turquoise to emerald green, and the water looks different depending on the light and weather. You should not expect seven identical postcard stops. The pleasure comes from seeing the colors change as you move through the high Andes, with Ausangate Mountain providing the backdrop.

I also like that the experience connects the scenery with local life. Breakfast takes place in Pacchanta, where local people prepare food using Andean ingredients and invite you into their homes. That makes the morning feel less like a quick roadside stop and more like a direct introduction to the community.

The setting is high enough that the air feels thin, even if you are fit. You may need to walk slowly, pause often, and drink water regularly. The horse option can reduce the physical strain, but it does not remove the effect of altitude. A beautiful view is easier to enjoy when you are not trying to catch your breath every few minutes.

The 4:00 to 6:00 a.m. pickup from Cusco

The day begins with hotel pickup in Cusco between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. The exact start time depends on availability, so check it when you book. This is an early departure, but it is necessary for a full day in the Ausangate region.

The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours by private van. That transport is a major part of the value at $139 per person, especially if you want a private group rather than arranging separate transport, entrance tickets, and a guide.

You should treat the drive as travel time, not as a minor transfer. The full outing lasts 12 to 15 hours, so keep your day free and avoid scheduling an evening activity in Cusco. Bring warm clothing for the early morning, plus water, sunscreen, gloves, and a small daypack.

Private transport also gives your group more flexibility than a large shared bus. You can ask questions, settle in comfortably, and discuss the riding or walking plan with the bilingual guide. English and Spanish guiding are available.

Breakfast in Pacchanta at 4,100 meters

After the drive, you reach Pacchanta, a village near Ausangate Mountain. The elevation here is about 4,100 meters, so breakfast arrives at an important moment. You get a chance to eat, warm up, and let your body adjust before the main outing.

Local people invite you into their homes for a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients. This is one of the most appealing parts of the experience because it brings you into contact with the community before the scenery takes over.

The meal is not presented as a luxury restaurant stop. That is exactly the point. You are receiving a practical, local welcome in a village connected to the mountain route. Reviews of the experience praised both breakfast and lunch, so you can expect the food to be more than a token snack.

Use this stop to check your gear. Your passport, camera, water, sunscreen, gloves, and cash should be easy to reach. Comfortable shoes and warm clothing are essential. Weather can change, and the tour runs rain or shine.

The first lagoon after a 1.5-hour approach

The first lagoon is about 5 to 6 kilometers away and takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach. This opening stretch gives you time to settle into the altitude and find your pace.

You will walk through open Andean country with mountain views, vegetation, and the possibility of seeing alpacas along the route. One review specifically praised the combination of the mountain, lakes, alpacas, and local people wearing traditional clothing. Those details help make the route feel like a living community area rather than a collection of isolated viewpoints.

The first lake is also a useful reality check. If you are hiking, you will learn quickly how your body responds to the elevation. If you are riding, you still need to remain comfortable around the horse and follow the guide’s instructions.

The route is not described as a technical climb, but the distance and altitude make it demanding. You should not judge the walk by its distance alone. Five or six kilometers at more than 4,000 meters can feel much harder than the same distance at sea level.

Five hours among seven Ausangate lagoons

After reaching the first lagoon, the route continues toward the other lakes. The hiking portion lasts about five hours and covers approximately 10 kilometers in total. You will have time for photos, guided explanations, and pauses to take in the scenery.

This is where the tour earns its reputation for dramatic views. The lagoons offer different shades of blue-green, while Ausangate Mountain appears in the distance. The guide can also explain local flora and fauna and the importance of the Ausangate glacier. That added context matters because the area is more than a pretty background for photographs.

I especially like the balance between scenery and explanation. One guide, Michaela’s guide, was praised for discussing plants, animals, and the glacier. Another guide named Julio was singled out for leading the Ausangate trek, while Alexander received praise for the food and overall day. Guide quality can shape a high-altitude outing, so these details are encouraging.

Still, keep expectations sensible. Weather may affect visibility, and the tour operates in rain or sun. The colors of the lakes can look stronger under clear skies, but no mountain trip can promise perfect conditions.

Horseback riding or hiking?

The experience offers a horseback riding option, and the horse is included when you select it. This is a useful choice for anyone who wants to see the area but worries about completing the full route on foot.

The horse option does not turn the trip into a short scenic ride. You are still visiting a high-altitude mountain region, spending many hours outdoors, and moving between several lagoons. Ask the guide about the riding plan at the start so you understand which sections are covered on horseback and which may involve walking.

If you are comfortable hiking at altitude, walking gives you the most direct connection with the terrain. You can stop for photos, notice plants and animals, and move at a steady rhythm. If you prefer to conserve energy, riding may let you enjoy more of the route without exhausting yourself.

The best choice depends on your health, hiking experience, and comfort with horses. A horse can help with distance, but it is not a substitute for preparing for 4,100 meters. People with altitude sickness or respiratory issues should not book this activity.

Lunch, thermal waters, and the return to Cusco

After the lake route, you return toward Pacchanta for a break and lunch. The meal is included, and the food received strong praise along with breakfast. That is important on a day this long because you need a proper meal, not just packaged food from a daypack.

The optional hot springs provide a welcome finish. Entry costs 10 soles and is not included in the tour price. If you want to use the thermal waters, keep cash available and bring whatever you need for that stop.

The hot springs are not an afterthought. They give your legs a chance to relax after the route and add a local Pacchanta experience beyond the lakes. If you are tired, the soak may be the most welcome part of the afternoon.

After lunch and the thermal stop, the van returns to Cusco. The return drive takes about three hours, so you may arrive back in the evening. That makes this a full-day commitment from hotel door to hotel door.

Is $139 a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Ausangate lakes. But the price includes hotel pickup in Cusco, private transportation, a bilingual guide, the attraction entrance ticket, a first aid kit, and a horse if you choose the horseback option.

The private transport is the main value. Public transport to a remote high-altitude starting point would add planning, transfers, and uncertainty. A private group also means you are not tied to the pace of a large tour.

Breakfast and lunch are included, which helps offset the cost. The only listed extra is the 10-sol hot spring admission, along with any dinner after you return to Cusco. Dinner is not included, so plan to eat before turning in for the night.

For a private day with transport, food, a guide, lake access, and horseback riding available, the price is reasonable for people who value convenience and personal attention. If you are comfortable arranging transport and walking independently, you may prefer a lower-cost option. The private format is the central reason to pay more.

Who should book this Ausangate experience?

I would recommend it to fit adults who want a major mountain day without committing to a multi-day trek. It also suits people who prefer private guiding, local meals, and a choice between walking and riding.

It is a good match if you want:

• A full-day outing from Cusco
• High mountain scenery and colorful lakes
• A private group rather than a large shared tour
• Local contact in Pacchanta
• A guide who can speak English or Spanish
• A horseback riding alternative
• Thermal waters after a long day outside

I would not recommend it to children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, people dealing with altitude sickness, or anyone over 75. Those restrictions are not minor. The route is remote, high, long, and physically demanding.

You should also think twice if you dislike early mornings or long van rides. Three hours each way is a lot of time on the road. The reward is a spectacular mountain setting, but you need to accept the travel involved.

What to pack for the high Andes

Pack for cold, sun, wind, and possible rain. The tour runs rain or shine, so a light layer is not enough preparation by itself.

Bring:

• Passport
• Warm clothing
• Gloves
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Cash
• Small daypack

Wear shoes that can handle a long walk and uneven outdoor ground. Your camera is worth bringing, but keep it protected from weather. Sunscreen matters even on a cold day at high altitude.

Do not rely on the included first aid kit to solve every personal need. Carry any medication you normally require, though the tour information does not specify personal medical supplies. Pace yourself, drink water, and tell the guide if you feel unwell.

Should you book the seven lakes tour?

Book it if you want Ausangate’s dramatic lakes, prefer a private outing, and are ready for a 12 to 15-hour day at high altitude. The strongest reasons are the local breakfast, excellent lunch, private guide, horse option, and the chance to finish in Pacchanta’s thermal waters.

Skip it if you are not acclimatized, have a listed medical restriction, or want a relaxed sightseeing day. This is a demanding mountain experience with a three-hour drive each way, not a quick photo stop.

For the right person, the $139 price buys a well-organized day with real scenery, local contact, food, and useful flexibility. Pick the horse option if you want help with the distance, bring proper layers, and keep the evening after the tour completely free.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven lakes experience last?

The experience lasts about 12 to 15 hours, including hotel pickup in Cusco, transportation, the visit to the lakes, lunch, and the return drive.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup takes place between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. The exact starting time depends on availability.

Is horseback riding included?

A horse is included if you choose the horseback riding option when booking.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in a local home in Pacchanta, and lunch is included after the lake visit.

Does the tour include the hot springs?

No. Hot spring entry costs 10 soles and is paid separately.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, people with altitude sickness, or people over 75.