Horseback Riding at 7 lakes Ausangate Private |Optional Hike

The real draw here is the seven Ausangate lakes, each showing a different mix of turquoise, green, and mountain reflections beneath Ausangate’s snowy heights. I like the choice between walking and horseback riding, and I like that the day includes breakfast with local people rather than a rushed roadside stop.

I also like the private format. Guides such as Alexander and Julio have led this outing, and the small setting gives you more room to ask about Andean plants, animals, local customs, and the Ausangate glacier. The catch is the altitude: Pacchanta sits at 4,100 meters, and the full day can last 12 to 15 hours, with roughly five hours on foot.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven high lakes: Expect changing colors from turquoise to emerald green, with Ausangate Mountain in the distance.
• Horseback option: Choose the horse if you want to reduce the walking load or simply experience the route in a more traditional local way.
• Very early start: Pickup in Cusco is usually between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m., followed by about three hours in a private van.
• Andean food and local contact: Breakfast comes at a Pacchanta home, with lunch later in the day.
• Hot springs finish: Pacchanta’s thermal waters are a welcome final stop, but the 10-sol admission fee is extra.
• High-altitude demands: This is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory problems or altitude sickness, or people over 75.

Why the seven Ausangate lakes are worth the long day

The seven lakes are the main event, and they earn the early alarm clock. This is a high Andean outing with wide views, thin air, hardy vegetation, alpacas, and the bulk of Ausangate Mountain in the distance.

The lakes are not all the same color. Depending on the water, light, and surrounding minerals, you can see shades ranging from turquoise to emerald green. That variety gives the walk a pleasant rhythm. You are not simply reaching one viewpoint, taking one photo, and turning back.

The first lake is about 5 to 6 kilometers from the starting area and takes around an hour and a half to reach. The full route to the group of lakes covers about 10 kilometers and roughly five hours of walking, though exact timing can change with weather, pace, and altitude.

I would not choose this day only for a quick photo stop. The appeal is the whole setting: the cold open air, the colorful water, the mountain backdrop, and the chance to see alpacas and local people in traditional clothing. The views are the kind that reward patience rather than speed.

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

Your day begins before sunrise. Pickup from your Cusco hotel is scheduled between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m., so confirm the exact time and be ready with warm clothing, water, and a small daypack.

The drive to the Ausangate area takes about three hours in private transportation. That is a long road trip before the main activity begins, but private transport helps. You are not waiting for a large group to gather at several hotels, and your guide can organize the pace around your group.

This early start also explains the 12 to 15-hour total duration. You leave Cusco in the morning and return late, after the lakes, lunch, and hot springs. It is a full day, not a light half-day excursion.

Bring a camera, gloves, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and cash. The sun can feel strong at altitude even when the air is cold. Warm layers matter because the temperature can shift sharply during a mountain day, and the activity runs rain or shine.

Breakfast in Pacchanta at 4,100 meters

Pacchanta is the village used as the base for the day, near Ausangate Mountain. Once you arrive, local people invite you into their homes for a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients.

This is one of the nicest parts of the experience because it puts food and daily life into the trip. You are not simply being delivered to a trailhead. You have time to eat, meet local people, and get settled before the walking begins.

Breakfast is scheduled for around 7:30 a.m. Keep in mind that you are already at roughly 4,100 meters. If you have not adjusted to high altitude, the meal is a good moment to notice how you feel and tell your guide before setting out.

Altitude is the main practical concern here. The outing is specifically not suitable for people with altitude sickness or respiratory issues. You should also think carefully about the five-hour walk if you are not used to mountain activity.

Choosing between walking and horseback riding

You can complete the route on foot or select the horseback riding option. The horse is included only if you choose that option, so check that the correct choice is part of your reservation.

Horseback riding can make sense if you want to reduce the physical strain of the route. It also adds a local character to the day and lets you see the high country at a slower, more relaxed pace. The supplied details do not specify how many hours you ride or how the horse is used on every section, so ask the operator for the exact riding plan before you book.

Walking gives you more control over your pace and lets you spend time looking at the plants, animals, water, and rock around the lakes. It is also the more demanding choice at this altitude. You should not treat five hours of mountain walking as a casual stroll.

If your group has mixed abilities, discuss the plan with the guide early. The private format is useful here because you are not locked into the pace of a large group.

Five hours among the lakes and Andean wildlife

After breakfast, you head into the Andes toward the first lagoon. The route then continues to the other lakes, which sit among mountain vegetation with Ausangate visible in the distance.

The guide leads a walking tour and makes photo stops along the way. One especially useful part of the experience is the chance to ask about local flora and fauna. Michaela’s guide explained the importance of the Ausangate glacier, while the route itself brought views of alpacas and people in traditional clothing.

Those details give the scenery more meaning. You are not just collecting colorful lake photographs. You are seeing a working highland setting where animals, people, water, and mountain conditions all fit together.

The route can feel exposed and demanding because of the elevation. There is no promise of comfortable weather, and the tour operates in rain or sunshine. A daypack, gloves, warm clothing, water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes are not optional extras in practical terms. They are the items that make the difference between enjoying the views and spending the day managing discomfort.

What the private format adds

This is a private group experience, which matters more here than it would on a simple city walk. A private vehicle and guide mean your party can ask questions, discuss the horse option, and adjust the pace within the limits of the schedule.

The format also suits people who do not want a large group on a remote mountain route. Julio has guided the Ausangate trek, and Alexander has been praised for handling the day and its meals. The experience uses bilingual guides in English and Spanish.

You should still be clear about what private means. It does not remove the altitude, the long drive, the weather, or the five-hour route. It gives your party a more personal setup, but it cannot turn a high mountain excursion into an easy outing.

Lunch, hot springs, and the trip back to Cusco

After the lake route, you return to the Ausangate area for a break and lunch. The food is an important part of the day, especially after the long walk or ride, and the meal helps mark the change from mountain activity to the return journey.

The final treat is Pacchanta’s hot springs. The thermal waters offer a practical way to warm up and rest before the three-hour drive back to Cusco. Bring cash because hot spring entry costs 10 soles and is not included.

Dinner is not included, and the schedule can stretch to 15 hours. You may want to arrange your evening lightly rather than booking another activity after you return. The late finish is one of the clearest drawbacks of this outing.

The return van ride takes about three hours. By the time you arrive in Cusco, you will have spent a long day at altitude, so the tour works best when you have a free evening afterward.

Is $139 a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see mountain scenery near Cusco. The price is easier to justify if you value a private van, a bilingual guide, attraction admission, hotel pickup, and the option to ride a horse.

The local breakfast, lunch stop, and hot springs also give the day more substance than a simple transport-and-photo excursion. Keep in mind that the hot spring fee is extra, dinner is not included, and the horse is included only with the horseback option.

For a private outing, the price can be good value if you are traveling with people who want a flexible, personal day rather than a large shared group. It is less attractive if your main goal is simply to reach one viewpoint at the lowest possible cost.

The booking terms also reduce some risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so confirm availability when choosing your date.

Who should book this Ausangate day?

I would recommend it most strongly to adults and older teens who are already comfortable with long days, cold weather, and high altitude. The official age limit excludes children under 12, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, people with altitude sickness, or people over 75.

Choose it if you want more than a standard Cusco excursion. The combination of colorful lakes, local food, alpacas, traditional clothing, glacier context, and thermal waters gives the day several distinct parts.

Choose the horse option if you want the full experience with less walking pressure, but confirm the exact riding arrangements before paying. Choose hiking if you want the physical challenge and more time moving through the mountains under your own power.

I would not choose this tour for a relaxed vacation day, a short outing, or a group member who has not handled altitude well. The early pickup, three-hour drive each way, five-hour activity, and late return require real stamina.

Practical packing advice for this high-altitude route

Pack lightly, but do not pack casually. Your daypack should hold water, sunscreen, gloves, warm clothing, and a camera, along with cash for the thermal baths.

Comfortable shoes are important for the walking sections. Even riders may need to walk at points, and the route is described as a mountain hike rather than a short ride from van to viewpoint.

Bring your passport as requested, and keep it dry and secure. The tour runs rain or shine, so a weather change should not surprise you. A first aid kit is provided, but that does not replace personal medication or preparation for altitude.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, full-day Ausangate experience with seven colorful lakes, Andean food, local contact, a horse option, and hot springs at the end. The strongest reasons to go are the variety of the day and the chance to learn about the glacier, plants, animals, and local culture from a bilingual guide.

Think twice if you dislike pre-dawn departures, long drives, or high-altitude walking. At $139, it makes the most sense for people who value private transport and a more personal route, not for anyone seeking the cheapest or easiest excursion from Cusco.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate lakes tour take?

The total duration is about 12 to 15 hours. This includes roughly three hours of travel from Cusco to the Ausangate area, the mountain activity, meals, hot springs, and the return drive.

What time is pickup from Cusco?

Pickup is scheduled between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. The exact starting time depends on availability and should be confirmed when you book.

How high is Pacchanta?

Pacchanta is located at about 4,100 meters near Ausangate Mountain.

How far is the hike to the first lake?

The first lagoon is approximately 5 to 6 kilometers away and takes about 1.5 hours to reach.

How much walking is involved?

The full hiking route is approximately 10 kilometers and takes around five hours. You can choose the horseback riding option instead.

Is horseback riding included?

A horse is included if you choose the horseback riding option. The provided details do not specify the exact riding schedule or how much of the route is completed on horseback.

Are meals included?

The day includes breakfast in a local home and lunch in the Ausangate area. Dinner is not included.

Does the tour include the hot springs?

The hot springs are part of the planned experience, but admission costs 10 soles and is not included. Bring cash to pay the fee.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour provides a live guide in English or Spanish. It is a private group experience with hotel pickup in Cusco.