Ausangate 7 Lakes, Breakfast, Lunch

Trek to the seven lakes of Ausangate on this full-day mountain hike from Cusco. The route runs for one day, a mountain day hike centred on the lakes of Ausangate.

Overview

A van collects you from your Cusco accommodation between 4 and 4:30 in the morning, and from there the day belongs to the highlands around Ausangate. The drive to Pacchanta takes about three and a half hours, with a breakfast stop built in before the walking starts. Morning temperatures in the area sit between 5 and 9 degrees Celsius, so the operator tells you to bring a warm sweater, jacket, hat and gloves. From Pacchanta you get your first look at Ausangate itself, a snow-capped peak standing 6,384 meters above sea level.

The trek covers roughly 13 kilometers and takes around 4.5 hours, climbing to a high point of 4,620 meters. You pass a series of alpine lakes with a photo stop along the way, and walkers often spread out and move at their own speed while the guide moves up and down the group. Back in Pacchanta there is a local lunch, and then the option to soak in the hot springs while the mountains sit in the background. The van returns to Cusco between 6 and 7 in the evening.

This is a one day trek at serious altitude, and the listing warns that you will trek over 4,800 meters above sea level. One reviewer, on a second full day at altitude, still found sections physically tough. Horse riding is available at an extra fee for anyone who wants to take pressure off the legs, though the operator does not manage those rentals.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup from your Cusco accommodation starts between 4 and 4:30 am. Collecting the whole group can take 30 to 45 minutes, so early pickups involve some waiting.
2. Van to PacchantaA 3.5 hour drive on a rough dirt road. The listing recommends altitude pills or personal medicine because the drive itself can bring on altitude sickness.
3. Breakfast in PacchantaA 30 minute breakfast stop, with a chance to buy anything forgotten in Cusco such as water and snacks.
4. Hike toward the lakes3 hours of hiking through varied terrain with the guide positioned around the group. Optional horse riding for 3 hours is available at an extra fee, arranged locally rather than by the operator.
5. Ausangate lakes photo stopA 30 minute stop at the lakes for photos, with panoramic views of the Andes.
6. Hike back to Pacchanta2 more hours of hiking, with optional horse riding again available at an extra fee.
7. LunchA 30 minute local lunch in Pacchanta.
8. Hot springs soak30 minutes in the Pacchanta hot springs, paid as an extra fee on site. One reviewer missed this because rain arrived suddenly.
9. Return to CuscoA 3.5 hour van ride back, with drop-off near the Cusco center. Arrival is between 6 and 7 pm, though one reviewer reported being back a little after 5 pm.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from the cold start to the altitude and the cash you need on the mountain.

• Altitude and fitness. The listing warns that you will trek over 4,800 meters above sea level, and that even the drive can trigger altitude sickness. Several reviewers said the hike is physically tough if you have not acclimatised, including one who was on a second full day at altitude and still struggled. Horse riding is available at an extra fee for anyone who needs it.
• Cold start. Morning temperatures in the area range from 5 to 9 degrees Celsius. The listing tells you to bring an extra warm sweater, jacket, hat and gloves, and reviewers confirm the early start is a real one, with pickup from 4 am. Rain gear is on the bring list too, since weather can turn quickly.
• Walk your own pace. The trail is well defined and the group spreads out, with the guide moving between sections to assist. One reviewer described a group of about 11 people, all walking at their own speed, and another mentioned a group ranging in age from 22 to 62 where everyone finished.
• Cash in soles. Entrance fees and the hot springs cost 30 soles and are not included, and the listing states that all extra expenses on the trip, including water and souvenirs, must be paid in cash and in Peruvian soles. There is no card option for these costs, so plan your cash before leaving Cusco.
• Food and drink. Breakfast and lunch are included, with a 30 minute stop for each in Pacchanta. Multiple reviewers called the food good or even amazing, and one noted there were enough vegetarian options. Bring your own snacks and water, as the listing puts both on the packing list.
• Sunglasses and sun. The listing makes sunglasses mandatory for the entire hike, and they are also on the what-to-bring list. Reviews mention sudden weather changes, including rain that cut a hot springs visit short, so plan for both strong sun and wet conditions in one day.

Common issues. The drive is long, around seven hours round trip on a dirt road in poor condition, and one reviewer flagged the bumpiness while praising the driver's handling. Altitude is the other real risk: the listing recommends bringing personal medicine or altitude pills, and reviewers who had not fully acclimatised found parts of the trek hard. One reviewer reported a guide who gave little information and had weak English, which contrasts with most other accounts but is worth knowing since guides vary. Pickup coordination and timing information could be clearer, according to some feedback. Entrance fees and the hot springs, 30 soles, are paid separately in cash, and horse rentals are arranged with locals without any involvement from the operator.

Common Questions