Full-Day Tour to Ausangate 7 Lakes

If you want an Andes day that feels like real work and real payoff, this Ausangate 7 Lakes trip delivers. You leave Cusco at 4:00 am, ride out while the light is still sharp, and then spend the morning moving between high Andean lagoons with big glacier views in the distance.

I like that the tour keeps things practical: breakfast and lunch are included, and you are not left figuring out meals on the mountain. I also like the human touch some guides bring, with examples like oxygen on hand if someone needs it and guides who stay flexible and attentive, including photographers who help you get good family shots along the way (I met groups led by Ernesto, Juan, Milton, Roberto, Jehomar, and drivers like Julio).

One consideration: this is not a casual walk. Even when the paths are steady, you are at high altitude and you need moderate fitness plus real acclimatization habits, especially if you are thinking of going at a fast pace.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• 4:00 am start means you get cooler air and better light, but you also need to be ready before sunrise.
• 7 lagoons with glacier scenery gives you a strong morning arc, then time to recover in Pacchanta.
• Meals are covered with breakfast and lunch, so you only need to plan snacks and drinks that are not listed.
• Optional hot springs and horseback ride let you choose your comfort level without breaking the schedule.
• Group size max 17 helps keep the hike from feeling crowded.
• High altitude affects everyone. If you have heart or altitude concerns, do not wing it.

Why The Early 4:00 am Start Makes This Tour Worth It

This day trip is built around a simple idea: go early, see more, and don’t burn daylight. Pickup happens from your accommodation at 4:00 am, and you ride for about 3.5 hours to Pacchanta (the tour calls it Pajchanta/Pacchanta depending on the spelling used). On the way, you can catch sunrise and mountain scenery while everyone is still half-asleep. It is early, but it is also how you avoid feeling rushed at the lagoons.

If you are the type who likes to be outside before the world fully wakes up, this timing suits you. You also get a calmer pace once you start hiking, and that matters when you are at elevation and your breathing is already working overtime.

The Ride And Breakfast Stop In Pacchanta (Where Your Day Starts Gently)

Once you arrive in Pacchanta, the first real service moment is breakfast, designed to warm you up before you start moving. The tour gives it a 4-hour block at the first stop, including the time to settle in after the drive.

This is also when you feel the temperature shift. Cold weather gear matters here. Even if Cusco feels mild that morning, the mountains can feel sharp fast, and you will want layers you can manage while you hike. A good rule: dress for “cold at the start,” not for “comfortable after you get moving.”

Another practical thing I appreciate about this structure is that breakfast is not thrown at you at the end of the day. You start strong, then you earn the lunch later.

Trekking The Seven Lagoons: What The Hike Feels Like Up High

The heart of this experience is the trek to the seven lagoons around Ausangate. Expect about 3.5 hours to visit the lagoons on the way up, followed by time to return back to Pacchanta to rest before the trip back to Cusco.

What the trek really does is give you a moving sequence of views. One lagoon looks different from the next because of angle, light, and how glacier terrain sits in the background. The best part is that the route keeps you focused: you are always walking toward the next sight, not just wandering.

Now, the honest part. This is high altitude hiking, and several people specifically call out altitude demands like walking above 4,000 meters and even referencing around 4,800 meters. Some people describe paths that are not too steep, and say it can feel easier if you are acclimated. Others warn it is not a light walk and recommend intermediate fitness with no cardiology restrictions.

So aim for a pace you can sustain. If you try to “win” the trek, the altitude will collect its fee. Move steadily, take breaks when your body asks, and trust the guide when they adjust pacing.

Bathroom reality check

One detail worth knowing: you may run into precarious restroom structures (a local situation, not something the agency can control). Plan to use what you can, but keep expectations realistic.

Horse option if you want it

If walking is too much for you on the day, there is an optional horseback ride you can pay directly to the villagers (the tour lists it around 80 soles, about $22). This is a good “choose your own comfort” add-on when you want the views but need a softer effort level.

Guide skills matter more than people think

From the groups and names I’ve seen connected to this trip, guides like Ernesto, Juan, Milton, Roberto, and Jehomar tend to be described as attentive and flexible. One group specifically notes oxygen being carried in case someone needed it. Another mentions a Quechua ceremony experience, and many note strong help with pacing and comfort, plus lots of photo support.

That attention matters at elevation. It is not just storytelling. It is practical check-ins, timing, and helping you keep moving safely.

Pacchanta Lunch And Optional Hot Springs Before You Roll Back To Cusco

After the lagoons, you return to Pacchanta to rest. Then the tour includes a restaurant meal featuring Andean food, with lunch included. If you care about food preferences, you may be able to get help: one review notes vegan support if requested. That does not mean every meal is guaranteed to fit every diet, but it suggests it is worth telling your guide up front.

This is also your pivot point for the rest of the day. You are still on the mountain side, but you are not in constant hiking mode. That break helps a lot because the return drive back to Cusco is long.

If you want one more indulgence, there is an optional bath in the hot springs of Pacchanta. It is not required. If your legs feel destroyed, the hot water can be a smart way to recover before the long ride home.

The schedule brings you back to Cusco around 6:30 pm, which means you are basically getting a full day: early morning start, high effort hike, then food, optional soaking, and a late return.

Price And Logistics: Getting Value From $69

At $69 per person for about 15 hours (approx.), this is a reasonable day-trip price for an area that is both remote and altitude-heavy. What you are paying for is not just the sightseeing. It is the long drive, a private transportation setup, and a professional bilingual guide plus the included meals.

Here is what is covered:

• Private transportation
• Professional tour guide in Spanish or English (bilingual)
• Breakfast and lunch

What is not covered:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Any meals or drinks not mentioned

That balance matters. Meals included is a big deal when you are hiking at altitude. You do not want to be doing mental math while you are cold and breathless.

Also, the group size is capped at 17 travelers, which can make the experience feel less hectic than bigger tours.

Weather is another part of the logistics. The tour notes it requires good weather, and if it is canceled for poor weather, you should be offered a different date or a full refund. In the Andes, this is normal. The mountains are not predictable.

What To Pack And How To Pace Yourself For Success

You will be outside for a long day, and you start before sunrise. Do not underpack for cold. The tour explicitly tells you to bring cold weather gear for this kind of early alpine hike.

Beyond that, I suggest thinking in layers:

• Warm base layer and a thicker layer you can keep on at stops
• A hat or head covering that works in cold wind
• Gloves you can actually tolerate while touching things like zippers and water bottles
• Something you can remove later if you overheat

For the hike itself, pacing is everything. Your goal is to finish feeling like you explored, not like you survived. If you are not used to altitude, take it slower than your ego wants. Plan on short breaks and controlled breathing.

If you are hoping to do the optional hot springs later, save a little energy for the recovery phase. It is not a bonus if it turns into something you skip because you run out of steam.

Who Should Book This Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour (And Who Should Think Twice)

This tour fits best if you want an authentic Andes day with high payoff views and a route that keeps you moving. You should feel good booking it if you have moderate physical fitness, because the hike lasts multiple hours and happens at elevation.

You might especially like it if you:

• Enjoy early starts and want the calm before the day gets busy
• Care about getting up close to nature and spending the day outdoors
• Want the convenience of meals included and a guide handling the route
• Prefer smaller groups (max 17 helps)

Think twice or talk to a medical professional first if you:

• Have heart issues or are sensitive to altitude stress
• Have limited stamina for 15 hours total, including driving time
• Expect a gentle stroll with minimal effort

One review calls it an intense walk and says it is not for everyone. That lines up with the altitude warnings people share. If you go, go prepared.

My Booking Advice: Should You Choose This Tour?

Book it if you want a day that is both scenic and meaningful, with real structure: early pickup, breakfast, a focused trek through the seven lagoons, then lunch and the option to soak in hot springs before returning to Cusco.

Skip it, or pick a gentler alternative, if you know you struggle with altitude or long walking time. This is not a “just show up in sneakers” situation. The tour runs for about 15 hours total, and the hike is the kind where pacing and acclimatization matter.

If you do book, send a message about your food needs ahead of time if you want vegan options, and tell your guide your comfort level early. Good guides adjust on the fly, and the best versions of this tour seem to rely on that kind of attention.

FAQ

What time does the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour start?

It starts at 4:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 15 hours (approx.).

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $69.00 per person.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes private transportation, a professional bilingual guide (Spanish or English), breakfast, and lunch.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring cold weather gear, and plan for a hike with a moderate physical fitness level.

Are meals included besides breakfast and lunch?

Only breakfast and lunch are listed as included. Meals or drinks not mentioned are not included.

Is there an option to ride a horse?

Yes. Horseback ride is optional and is paid directly to the villagers (around 80 soles, about $22).

Can I take a bath in Pacchanta hot springs?

Yes, it is optional free time. If you do not want it, you have time to explore the area instead.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 17 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.