Horseback Riding at 7 lakes Ausangate Private |Optional Hike

Ausangate’s seven colored lakes give this long day a clear purpose: you travel deep into the high Andes to see water shifting from turquoise to emerald green beneath snow-covered Ausangate Mountain. You can walk the roughly 10-kilometer route or choose the horseback riding option, which makes the high-altitude outing more manageable.

I like the warm local touch of breakfast in Pacchanta and the chance to see alpacas, traditional clothing, and Andean vegetation along the way. I also like the private format, with guides such as Alexander and Julio able to explain the area and adjust attention to your group. The drawback is the start before dawn, the thin air at 4,100 meters, and a very full 12 to 15-hour day.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven lakes beneath Ausangate Mountain: The route links a striking series of high-altitude lagoons with colors ranging from turquoise to emerald green.
• Horseback riding is optional: Choose the horse option if you want help with the long high-altitude route, but confirm how much of the route will be on horseback when booking.
• Breakfast in a local home: Pacchanta residents prepare a filling meal with Andean ingredients before the day’s walk.
• A private group makes a difference: You avoid a large coach group and have a bilingual English or Spanish guide focused on your party.
• Hot springs finish the day: After lunch, you can soak in Pacchanta for an additional 10 soles.
• Plan for serious altitude: The village sits at 4,100 meters, and the tour is not suitable for people with respiratory problems or altitude sickness.

Why the seven lakes are worth the long ride

The lakes are the headline, but the setting gives them their force. This is not a quick viewpoint beside the road. You travel into the Andes, where the water sits among high mountain slopes, open grassland, native vegetation, alpacas, and the distant bulk of Ausangate.

The colors are not guaranteed to look identical every day. Sun, clouds, and weather affect how the lagoons appear, but the route is designed to show a range of tones, from turquoise to emerald green. The changing views give the five-hour walk a useful rhythm. You are not simply walking toward one stop and turning around.

The mountain backdrop matters, too. Ausangate is one of the defining peaks of the region, and the guide can explain the importance of its glacier, along with local flora and fauna. That extra context turns a scenic outing into a better understanding of why these waters and mountains matter to nearby communities.

You should also expect a quiet, exposed mountain setting rather than a polished attraction. Weather can shift quickly, and the tour operates in rain or shine. Bring warm layers and accept that clouds may soften the views. A clear morning can be spectacular, but the experience still depends on your ability to handle cold, wind, sun, and altitude.

Leaving Cusco between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m.

Hotel pickup in Cusco begins around 4:00 to 6:00 a.m., depending on the departure time available for your booking. That early start is not a minor detail. The drive to Pacchanta takes about three hours, and the full outing can run from 12 to 15 hours.

Private transportation is included, so you are not coordinating separate transfers or meeting a large public group. The long ride is the price of reaching this remote section of the Cusco Region in one day. If you want a relaxed morning or a short outing, this is the wrong choice. If you have only one day for Ausangate and want a private arrangement, the schedule makes practical sense.

Use the drive to rest, but do not depend on sleep alone to solve altitude problems. The walk begins at around 4,100 meters, far higher than Cusco. If you know you react badly to altitude, this activity is not suitable. It is also not designed for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 75.

Breakfast in Pacchanta with Andean ingredients

The first meaningful stop is Pacchanta, a village near Ausangate Mountain. Local people invite you into their homes for breakfast at about 7:30 a.m., with the meal built around Andean ingredients.

This is one of my favorite parts of the experience because it gives the day a human beginning. You are not just stepping out of a van at a trailhead and marching toward a photo stop. You meet local residents and begin the morning in a community connected to the mountain route.

Breakfast also has a practical job. A high-altitude walk requires food, water, and steady energy. The meal is included, as is lunch later in the day, and both were singled out for their quality by Jack, who found them a highlight of the outing. Still, bring water and a few personal snacks if you normally eat often during long walks.

Pacchanta is also where you can begin to notice local dress, alpacas, and the working character of the area. The cultural contact is brief, but it is more direct than simply passing a village window on the drive.

The first lake after 5 to 6 kilometers

From the starting area, the first lagoon is about 5 to 6 kilometers away. The stated walking time is around 1.5 hours, though your pace, stops, weather, and altitude will affect that estimate.

This opening stretch is where you learn how your body is handling the day. The distance itself is not extreme at low altitude, but 4,100 meters changes the effort. Walk slowly, breathe evenly, and take the guide’s advice seriously. There is no prize for racing ahead and feeling unwell halfway through the route.

At the first lake, you get the initial view of the colored water and the surrounding Andean setting. Your guide can help identify the area’s plant life and explain the role of Ausangate’s glacier. Guides Alexander and Julio are names connected with this experience, and their work has included explaining local flora, fauna, and the mountain’s importance.

The first stop also gives you a chance to judge the weather. If clouds are moving in, keep your warm layer close and protect your camera. If the sun is bright, sunscreen and gloves still matter. High-altitude sun can feel sharp even when the air is cold.

Five hours among the remaining lagoons

After the first lake, the route continues through the mountains to the other lagoons. The total walking distance is about 10 kilometers, with roughly five hours spent on foot. The wording of the tour allows a horseback riding option, and a horse is included if you select it.

That option can be valuable for anyone who wants the full Ausangate setting but is concerned about a long walk at altitude. It may also help you conserve energy for the sightseeing. Ask the operator exactly how the horse is used on your chosen departure, since the supplied details confirm the horse option but do not specify how many kilometers you will ride or whether every section is suitable for riding.

If you walk, expect the reward to come from variety. The route passes through open mountain scenery, vegetation, and views toward Ausangate. Alpacas may be part of the scene, and local people in traditional clothing add a strong sense of place. These are not staged cultural performances. They are details of daily life along a route used by the surrounding communities.

The route is best for people who enjoy an active day and do not need constant facilities. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Pack a daypack with water, sunscreen, gloves, warm clothing, and a camera. Cash is needed for the hot springs, and the attraction entrance is included.

What the private format changes

A private group is a major reason to consider this tour instead of a large shared departure. The guide can focus on your pace, your questions, and your comfort. That matters on a high-altitude route, where one person may need more time at a viewpoint while another wants to keep moving.

The bilingual guide service is available in English or Spanish. This is useful when you want more than directions. You can ask about Ausangate’s glacier, the local plants and animals, or the cultural meaning of the mountain area. Michaela’s experience included detailed explanations of flora, fauna, and the glacier, which is exactly the sort of guiding that adds value here.

Private does not mean easy. You still face the early pickup, long drive, high elevation, and demanding walk. It simply gives your party a more personal structure. Julio has guided this Ausangate route, while Alexander has been associated with the food and overall day. Names can vary by departure, so confirm your assigned guide if that matters to you.

Lunch, hot springs, and the ride back

After the mountain portion, you return to Ausangate and stop for lunch. Like breakfast, lunch is included. This is a welcome pause after several hours of walking or riding, and it gives you a chance to recover before the final return journey.

The hot springs are optional and cost 10 soles. I would treat them as a useful finish, not an automatic part of the included price. After a cold high-altitude day, warm water can make the return to Cusco much more comfortable. Bring cash, and allow for the possibility that the exact timing depends on the group and conditions.

The van then takes about three hours back to Cusco. You may arrive tired. That is not a flaw in the tour, but it is something to plan around. Avoid scheduling an important evening activity after this outing. The day begins before sunrise and includes a full mountain route, lunch, optional hot springs, and a long drive home.

Is $139 a good value?

At $139 per person, the price includes hotel pickup in Cusco, private transportation, a bilingual guide, the attraction entrance, breakfast, lunch, and a medical or first aid kit. The horse is included if you select the horseback riding option.

That package gives the price real weight. A private vehicle and guide for a remote full-day mountain trip would cost more than a simple shared transfer, and meals remove two practical expenses. The horse option is especially important for people who want extra support on the route.

You should budget another 10 soles for the hot springs, plus cash for personal needs. Dinner is not included, which is easy to forget after returning late. The value is strongest if you want a private experience, local meals, and a guide rather than only transportation to a viewpoint.

It is less compelling if you want a cheap, short excursion or if you are not prepared for the altitude. The price cannot make the thin air, early wake-up, or long return drive disappear.

What to pack for a high-altitude day

Keep your gear simple and useful:

• Passport and cash
• Water and a small daypack
• Warm clothing and gloves
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunscreen and camera
• Extra layers for changing weather

The tour runs in rain or shine, so do not pack only for the sunny photographs shown in your plans. Warm clothing is essential, and gloves are specifically worth carrying. Comfortable shoes matter even if you choose horseback riding because you may still walk at parts of the route.

Take altitude seriously. The tour is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or respiratory issues. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users because the route is a mountain walking and riding experience rather than an accessible attraction.

Who should book this Ausangate day?

I would recommend it to you if you want a private, active excursion from Cusco and are excited by high mountain scenery rather than a quick city-side attraction. It suits adults and older teenagers who can manage the altitude, early departure, and long day.

The horseback option broadens its appeal, especially if you want help with the 10-kilometer route. Still, you should ask for clear details about the riding portion before paying, since the available information does not say how much time is spent in the saddle.

I would not choose it for a relaxed holiday schedule, a family with young children, or anyone who has not adjusted well to altitude. The route is beautiful, but it demands preparation. The private format helps with comfort and pacing, not with the basic physical conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the seven lagoons, Ausangate views, and local Pacchanta connection are high on your Cusco wish list. The strongest reasons are the private guide, local breakfast and lunch, optional horseback support, and hot springs at the end.

Skip it if you want a late start or a brief sightseeing stop. For the right person, the $139 price is fair because it covers transport, food, guiding, entrance, and the possibility of a horse in one long day. Just arrive prepared for cold, altitude, and a very early alarm.

FAQ

How long does the Ausangate seven lakes tour take?

The experience lasts about 12 to 15 hours, including the drive from Cusco, the mountain route, meals, and the return journey.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup from your Cusco hotel is scheduled around 4:00 to 6:00 a.m. The exact start time depends on availability.

Is horseback riding included?

A horse is included if you choose the horseback riding option. The available details do not specify how much of the route is completed on horseback, so confirm that when booking.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served in Pacchanta at about 7:30 a.m., and lunch is provided after the mountain portion of the activity.

Do I need to pay extra for the hot springs?

Yes. The hot springs cost 10 soles and are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, people with altitude sickness, or people over 75 years old.