Seven lagoons, one serious mountain day. What makes Ausangate special is the mix of high-Andes hiking with rainbow-colored lakes, plus the way the day feeds you with breakfast and lunch made from Andean ingredients. I also love the chance to slow down in Pacchanta with a local breakfast before you start walking, and the views keep hitting you from every angle toward Ausangate Mountain. The one drawback to plan for is the altitude and long day: it’s 12–15 hours at very high elevation, so you’ll want a steady pace and warm layers.

One more thing I like is how the day is guided but not rushed. You get a bilingual guide (English and Spanish) and you’ll hear explanations tied to what you’re seeing, including flora and fauna and the Ausangate glacier. Optional horseback riding is also a smart choice if you want more of the scenery and less leg burn.

Key highlights worth getting excited about

• Early Cusco pickup (around 4:00–6:00 am) so you’re in Pacchanta in time for breakfast
• Pacchanta village breakfast with Andean ingredients in local homes
• Seven Ausangate lagoons showing colors from turquoise to emerald green
• Guided hiking with photo stops and viewpoints focused on the glacier and mountain area
• Optional horseback riding if you want a fuller, easier day on the trail
• End-of-day hot springs and lunch before returning to Cusco

Why Ausangate’s Seven Lagoons Feel Different Than the Usual Day Trips

This is the kind of day trip where the hours feel worth it, not padded. You’re not just going from one photo spot to another. You’ll walk through a stretch of the Andes where the terrain changes as you go, and then you land at lagoons that look like someone mixed mineral pigments into the water.

The famous part is the seven lagoons with colors that can range from turquoise to emerald green. Those colors aren’t just a pretty detail; they help you understand why this region is so special to locals. Water, ice, rock, and altitude all show up in what you see.

And if you’re thinking you’ll get one big view and then go back to Cusco: nope. The Ausangate Mountain shows up in the distance repeatedly, so the day keeps rewarding your attention as the sky and light shift.

Getting There: The Early Van Ride and Pacchanta’s Altitude

You start fast. Expect hotel pickup in Cusco around 4:00 to 6:00 am, then a 3-hour drive toward the village of Pacchanta, near Ausangate Mountain. This timing matters because you’re heading to a place that sits at about 4,100 meters.

At this elevation, your body needs a little respect. Your job on this trip is not to win a speed contest. Your job is to keep moving, take breaks when offered, and dress for cold air even if the sun peeks out.

The good news: the day is structured so you don’t start hiking on an empty stomach. You get a break, then a real breakfast, then you go for your first lagoon. It’s a practical rhythm for a long high-altitude day.

Breakfast in Pacchanta: Andean Ingredients, Local Homes, Real Energy

Breakfast is one of those moments that turns this from a typical tour into something more personal. In Pacchanta, local people invite you into their homes for a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients, served around 7:30 am.

What I like about this part is the way it sets expectations for the rest of the day. You’ll see you’re not just visiting a natural attraction—you’re spending time in a living community that’s accustomed to altitude and seasons. It also gives you the fuel to handle the long hike without feeling like you’re surviving on a candy bar.

A practical note: this is a morning at altitude. Even if you’re excited, keep sipping water when you can and don’t rush your food. You want steady energy for walking later.

The First Lagoon Push: The 5–6 km Start

After breakfast, you begin hiking into the Andes Mountain range. The first lagoon is about 5–6 kilometers away and takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach.

This segment is your warm-up, but it’s still serious. You’ll likely feel the thin air more than your legs notice the distance. The focus here is getting to that first big payoff: you arrive and suddenly you’re staring at a high-elevation water scene framed by the Andes and with Ausangate Mountain visible in the distance.

This is where good hiking habits pay off. Go at a pace where you can breathe and keep your footing. If you’re the type who tends to power-walk, this is the moment to dial it back.

You’ll also be set up for photos. Expect photo stops and a guided flow as you move between viewpoints.

The Main Lagoon Stretches: Around 10 km of Big Color and Andean Life

From the first lagoon, you continue your adventure to the other lagoons, perched along the Andes. The total walking time for this main section is around 10 km, roughly 5 hours on foot.

This is the heart of the day, and it’s where you’ll notice the variety:

• different angles on Ausangate Mountain
• vegetation changes as you walk through the area
• more chances to see the lagoons’ shifting tones as you reposition

If the weather is clear, this is when the color display is at its best. One tip based on what the trip experience has shown: when conditions cooperate, you can catch the lakes and mountain views together in the same stretch of time. When conditions don’t, it’s still worth going—just plan to focus on what’s visible right then.

Also, don’t skip the quiet moments. This is an area where you may spot alpacas and people in traditional clothing, which adds context to the place beyond the water. It’s not a theme-park feel; it’s a high-Andes daily-life landscape where animals and communities move through the same elevations you’re walking at.

Optional Horseback Riding: When a Horse Saves Your Legs

If you choose horseback riding, you’re basically buying yourself a different kind of experience: more time enjoying the views, less time grinding your legs for every kilometer.

The tour includes a horse if you opt for that choice, and the idea is to give you a full experience without making the hike the only story. The exact split between riding and walking isn’t spelled out in your planning notes, so I recommend thinking of horseback riding as an option that can reduce physical load during the day.

If you’re on the fence, ask yourself honestly:

• Do you want a more relaxed day that still includes the lagoons?
• Or do you want the trip to be mostly about hiking fitness?

Either way, you’ll still be at high elevation for a long day, so horseback riding helps, but it doesn’t remove the altitude factor.

Lunch, Hot Springs, and the Return Van to Cusco

After the lagoon hiking, you head back and close out the experience in a classic Andean way: food, warmth, and recovery.

You’ll have lunch around the middle-to-late part of the itinerary (with a 1-hour lunch break). After that, the day wraps with hot springs before you return to Cusco.

Here’s the one budgeting detail to know: hot spring entry is listed as not included, and the cost is 10 soles. The good value play is simple—bring some cash so you’re not scrambling at the end when your body just wants warmth.

Then it’s the return drive of about 3 hours to Cusco, finishing a full 12–15 hour day. Plan that evening like it’s a recovery day. If you go out, keep it light.

What to Pack and Wear for Cold Mornings and High Air

At Pacchanta elevation, mornings can feel sharply cold. Your packing list is already the right one—don’t treat it as optional.

Bring:

• Warm clothing (not just a light jacket)
• Gloves (you’ll be glad)
• Water
• Sunscreen (altitude sun is no joke)
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• A daypack
• Camera
• Cash for the hot spring (10 soles)
• Passport (included in the recommended list)
• Cash is called out, so follow that guidance

Practical tip: dress in layers you can adjust. Start warm, then remove what you don’t need once you’re moving. Your body will heat up during the hikes, then cool down quickly when you pause.

Price and Value: Is $139 Fair for This Kind of Day?

At $139 per person, this isn’t a bargain-basement tour. But it also isn’t just a ride to a viewpoint. You’re paying for several things at once:

• private transportation and hotel pickup in Cusco
• a bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
• a medical kit/first aid kit included
• entrance ticket to the attraction
• breakfast and lunch (with Andean ingredients)
• and, if you pick it, horseback riding

For value, I focus on whether the day feels organized and supported. This trip has built-in breaks, meals, and guidance so you don’t feel like you’re dropped into a long trek with no help. And the included meals add real comfort at altitude, which you’ll appreciate when you’re tired.

So yes, the price is meaningful. But for a private, full-day Ausangate experience with meals and guide support, it can feel like a fair deal if you’re prepared for the hike and cold.

Who This Ausangate Day Trip Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is a strong fit if you want a guided high-Andes day with real local interaction and you’re comfortable hiking at altitude for hours.

It’s not suitable for:

• children under 12
• pregnant women
• wheelchair users
• people with respiratory issues
• people with altitude sickness
• people over 75

That list isn’t paperwork fluff. It’s a safety signal for a route at 4,100 m plus long walking time.

If you’re generally healthy, enjoy hiking, and want a more personal day than big-group tours, this is a great match—especially with the private format.

Should You Book This Horseback Riding at 7 Lakes Ausangate Private | Optional Hike?

Book it if you want:

• seven lagoons with clear color payoff (turquoise to emerald green)
• a long but well-guided hike through changing high-Andes conditions
• breakfast in a local home in Pacchanta using Andean ingredients
• the chance to choose horseback riding to balance effort with enjoyment
• hot springs at the end (bring cash for the 10 soles)

Skip it if altitude is already a problem for you, or if a 12–15 hour day feels like too much. And if you hate cold mornings, remember you start early and dress accordingly.

My final take: this is one of those trips that rewards preparation. If you show up warm, paced, and ready for altitude, you’ll come away with more than photos—you’ll have a real sense of place in the Ausangate area.

FAQ

What time is pickup from Cusco?

Pickup is scheduled around 4:00 to 6:00 am from your hotel in Cusco.

How long is the tour?

The full experience runs about 12 to 15 hours.

How far do you hike on this trip?

The hike includes a first segment of about 5–6 km (around 1.5 hours), then additional walking totaling about 10 km (around 5 hours) for the other lagoons.

Where does the tour start for the hikes?

The hikes start in the village of Pacchanta, near Ausangate Mountain, at about 4,100 meters.

Is breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is included and lunch is included as well.

Is horseback riding included automatically?

Horse (and horseback riding option) is included only if you choose that option.

Are hot springs included in the price?

Hot springs are not included. There is a hot spring cost of 10 soles.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour guide is bilingual, with English and Spanish.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It’s a private group.

What weather should I plan for?

The tour runs rain or shine.

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