- A.h. Arahuay LL - 1, Cusco, Perú.
- machupicchuperutravel@hotmail.com
One of my best travel moments ever was checking out the Ausangate 7 Lakes in Peru. It’s about 3 hours from Cusco (which sits around 11,152 ft / 3,399 m altitude) and feels really out there like properly remote. Before I went I couldn’t find much info about it online almost nothing really. But a company called Peru Summit Adventures said it was way better than the super touristy Humantay Lake near Cusco so I decided to go for it. Man was I glad I did. It was awesome totally surprising and cool in new ways. So if you’re looking for something different not crowded and kinda magical Ausangate 7 Lakes is probably for you. It’s a change from the usual Peru Trips to Machu Picchu vibe.
My trip started crazy early like 4 AM under a clear moon. Me my guide Hugo and driver Edwin left Cusco. For the next three hours I kinda dozed in the back of the van as we got closer to this remote spot.
We only stopped once maybe 2 hours in just grabbed some water and bread from a tiny local market super quick. I was pretty happy I’d used the bathroom before we left Cusco haha. Because it’s so remote there just aren’t any public restrooms anywhere. Like if you really had to go it was find a spot on the side of the road.
After that long drive we finally got there. The air in the Andes mountains felt really crisp and cold. Hugo led me from the van into this little local restaurant. It was super basic just a dining room and a small kitchen area but it was perfect for 7 AM.
We got settled warmed up with hot coca tea scrambled eggs and that bread Hugo bought earlier. Simple breakfast but definitely needed it for the hike coming up.
Hugo talked to the chef to see if a local guide and a horse could come with us up the mountain. While he did that I decided to check out the restroom. It was the only one around just a small cement outhouse thing outside the restaurant. Seriously I was never happier to have brought my own toilet paper.
When I came back Hugo was standing with our guide for the day and a small tan-colored horse. We said hi I hopped on the horse and off we went up the trail to the 7 Lakes.
The trail going up was totally empty just us and some alpacas wandering around which was awesome. The path just kept going winding past fallen rocks little mountain streams and old broken stone walls. Felt like something out of Lord of the Rings honestly I kept imagining I was travelling through Middle Earth.
When we got to the first lake Hugo and I left our guide and the horse there and started hiking.
The lakes were so peaceful no crowds nothing. I felt lucky to have them all to myself just soaking in how beautiful and huge the mountains were all around me. A very different feel than many Peru Trips to Machu Picchu.
Like the name says we visited 7 lakes after getting off the horse. My favorite was probably the third one it was the biggest and had the best spots for taking pictures. The whole visit was totally worth the early wake up call in Cusco.
After hiking past the last lake through some kinda marshy ground we met back up with our local guide and the horse. He said something to Hugo in Quechua (the local indigenous language) and Hugo told me what he said:
“He’s a musician and wants to play us a song in front of the lake”.
So we sat down on a big rock nearby and our guide pulled out his harmonica. He played us two beautiful Quechua songs and even did a little dance. Hugo translated the words they were about the nature around us thanking Pachamama (like Mother Earth for the Andean people) for the beautiful day. Pretty cool surprise.
Back at the little restaurant Hugo and I sat down for lunch while our guide took the horse back. We had a traditional meal called Pachamanca its alpaca meat and potatoes cooked underground buried in the earth with hot stones.
But then Hugo and Edwin our driver surprised me with a bottle of rosé wine to share sort of a thank you for a bottle I’d bought them a few days before. We enjoyed the food and wine then invited the cook and his family to drink with us and even opened some beers from the kitchen. Good food good company.
Our local guide must have sensed a party starting because he came back with his harmonica a flute and two drum sets Everyone just grabbed an instrument and started playing.
For the first few songs I just listened enjoyed the music and hanging out. The cook and his son played drums our guide played the flute.
Maybe cause it was a small group or maybe the wine haha but soon I asked if I could join in. They immediately welcomed me gave me one of the drums and we all just kept playing music and laughing into the afternoon. It was such a blast a highlight different from planned excursions like some Peru Trips to Machu Picchu.
After a bit the cook’s wife went inside and came back out with some of her traditional Andean clothes an extra set. She pointed to the skirt jacket and hat. Hugo explained she wanted me to put them on and dance with her.
So I did! We danced it was just… pure magic. The whole day ended on such a high note I had the best dreams sleeping in the van on the ride back to Cusco.
Planning your own visit? Here’s some stuff to keep in mind.
The best time generally is during the dry season which runs from about April to October.
Shoulder Seasons (April-May, September-October): Can be great too maybe fewer people than peak season weather still pretty decent.
Wet Season (November to March):
Prices for an Ausangate 7 Lakes day trip can vary quite a bit. It depends on the tour company what’s included (transport guide meals horse etc) and if you’re in a group or private tour. Best to check directly with operators.
| Item | Cost Range | Notes |
| Day Tour | Varies Greatly | Check exactly what’s included. |
| Horse Rental | Often included/Optional add-on | Confirm if needed/wanted beforehand. |
| Tips | Up to you | Consider tipping guide horse handler cook. |
Seriously visiting Ausangate 7 Lakes was an amazing unforgettable experience. It felt real connecting and just pure magic especially the unexpected music and dancing at the end. If you want to see a different side of Peru get away from the big crowds and experience something truly special I’d say go for it.
