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The Ausangate 12 Lakes Horseback Riding Tour – 1 Day is an exceptional high-Andean adventure designed for travelers who wish to experience the remote beauty of the Andes on horseback, without the physical demands of trekking. This full-day journey unfolds in one of Peru’s most dramatic mountain regions, surrounded by towering glaciers, vast open valleys, colorful wetlands, and pristine glacial waters.
The experience begins in the traditional Andean village of Pacchanta, a community located at the foothills of the sacred Ausangate massif. From here, you will follow quiet mountain trails that cross untouched landscapes rarely visited by hikers. Riding at a comfortable and steady pace allows you to fully appreciate the silence of the highlands, the immense scale of the scenery, and the constantly changing colors of the alpine terrain.
During the ride, you will explore a remarkable circuit of twelve high-altitude glacial lakes, each shaped by ancient ice and mineral-rich runoff. These natural jewels display a stunning palette of colors—ranging from bright turquoise and emerald green to deep blue and reddish tones—creating an ever-changing visual experience as light and weather shift throughout the day.
Along the route, your local guide will explain the importance of this region in Andean culture and spirituality, sharing stories about local traditions, native wildlife such as vicuñas and Andean birds, and the powerful role the mountain plays in local beliefs. This horseback journey offers a peaceful and immersive way to connect with nature while avoiding the crowds found on more popular walking routes.
The day concludes with a well-deserved moment of relaxation at the Pacchanta hot springs, where you can soak in natural thermal waters while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks—an unforgettable ending to a truly unique Andean experience.
The Ausangate 12 Lakes Horseback Riding Tour begins early in the morning with hotel pickup in Cusco at 4:30 a.m., heading toward the heart of the Peruvian Andes and the impressive Ausangate Mountain, the most sacred and iconic peak in Ausangate, Peru. During the scenic three-hour drive, you will pass traditional Andean villages, vast highland plains, and breathtaking mountain landscapes until reaching the remote community of Pacchanta, located at the foothills of Ausangate Mountain.
Upon arrival in Pacchanta, you will enjoy a traditional Andean breakfast prepared with fresh local ingredients. After breakfast, your professional guide will give a short horseback riding briefing, explaining safety instructions and ensuring everyone feels comfortable before starting the ride. This tour is done entirely on horseback; no hiking is required.
The horseback adventure begins along peaceful, off-the-beaten-path trails surrounded by snow-capped peaks, glaciers, crystal-clear streams, and herds of alpacas and llamas. Riding at a relaxed pace, you will explore the spectacular 12 Lagoons of Ausangate, each lagoon offering different shades of turquoise, emerald green, deep blue, and mineral red, all fed by glacial waters from Ausangate Mountain.
Unlike the traditional Ausangate 7 Lakes hike, this Ausangate 12 Lagoons horseback route follows an alternative and less-traveled circuit, allowing you to enjoy the landscapes without crowds and with minimal physical effort. Throughout the ride, your guide will share insights about Andean culture, local traditions, wildlife, and the spiritual importance of Ausangate in Andean cosmology.
During the tour, you will reach high-altitude viewpoints offering spectacular panoramic views of the Ausangate range, with plenty of time for photos and moments to fully appreciate the untouched Andean scenery—all from horseback.
After completing the 12 Lagoons of Ausangate circuit, you will ride back to Pacchanta. Here, you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch prepared with fresh local Andean products.
To finish the day, relax in the famous Pacchanta hot springs, one of the highlights of any Ausangate Mountain tour. These natural thermal waters are perfect for relaxing your muscles while enjoying close-up views of Ausangate’s glaciers.
In the afternoon, return to Cusco, arriving at your hotel between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., concluding an unforgettable Ausangate 12 Lagoons Horseback Riding Tour – 1 Day.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had about 12 Lakes of Ausangate full-Day in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
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All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the (Peru Hike) offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 6% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Peru Hike Company can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
An incredible way to experience Ausangate. The horseback ride was smooth and relaxing, the landscapes were absolutely breathtaking, and the alternative route made it feel private and exclusive. Everything was perfectly organized
The Ausangate 12 Lakes Tour was absolutely breathtaking. The landscapes were wild and untouched, with colorful lagoons surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The route felt very peaceful and away from the crowds. An unforgettable experience in the Andes.
This tour exceeded all expectations. Each lagoon had a different color and atmosphere, and the scenery around Ausangate was spectacular. The guide was very knowledgeable and explained a lot about the mountains and local culture