Humantay Lake: Full Day Tour

Full day From $45 USD

Summary
Itinerary
Inclusions
Recommendations
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Availability Daily departures
Transport Hotel pickup
Languages Español, Inglés
Service type Not specified
Cancellation policy Not specified
Maximum altitude 4200 masl m.s.n.m.

About this activity

Humantay Lake is a turquoise glacial lake at 4,200 m altitude, at the foot of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain. It’s a full-day tour that departs from Cusco very early, includes an easy-to-moderate hike of about 7 km round trip, and returns to Cusco the same day at approximately 7:00 pm.

It’s one of the most popular one-day excursions from Cusco thanks to its combination of spectacular scenery and moderate physical demand. Private transport takes passengers to the town of Mollepata (about 2.5 hours from Cusco), where breakfast is served, and then on to Soraypampa (3,900 m, about 1 more hour of travel), the starting point of the hike to the lake.

We work with professional guides, an emergency oxygen tank and a first aid kit on every departure. Altitude is the main factor to consider on this tour, and proper preparation makes a real difference in the experience.

Itinerary

Day 1

Cusco, Mollepata, Soraypampa and Humantay Lake

Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is between 4:30 and 5:00 am. The first leg of the trip is by private transport to Mollepata (about 2.5 hours), where breakfast is served and the group stocks up before continuing.

From Mollepata, the drive continues to Soraypampa (3,900 masl, about 1 more hour), the starting point of the hike. From there the ascent to Humantay Lake begins: a stretch of about 3.5 km uphill that takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, with the Salkantay snow-capped mountain as a backdrop for most of the way.

On arrival at the lake (4,200 masl) there's about 45 minutes of free time for photos and rest before starting the descent, which takes around 1 hour.

Back in Soraypampa, the group is driven to Mollepata for lunch, and from there the return to Cusco takes about 2.5 more hours, with an estimated arrival at your hotel around 7:00 pm.

Gallery

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What's included

Included

Transport and Guide
- Pickup from your hotel in Cusco
- Transport to and from Humantay Lake
- Professional guide
Equipment and Safety
- Trekking poles
- Oxygen tank
- First aid kit
Meals and Entrance Tickets
- Breakfast and lunch
- Entrance fees

Not included

Extras
- Extra snacks
- Horse rental available as an optional add-on

Recommendations

What to bring

Spend 1 to 2 days in Cusco before the tour to acclimatize
Sunscreen
Hat and sunglasses
Waterproof jacket or poncho during rainy season
Warm clothing
Water bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Humantay Lake located?

About an hour and a half hike from Soraypampa, near the Salkantay snow-capped mountain, roughly 120 km from Cusco by road.

How difficult is the hike?

It's easy to moderate: the uphill stretch takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, with the option to rent a horse if you'd rather not walk the whole way.

Can I rent a horse if I don't want to walk the whole way?

Yes, horse rental is available in Soraypampa as an optional extra service, not included in the tour price.

What's the best season to visit?

The dry season, from April to September, offers the best conditions and clearer views of the Salkantay.

Do I need to acclimatize before this tour?

Yes, we recommend spending 1 to 2 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before heading up to the lake's 4,200 m.

Does the tour include meals?

Yes, it includes breakfast and lunch; only additional snacks are on the traveler.

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Traveler reviews

From

$ 45

USD per person

4.9 Top rated

Duration Full day

Difficulty Fácil-Moderado

Group type Compartido

Languages Español, Inglés

Max altitude 4200 masl msnm

Group size 1–15

Route Mollepata → Soraypampa → Humantay Lake

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Humantay Lake: Full Day Tour

About this activity

Itinerary

Cusco, Mollepata, Soraypampa and Humantay Lake

Gallery