Full Day Tour Humantay Lake

Activity summary

Discover the adventure of the Humantay Lake Tour has for you.

Experience an extraordinary full-day adventure on the Humantay Lake Tour. This walk has become one of the main attractions for visitors to Cusco, thanks to the wonderful contrast of the views of the imposing Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped mountains surrounding the lake that blends beautiful emeralds and turquoise colours.

The excursion begins in the city of Cusco and ascends to 4,200 meters (13,779 feet). A perfect opportunity to get in touch with nature and enjoy this unique experience.

As part of the private tour, you will have the opportunity to add additional services; you can adapt the schedule to avoid large groups of tourists and take a more intimate tour with your private group led by our professional guide.

Explore this wonderful attraction and get ready for a day of many adventures!

Itinerary

Humantay Lake Tour Itinerary:

04:00 – 8:00: Pick up from hotel – Transport to Mollepata – Breakfast

At 4.30 am, a member of Guru Explorers will pick you up from your accommodation to begin a 2-hour car ride, during which you’ll enjoy beautiful natural landscapes, until reaching the small town of Mollepata (2,803 m / 9,186 ft). There, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast at a restaurant managed by the local community, to recharge your energy and begin the hike. As it is a rural area, the restaurant standards will be more basic compared to those in the city of Cusco or the Sacred Valley area.

08:30 – 11:30 : Mollepata – Soraypampa – Hike to Humantay

After breakfast, the journey continues with a one-hour drive to the local community of Soraypampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft). After a brief orientation, the hike to the Humantay Lagoon begins, located in the Vilcabamba mountain range (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). This 1.5-hour hike takes you through breathtaking landscapes, and if the sky is clear enough, you’ll be able to see the “Apus” or mountain spirits — the snow-capped Salkantay and Humantay peaks. The trail, which ranges from easy to moderate difficulty, rewards you with the mesmerizing Humantay Lagoon, where you’ll have enough time to take photos and enjoy the view. You also have the option to rent a horse to assist with the ascent and add variety to your adventure.

11:30 – 16:30 : Return to Soraypampa – Lunch – Cusco

After the awe of contemplating the stunning landscape and a well-deserved rest amidst the emerald nature of the Humantay Lagoon, the descent to Soraypampa begins, taking approximately 1.5 hours. From there, you’ll head back to Mollepata to enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant. This emotional and adventurous day ends with your return to the city of Cusco, arriving around 4:30 pm.

A full day where the cold of the glaciers, thrilling experiences in nature, and the emerald warmth of the Humantay Lagoon all come together.

* It is recommended to follow this itinerary to reach the lagoon early, as the weather tends to be colder and windier in the afternoon.

Include

Price of the Humantay Lake Trek includes:

Departure from the lodging in the historic center of Cusco.
Return to your hotel (Historic Center of the city).
Professional guide in English and Spanish (ask for availability for these or other languages).
Buffet-style breakfast and lunch at a local restaurant in the area. Vegetarian and vegan options available upon request.
Trekking or hiking poles (on request).
Entrance tickets to Humantay Lake.

Not included

Price of the Humantay Lake Trek excludes:

Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco (for private tours, ask for extra costs to pick up from the Sacred Valley or other places).
Tips for the guide.
Beverages.
Food not specified in the itinerary.

Recommendations

What to bring to the Humantay Lake Hike?

Comfortable and optimal footwear for the humantay Lake hike, warm jacket, caps or hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, bottles of water, clothing or rain poncho (especially between November – April).
Passport or DNI.
Travel insurance.
Devices for audiovisual recording (cell phone, camera, camcorders)
Cash (Peruvian soles). Horse rental (optional) is paid in cash and in local currency directly to the locals.

Considerations

What considerations you should have when taking Humantay Lake Trek:

The streets of the city are narrow, an aspect that limits vehicular access to certain places; in this case the guide will suggest a nearby point to pass looking for you and enjoy the tour.
You must be in reasonable physical condition to do the tour.
It is important that you enjoy at least two days in Cusco before doing the Tour “Humantay Lake”. Only then will your body be adapted to the height of the region.
This tour is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Adults over 60 years of age should bear in mind that this activity requires being in very good physical condition.
Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not allowed:

Pets
Smoking.
Large suitcases or bags.

Terms and conditions

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 20% of the total amount
Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 40% of the total amount
Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount

Date changes

More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 5% of the total amount
Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 10% of the total amount
Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount
Subject to availability.
There will be no refunds in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How difficult is the Hike to the Humantay Lake?

At Guru Explorers, we rate this hike as moderate. However, due to the height and the breathing, it could be more difficult. It is recommended to carry walking poles and be acclimatized to the altitude with at least 2 days in Cusco.

Can horse service be hired at the Humantay Lake tour?

Yes. At the beginning of the Humantay Lake hike, you can hire the horseback service directly from local residents. They will accompany you along the route as muleteers. This service is available only for approximately 80% of the ascent, as the final section to reach the lake must be done on foot. In addition, it is subject to availability at the moment, since it cannot be reserved in advance. During the high season, demand is very high, and it may be difficult to find horses available.

The approximate cost of the service is 100 Peruvian soles (around 30 USD). Payment is made in cash and in local currency. The price is referential and may vary according to the local residents’ decision.

How's the weather during the Humantay Lake trek?

It should be taken in consideration that the coldest period is between May and October, and the rainiest months are between November and April. However, the weather and altitude can be unpredictable, ranging from sunny, windy, coldy and even rainy from one moment to the next. We suggest you always be prepared with the equipment for all weather conditions. The sun is usually intense during the morning and part of the afternoon and the temperature can range from -5 to 18 ° C.

What luggage should I bring?

As it is a full day trip, you are not allowed to carry large suitcases or bags. However, you can carry a backpack with basic items such as water, camera, cap or hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, among others needed items.

What is the difference between group service and private service?

The main difference between Group and Private service is the type of experience provided. In the first one you share the experience with a small group of passengers, all departing from Cusco and being picked up at their respective lodgings. In the second one the service is personalized and you have the option of leaving earlier, to avoid other groups of tourists. Also, in private, the tour will be done at your own pace and you can customize the experience on special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, family trips, among others.