Humantay Lake Tour

Itinerary of the Laguna Humantay tour

03:45 – 8:30: Pick up from lodging – Mollepata – Breakfast

In the early morning, between 3:45 and 4:30, we will pick you up at your accommodation and start the approximately 2-hour journey in our van. You will see beautiful natural landscapes until we reach the small town of Mollepata (2,803 m / 9,186 ft), where you can recharge with a delicious breakfast at a restaurant managed by the local community of the area. Since 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. Then, we will continue our journey by van for about an hour and a half. This route has many curves, so if you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend consulting your doctor about the possibility of taking preventive medication to avoid any discomfort during the trip.

09:00 – 12:00 : Mollepata – Soraypampa – Hike to Humantay

After having breakfast, we start the trip to the Soraypampa camp (3,800m / 12,467) there begins the ascent for one hour to the Humantay Lagoon, located in the Vilcabamba mountain range (4,200 m / 13,780). On this journey you will be able to spot alpacas, llamas and vicuñas, in the middle of the colorful mountains; and if the sky is clear, you will see the Salkantay and Humantay mountains, known as “Apus” or spirits of the mountains.

The journey is considered of moderate difficulty, so if you don’t have the necessary physical condition, it is recommended to do the Laguna Humantay tour on horseback. This will not only make the trek easier but also add a different dimension to the adventure. Keep in mind that the horse will only take you up to a certain point; after that, you will need to walk for approximately 20 minutes to reach the lagoon.

Finally you arrive at the Humantay Lagoon where there is enough time to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

12:00 – 17:00 : Return to Soraypampa – Lunch – Cusco

After contemplating the wonder of the thaw and the Andean nature, you will descend to Soraypampa and subsequent transfer by van to Mollepata, where you can enjoy a delicious and well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant in the area.

Happy to have chosen this destination, we return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m. The transfer will end the tour in the surroundings of Plaza Regocijo.

The best thing about traveling with Guru Explorers is having expert guides and passionate travelers, who accompany you on an unforgettable adventure that enriches your life.

The price of the Laguna Humantay excursion includes:

• Departure from the lodging in the historic center of Cusco.
• Return to Plaza “Regocijo” (One block away from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco) (Historic Center of the city).
• Professional guide in English and Spanish
• 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

The price of the Laguna Humantay excursion does not include:

• 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.

What to bring:

• Comfortable and optimal footwear for walks, warm jacket, caps or hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, bottles of water, clothing or rain poncho (especially between November – April).
• Passport or DNI.
• The weather during the hike can be variable, so it is recommended to carry a small backpack to store the clothes you take off or bring extra warm layers.
• Travel insurance.
• Cash (Local currency / Soles (S/.) In Peru, there is usually a fee to use public restrooms. We recommend bringing coins or cash for these situations and in case you want to rent horses.

Not allowed: 

• Pets
• Smoking.
• Large suitcases or bags.

What considerations should you keep in mind when trekking to Laguna Humantay?

What does it mean that the tour is shared?

• It means that you can share the tour with a group of tourists of different nationalities and ages, both from Guru Explorers and from different operators (around 16 people group). It is an excellent opportunity to connect with travelers from different parts of the world! Remember that this type of tour is operated by Guru Explorers or our strategic partners who respond to our same standards. If you prefer a tour where you do not share with other people, please ask us for the Private Tour option.
• How is the guiding in this type of shared tour? This tour focuses more on experiences than on detailed historical narration. The guide will point out specific topics, safety recommendations, and highlights of the route before starting. During the hike, the beauty of the landscape will speak for itself. As it is a shared tour, it’s important to remember that the guide will be constantly moving among the group members, who will progress at different paces. In the end, everyone will meet again at the top, where they can enjoy some free time to rest and take photos before beginning the descent. If you prefer a more personalized guiding experience, we recommend our private tour, with an exclusive guide just for you.

Other considerations

• Seating arrangement on the transport: It is random, based on the order of arrival and pickup
• Pickup and Schedule: One day before the shared tour, you will be assigned a pickup time range and an approximate return time. It’s important to be punctual to avoid delaying others. The duration of the tour may vary depending on the group’s pace and traffic, so the return time is only approximate. Please remember that neither traffic nor the pace of tourists is the responsibility of Guru Explorers.
• Access Limitations: Due to some streets having restricted access for tourist vehicles because they are narrow or congested, a nearby pickup point may be suggested.
• Physical Conditions: This tour to Laguna Humantay requires stable physical conditions to complete the journey; however, you can rent horses to make the excursion at your own risk.  
• Horse Rental: This service is offered by the local community to tourists and is subject to availability at the time. Guru Explorers has no responsibility or control over it. Additionally, please note that it can only be paid for in cash, and the horse does not go all the way to the lagoon itself; you will need to walk about 20 minutes to reach it. Remember that you can only use the horse for the ascent and it is not available for the descent. The maximum weight that a horse can support is 80 – 100 kilos (approximately 175 to 220 lbs). We ask tourists to take the necessary safety considerations if using this service.  
• Acclimatization: It is recommended to acclimatize in Cusco before doing the Laguna Humantay tour. Only then will your body be adapted to the altitude of the region.
• Age restrictions: The Humantay Lake tour in Cusco is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Adults over 60 should consider that this activity requires good physical condition.
• Time Spent at the Lagoon: We remind you that the time spent at the Humantay Lake is approximately 50 minutes. This is to preserve the health of passengers, as staying longer could predispose them to developing symptoms of altitude sickness due to its elevation of 4,200 meters above sea level.
• Medications: The guide is not authorized to administer medications. Consult your doctor before taking pills for altitude sickness.
• Route: Being in a mountainous area, the road may have many curves, which could cause dizziness in some people. If you are one of those who experience dizziness, we recommend consulting your doctor about the possibility of taking medications to prevent it.
• 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.

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.