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 rural restaurant. 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 descent to Soraypampa and subsequent transfer by van to Mollepata, where you can enjoy a delicious and well-deserved lunch at a rural restaurant.

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
• Buffet breakfast and Lunch (vegetarian and vegan options available upon request).
• Trekking or hiking poles (on request)
• Oxygen bottle available with the guide upon request in case of emergency.
• 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. 

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.
• Itinerary Variations: The trip itinerary may vary due to environmental or climatic reasons beyond our control. We will notify you in advance of any changes. At Guru Explorers, we value your time and strive to adhere to established schedules, although they may be affected by circumstances beyond our control (natural disasters, field conditions, and other demonstrable reasons). We will do our best to offer efficient options and solutions for your enjoyment.

Cancellation Policies:

• Within 3 days or less in advance, there will be no refund.
• Between 4 and 7 days of notification, 70% is refunded.
• More than 7 days, 90% is refunded.

Date changes:

• Rates applied for change of date in group tours:
  • There will be no extra charge if you notify more than 5 days in advance.
  • If notified between 3 and 5 days in advance, an additional charge of 20% will apply.
  • If you notify within 2 days or less in advance, it will not be possible to make the change and it will not be subject to a refund.
• Subject to availability.
• There will be no refund in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather or other external factors.

The experience you will have at the Laguna is inexplicable; it's truly a personal encounter between you and nature. We want to be part of that experience you will have on the Laguna Humantay tour. If you're still wondering why choose us, we'd like you to read 7 outstanding features of our service.

1. QUALITY: When you go to a teacher, it is because you want to answer all the questions. In a matter of travel, money, time and enjoyment, you have to choose the best options available and that is what “Guru Explorers” is all about, giving you the perfect balance for the adventure you DESERVE.
2.  EXPERIENCE: To become “Guru Explorers”, we are still world travelers, but experts in Cusco, Lima, and the most important destinations in Peru. We lived bad and good experiences, valuing that the main difference lies in the details, so we know what elements are essential for your trip. We are travelers and we strive to enhance your experience!
3. TRANSPARENCY: We are here to provide you with the best and most accurate information and description of our tours. We are not supporters of hidden costs, that is why we provide the necessary information so you can choose the inclusions or upgrades you are looking for.
4. SECURITY: You entrust us with your time, your money and your expectations and that is why we fine-tune every detail to guarantee the trip you dream of.
5.  FLEXIBILITY: Although we have pre-established packages; they can be adapted to your needs and to make plans that are suited to you, so that you can visit any place in Peru, with the expertise of “Guru Explorers”. We adapt trips for special occasions such as your corporate trips, honeymoon, birthday, social, cultural or sports event during your visit to Peru, offering you complete advice to achieve and exceed your expectations.
6. PASSION: Before being tour guides, we are travelers, explorers, adventurers; That makes us passionate about creating the best experiences in the time you invest for yourself and those you love.
7. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: We promote Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, not affecting the traveler, nor exploiting the communities that receive it or their environment. We create more human and respectful experiences of Heritage.

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