Descubre la Laguna Humantay una de las más hermosas en Cusco

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From$50

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Katelyn Notman

9 years ago

I did two tours - the first was 2 days to Machu Pichuu. We biked downhill along a road in the mountains, scenery was beautiful. Then we went to a small coffee farm, this was really cool, we got shown the whole process of making coffee right there and got to sample the coffee, and we had a tour of the property which included lots of different fruit trees - I found this whole part really interesting. We went hot pools, for a nice little chill out time, picturesque here, then took the car to the point where the train goes up to Aguas Calientes and we walked along the train tracks to the town. Another very picturesque walk, nice to take it slow up here (by walking instead of train) and take in all the scenery. Stayed the night in Aguas Calientes. Really recommend going up Machu Picchu mountain, which is what they suggested, I found it quite tough, but totally worth it, and even if it's cloudy still do, it's very atmospheric and there will be periods where you can see Machu Picchu, especially heading back down when it's clearing more. We had most of the day to spend at Machu Picchu and got the train back from Aguas Clientes that evening. I thought this was a really nice varied tour, we got a lot into the 2 days but it didn’t feel overly exhausting. I also appreciated how we had the whole day at Machu Picchu as I think depending on the tour/company sometimes you only have a few hours or the morning which I think would feel rushed and you definitely want the time to appreciate the whole place. I definitely feel the tour operators care a lot about customising tours to best suit who’s on them, and really want the people to have a really good time. I also appreciated that they noticed I was a little nervous about the biking so gave me some extra guidance. The second tour I went on was a day trip, in the morning we went to a rainbow mountain, but not the main tourist one, another one, we were the only people there for most of the time we spent there, with one other group arriving as we were leaving. Very beautiful landscapes and varied - with rock formations and the rainbow streaked mountains, plus the drive there and back passes little houses and farms, llamas and sheep. We stopped for lunch, which was really delicious, then we drove to Q’eswachaka - the last Inca bridge. This is really cool, very impressive, the history is really interesting, I recommend doing some extra reading about it before visiting so you appreciate it fully. A lot more driving on this tour, although you walk around both the sites, it takes a little while in the car to get to and from them. But it was fine with me because I was pretty tired from Machu Picchu. They’re both really cool sites to see, if you’re interested in seeing them both this is a good option for a day trip.

1 día

Availability : Abr - Nov

Min Age : 18+

What will you experience on the Humantay Lake Tour?

The Humantay Lake tour (Full Day) is the ultimate Andean adventure to one of the most stunning turquoise lagoons in Cusco, located at 4,200 m.s.n.m. / 13,779 ft 🏔️. This one-day hike combines 3.5 km / 2.2 miles of steep trail from Soraypampa (3,900 m.s.n.m.), spectacular views of the imposing Salkantay snow-capped peak (6,271 m.s.n.m.), and ideal physical acclimatization in the Peruvian Andes 🥾.

This high-altitude mountain excursion is strategically designed for active travelers seeking to experience extreme Andean geography in a single day. The itinerary begins early from Cusco, traveling through Limatambo before starting the trek at the Soraypampa base camp. The uphill hike requires moderate to demanding physical effort due to the high altitude, demanding a steady walking pace and the highly recommended use of trekking poles. Additionally, the destination offers an ideal acclimatization opportunity prior to longer treks like the Salkantay Trek or the classic Inca Trail. It is a high-value nature excursion, logistically optimized with private transport, certified bilingual guides, and a hot buffet lunch at our semi-private base camp to ensure comfort and safety.

If you are looking for a longer adventure that includes this lake, we recommend the Salkantay Trek 4 Days or the immersive Salkantay Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu.

CHARACTERISTIC	HUMANTAY LAKE	RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (VINICUNCA)
Maximum Altitude	4,200 m / 13,779 ft	5,036 m / 16,522 ft
Hike Distance	3.5 km / 2.2 miles (round trip)	7 km / 4.3 miles (round trip)
Physical Difficulty	Moderate (short steep incline)	Demanding (due to extreme altitude)
Travel Time by Car	3 hours each way (Cusco – Soraypampa)	3.5 hours each way (Cusco – Phulawasipata)
Main Attraction	Turquoise glacier lagoon and sacred peaks	Mineralized colorful mountains and Vilcanota range

Itinerary

Day 1Soraypampa - Uphill Hike to Humantay Lake - Return to Cusco

🥾 Hike distance: 3.5 km / 2.2 miles
⏱️ Estimated time: 3 to 4 hours
⛰️ Maximum / minimum altitude: 4,200 m (Humantay Lake) / 3,900 m (Soraypampa)
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast and Buffet lunch

The Humantay Lake tour begins early in the morning, around 04:30 AM, with the pickup of participants from their respective hotels or from a central meeting point in Cusco.

Around 05:00 AM, we start our road trip toward the town of Mollepata, where we will enjoy a nutritious breakfast. We then continue driving for about 1 hour to reach Soraypampa, the base camp and trailhead. From here, we begin the steep, uphill walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to reach our final destination: the breathtaking turquoise Humantay Lake.

At the lake, we will have ample time to rest and enjoy the wonderful views offered by the Humantay and Salkantay snow-capped mountains, accompanied by an informative talk from our professional bilingual guide.

After spending about 45 minutes at the lagoon, we start our descent back to Soraypampa. From there, we return by transport to Mollepata for a hot buffet lunch, and finally continue the trip back to Cusco, arriving around 06:00 PM in the city center.

Tour Details

Here are the complete details and characteristics of the Humantay Lake tour:

Departure & Return

Cusco (Pickup from your hotel in the historic center)

Start Time

04:30 AM

Included

Hotel pickup from your hotel in Cusco
Round-trip transportation in shared service
Nutritious breakfast and hot buffet lunch
Official bilingual guide (Spanish-English)
Humantay Lake entrance fee
Emergency oxygen and warm blankets
First-aid kit

Not Included

Water, snacks, or other personal extras
Horse rental for the hike ($30 USD)
Tips and any other services not specified
Trekking poles ($10 USD)

Recommendations

Warm clothing and layers for cold weather
Trekking shoes with good grip and rain poncho
Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and toilet paper
Extra cash in Soles (approx. $30 USD)
Original ID/passport and personal medication

Frequently Asked Questions about Humantay Lake

🏔️ What is the actual difficulty of the hike to Humantay Lake?

Medium-high difficulty due to extreme altitude. The walk starts at 3,900 m (12,795 ft) and climbs to 4,200 m (13,779 ft) at the lake. It is a steady, demanding uphill climb taking 1.5 to 2 hours. We recommend using hiking poles and being acclimated in Cusco for at least 1 or 2 days before the tour to prevent altitude sickness.

🐴 Can you rent horses to make the ascent to the lake?

Yes, local horsemen at Soraypampa offer horse rentals for the uphill climb for about 80 to 100 Soles ($22 – $27 USD). For safety and animal welfare reasons, the horse rental is only for the ascent; the descent must be completed on foot.

🧥 How should I dress and what gear should I bring for the excursion?

We recommend dressing in layers. Soraypampa is very cold in the morning (around 0°C / 32°F), but the walk will raise your temperature. Bring a windbreaker jacket, thermal hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hiking shoes with good grip.

🍽️ Does the tour include meals and how do you handle dietary restrictions?

Yes, the tour includes a complete nutritious breakfast to start the day and a hot buffet lunch at our semi-private base camp in Soraypampa. We offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options at no extra cost with prior notice.

🎒 Where can I leave my heavy luggage during the excursion?

We suggest storing your main luggage for free and securely at your hotel in Cusco (it is standard practice and highly recommended to book your return night there for convenience). If that is not possible, you can store your bags safely at our Inka Jungle Tour central office in Cusco for free.