Classic Humantay Lake Tour - Full Day
Humantay Lake sparkles in the Andes mountain range like an emerald jewel. Its brilliant green and blue water makes it one of the most well-known lakes in Peru, as well as one of the top day trips from Cusco.
This extremely photogenic lake is located about 120.70 km / 75 ml to the northwest of Cusco and just south of Machu Picchu. Humantay sits snugly between Humantay Mountain and Salkantay Mountain. In fact, it is a popular branch-off hike when trekking along the Salkantay Trail, an incredibly scenic alternative to the Inca Trail. Humantay falls along the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Humantay Lake is most well known for its insanely bright blue and green water and its snow-capped mountain backdrop. These fantastic colors come from the mineral-filled runoff from the melting glaciers around the Humantay and Salkantay Mountains.
Although not nearly as popular, Lake Humantay is one of the best kept secrets of Peru offering otherworldly panoramic views that resemble something straight out of your favorite movie.
Whether planning from home or already in Cusco and wondering what to do, you should book this trip while you still can. It’s a once in a lifetime view and you won’t regret it. It truly is a jewel in the middle of the snowy mountains.
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Cusco
After departing from Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft) at aroud 5:00 am, your tour will take you on a 2-hour drive northwest of the city to the town of Mollepata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) where there is a checkpoint. Afterwards, your drive will continue for one more hour until you reach Soraypampa and begin the hike to Humantay lake.
The trail starting at Soraypampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) is a pretty flat dirt path that passes by various campsites. The trail remains flat for the first half an hour of the hike. After this, the trail opens up to the side of a mountain. It is a straight ascent up a mountainside covered in loose rocks. In this case, it’s recommended to bring trekking poles to help take some of the weight off. Towards the top of the ascent, the trail narrows to a switchback path through the rocky hillside.
After about an hour or so, you will reach a mildly undulating path that will take you to the lake. This last part is short, only taking about 10-20 minutes. The bright aquamarine and emerald lake will suddenly appear as you turn the last corner.
After spending some time enjoying the breathtaking landscape of Humantay Lake (4,230 m / 13,878 ft) and its surrounding mountains, it will be time to descend again. Keep in mind that the descent can be just as hard as the ascent. Be careful with your footing and continue to use your trekking poles. Once you reach the bottom of the open-faced mountainside, it will be smooth sailing back to Soraypampa to have a well deserved hot lunch while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views of the snowy peaks. Then you’ll go back to Cusco non-stop, arriving at approximately 6:00 pm, and finally our bus will drop you off at your hotel.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & snacks
- Maximum altitude: 4,230 m / 13,878 ft
- Minimum altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
- Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
- Distance hiked: 5.00 km / 3.10 ml
- Approximate walking time: 3 – 4 hours
- Pre-departure briefing
- Hotel pick up in Cusco city
- Private transport throughout the tour
- Professional trekking Tour Guide
- Personalized service
- Small group tour max 8 people
- Polar blankets
- Entrance fee tickets
- Breakfast, lunch & snacks
- Non alcoholic drinks while on trek
- Emergency first aid kit
- Emergency oxygen bottle
- Hotel drop off in Cusco
- Hotel in Cusco
- Dinner in Cusco
- Gratuities
- Horse rental
- Trekking poles
- Travel insurance
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