Skip to content

Humantay Lake Trek 1 Day

23 reviews
Humantay Lake Trek 1 Day

Humantay Lake Trek 1 Day

23 reviews

Overview

Humantay Lake Trek is one of Peru’s most scenic 1 day treks! We drive through the local indigenous villages of Iscuchaca and Limatambo, where you can see Quechua people who are still keeping Inca traditions alive. Take your time hiking up to the lake, enjoying stunning views of the Andes. The incredibly turquoise lake is situated at the base of the majestic glacier covered Salkantay Mountain Range.  The views are absolutely breathtaking!

Highlights

Humantay Lake Full Day Tour Located in the district of Mollepata, and under the snow that gives it its name, Humantay Lake is impressive, majestic and impressive for all those tourists who come to it and for a long time, the lagoon was part of the tourist route. Several days to the snowy Salkantay. However, some time ago, we started to make the route to visit the lagoon in just one day, and no longer have to do the trekking of several days to see and enjoy it.

Itinerary

Itinerary.

This spectacular day begins at 4:30am when your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. We will drive 4 hours to the trailhead of Soraypampa located in the lush valley of the Apurimac River. Here we will enjoy hot breakfast ,On the trek you are looking directly up to the Salkantay Mountain, one of Peru’s most sacred mountains, towering 20,600 feet with a sheer and snowy face. The equally impressive Humantay Peak, rising 19,412 feet, is also within view. Shamans and others who follow traditional Andean beliefs, will often give blessing when reaching the crystal-clear waters of Humantay Lake.  Once we reach the lakeshore, we relax, enjoy a snack, go for a swim (if you are brave!) or give thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth). When you are ready to hike back down, we will descend to Soraypampa and have a hot lunch while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views of the snowy peaks. Tired from such a beautiful day, we drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

Included

  • Hot breakfast & lunch
  • Private transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco
  • Professional trekking guide fluent in English & Spanish
  • Fees to access private land
  • First aid kit & emergency oxygen tank
  • Small group experience (max 8 guests)

No Included

  • Water: please bring 1 liter per person
  • Tips for guide, driver and cook

Recommendations:

How to get to the Humantay lake?
You arrive from the city of Cusco, Peru. The International Airport Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete or better known as Cusco Airport is located in the city of Peru with the greatest tourist attraction. It receives domestic flights and some international flights. It is the second most used airport in Peru, after Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima.

How to get to Humantay Lagoon from Cusco: Humantay Lagoon is located in the province of Anta, Cusco area. To get there you must leave Cusco very early (around 4 am, so you should go to bed very early to be rested).

When to go to Laguna Humantay? What is the climate like?
The climate of the Humantay Lagoon is generally mild during the dry season (April to November) and rainy with cloudy skies from December to March. Temperatures normally range between 4 C° and 17 C°.
The best time to go is between May and November with sunnier days allowing a better reflection of the lagoon.

Which is better: to go on your own or to take a tour?
The lagoon can be reached on your own or through a tour (either private or group). If you are one of those travelers who prefer to go on your own and manage your own time or avoid the crowds, you can negotiate a fare with a cab that will take you there, wait for you to get in and out and take you back. Keep in mind that the trip to the start of the trek is approximately 3 hours and that’s where your price haggling skills come in.

Are vaccinations required to visit the Humantay Lake?
To visit the Humantay Lagoon it is not necessary to be vaccinated. If on the same trip you want to go to the Amazon jungle, you must be vaccinated against yellow fever.

It is highly recommended to take out travel insurance for Peru to cover medical expenses in case you need it to avoid a mishap ruining your vacation.

What to do in the Humantay Lake?
Trekking: The only way to get to the beautiful lagoon is through a walking trail, which is why it is a very sought after destination for trekking enthusiasts. The hike is quite steep, almost 45 degrees and a bit slippery in some places. Some tourists prefer to go up with a mule but the descent on foot is mandatory. The start of the hike is at 3870 meters above sea level and you reach 4300 meters above sea level. The first 30 minutes of the hike is semi-flat and the rest is uphill with a steep slope, then winds through a rocky slope and finally descends to a small creek where the cold waters flow, just a few meters away, from the Humantay lagoon. Because of the rocks on the road, the cold and the altitude, the hike takes an average of an hour and a half, which, depending on your physical condition, can be more or less time. Although it is a demanding hike, it is worth the whole journey and the reward upon reaching the lagoon will be worth it.

What To Bring

  • Bottled water (1 liter is enough)
  • A very good tip is to bring a 1 liter bottle (4 cups) of coca leaves tea: it is very invigorating and at the same time prevents altitude sickness
  • Energetic bars and/or snacks
  • Sunblock
  • Small towel and/or some towel paper
  • Antibacterial hand gel
  • Antibacterial pads, some adhesive bands in case of a mild scratch
  • A few small plastic bag for disposals, etc

Prices

Private Service

Number of persons Price
Per person

Group Service

Inquire Now

    Personal Information









    Type of Tour Service





    Would you like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu? (Those who do Inca Trails hike it is US$90 per person/ And Those who do other Machu Picchu tours and alternative trek US$30 per person )

    Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket

    Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket

    Contact US

    You cannot copy content of this page