Cusco Private Guide | Private Tours & Local Experts in Cusco

Humantay Lagoon

Description

The Humantay Lake day hike is one of the most breathtaking one-day excursions from Cusco. The tour departs at 4:00 a.m., taking you through stunning Andean landscapes with panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay Glacier (6271 m/20572 ft), Humantay Glacier (5500 m/18044 ft), and leading to a beautiful turquoise lake located at over 4,200 meters (13,776 ft) above sea level. It is an ideal experience for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and travelers interested in Andean culture, combining moderate hiking, local gastronomy, and unforgettable scenery in a single day.

Duration: Full Day (10–12 hours)
Hiking Distance: 5–6 km (3–3.7 miles) round trip
Difficulty Level: Challenging
Maximum Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Starting Altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft

Tour details

Included:

  • Pre-departure briefing.
  • Hotel pickup in Cusco at 4:00 a.m. and tourist transportation.
  • Andean breakfast in Mollepata.
  • Andean lunch in Mollepata.
  • Entrance fee to the Mollepata community.
  • Professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish).
  • First-aid kit.
  • Emergency oxygen bottle (available in the vehicle).
  • Trekking poles.

Not included:

  • Hotel in Cusco.
  • Horse rental.
  • Any other services not mentioned.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Cusco

The tour begins at 4:00 a.m. with hotel pickup in Cusco. We will travel approximately 2.5 hours by tourist transport to the town of Mollepata, located in the Anta province, where we will enjoy an Andean breakfast and have time to purchase any last-minute supplies.

After breakfast, we continue our journey for about 1.5 hours along a dirt road to the community of Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,792 ft). Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular landscapes and impressive views of the Salkantay Glacier.

From Soraypampa, we begin a 2 km uphill hike toward Humantay Lake. The hike takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, diverse flora and fauna, and pristine natural scenery.

Upon reaching Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,776 ft), you will be amazed by its intense turquoise color, created by minerals from the melting glaciers that feed the lake. Your guide will provide interesting information about the area and its spiritual significance, as this place is considered sacred and dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

After spending time at the lake, we descend back to Soraypampa, where our transportation will take us to Mollepata for a delicious Andean lunch. After lunch, we return to the city of Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:30 p.m., concluding this unforgettable one-day adventure.

Hiking Details

  • Distance: 7 km / 4.34 miles (round trip)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,776 ft
  • Minimum altitude: 3,900 m / 12,792 ft
  • Estimated hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
  • Elevation gain: Approx. 400 m / 1,312 ft

Recommendations

  • Warm jacket or layered clothing.
  • Sunscreen (SPF 90+ recommended).
  • Sunglasses.
  • Hat or cap.
  • Rain poncho or waterproof jacket (especially during the rainy season).
  • Hiking / trekking shoes.
  • Water.

Prices

1 person

$333 USD

2 people

$172 USD

3 people

$117 USD

4 people

$100 USD

5 people

$73 USD

6 people

$63 USD

7+ people

$55 USD

Notes: Foreign tourist entrance tickets may be useful for future circuits.

Map

From 55 USD

Humantay Lagoon

1 Day

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