Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco: What to Expect
The Humantay Lake day trip is a full day from Cusco: hotel pickup at 4:30 to 5:00 am, breakfast in the village of Mollepata, a drive on to Soraypampa and then a hike of about 1 hour 20 minutes up to a turquoise glacial lake at 4,200 m (13,780 ft). The walk is short, about 5 km there and back, but it is steep and high, so the altitude is what makes it hard. Spend at least one or two days in Cusco before you go, carry warm layers and cash for the lake entrance fee, and you will have one of the best days of your trip.
What does the day look like, step by step?
| Stage | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup | Your hotel in Cusco | Our bus collects you between 4:30 to 5:00 am. Bring your day pack ready the night before. |
| Breakfast | Mollepata | Semi-buffet breakfast in the village. This is also where the lake entrance fee is paid. |
| Trailhead | Soraypampa | A short break before the hike: add or remove a layer and fill your water bottle. |
| The hike up | Soraypampa to the lake | about 1 hour 20 minutes of steady climbing at your own pace, with stops. |
| At the lake | Humantay Lake, 4,200 m (13,780 ft) | Free time for photos and to rest by the water, with the glacier above you. You may also see a traditional offering to Mother Earth. |
| Lunch | Back at camp | Semi-buffet lunch with views of the snow peaks. |
| Return | Cusco | Afternoon drive back to Cusco, where we drop you off. |
How long is the Humantay Lake day trip?
Plan on the whole day. With pickup at 4:30 to 5:00 am and the drive back to Cusco in the afternoon, most of your time is spent on the bus, on mountain roads to Mollepata and Soraypampa. The hike itself, up and down, is only a few hours of the day.
The early start is what lets you hike in the morning and be back in Cusco the same day. Sleep is the thing most people underestimate: go to bed early the night before, keep dinner light and leave your bag packed so you only have to get dressed when the alarm goes off.
Carry your original passport or ID, as on every excursion in Peru, and a valid student card if you booked with a student discount.
How hard is the hike to Humantay Lake?
We rate it challenging, but not because it is long. The trail from Soraypampa is about 5 km in total and the climb takes about 1 hour 20 minutes for most of our groups. What makes it tough is that you start high and finish higher, at 4,200 m (13,780 ft), on a path that gets steeper in its last section.
If you have spent a couple of days in Cusco, the hike feels like a hard uphill walk: you breathe fast, your legs feel heavy and you stop every few minutes. That is normal. Short steps and a rhythm at which you could still hold a conversation work better than speed, and nobody is rushed to the top.
If you would rather save your legs, horses can be arranged for the climb on request. They take most of the effort out of the ascent, and the walk down is quicker and much easier on the lungs.
You do not need trekking experience. You do need to be in reasonable shape and to be honest with yourself about the altitude: a bad headache or nausea is a reason to stop and tell your guide, not to push on.
How many days in Cusco should you wait before Humantay?
Cusco sits at 3,400 m (11,150 ft) and the lake is about 800 m higher. Going there the morning after you land from Lima is the most common mistake we see. Give your body one or two full days in Cusco first, more if you can, with easy walks and no alcohol on the first night.
Humantay is also the classic test before a big trek. If you feel fine at the lake, you are in good shape for the Salkantay Pass or Dead Woman's Pass on the Inca Trail. Our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco explains the symptoms that are normal, the ones that are not, and a simple three-day plan to acclimatize.
What is included, and what do you pay on the day?
- Price: our Humantay Lake tour costs US$38 per person, for groups of 2 to 20 travelers.
- Included: hotel pickup in Cusco and the tour bus, breakfast in Mollepata, a semi-buffet lunch, an official bilingual tour guide and a first-aid kit.
- Not included: the Humantay Lake entrance fee, paid in Mollepata. Carry cash in Peruvian soles; outside Cusco, cash is still more common than cards.
- Also not included: tips, snacks and any extras you choose on the day.
- Optional, on request: horses for the climb, a private guide, or extra hotel nights in Cusco before or after the tour.
What to wear and pack for Humantay Lake
You leave Cusco in the dark and cold, warm up quickly on the climb, and then stand still by the lake in the wind. Dress in layers you can take off and put back on: a base layer, a fleece or light down jacket, and a waterproof or windproof shell on top. Add a warm hat and gloves for the lake.
In your day pack: water (at least a liter), sunscreen and sunglasses, because the sun is strong at this altitude even on cloudy days, a cap or hat, a few snacks, a rain jacket in the wet months, cash for the entrance fee and a charged phone or a power bank. Wear hiking shoes or trainers with good grip; the trail is dirt and loose stones.
Leave your large luggage at the hotel. A small backpack is all you need, and you carry it yourself on the hike.
When is the best time to visit Humantay Lake?
The lake is open all year. The dry season, from April to October, brings sunny days, clear skies and the best chance of seeing the glacier reflected in the water. It is also the busiest time, so expect company at the shore.
From November to March, the rainy season, mornings can still be clear, but clouds and rain are more frequent and the trail can be muddy. In return the valley is greener and there are fewer visitors. Whatever the month, nights and early mornings are cold, so pack the warm layers either way.
Day trip or Salkantay Trek: which way to see Humantay?
If Humantay is the goal, the day trip is the simplest way to see it: one day, no camping, back in your hotel for dinner. It also fits neatly into a Cusco stay as the high-altitude day before a trek.
If you are already planning to walk to Machu Picchu, you do not need a separate day for the lake. Our Salkantay Trek 5 days and Salkantay Trek 4 days both climb to Humantay Lake on the afternoon of Day 1, after lunch at Soraypampa, and cross the 4,600 m Salkantay Pass on Day 2. If you plan to do the trek, skip the day trip and use that day to rest in Cusco instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the hike to Humantay Lake?
About 1 hour 20 minutes up from Soraypampa for most of our groups, and about 5 km in total there and back. The walk down is quicker. The whole tour, with the drive from and back to Cusco, takes the full day.
What time does the Humantay Lake tour leave Cusco?
We pick you up at your hotel between 4:30 and 5:00 am and drive to Mollepata for breakfast. You are back in Cusco in the afternoon.
Is the Humantay Lake entrance fee included?
No. The entrance fee is paid in Mollepata on the morning of the tour and is not included in the tour price (US$38 per person). Bring cash in Peruvian soles.
Can I do Humantay Lake on my first day in Cusco?
We do not recommend it. The lake is at about 4,200 m, roughly 800 m higher than Cusco. Spend at least one or two days in the city first so that your body has time to adjust.
Can I ride a horse up to Humantay Lake?
Yes. Horses for the climb can be arranged on request. They make the ascent much easier, though you still feel the altitude at the lake.
Is Humantay Lake worth it if I am doing the Salkantay Trek?
You see it anyway. Our 4-day and 5-day Salkantay Treks both visit Humantay Lake on the afternoon of Day 1, so a separate day trip is not necessary.
Official sources: CDC Yellow Book: High Altitude Travel and Altitude Illness
