Humantay Lake Full Day
General description
Humantay Lake is one of most magical lakes in the Cusco region, being surrounded by the impressive Salkantay and Humantay peaks. While gazing at unbelievable turquoise water, you will have opportunity to appreciate beautiful landscapes of the Peruvian Andes during our hike from Soraypampa
to Humantay Lake. This turquois lake is one of the photogenic jewels of the Cusco region and its proximity to Humantay and Salcantay mountains only adds to its beauty.
Humantay Lake is a great option for those looking to see the spectacular glacial landscapes of Cusco and only have a day to do it. Humantay Lake is a
glacial lake located on the slopes of Humantay Mountain (5835 m/19143 ft) and is part of the Salkantay massif which has become one of the world’s most
popular areas for higher altitude trekking. Along with turquois colored Humantay Lake we will also have spectacular views of Humantay and Salkantay Mountains.
Tour Type: Hiking and adventure.
Good For: Those with a sense of adventure and in good shape.
Temperature: Cold, temperature may go below 0 degrees at night.
Difficulty: Challenging.
Considerations: Enjoy the amazing colors of the mountains before they are discovered by the public.
Heigh: The height of Humantay Lake is reflected in its 4200 meters above sea level.
By booking The Humantay Lake with Cachi life Peru you are choosing the best. Don’t believe us? Check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.
Pre-trek briefing: You will have a thorough briefing with your guide 1 day before your Humantay Lake. Your guide will meet you at in your hotel or Airbnb and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Humantay Lake
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 AM and drive approximately 2 hours to the village of Mollepata, located in the lush Apurimac River Valley. Here, we will enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant before continuing our journey to Soraypampa.
The hike begins along the photogenic “Camino Real” trail, passing through beautiful Andean landscapes. As we gain altitude, we will reach the tiny village of Soraypampa, where few amenities exist. From Soraypampa, the hike continues for about 1.5 hours, ascending 1,200 feet over just 2 miles along a steep path. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of the Salkantay and Humantay peaks, and keep an eye out for llamas and alpacas grazing in the Andean highlands.
Finally, we reach the stunning Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). Here, you can admire the vivid turquoise waters surrounded by majestic mountains, a perfect spot for photos and enjoying the incredible scenery. After taking in the beauty of the lake, we will begin our descent back to Soraypampa, then return to Mollepata for a well-deserved buffet lunch before driving back to Cusco. You will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, concluding this unforgettable adventure.
Included
- Pre-trek briefing the night before the humantay lake
- Collection from your hotel on the morning of your humantay Lake
- Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead of Lake Humantay
- Private transport to Drive back and drop off at your hotel
- Entrance fee to the Humantay Lake, as required
- Breakfast and Lunch
- English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide
- Oxygen tank (in case it is needed).
- All taxes included.
- Small group experience or custom private trips
Not Included
- Flights/Hotel
- Dinner
- Walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
- Items of a personal nature and souvenirs
- Travel interruption & travel medical/evacuation insurance (required)
- Tip for your guide(s) and trek staff are optional but highly encouraged if you
enjoy your trip.
Recommendations
- A good day pack: such as Eagle Creek Afar Backpack (Appropriate pack to
- carry your personal belongings.)
- Original passport (International Student Identity Card “ISIC” if applicable)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required
- Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)
- 3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans), 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just
- enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent spray before the trip.
- Layers for variable temperatures especially at night
- 1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as low as – 5 degrees
- Celsius/23 degrees Fahrenheit. A rain jacket can be helpful, because there are rainy days even in the dry season!
- 1 warm/winter jacket (Thermals: wool socks/gloves, scarf and woolen hat for cold nights).
- 4 pairs of underwear, 6 pairs of socks (Bamboo or cotton/nylon-blend
- socks dry faster than 100 percent cotton, which lose their softness when air-dried.) It is nice to have a couple of extra pairs of socks to change into at night when you’re not hiking. Also, we recommend bringing both really
- heavy hiking socks and lighter socks as well as the weather is variable, so
- you want to make sure you’re not too cold or too hot.
- 4 shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts
- 1 good sleeping bag liner which is super lightweight and easy to pack. This definitely does its job!
- Travel-size tissues and wet wipes–The air is cold and damp, so your nose is going to run a lot. Everyone seems to run out of tissues by the end of the trek. Also, most bathrooms do not have toilet paper (if you even get a bathroom), so wet wipes are key.
- Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness. Several people on the hike have
- varying degrees of altitude sickness and both of these remedies (in addition to the coca tea) are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms.
- Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).
- Bug spray with 30% DEET in it–which you need, but it doesn’t work very
- well. The issue with Cusco outdoor is that most of the bugs are not mosquitoes. They are these small flies you can’t even see that leave weird
- bites that first look like you pricked your finger and then blow up into itchy
- red bumps. Unfortunately, these bugs seem to bite you no matter what kind of spray you put on, so bringing some anti-itch ointment could be helpful.
- Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel-back
- Water (Only for first day of the hike, as we will provide you with water throughout the rest of the hike).
- Camera and film
- A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
- Bandages or moleskin
- Flip flops to change into at night. Your toes will thank you!
- Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste/floss, shampoo/conditioner,
- brush/comb, Vaseline (great for potential blisters on the feet), feminine
- hygiene products, deodorant, nail clippers/file/tweezers, spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, contact lenses and supplies,
- hand sanitizer etc. Pack what you need, but pack light.
- Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach) because some people get an upset stomach on the trek. Also, Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen can be helpful to help with aches and pains after 8-10 hours of hiking each day.
- Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes
- Something to read in the evenings
- Extra money for drinks
- Emergency money at least 300-450 extra soles (USD$ 220)
- Tips (the amount you tip (or if you tip) is a personal decision and it is NOT an obligation.
Prices
Price: group service.
35 USD per person.
Price: Private service.
2 persons 99 USD per person
3 persons 89 USD per person
4 persons 79 USD per person
5 persons 69 USD per person
6 persons 59 USD per person
Starting from
Duration
1 Day
Destination
Cusco
Type of activity
One Day Trek, Trekking in Cusco
Our team is ready to help. Send us a message on WhatsApp or contact us online — we’ll get back to you right away.
Tours that may interest you
Discover more adventures similar to this experience.
City Tour
- Days: 1
- Cusco
- Traditional Tours
From $40 per person
Pallay Punchu
- Days: 1
- Cusco
- One Day Trek, Trekking in Cusco
From $50 per person
Rayan Community Full Day
- Days: 1
- Cusco
- Community Experience
From $150 per person
What Our Travelers Say
Authentic stories from travelers who explored Peru with us.
