Humantay Lagoon Full Day
Dificulty
Moderate
Duration
1 Day
Group Size
14 a 19 People
Max Altitude
4,200 msnm
Description
Join the adventure any day of the week! It doesn’t matter if you travel alone, as a couple or with a group, we adapt to your needs so that you enjoy this experience to the fullest. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover this natural wonder when you are in Cusco. The Humantay Lagoon awaits you.
The Humantay Lagoon is one of the best kept wonders of the Peruvian highlands. Framed by the imposing presence of the snow-capped Salkantay and Humantay mountains, considered sacred Apus or Andean gods, this destination will transport you to a fantasy world. The contrast between the intense turquoise of its waters and the white background of the snow-capped mountains creates a dreamlike landscape, where nature shows itself in its maximum expression. A spectacle that you must experience in person.
During the tour, you will enjoy spectacular landscapes as you head to the starting point of the hike. Then, you will begin the climb towards the impressive Humantay Lagoon, where the intense turquoise color of its waters and the mountainous surroundings will leave you speechless.
After marveling at this natural paradise, you’ll have time to relax, enjoy a delicious lunch, and take in one of the most beautiful landscapes you can imagine, before returning to the city with unforgettable memories.
Book with us and live the adventure without worries. We take care of every detail so that you can just relax and enjoy the experience. Let us make your trip an unforgettable memory!
Cusco | Mollepata - Soraypampa - Humantay Lagoon - Cusco
Your tour guide will pick you up from your lodge or hotel between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. You must inform the travel company where you will be staying one day before departure and be ready and waiting for pickup.
During the first hours of the Humantay Lagoon tour, the temperature is cold (10°C), so it is necessary to bring extra warm sweaters, jackets, hats, and gloves. These will keep you warm and comfortable during the drive to Mollepata. After a 2-hour drive, you will arrive in Mollepata, where you will stop for breakfast and have the chance to buy any last-minute items you may have forgotten in Cusco, such as water and snacks.
After breakfast, there is one more hour of transportation to Soraypampa. Once you reach this high mountain area, you will be able to observe the beautiful Apu Salkantay Mountain (6,230 m / 20,439 ft) and Humantay Mountain (5,250 m / 17,224 ft). After a brief period of preparing your backpack, the 2-hour uphill hike to your destination begins, covering approximately 4 km (2.4 miles). The ascent to Humantay Lagoon is steep; however, the groups are small, and the guide will allow you to take your time to enjoy and reach the top.
After enjoying the first view of Humantay Lagoon, there is an optional short climb above the lake to the right or left, where you can appreciate a panoramic view. Once at Humantay Lagoon, you will have enough time to take pictures of the spectacular scenery, listen to the guide’s explanations, and enjoy the wonderful landscape of the area.
The time you spend at Humantay Lagoon will depend on weather conditions. If the weather is cold, cloudy, or rainy, the stay will be approximately 30 minutes. If the weather is sunny and clear, you can enjoy the landscape for up to 1 hour and 30 minutes, enough time to explore and take unforgettable photos.
Afterward, we will begin the hike back to the starting point, where our transportation will be waiting. From there, we will travel by car for an hour to Mollepata, where we will stop to enjoy a buffet lunch. Then, we will continue the journey back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:30 p.m.
HORSE OPTION: 100 soles
This is an option for those who cannot walk or simply want to enjoy a horseback ride through the mountain. Once you arrive at the start of the Humantay Lagoon hike, you can rent a horse directly from the locals with the help of the guide. The usual price for the horse is 100 soles, and it will carry you while you just sit back and enjoy the ride. The horse is only for the ascent; for the return, you must walk, as the descent is too dangerous on horseback.
📌 Tour Details
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, buffet lunch
🚶♂️ Total walking distance: 5 km / 3.10 miles
⏱ Total hiking time: 3 hours
🥾 Difficulty level: Moderate
📉 Minimum altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
📈 Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Incluye
✓ PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION MEETING
✓ HUMANTAY LAGOON ENTRANCE TICKET
✓ FIELD STAFF
- Professional Guides:
Specialized in trekking and selected from accredited universities. Our guides are fluent in English and have three to ten years of experience in various hikes throughout the region. They are experts in managing groups under pressure and are trained in first aid and rescue techniques. Most of them come from different Andean communities and bring with them their cultural heritage. Along with the rest of the field team, our guides will make your journey a unique experience.
✓ MEALS
- Meals:
- 1 breakfast, 1 buffet lunch.
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountains, providing a unique gastronomic experience. Our team of adventurers and explorers loves our food, and we ensure that every meal is delicious and nutritious.
We respect all diets and offer options for vegetarians, vegans, or any special requirements at no additional cost. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance so our guide can take them into account during the briefing session.
✓ TRANSPORTATION
- Day 1: You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and travel in private transport with the group to the starting point of the hike.
- Day 1: Return transportation from Soraypampa station to Cusco.
✓ EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND REMOTE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
- Radios:
They have a 10 km range and 8 frequencies so our guides, cooks, and porters can communicate with each other. Additionally, the radios can be used to contact Salkantay park rangers in case of emergency. - First aid kit:
We carry alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine tincture, germicidal soap, cotton, gauze, bandages, medical adhesive tape, surgical gloves, pain relievers for muscle and stomach pain, and antipyretics. If you take prescription medication, you may bring your own. - Portable oxygen tank.
✓ IMPORTANT:
Please note that only a medical professional can issue a prescription. Our guides DO NOT have the authority to prescribe treatment to clients. All medications will be administered with your consent and at your own responsibility. If you have a prescription, it is recommended that you bring your own medication.
No Incluye
× DINNER IN CUSCO
× OPTIONAL HORSE
× PERSONAL HIKING CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
× TRAVEL INSURANCE
- This is not a requirement, but we always recommend that our clients acquire it in case of flight issues or unexpected health problems. Please check if your travel insurance policy has altitude restrictions, as some policies become void above 4,000 m (13,123 ft).
× ADDITIONAL COSTS
- Delays beyond the administration’s control (landscape conditions, bad weather, itinerary modifications due to safety concerns, illness, government policy changes, political instability/strikes, etc.).
✓ TIPS FOR YOUR CREW
- Tipping is a common practice in tourism and excursions. Although we pay fair wages to our entire team, any extra gratuity is always appreciated, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect and distribute tips.
- Original ID or Passport.
- Sun hat and wool hat for different temperatures.
- Warm clothing (jacket, scarf, gloves, hats).
- Short-sleeved T-shirt.
- Trekking shoes or waterproof boots for your comfort, if they are sneakers with rubber or thick soles it is an excellent option.
- Rain gear: A good raincoat, rain pants (only for the rainy season).
- Long pants.
- Sunglasses.
- Small backpack to carry water, snacks, camera, etc.
- 2 liters of water (there are options to buy along the route).
- Snacks such as apple, cereal bar, candy and chocolates.
- Personal medical kit.
- Sunscreen.
- Cash in soles for personal expenses.
✓ PRICE PER PERSON
• $40 USD – Adults
✓ PRICE GUARANTEE
- Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase under any circumstances. Therefore, before booking, make sure to read all the important tour information.
✓ HOW TO BOOK
- You can book your spot online through our website, where our booking platform will guide you step by step. The tour payment can be made with any credit or debit card, and you can also pay in your home currency for added convenience.
Please note that IZIPAY charges a 5% fee, which we ask the customer to cover as it is a service charge. This fee applies only to online deposits.
✓ CANCELLATION POLICY
- Partial refund:
If you cancel within 24 hours but before 5:00 p.m. the day before, you will receive a 50% refund. - No refund:
Cancellations made after 5:00 p.m. the day before the tour are not eligible for a refund.
✓ Recommendations:
- We highly recommend that you fully understand all booking and cancellation policies before making your payment to ensure your investment is protected and to have a smooth booking experience for your adventure.
✓ CLIENT PICKUP
Please note:
- All pickups are made within the city of Cusco, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center with a good location. Our guide or staff will confirm your pickup time one day before the tour. Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary by 30 to 45 minutes. Cusco is an ancient city with many narrow and cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets with no vehicle access or on long, steep slopes, making luggage transport difficult. We highly recommend booking accommodation with easy access.
✓ LOST ITEMS
- Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to collect everything when leaving our transport, campsites, or restaurants. You are solely responsible for your belongings during the tour.
✓ WEATHER
- The weather is unpredictable. Typically, the dry season in Cusco lasts from April to October, but it can still rain in June or be sunny in December. No matter when you are trekking, make sure to bring rain gear, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and gloves. Many people forget gloves, but cold and moisture can make hiking very uncomfortable.
Additionally, be prepared for all four seasons. Andean hikes involve multiple microclimates, so dressing in layers is essential as they allow for quick adjustments to changing temperatures. A warm jacket is also necessary for the cold nights.
✓ ALTITUDE SICKNESS (SOROCHE) AND STOMACH DISCOMFORT
- For hikers coming to Cusco directly from sea-level locations, we recommend arriving at least two days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are altitude sickness (soroche) and stomach discomfort caused by slow digestion.
- Altitude sickness:
Symptoms include headaches and nausea. Some over-the-counter medications (pills) can help minimize these symptoms, such as Aspirin, Diamox, Soroichi Pill, and Alti Vital, among others. If symptoms persist, the next step is oxygen therapy. In such cases, we have the necessary equipment and staff ready to assist our hikers. - Stomach discomfort: We recommend drinking 3-4 liters of water daily to keep your body hydrated. Hot drinks like coca leaf tea are especially beneficial, along with soups, vegetables, and carbohydrates (avoid fried or heavy foods). Sweets, chocolates, cookies, and fruits are also good options—essentially, any easily digestible food. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Try to sleep at least 8 hours and avoid excessive physical activity. Keep your body at a comfortable temperature by wearing warm clothing to protect against the cold. When adjusting to high altitudes, a general rule is to eat moderately and drink plenty of fluids.
The photos of Humantay Lake speak for themselves—the answer is yes, it is absolutely worth visiting. If possible, hike up to the viewpoint on the left side of the lake. Walking there will reward you with the perfect angle for breathtaking photos, and the panoramic views of the valley below are equally stunning.
The weather in the high mountains is unpredictable. However, the dry season, which runs approximately from April to mid-October, is the most popular time to visit Cusco. This season provides bright, sunny days perfect for photography, allowing you to capture Humantay’s turquoise-blue waters with greater clarity. That said, Humantay Lake is accessible year-round, and visiting during the rainy season means fewer tourists.
It is essential to be well-acclimated before doing any trek. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least two days before your trek begins to help you adjust to the altitude and minimize the risk of altitude sickness. If you have already spent time in another high-altitude area before arriving in Cusco, we suggest resting for at least one day to recover before starting your hike.
The tour operates year-round, though it is always subject to weather conditions.
We highly recommend booking the tour in advance, as we operate during both high and low seasons. The number of tourists varies between these periods, so securing your spot early helps avoid any last-minute availability issues.
While no specific training is required, preparing physically is always a good idea. We suggest using a treadmill with an incline setting, walking up and down stairs, or using a stair climber. Keep in mind that you should spend at least two days in Cusco before the trek to help your body adjust to the altitude.
We always recommend wearing lightweight trekking shoes. Ankle-supporting boots are particularly useful, especially for inexperienced hikers, as you will be walking on uneven terrain and climbing ancient Inca-built stone steps.
Any luggage that is not needed for the trek should be left in Cusco. Most hotels in Cusco are accustomed to storing guests’ luggage. If you do not have a place to leave your belongings, you can store them securely at our office until the end of your adventure—rest assured, your items will be safe!
We offer a variety of local superfoods and traditional Peruvian dishes, including rice, chicken, beef, salads, potatoes, vegetables, and fresh fruits, all prepared by our local chef. We also provide excellent vegetarian and vegan options. If you have specific dietary requirements, please inform us in advance so we can accommodate your needs accordingly.
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