Tourist Humantay Lake Turquoise Water Cusco

Humantay Lake Tour: Private Transfer Included

• Full day (~14h) • Free cancellation

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Availability Daily departures
Transport Hotel pickup
Languages Spanish, English
Maximum altitude 4,200 m m.s.n.m.

Summary
Itinerary
Inclusions
FAQs
Reviews
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About this activity

The Humantay Lake tour is a full-day hike to a turquoise glacial lake at 4,200 meters above sea level, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota range. It includes private round-trip transportation from your hotel — you do the hike on your own, following the marked, single-path trail up to the lake, with no guide included.

Many operators in Cusco only take you to the trailhead and the service ends there; we do the same, but with a punctual driver and a private vehicle not shared with other groups. In Mollepata there are restaurants where you can have breakfast and lunch on your own, before and after the hike.

With over a decade operating in Cusco and a 5.0/5.0 TripAdvisor rating (36 reviews), we take care of every detail of the altitude logistics.

Itinerary

Start

Pickup at your hotel in Cusco

Pickup at your hotel in Cusco to start the private vehicle transfer toward Mollepata, the gateway to this route within the Salkantay mountain range.

Stop 01

Breakfast stop in Mollepata

Stop in Mollepata, where you can have breakfast on your own at one of the local restaurants, before continuing on the mountain road to Soraypampa, the point where the hike on foot begins.

Stop 02

Start of the hike

The ascent from Soraypampa to the lake takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, gaining altitude steadily up to 4,200 m. It's a demanding stretch due to the altitude, so we keep a comfortable pace for the whole group.

Stop 03

Humantay Lake

Humantay Lake is a turquoise glacial body of water, fed by the meltwater of Humantay peak, part of the Salkantay mountain range. It's considered an apu (sacred mountain) by local communities. You'll have free time for photos and to enjoy the scenery before starting the descent.

Stop 04

Lunch stop in Mollepata

Stop in Mollepata after the descent, where you can have lunch on your own with local dishes, before heading back to Cusco.

End

Return to Cusco (~6:00pm)

Approximate arrival at your hotel in Cusco around 6:00 pm, closing out a long but complete day in the Salkantay mountain range.

What's included

Inclusions

Includes
- Private round-trip transportation from your hotel in Cusco

What's Not Included

Not included
- Guide / tour guide
- Food (breakfast and lunch)
- Entrance fee to Humantay Lake
- Tips
- Horse rental (optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the hike to Humantay Lake?

Moderate: 1.5–2 hours of steady ascent up to 4,200 m. The main challenge is the altitude, not the technicality of the trail.

Do I need to be acclimatized before this tour?

Yes, we recommend at least 2 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before going up to 4,200 m at Humantay.

Does the tour include a guide or just transportation?

No guide or food included. The service covers private round-trip transportation to your hotel. You do the hike to the lake on your own, following a marked, single-path trail; in Mollepata you can have breakfast and lunch on your own before and after the hike.

Can I rent a horse if I can't complete the hike?

Check horse rental availability when booking via WhatsApp.

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