Updated November 6, 2026, with the latest notices from the Cusco authorities and INAIGEM.
Quick answer
Humantay Lake sits at about 4,200 m (13,780 ft) above sea level, 120 km from Cusco. You drive to Soraypampa in about three hours, then hike up for an hour and a half to two hours. The entrance fee is paid in cash: S/ 25 for foreigners and S/ 15 for Peruvians.
As of November 6, 2026, the lake is still open, under a permanent alert because of avalanches from the snowcapped peak above it. Below we explain what happened in 2026 and how to visit with care.
Is Humantay Lake open? What happened in 2026
Yes. Visits continue and there is no closure notice in effect. But 2026 was an eventful year: a closure due to rain in February and several avalanches from the peak between July and September, which visitors filmed from the shore.
- The regional risk management office considers suspending visits because the Balconpata section, which sits on a geological fault, is unstable.
- The Mollepata municipality closes access due to heavy rain and a fault at Balconpata.
- The route reopens along an alternative path, Llaqtallaqtalloq, cleared and repaired by the municipality.
- An avalanche of snow and ice falls toward the lake while tourists film it. No one was hurt.
- After the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Ayacucho, a large mass of ice breaks off. The Regional Government considers a temporary closure, but the route stays open.
- Another avalanche, this time of fresh snow, reaches the lake without making it overflow.
- The Regional Tourism Office declares a permanent alert and proposes a monitoring and evacuation system. The lake gets 800 to 1,200 visitors a day.
- INAIGEM warns that visitors gather near the lake’s outlet, the most exposed area if a large block of ice falls.
How to visit with more care. Listen to your guide and don’t stay longer than you need to on the arrival shore, near the outlet, where almost the whole group gathers. Don’t go near the foot of the glacier, don’t go into the water (it’s forbidden) and don’t fly a drone without a permit. If there’s a closure notice for rain or landslides, respect it: in March 2025, a landslide at Balconpata left 26 tourists stranded.
How to get to Humantay Lake from Cusco
The lake is in the Mollepata district, in Anta province. From Cusco, you take the highway toward Abancay as far as Limatambo and Mollepata, then a dirt road to Soraypampa, where the hike starts. It’s about 120 km, a drive of three to three and a half hours.
On a guided tour
This is the most common option. Hotel pickup is between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., and breakfast is on the way. After the hike down, lunch is in Mollepata and you’re back in Cusco in the afternoon: about 13 hours in total.
On your own
It can be done: there are buses from Cusco to Mollepata and, from there, taxis or shared vans (colectivos) to Soraypampa. The problem is timing. To reach the lake early you have to leave before dawn, and getting back depends on finding a ride. If you go this way, bring cash and tell someone your plan.
The hike: distance, time and difficulty
From Soraypampa it’s about 2 to 2.5 km uphill, with 300 to 400 m (980 to 1,310 ft) of elevation gain. The climb takes an hour and a half to two hours, and the way down about an hour. It isn’t a technical trail, but the altitude makes it hard work: you’re above 3,900 m the whole time.
- Acclimatize first. Spend at least two days in Cusco before the hike. We explain how in altitude sickness in Cusco.
- A horse, if you need one. Members of the Soraypampa community rent horses for the climb for about S/ 70 to 100, in cash. The last stretch is usually done on foot.
- Slow pace. Go up slowly, drink water and stop as often as you need.
Price: entrance fee, tour and horse
| Item | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee | S/ 25 | S/ 15 for Peruvians. Paid in cash at the entrance checkpoint. There is no official fee published online, and other 2026 guides list amounts from S/ 10 to 30. |
| Horse for the climb | S/ 70 to 100 | Optional, paid in cash to members of the Soraypampa community. |
| Day tour | US$ 55 | Transportation from your hotel, breakfast and buffet lunch, trekking poles, a mountain guide and emergency oxygen. The entrance fee is extra. |
| Humantay and Salkantay, 2 days | US$ 235 | A night in a Sky Camp igloo, Salkantay Pass at 4,600 m (15,090 ft) the next day, a mountain guide, private transportation and five meals. |
There are no ATMs in Soraypampa and almost nobody takes cards or mobile payments, so bring soles in small bills.
Best time to go
| Months | Weather | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| May to September | Dry | Clear skies and the most intense turquoise. Very cold at dawn. More people from June to August. |
| April and October | Transition | Generally good weather and fewer visitors. |
| November to March | Rainy | Clouds, mud and afternoon rain. Higher risk of landslides and temporary closures, like the one in February 2026. |
November still works well if you leave early, because the rain usually comes in the afternoon. If you’re traveling between December and March, read Humantay Lake in the rainy season.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece, a windbreaker and a rain jacket. At the lake, it can be close to freezing early in the morning.
- Hat, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Trekking shoes or boots with good grip.
- Water, snacks and cash in soles.
If you’re missing something, see what to pack for a trek in Cusco or where to rent gear.
Humantay as part of a longer trip
Humantay is the first day of the Salkantay Trek, which continues to Machu Picchu. It’s also part of our five- and six-day packages, such as Cusco Aventurero, together with Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). To see how it fits into your trip, check our day-by-day Cusco itinerary.
Ready for Humantay?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. We go with a mountain guide and emergency oxygen, and we confirm the route conditions before your date.
- Humantay Lake in one day, US$ 55.
- Humantay and Salkantay in 2 days, with a night in an igloo.
- Cusco Aventurero, 5 days: Machu Picchu, Humantay and Rainbow Mountain.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Humantay Lake?
In the Mollepata district, Anta province, in Cusco, about 120 km from the city. You drive to Soraypampa in about three hours and hike up from there.
What is the altitude of Humantay Lake?
About 4,200 m (13,780 ft) above sea level. The hike starts in Soraypampa, at about 3,900 m (12,800 ft), at the foot of the Humantay peak.
How long is the hike to Humantay Lake?
About 2 to 2.5 km uphill from Soraypampa, with 300 to 400 m of elevation gain. The climb takes an hour and a half to two hours, and the way down about an hour.
How much is the Humantay Lake entrance fee?
S/ 25 for foreigners and S/ 15 for Peruvians, in cash, at the entrance checkpoint. There is no official fee published online, so bring a little extra in case it changes. A horse for the climb costs about S/ 70 to 100.
Is Humantay Lake open in November 2026?
Yes. Visits continue under a permanent alert because of the avalanches from the peak recorded between July and September 2026. In the rainy season there can be temporary closures, like the one from February 6 to March 6, 2026.
Is Humantay Lake dangerous because of the avalanches?
The 2026 avalanches caused no injuries, but INAIGEM warned that visitors gather near the outlet, the most exposed area. Follow your guide, don’t stay long on that shore and don’t go near the glacier.
When is the best time to visit Humantay Lake?
May to September, in the dry season, when the skies are clearest. April and October are also good. From November to March it rains more, especially in the afternoon, and the risk of landslides is higher.
Can you swim in Humantay Lake?
No. Going into the water is forbidden, and the water is freezing anyway. Flying a drone without a permit is not allowed either.
Sources
- Infobae: route under review because of the Balconpata section (January 20, 2026)
- Andina: February 6 closure and the Llaqtallaqtalloq alternative path (March 6, 2026)
- Andina: ice fall after the Ayacucho earthquake (August 22, 2026)
- Infobae: INAIGEM explains the September 22, 2026 avalanche
- Andina: permanent alert and monitoring proposal (September 24, 2026)
- La República: INAIGEM warns about the outlet area (September 30, 2026)
- Andean Moments: altitude, hike and horse price (updated October 2026)
- PeruRail: how to get to Humantay Lake
Photos in this guide are from Wikimedia Commons under free licenses; the author and license appear below each image.