Tour from Cusco
Humantay Lake
A one-day hike from Cusco to a glacial lake at 4,200 m (13,780 ft). Pickup between 4 and 4:30 a.m. and a 1.5-hour climb from Soraypampa, with trekking poles, a mountain guide, breakfast and buffet lunch included.
- We assist you in English on WhatsApp
- English-speaking guides
- Local Cusco agency since 2003, registered with MINCETUR
Pickup from your hotel in Cusco between 4 and 4:30 a.m.
Commentary in English, Spanish or Portuguese along the whole route
Mollepata, the Soraypampa camp and Humantay Lake
We confirm your booking in under 2 hours
Hike to Humantay Lake: from Cusco to 4,200 m in one day
The Humantay Lake tour is the most popular full-day trip from Cusco after Machu Picchu and the rainbow mountains. We leave before dawn for the Andes, with a stop in Mollepata (about 3,000 m / 9,840 ft) for a hearty breakfast, and reach the Soraypampa camp, at 3,900 m (12,800 ft), where the hike begins.
The climb takes about an hour and a half each way and ends at 4,200 m, in front of a turquoise lake fed by meltwater from snowcapped Humantay and surrounded by glaciers. We provide trekking poles, and the guide sets a pace that suits the group. The return includes a buffet lunch in Mollepata, arriving at Plaza Regocijo after about 13 hours.
It costs US$ 55 per person and includes all meals, round-trip transport from your hotel, poles, a guide who specializes in mountain routes and a first-aid kit with emergency oxygen. If you’d like to sleep in the mountains and add the Salkantay pass, there’s the 2-day trek with a night in an igloo; and if you’re looking for another high-altitude hike, try Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca).
Humantay Lake at 4,200 m
Turquoise water fed by meltwater from snowcapped Humantay, surrounded by glaciers and mountains. It's the highest point and the highlight of the route.
Soraypampa, where the hike begins
A camp at 3,900 m in the heart of the Andes, where the climb starts. We provide trekking poles to make the way up and down easier.
Moderate to challenging
A hike of about 1 hour 30 minutes each way, with elevation gain and altitude. You should be acclimatized and reasonably fit.
Meals and times
A hearty breakfast in Mollepata and a buffet lunch at our country house. Departure between 4 and 4:30 a.m. and back in Cusco around 6:30 p.m.
Itinerary
Your full day, step by step: from Cusco to Humantay Lake
- 4–4:30 a.m. · Pickup from your hotel in CuscoWe pick you up at your hotel and head for the Andes by tourist transport.
- Mollepata (≈3,000 m) · BreakfastAfter about two and a half hours on the road, we stop for a hearty breakfast.
- Soraypampa (3,900 m) · Start of the hikeWe reach the camp and start the climb on foot, with trekking poles and a specialized guide.
- Humantay Lake (4,200 m)About 1 hour 30 minutes uphill to the turquoise lake surrounded by glaciers. Time for photos and to enjoy the place.
- Descent to SoraypampaWalk back down to the camp and bus transfer.
- Mollepata · Buffet lunchBuffet lunch at our country house before the drive back.
- ≈6:30 p.m. · Back in CuscoThe trip ends at Plaza Regocijo after about 13 hours of adventure.
What's included in your Humantay Lake tour?
No surprises and no fine print: this is exactly what the service covers and what you pay separately on the day of the tour.
1 day (full day), approx. 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Up to 5,000 m (16,410 ft); the lake is at 4,200 m
Daily predawn departure; pickup between 4 and 4:30 a.m.
English, Spanish or Portuguese
Included
- All meals: hearty breakfast and buffet lunch at our country house
- Trekking gear: poles for the way up and down
- Round-trip tourist transport from your hotel, in vehicles equipped for the route
- Professional English-speaking mountain guide and a first-aid kit with emergency oxygen
- Tari Tours support before and during the tour
Not included
- Humantay Lake entrance fee (foreign visitors S/ 25; Peruvians S/ 15)
- Water and extra snacks during the hike
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Note: the Humantay Lake entrance fee is paid separately, in cash, directly at the checkpoint (S/ 25 for foreign visitors and S/ 15 for Peruvians). It is not included in the tour price.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the most common questions, so you can book with peace of mind.
Do I need to acclimatize before the Humantay Lake tour?
Yes, it’s highly recommended. The hike reaches 4,200 m and the whole route is above 3,900 m. Ideally, spend at least two days in Cusco before this trip and do easier tours first, such as the Cusco City Tour or the Sacred Valley.
How difficult is the tour?
Moderate to challenging. You walk about 1 hour 30 minutes each way, steadily uphill and at altitude. We provide trekking poles and the guide sets a pace that suits the group, but you should be reasonably fit.
Which tickets do I need to buy separately?
The Humantay Lake entrance fee: S/ 25 for foreign visitors and S/ 15 for Peruvians. It’s paid in cash on the day and is not included in the tour price.
What time does it start and how long does it last?
We pick you up at your hotel between 4 and 4:30 a.m., and the tour runs from about 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. In total, it’s about 13 hours, ending at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.
What should I bring?
Warm layers and a windbreaker, sneakers or hiking boots, a rain poncho, a warm hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and snacks, some cash for the entrance fee, and your passport.
How do booking and payment work?
You can book right on this page, choosing your date and number of travelers. We confirm your booking in under 2 hours and agree on the exact pickup time with you. If you prefer, you can also message us on WhatsApp before booking.
What happens if the weather affects the departure?
The trip runs year-round. In the rainy season, the trail can get more slippery, so bring a rain poncho. If mountain conditions don’t allow a safe hike, we’ll agree on a date change or a suitable alternative with you.
How much does the Humantay Lake tour cost?
The price is US$ 55 per person. It includes a hearty breakfast and buffet lunch at our country house, trekking poles, round-trip tourist transport from your hotel in vehicles equipped for the route, a professional mountain guide and a first-aid kit with emergency oxygen. The entrance fee is paid separately: S/ 25 for foreign visitors and S/ 15 for Peruvians.
How long is the hike and how high is the lake?
The hike takes about 1 hour 30 minutes each way, steadily uphill from Soraypampa (3,900 m) to the lake, at 4,200 m. The difficulty is moderate to challenging, more because of the altitude than the distance. If you prefer, there are usually support horses in the area that you can hire on the spot, at an extra cost.
Is Humantay Lake worth it?
It’s one of the best day hikes in the region for effort versus scenery: in an hour and a half of climbing, you go from the valley to a glacial lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It’s especially worth it if you’re already acclimatized and don’t mind an early start. If you want something easier, the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain tour is much less demanding; if you want more mountains, try the Salkantay Trek.
Ready to book or have a question?
Talk to a travel advisor in English. We reply Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Peru time, GMT-5).