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Humantay Lake Full-Day Hike from Cusco with beakfast and lunch

Cusco, Peru · 15h · 1–19 people

Runs in Spanish English

  • From age 5

Your guide

Machupicchu Luna Tours

Cusco, Peru · Agency

My name is Carlos Luna. I hold a degree in Tourism with more than 15 years of experience in Peru's tourism and inbound travel …

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Hike to the turquoise glacial waters of Humantay Lake beneath Salkantay's snowy peaks, with hotel pickup and a bilingual guide from Cusco.

Highlights

  • Turquoise glacial lagoon set beneath sheer ice walls
  • Close-up views of Apu Salkantay (6,271 m), the highest peak in the Vilcabamba range
  • Early 3:30 a.m. start to reach the lake in crisp morning light, good for reflection photos
  • Climb from Soraypampa (3,900 m) to the lake at 4,200 m, with optional horses for the ascent
  • Hotel pickup in Cusco and a certified bilingual guide (English / Spanish)
Humantay Lake is one of the most striking glacial lagoons in the Peruvian Andes, and this full-day tour takes you right to it. We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco's historic center at 3:30 a.m. and drive through the Limatambo Valley as dawn breaks, up into the Vilcabamba mountain range. From Soraypampa (3,900 m) we start with a short safety talk and warm-up, then climb steadily for around 1.5 to 2 hours along a rocky glacial trail to the lake at 4,200 m. There you'll find emerald and turquoise water set right beneath the ice walls, with time for commentary from your guide on the geology and local culture, plus photos and a rest by the shore. If you'd rather not walk up, local community members rent horses at the trailhead. We stop in Mollepata on the way out and back so you can have breakfast and lunch at a local restaurant, then return to Cusco in the late afternoon, with drop-off near the Plaza de Armas.

What's included

  • Hotel pickup in Cusco (historic center area)
  • Round-trip tourist transportation with a professional driver
  • Certified bilingual tour guide (English / Spanish)
  • Trekking poles (available upon request)
  • First-aid kit and emergency oxygen tank on board
  • breakfast and buffet lunch

Not included

  • cold beverages.
  • Entrance ticket to Humantay Lake (Mollepata Community Control): S/ 20 PEN, paid in cash at the checkpoint
  • Optional horse rental at Soraypampa (approx. S/ 80-100 PEN for the ascent, paid directly to local muleteers)
  • Personal travel or medical insurance
  • Voluntary tips for the guide and driver

What to bring

  • Original passport or valid ID
  • Peruvian Soles in cash for the entrance fee, meals in Mollepata, restrooms and optional horse rental
  • Layered clothing: moisture-wicking base layer, warm fleece or down jacket, windproof/waterproof shell
  • Broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes with ankle support and non-slip grip
  • Waterproof rain jacket or poncho, especially in the rainy season (November to April)
  • SPF 50+ sunscreen, UV sunglasses, sun hat, warm beanie, thermal gloves and lip balm
  • Small daypack (15-20 L), at least 1.5 liters of water, high-energy snacks and coca candies

Know before you go

  • Spend at least 1 to 2 days in Cusco beforehand to acclimatize to the altitude
  • Not recommended for travelers with severe cardiac, respiratory or mobility conditions
  • Pickup starts at 3:30 a.m.; expect to be back in Cusco between about 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.
  • Mornings at Soraypampa can drop close to freezing
  • Horse availability depends on weight limits and trail conditions

Pickup: Anywhere within 900 m of Cusco. You agree the place with your guide after booking.

Meeting point: Pickup from your hotel in Cusco's historic center; drop-off near the Plaza de Armas

Drop-off: saphy.

Cancellation policy: Free until 24 hours before: Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. After that, no refund.

Cancel within that window and you get your full deposit back. After it, you do not get your deposit back. If the guide cancels, you always get your deposit back.

What you'll do

  1. 1
    Hotel pickup in Cusco
    Private vehicle transfer (30min)
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    We collect you from your hotel in the historic center and drive northwest along the Cusco–Abancay highway through the Limatambo Valley.

  2. 2
    Mollepata breakfast stop
    Break time (45min)
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    A 45-minute stop in the Andean village of Mollepata (2,900 m) for restrooms, trail water and snacks, and breakfast at a local restaurant at your own expense.

  3. 3
    Drive to Soraypampa
    Scenic drive (75min)
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    A winding mountain road with views of deep canyons and high-Andean pastures up to the Soraypampa trailhead (3,900 m), beneath Salkantay and Humantay.

  4. 4
    Guided hike to Humantay Lake
    Hiking, Photo stop (180min)
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    After a short safety talk and warm-up, a steady uphill hike of about 1.5 to 2 hours to the lake at 4,200 m. Time for commentary from your guide, relaxing by the water and photos.

  5. 5
    Descent to Soraypampa
    Hiking (75min)
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    The walk back down the same panoramic path, about an hour, with sweeping views of the valley and surrounding peaks.

  6. 6
    Lunch break in Mollepata
    Free time (120min)
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    We drive back down to Mollepata, where you have free time for lunch at a local restaurant.

  7. 7
    Return to Cusco
    Private vehicle transfer (150min)
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    A relaxed drive back to Cusco, arriving in the late afternoon with drop-off near the Plaza de Armas.

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30 USD / person
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