Humantay Lake: Day Trips and Tours from Cusco

Views of sacred Humantay Lake and the surrounding mountains are a well-earned reward after a hike to its shores. Its jewel-toned waters are glacier-fed from peaks higher than any in the contiguous United States.

Take in the scenery of a lifetime as your guide regales you with the history and culture of the region on a Humantay Lake day trip from Cusco.

Here's all you need to know about Humantay Lake, one of the most exciting day trips from Cusco.

How to get to Humantay Lake from Cusco?

Humantay Lake is located about 130 kilometers northwest of Cusco, a little less than a 3-hour drive.

From Cusco to Humantay Lake by car

Take the S3 west from Cusco for 87 kilometers, and exit on CU-109 toward Mollepata. Continue on CU-109 for 40 kilometers until you reach the Humantay Lake trailhead at Soraypampa.

Guided tour to Humantay Lake from Cusco

See Humantay Lake without the trouble of organizing transportation, a guide, entrance fees and meals on your own by booking a guided tour. Guided tours to Humantay Lake bundle all you will need for a day tour. Hike, bike or horseback ride to the lake for an unforgettable outing.

Extend your visit beyond Humantay Lake to Peru’s other main attractions with multi-day tours that feature Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Valley plus Humantay Lake to miss nothing on your journey to this mystical corner of the Andes.

What is the typical itinerary?

Starting early from your Cusco hotel, meet your driver/guide for the trip to the trailhead for the lake. Most tours start between 4 and 5 AM from Cusco, but there are earlier and later options. Tours with 3 AM pickup help avoid crowds at the lake, and other tours start with 7 or 8 AM pickup.

During the 3-hour drive to the trailhead, you will make a stop in Mollepata for breakfast and provisions for the excursion. Once you reach the trailhead in Soraypampa, embark on the 3-kilometer ascent to the lake.

The approach is steep and takes around 2 hours. At the lake, relax in the mountain scenery and capture the lake’s otherworldly blue with your camera.

Tours include time to enjoy the beauty of the area or to continue your hike past the lake for sublime views. Return to the trailhead takes about an hour, where you will board your transportation back to Cusco.

Enjoy an included lunch at a restaurant in Mollepata about 1 hour into your drive. Rest as you pass through stunning landscapes until your return to Cusco, around 5 or 6 PM.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Humantay Lake?

Humantay Lake day tours from Cusco are designed for active, adventurous travelers who want a convenient trip to one of South America’s most famous lakes.

Guided tours to Humantay Lake from Cusco

The easiest way to reach Humantay Lake is by booking a tour. Day trip packages combine all the necessities to reach this remote spot safely. Most excursions to Humantay Lake require a lot of walking, as most hiking tours in Cusco, but you can also choose a bike tour in Cusco as an alternative.

If you decide to hike and discover the altitude makes it too difficult, it is possible to rent a horse along the path. There  are also horse riding tours in Cusco to vist the Humantay Lake.

Private tour to Humantay Lake from Cusco

The trail to Humantay Lake is extremely popular, and if you want to avoid crowds, a private tour is a good choice. In a group of two to eight people, travel to Soraypampa in a vehicle to yourselves with a driver/guide to answer every question.

2-Day tour to Humantay Lake from Cusco

With a 6-hour round-trip drive from Cusco, staying overnight in the Humantay Lake area can be a nice way to break up road time. For a real adventure, take on the Salkantay trek for overnight camping.

If your tastes are tamer, you can stay in the Luxury Domes that provide comfortable beds, private baths and meals.

There are 2-day tour packages that take you to Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain as well. Spend day 1 exploring Humantay Lake before moving on to another must-see Peruvian attraction on day 2.

Multi-day tours Humantay from Cusco

On this multi-day trip from Cusco, you'll set out in the footsteps of the Inca on the historical Salkantay Trail. The entire trail connects Cusco to Machu Picchu over 74 kilometers, and most guided treks start with a drive to the Humantay Lake trailhead.

Make your way over the 4,638-meter-high Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu over the course of 4 days/3 nights with the 4th night in Aguas Calientes.

If you’re looking for a trouble-free way to see all of southern Peru’s highlights, a tour that hits all the major sites is a handy option. With group or private trips that range from 3 to 7 days, visit Humantay Lake and one or more sites, including Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley of the Incas and Rainbow Mountain.

How much does a day trip to Humantay Lake from Cusco cost?

Guided group tours of 10 to 12 hours to Humantay Lake cost from US$30 per person to US$50 per person. Lower-cost tours typically don’t include the entrance fee of S/20 (US$5.50) per person.

Small-group tours cost from US$85 per person to US$175 per person, depending on group size and departure time. Tours with 3 AM departures tend to cost more.

Horseback riding tours cost US$365 per person, and bicycle tours cost US$175 per person. Both types of tour last approximately 12 hours and include all fees. Private day tours cost from US$100 per person to US$160 per person, depending on group size. Private tours provide door-to-door service to Cusco hotels.

All day tours provide a guide, breakfast and lunch and round-trip transportation from Cusco to the Humantay Lake trailhead. Most tours will pick you up from your hotel at the start of the trip but deliver you to a central plaza in Cusco at the end of the day.

Multi-day trips from Cusco to Humantay Lake cost from US$100 per person to US$460 per person, depending on the type of accommodation and whether your trip takes you to Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain on Day 2. Lower-cost tours do not include accommodations.

Tours of 3 to 7 days cost from US$290 per person to US$1,770 per person, depending on the destinations, types of accommodations and duration of the tour.

What will you see and do?

Humantay Lake

Perched at 4,200 meters above sea level, Humantay Lake requires some effort to see. On a hiking tour in Cusco, your energy will be well-spent when you arrive at the lakeshore and spy its dazzling blue-green water.

The lake is considered sacred to the region’s First Nations, and it’s customary to make an offering of thanks to the lake with a stone cairn at the waters’ edge.

Apu Salkantay and Humantay Mountains

Towering over Lake Humantay are mountains reaching dizzying heights. With peaks at altitudes over 5,000 meters above sea level, Apu Salkantay and Humantay Mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the lake. Melting glacial ice from the mountains creates the characteristic color of the lake water.

The Salkantay Trail

Traverse an ancient Inca trail that links Cusco to Machu Picchu through rugged terrain and over alpine passes. It takes several days to complete the entire trail, and though some tours tackle the whole route, many cover just parts of it.

While the entire trail is at high altitude, making your way over 4,600-meter-high Salkantay Pass earns you major bragging rights.

Mollepata

More than just a spot to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat during the 3-hour drive, Mollepata is a charming hamlet to explore during your short stops for meals. Spy its 18th-century church, colorful buildings and flower-filled plazas, as you prepare for the next leg of your journey.

When is the best time to visit Humantay Lake

The best time for a visit to Humantay Lake is during the dry season, from April to October. Plan your visit after spending at least 2 days at high altitude, in Cusco or other nearby towns, to avoid altitude sickness.

Travel tips

• Wear boots and clothing appropriate for an active day.
• Bring a jacket, hat, gloves and rain gear to be prepared for fickle mountain weather and cold temperatures year-round.
• Carry cash in soles for additional purchases and tips.
• Bring at least two liters of water per person per day.