CUSCO TOURS

Humantay Lake 1 Day Tour

Price $ USD 55

Duration One full day

Physical Level Demanding

Max Altitude About 4,200 m / 13,780 ft

Accommodation Sky Domes / Lodge

Departures Daily, subject to availability and route access

Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Cusco

Resumen

Humantay Lake does not reveal itself from the road. You earn the view step by step, climbing from Soraypampa until a blue-green basin appears below ice, rock, and the white face of Humantay Mountain.

The trail is short on a map but steep enough to command respect. At roughly 4,200 m / 13,780 ft, thin air slows even strong walkers. Machu Picchu Premium handles this honestly: we plan acclimatization, use patient pacing, carry oxygen, and keep the group size manageable.

Our route also leaves room to look beyond the main photo point. You hear runoff below the moraine, feel the temperature drop near the water, and see how quickly cloud can redraw the mountain. For travelers who want a demanding Andean day without a multi-day trek, Humantay offers a clear and rewarding goal.

Detalles del Tour

Duration: One full day
Start and finish: Cusco hotel
Route: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Cusco
Lake altitude: About 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Trailhead altitude: About 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Walking distance: Approximately 5–7 km / 3.1–4.3 mi round trip
Walking time: About 3–4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging because of steep ascent and altitude
Meals: Breakfast and buffet lunch
Transport: Road vehicle before and after the hike

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1

Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Cusco

The day starts before dawn with hotel collection and a drive through the Anta plains toward Mollepata. Breakfast is served along the route, followed by a briefing on weather, trail conditions, and signs of altitude illness.

The vehicle climbs toward Soraypampa on a mountain road. From the trailhead, the first section crosses open ground before the gradient becomes sharper. The path is compact earth mixed with loose stone and moraine grit. In rain it can become muddy; in the dry season dust and strong sun are common.

The final ascent requires short steps and regular breathing pauses. Horses may cover much of the main climb, but they do not always reach the upper viewpoint and should not be treated as a guaranteed solution.

At the lake, glacial water shifts between blue, green, and gray depending on light and sediment. The guide explains the surrounding peaks and local respect for the apus. After time beside the lake, you descend carefully to Soraypampa, return by vehicle for lunch, and continue to Cusco.

Day highlight: The moment the lake appears above the moraine, backed by ice and the steep face of Humantay.

Technical details

Elevation gain: About 300–450 m / 984–1,476 ft, depending on drop-off point
Highest point: Approximately 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Surface: Dirt, moraine gravel, rock, and possible mud
Ascent time: Commonly 1.5–2 hours
Descent time: Commonly 1–1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Weather: Cold morning, strong ultraviolet exposure, sudden rain, and fast cloud movement
Transport: Road vehicle to and from Soraypampa; walking on the lake route

Pricing List

Private Service Prices

Proposed 2026 rates per person in US dollars.

Travelers	Price per person
1	US$220
2	US$140
3–4	US$105
5–8	US$85

Private service gives your party direct pickup, its own guide, and a pace that can respond to altitude, photo interests, or the needs of younger and older travelers. It also reduces waiting during hotel collections and meal stops.

Optional additions

Horse support for most of the ascent: from US$30, paid locally and subject to availability
Trekking-pole rental: US$8 per pair
Private picnic or upgraded lunch: US$28 per person
Additional guide for split walking speeds: from US$85

Group Service Price

US$55 per person

The shared service carries up to 14 travelers and follows fixed pickup, meal, and return arrangements. Guests often come from several countries, so the guide balances different fitness levels and language needs. Transport, guide, breakfast, lunch, entry, first aid, and oxygen backup are included.

Private service is the stronger option when your party wants fewer collection stops, closer altitude monitoring, and control over rest periods. Horse and equipment additions use the rates shown above.

Recommendations

One or two months before: Train on hills and stairs, and discuss the altitude with your doctor if you have relevant medical conditions.
Two or three days before: Acclimatize in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
A few days before: Avoid heavy alcohol use, hydrate normally, and sleep well.
During the climb: Use small steps and report headache, nausea, confusion, or unusual weakness immediately.
Bring soles for horse hire, toilets, drinks, or purchases from local families.
Stay on the marked trail and do not enter the lake; the water and shore have local spiritual importance.
Ask before photographing residents or horse handlers.
Expect cold, exertion, and variable lake color. Cloud and wind are part of the high-mountain setting.

Included

Hotel pickup and return in Cusco
Tourist transport or private vehicle according to booking
English-speaking trekking guide
Breakfast and buffet lunch
Humantay access fee
First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
Walking-pole loan in private service
Pre-hike safety and altitude briefing
Vegetarian meal option with advance notice

What to Bring

Passport copy or identification
Small daypack
Waterproof jacket or poncho
Warm fleece, gloves, and wool hat
Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, and lip balm
Hiking shoes with good grip
Refillable water bottle
Personal snacks
Personal medication
Cash in Peruvian soles
Trekking poles if using your own
Camera or phone with spare battery
Dry socks and a small personal care kit

Notify reservations well ahead of time about heart or lung conditions, mobility aids, service animals, severe allergies, or professional filming gear. Horse support has limits, and the upper moraine remains steep and uneven.

How to Book

HOW TO BOOK YOUR AMAZON RAINFOREST EXPEDITION WITH WILDFOREST PERU:

Select Your Destination & Tour: Choose from our specialized expeditions in Manu Cultural Zone, Manu Reserved Zone, Tambopata National Reserve, Birdwatching, or Wildlife Photography tours.
Contact Our Naturalist Planners: Click “Inquire / Book Now” or reach out directly via WhatsApp (+51 924 705 589) to confirm date availability and permit allocations.
Provide Participant Details: Send full legal names, passport numbers, nationalities, and any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) or medical notes.
Submit Deposit to Secure Permits: Make a secure online deposit using PayPal or major credit cards. Because SERNANP permits and exclusive eco-lodge spaces in Manu and Tambopata are limited, early deposits guarantee your departure.
Receive Instant Confirmation Voucher: Our reservations desk will issue your official booking voucher with a complete packing list, meeting points, and pre-departure naturalist briefing details.
Final Balance: The remaining balance can be settled online prior to departure or in Cusco / Puerto Maldonado at our operations office.

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