Full Day Humantay Lagoon Tour
Duration
Full Day
Difficulty
Moderate
Language
Español / Ingles
Max. Altitude
4,600 msnm
The Full Day Humantay Lagoon Tour is the perfect escape for travelers who dream of mountain air, dramatic scenery, and the kind of natural beauty that feels almost untouched. The journey begins in the early morning as you leave Cusco behind and head into the high Andes, where the landscape opens into wide valleys and snowcapped peaks. By the time the hike begins, the surroundings already feel spectacular.
As you climb toward the lagoon, the experience becomes both energizing and deeply peaceful. The trail leads you higher into the mountains until the bright turquoise water of Humantay suddenly appears beneath towering glaciers, creating one of the most breathtaking scenes in the region. This is the kind of place that makes you pause, breathe deeply, and simply take it all in. The maximum altitude reached during this Full Day Humantay Lagoon Tour is approximately 4,200 m / 13,780 ft, making it an ideal choice for travelers who want a rewarding day in nature.
Prices
The call of the mountain is an early one. We’ll pick you up at 4 am from your hotel for the start of our Lake Humantay tour. Don’t worry about breakfast; we drive for a couple of hours to Mollepata then Soraypampa (3,900m/12,795ft), where we enjoy a Delicious healthy breakfast.
The Lake Humantay hike begins after we’ve sated our appetites. The views are wonderful from start to finish. We’ll see offerings made to the mountain gods as we walk along and can make our own at some stone buildings known as Apachetas.
Our path involves climbing for around 90 minutes to Humantay Lake, which nestles under the sheltering gaze of Humantay Mountain. The lake sits at an elevation of 4,200m / 13,780ft, making it perfect as an acclimatization walk.
Humantay’s picture-perfect turquoise waters are framed by Humantay glacier. Humantay Lake can also be the starting point for a Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.
We’ll enjoy this stunning slice of Andean beauty then return to our private nini van in Soraypampa and retrace our steps to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel.
Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Mollepata Humantay, Peru
- Tour Type: Full Day tour / van
- Start/End Time: Pickup is at 4 am from your hotel lobby and you should be back around 4 PM
- Consideration: Please remember to comfortable clothes or follow our company recommendations
Included
- Professional English Spanish Speaking Tour Guide
- Full Day Private Transportation
- Lunch For the Day
- Humantay Lagoon Permit
- 1 Breakfast
Not Included
- Trekking poles
- Tips are not include for your guide, Chef, Driver (not obligatory)
- Arrive in Cusco at least one day before the tour to acclimatize to the altitude.
- Bring your original passport or a copy for the tour.
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes with good grip.
- Dress in layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons.
- Carry a waterproof jacket or poncho.
- Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat due to strong UV radiation.
- Bring warm clothing for early morning temperatures.
- Stay well hydrated during the hike.
- Avoid alcohol and heavy meals the night before the tour.
- Carry a small backpack for personal items and water.
- Bring some cash in Peruvian soles for optional expenses.
- Walk at your own pace and follow your guide’s instructions.
- Respect nature and do not leave trash at the lagoon.
The Humantay Lake hike is considered moderate. The trail is short but uphill and reaches high altitude, which can make it challenging for some travelers. No technical trekking experience is required, but good physical condition and proper acclimatization in Cusco are recommended. Horses are usually available for rent if you need assistance during the ascent.
The best time to visit Humantay Lake is during the dry season, from April to October. During these months, the weather is more stable and the lake shows its vibrant turquoise color. June, July, and August are the most popular months. March and November are also good options, with fewer visitors and occasional rain.
The hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill, depending on your pace. The descent usually takes around 1 hour. The total walking distance is short, but the altitude makes the hike more demanding than it appears.
You should bring hiking shoes, warm layered clothing, a rain jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A small backpack, water, and snacks are recommended. Trekking poles are optional and can be helpful for stability, especially on the descent.
Yes, altitude sickness can affect some travelers, as Humantay Lake is located at over 4,200 meters (13,780 ft). To reduce the risk, acclimatize in Cusco before the tour, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and walk slowly. Coca tea is commonly offered to help with altitude adjustment.
Prices
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All Included:
Tours with hotel pick-up, transportation, professional guide, and entrance tickets.
24/7 Communication:
We’re here for you before, during, and after your journey.
Flexible Cancellation:
Cancel up to 30 days before your tour in case of emergency. (For Machu Picchu and Inca Trail tours, please check specific conditions.)
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Testimonials
OUR CUSTOMERS RECOMMEND US
Posted on Tripadvisor MelanieVerified Spectacular Inca Trail Experience The Inca Trail has been on my bucket list for 20 years, and to say I am grateful for this experience is a massive understatement. The Peruvian people are incredibly kind and selfless, and this team truly made the journey unforgettable. Our crew was nothing short of spectacular, and they deserve every bit of recognition: Our Guide, Sara (aka Sarita): Words cannot do justice to how incredible Sara is. She is knowledgeable, encouraging, and a beautiful soul: she is officially my Peruvian soul sister! Her passion and leadership kept us inspired every step of the way. Chefs Nicolas & Enrique: They performed actual culinary magic at every single camp. We are still dreaming about the food, and Nicolas - we still need that quinoa soup recipe! :) Rosalio, Maxwell (& so many others!): You attentiveness, warmth, and impeccable service elevated the entire "luxury" aspect of this trek. We loved seeing you peak over the corner of the tent to bring our next treat. The entire crew was incredible and the porters are absolute trail superheroes. Cannot thank our Sarita for such an experience of a lifetime. This will be a trip that we will never forget. Sulpayki!!!!Posted on Tripadvisor Hunter WVerified The Best Guide and Tour This tour was more than I could’ve hoped for. My guide David was incredible. So knowledgeable and kind. He truly made the experience unforgettable. When researching tours, I felt overwhelmed with options. I booked with Machulas, about two months in advance of my trip, not realizing how far in advance people usually look into planning trips to Machu Picchu. The Team reached out to me on What’s App, explained all my options and worked with me to not only get me a last minute ticket to Machu Picchu, but suggested a route that was in line with my experience as a hiker. In short, there is no way I could’ve done this without Machulas and David. If you’re like me and looking for a supportive, knowledgeable, kind Team to help you plan an unforgettable adventure, I could not recommend them more.Posted on Tripadvisor Patrick RVerified Je reviendrai Pays magnifique accompagné par un guide aux petits soins, je recommandePosted on Tripadvisor alwaysmoreoceanVerified Aaamazing We spent two days in late April with Sara, hiking the Short Inca Trail, visiting Machu Picchu, and climbing Machu Picchu mountain. I can't imagine how it could have been better. Sara is everything you would want in a guide... knowledgable, supportive, encouraging, responsive. She kept an eye on how we were doing during the strenuous parts and stopped for breaks when needed. But she also kept us going so we got to the various trail points at a reasonable time. Sara is insightful, listens well, and has a good sense of humor. She's been a guide on the trail many, many times, so she knows her stuff and can communicate it well at the right moment. We learned so much about the history, language, culture, plants, and animals of the area. In addition to being a great guide, we felt like we were in good hands throughout the trip and during out overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. For example, we left one of our phones on the bus, which can be a bit of a panic situation when you're far from home and so much of your life is stored on your phone, but Sara jumped through hoops to help track down the phone. All in all, Sara is a great trek leader and a pleasure to be around. It was an exceptional experience for us, and we would highly recommend Sara to anyone.Posted on Tripadvisor Tourist25487439531Verified Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu tour David, our staff, gives us wonderful experiences. He knows and explains the story so well and interesting. Inca civilization is the story I fall in love now. David also knows good restaurants and gave me best experiences with Peruvian foodPosted on Tripadvisor korkijVerified Peru trip with Machula’s journey Very good experience. My tour guide David, not only very attentive and informative. He also arranged everything from foods and and stay so I just traveled with breeze. Now next time in Peru I know who I want to contact and be having tour guide service. 5 stars.Posted on Tripadvisor Manya KVerified Excellent trip with Machulas team! Traveler from the USA here! Sarita, Cesar, Victor and Juan made an excellent team and gave me a memorable, once in a lifetime experience in Peru. The tour was easy to organize with WhatsApp and the communication was excellent. Although this trek was hard, I felt comfortable going at the pace I needed and Sara was able to adjust the plan if we needed. The team was prepared for any scenarios and the scenery was really breathtaking! The food was ALWAYS excellent and Victor even carried my bag when the summit got too hard. Thank you Machulas journey, I will never forget this experience and the exceptions you made for me!! Don’t be afraid to communicate with the team when you book. Thank you my friends!Posted on Tripadvisor alejo cVerified Camino inca 4 días 3 noches Junto con 5 amigos hicimos la experiencia del camino del inca. La misma fue excelente, la comida estuvo muy bien admistrada y el guía 10 puntosPosted on Tripadvisor Valentin GVerified Increible experiencia! Realizamos el camino del Inca con David y fue una experiencia excelente! Mostró gran predisposición hacia nosotros e hizo que el recorrido sea muy placentero.Posted on Tripadvisor Matheo SVerified Excelente experiencia! Excelente la experiencia a lo largo de todo el viaje! David es un guía super atento, informado y empático
Posted on Google Michael STrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a pleasure having David as our guide through Machu Picchu. He was very attentive and funny. There was a lot we learned from this once and a life time trip, and we were very fortunate to have David lead us.Posted on Google Logan HartrumTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The tour guide made this trip. I would say that Aydee is the best guide in all of Peru. Truly an incredible experience because of her and the poters. Machu Picchu would not have been the same. Ayden really gave us the energy to wake up everyday exited for the new journeys .Posted on Google Kainoa HartrumTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Aydee was the best!! Best tour guide EVER! I not only had a great time on the hike, but I learned a lot as well. Aydee was kind, helpful, and externally knowledgeable about everything along the trail. 1000% recommend.Posted on Google Aaron SpringerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Beste tour wij ooit hebben gedaan dankzij Aydee!Posted on Google Jessica CalvanoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you are looking for a custom trip then look no further! We went with Machulas Journey for a truly customized trip and it was Epic! I will return soon to enjoy so much more of Peru!Posted on Google Diana PervanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. David and his staff were AMAZING!!!Posted on Google Matt MTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. AMAZING. Thank you David for the best trip of my life. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to see this great place.Posted on Google Joey DeeganTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. David was an amazing guide! We had a great time.