Experience the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake on a full-day group tour from Cusco. Travel through the Andean landscapes of Mollepata and Soraypampa before hiking to the lake at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level with a professional bilingual guide.
The experience combines round-trip tourist transportation, breakfast, lunch and guided hiking into one organized day trip. With an early departure from Cusco and a scheduled return in the afternoon, you can explore Humantay Lake without arranging the transportation and logistics independently.
Full Day | Group Tour | Moderate Hike | 4,200 m | Hotel Pick-Up
- Tour Type
Adventure | Hiking - Duration
Full Day - Elevation
3900m – 4200m - Difficulty
Moderate - Departure
Hotel pick-up. - Destination
Humantay Lake - Latitude
-13.4217 - Longitude
-72.620
Gallery
Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco Overview
The Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco is a full-day shared experience that combines a scenic journey through the Andes with a guided hike to the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake.
The journey begins early in Cusco and continues through the changing landscapes of the region toward Mollepata and Soraypampa, where the hiking portion of the experience begins. From Soraypampa, the trail climbs through high-altitude Andean terrain toward Humantay Lake, located at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level.
The hike takes around 1.5 to 2 hours uphill, depending on the group’s pace and weather conditions. Once you reach the lake, you will have time to appreciate the mountain scenery, take photographs and rest before descending to Soraypampa.
Because this is a shared group tour, the main logistics are organized in advance. The service includes round-trip tourist transportation, breakfast in Mollepata, lunch after the hike and assistance from a professional bilingual guide throughout the experience.
This format is designed for travelers who want to experience Humantay Lake from Cusco without arranging transportation, meals and the hiking route independently. It also provides an opportunity to travel through the Andean landscapes associated with the Salkantay region as part of an organized full-day excursion.
Why Choose a Humantay Lake Group Tour?
A group tour is a practical way to experience Humantay Lake when you prefer to have the main transportation, meals and hiking logistics organized in advance.
Instead of arranging a vehicle, guide and meals separately, you follow one coordinated itinerary from Cusco to Mollepata, Soraypampa and Humantay Lake. The shared format also allows you to travel with other visitors while having the support of a professional bilingual guide throughout the experience.
- An Organized Full-Day Experience
The early departure, transportation, breakfast, guided hike and lunch are coordinated as part of the same excursion. This allows you to focus on the experience rather than managing each stage of the journey independently. - A Shared Experience in the Andes
The group format gives solo travelers, couples and friends the opportunity to share the journey with other visitors. Everyone follows the same scheduled route and continues together between the main stages of the excursion. - Professional Guidance Along the Route
A professional bilingual guide accompanies the group during the scheduled experience. The guide helps coordinate the route and provides information about the surrounding landscape and cultural context. - Practical for Travelers Without Private Transportation
If you do not want to arrange private transportation to Soraypampa or coordinate the logistics of the hike independently, the group format provides an organized alternative from Cusco.
The main difference from a private tour is the format itself. A group tour follows a shared itinerary with other travelers, while a private tour is organized exclusively for your own group and can provide a more personalized experience.
Humantay Lake Tour Highlights
The journey to Humantay Lake is about more than reaching the lagoon. The experience combines a high-altitude hike, changing Andean landscapes and time to appreciate one of the most distinctive natural settings near Cusco.
Hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake
The hiking portion begins at Soraypampa, at approximately 3,900 meters above sea level. From there, the trail climbs through high Andean terrain toward Humantay Lake.
The uphill section takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the group’s pace and weather conditions. The ascent is the most physically demanding part of the experience, making the moderate difficulty and high altitude important considerations when planning the tour.
Reach the Turquoise Waters of Humantay Lake
At approximately 4,200 meters above sea level, Humantay Lake stands out against the surrounding mountain landscape with its distinctive turquoise waters.
Once you reach the lake, you will have time to rest, take photographs and appreciate the scenery before beginning the descent to Soraypampa.
Travel Through Changing Andean Landscapes
The journey begins in Cusco and continues toward Mollepata and Soraypampa, allowing you to see the landscape change as you travel from the city toward the high Andes.
Agricultural areas, mountain valleys and increasingly rugged terrain form part of the journey before the hiking section begins.
Experience the Salkantay Mountain Region
Humantay Lake is located within the high mountain landscapes associated with the Salkantay region. As you approach Soraypampa and continue on foot, the surrounding mountains become an important part of the experience.
The route provides an opportunity to appreciate the relationship between the lake, the surrounding mountains and the broader Andean environment.
A Guided High-Altitude Experience
A professional bilingual guide accompanies the group throughout the scheduled experience. Beyond helping coordinate the route, the guide provides information about the surrounding landscape and cultural context, giving travelers a deeper understanding of the region they are visiting.
Humantay Lake Tour Itinerary
Your Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco begins before sunrise and continues through the changing landscapes of the Andes toward Soraypampa, where the hike to the lake begins.
The itinerary combines road transportation, breakfast, a guided high-altitude hike and lunch before returning to Cusco in the afternoon. Times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic, weather and operational conditions.
- 4:00 AM | Hotel Pick-Up in Cusco
The experience begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel or designated meeting point in Cusco.
Be ready before the scheduled departure so the group can leave on time and begin the journey toward the mountains. - Cusco to Mollepata
Travel from Cusco toward Mollepata through the Andean countryside. As you leave the city, the landscape gradually changes from urban surroundings to valleys, agricultural areas and mountain scenery. - Breakfast in Mollepata
Stop in Mollepata for breakfast before continuing toward Soraypampa. This provides an opportunity to eat and prepare for the hiking portion of the excursion. - Mollepata to Soraypampa
Continue by tourist transportation toward Soraypampa, located at approximately 3,900 meters above sea level.
Soraypampa is the starting point of the hike to Humantay Lake. - Hike to Humantay Lake
Begin the uphill hike from Soraypampa toward Humantay Lake.
The ascent takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the group’s pace and weather conditions. The trail crosses high-altitude Andean terrain before reaching the lake at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level. - Time at Humantay Lake
Once you reach the lake, take time to rest, appreciate the surrounding mountains and photograph the turquoise waters.
Your guide will provide information about the area before the group begins the descent. - Return to Soraypampa
After spending time at Humantay Lake, descend along the same trail toward Soraypampa.
Although the descent generally takes less time than the uphill section, the terrain can still require careful footing. - Lunch
After completing the hike, continue to the scheduled lunch stop. This gives you time to rest and recover before the journey back to Cusco. - Return to Cusco
After lunch, board the tourist transportation and begin the return journey to Cusco.
The current itinerary indicates an approximate arrival around 5:00 PM, although the actual return time may vary depending on road conditions and the operational circumstances of the day.
Includes
- Professional bilingual guide
- Hotel pick-up from accommodations in Cusco
- Round-trip tourist transportation
- Breakfast in Mollepata
- Buffet lunch
- Carbon-fiber trekking poles
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Assistance throughout the tour
Excludes
- Entrance fees: PEN 20 / USD 5.30 p.p.
- Travel insurance
- Optional gratuities
- Emergency horse
- Staff incentives (optional)
Group Tour vs Private Humantay Lake Tour
Both options allow you to visit Humantay Lake from Cusco, but they are organized differently. The main distinction is whether you prefer to share the experience with other travelers or travel exclusively with your own group.
Humantay Lake Group Tour
The group tour is designed for travelers who prefer a shared experience with an organized itinerary. You travel with other visitors, share the transportation and follow the scheduled route from Cusco to Mollepata, Soraypampa and Humantay Lake.
This format is suitable if you want the main logistics organized in advance, including transportation, meals and guided assistance, without arranging a private vehicle and guide.
Humantay Lake Private Tour
The private option is organized exclusively for your own group. It can be a suitable alternative if you prefer a private travel experience, more personalized service or a tour arranged specifically around your companions.
The Main Difference
The difference is primarily the tour format.
Group Tour: shared transportation, shared guide and scheduled itinerary with other travelers.
Private Tour: exclusive transportation and guiding for your own group, with a more personalized service.
If you prefer to share the journey and follow an organized itinerary, the group format provides that experience. If exclusivity and personalized service are more important to you, you can explore our Private Humantay Lake Tour.
Why Travel with Magical Cusco for Your Humantay Lake Tour?
A full-day trip to Humantay Lake requires coordination between early-morning transportation, meals, the hiking route and the return journey to Cusco. Magical Cusco Travel Agency organizes these essential parts of the experience as one coordinated group tour.
Local Knowledge of the Cusco Region
Our team operates locally in Cusco and organizes excursions into the surrounding Andes. This local knowledge supports the practical coordination of transportation, route logistics and traveler assistance throughout the experience.
Professional Bilingual Guides
A professional bilingual guide accompanies the group during the scheduled journey and hike. Along the route, the guide provides information about the surrounding landscape and cultural context while helping coordinate the group during the excursion.
Organized Tour Logistics
The main services are coordinated as part of one full-day itinerary, from hotel pick-up in Cusco through the return journey. Transportation, breakfast, lunch, guided hiking and essential support are organized in advance so travelers can focus on the experience.
Support Throughout the Experience
The tour includes assistance throughout the scheduled route, from the initial departure to the return to Cusco. The service also includes a first-aid kit and emergency oxygen as part of the tour’s current safety support.
One Local Team for Your Journey
From the first coordination of your departure to the end of the excursion, you have one local team responsible for the main tour logistics. This makes the experience easier to organize when you prefer to have transportation, guiding and meals coordinated in advance.
Cultural & Andean Context
Humantay Lake lies within the high Andean landscapes associated with the Salkantay region, near Soraypampa. At approximately 4,200 meters above sea level, its turquoise waters contrast with the surrounding mountain slopes and rugged high-altitude terrain.
The journey from Cusco also reveals how dramatically the Andean landscape changes with elevation. As the route continues toward Mollepata and Soraypampa, the scenery transitions from the urban environment of Cusco to agricultural valleys and eventually to the high mountain terrain surrounding the lake.
Humantay Lake and the Mountain Landscape
The lake forms part of a high-altitude environment shaped by mountains, water, changing weather and cold temperatures. These natural conditions are not simply part of the scenery; they define the environment through which travelers move during the journey.
Soraypampa and the Start of the Hike
Soraypampa marks the transition from road travel to the hiking experience. From approximately 3,900 meters above sea level, the trail climbs toward Humantay Lake, taking travelers deeper into the high Andean landscape.
The Andean Meaning of the Landscape
The mountains, water and surrounding communities form part of a broader Andean cultural landscape in which natural features have long been connected with human life and traditional beliefs.
During the journey, a local guide can provide additional context about the region and its cultural relationship with the surrounding landscape, helping travelers understand Humantay Lake as more than a scenic destination.
Before You Travel to Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake is a high-altitude hiking destination, so understanding the conditions of the excursion before you travel will help you prepare for the experience.
- Allow Time to Acclimatize
The route reaches approximately 4,200 meters above sea level. Travelers arriving in Cusco from lower elevations should allow time to adjust to the altitude before undertaking the hike.
Altitude affects travelers differently, so consider your individual circumstances when deciding whether a moderate high-altitude hike is appropriate for you. - Be Prepared for a Moderate Hike
The route covers approximately 6 km round trip, including a sustained uphill section from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake.
The ascent normally takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the group’s pace and weather conditions. Comfortable hiking shoes and a steady pace are important for the trail. - Expect Changing Mountain Weather
Weather conditions can change quickly in the high Andes. Temperatures may vary considerably during the day, and rain, wind or strong sunlight can occur along the route.
Bring layers and rain protection so you can adapt to changing conditions. - Start Early
The tour departs from Cusco at approximately 4:00 AM. The early departure allows the group to travel toward Soraypampa and complete the main hiking portion of the excursion during the morning.
Be ready at your hotel or designated meeting point before the scheduled departure. - Prepare for the Altitude and Terrain
The hiking route includes uphill walking at high altitude and uneven mountain terrain. Trekking poles are included as part of the current tour service and can provide additional support during the hike. - Entrance Fee Is Separate
The Humantay Lake entrance fee is not included in the tour price. The current tour information lists an entrance fee of PEN 20 per person, but confirm the current rate before your trip because admission fees may change. - Plan for a Full-Day Excursion
This is a full-day experience rather than a short excursion. The current itinerary indicates an approximately 4:00 AM departure and a return to Cusco around 5:00 PM, although the actual schedule can vary according to road, weather and operational conditions.
What to Bring for the Humantay Lake Tour
Pack light, but make sure you have the essentials for a high-altitude hike and changing mountain weather.
- Original passport or identification document
- Bring your identification document for the tour and any required access procedures.
- Comfortable hiking shoes
Choose footwear suitable for uphill walking and uneven mountain terrain. - Warm layers
Temperatures can change considerably during the day, so bring layers that you can add or remove as needed. - Rain protection
Bring a rain jacket or other waterproof protection because weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. - Sun protection
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat or cap. - Water
Carry a reusable water bottle and enough water for the hiking portion of the experience. - Personal snacks
Although breakfast and lunch are included, you may prefer to carry a small personal snack for the hike. - Cash
Bring cash for the entrance fee, horse support if needed and personal expenses. - Camera or mobile phone
Bring your camera or phone to capture the landscape around Humantay Lake.
Route Map: Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco
The Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco follows a full-day route from the city into the high Andes, combining road transportation with a guided mountain hike.
Cusco → Mollepata → Soraypampa → Humantay Lake → Soraypampa → Mollepata → Cusco
Book Your Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco
Experience Humantay Lake on a full-day group tour from Cusco and discover the high Andean landscapes surrounding Soraypampa and the Salkantay region.
With organized tourist transportation, breakfast, lunch and a professional bilingual guide included, the tour brings the main logistics together in one scheduled experience.
The tour departs from Cusco at approximately 4:00 AM and returns around 5:00 PM. The hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake is classified as moderate and reaches approximately 4,200 meters above sea level.
If you are prepared for a full-day high-altitude hike and prefer to travel as part of an organized group, you can check availability and plan your Humantay Lake experience with our local team.
FAQs
What time does the Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco start?
The Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco starts at approximately 4:00 AM with hotel pick-up or pick-up from the designated meeting point in Cusco. Because the tour follows a shared itinerary, travelers should be ready before the scheduled departure so the group can leave on time.
How long does the Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco take?
The tour is a full-day excursion of approximately 13 hours. The current itinerary indicates a departure around 4:00 AM and an approximate return to Cusco at 5:00 PM. Actual times can vary depending on road conditions, weather and the operational circumstances of the day.
How difficult is the Humantay Lake hike?
The Humantay Lake hike is classified as moderate. The route includes a sustained uphill section from Soraypampa to the lake, with the ascent taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the group’s pace and weather conditions. Because the hike takes place at high altitude, travelers should prepare for both the uphill walking and the mountain environment.
How high is Humantay Lake?
Humantay Lake is located at approximately 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level. The altitude is an important part of the experience because the hiking route takes place in a high-Andean environment.
How long is the hike to Humantay Lake?
The uphill hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The actual time depends on the group’s pace and weather conditions along the trail. After reaching the lake, the group returns to Soraypampa along the hiking route.
How far is the Humantay Lake hike?
The current tour information lists approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) round trip for the hiking portion of the experience. The route begins at Soraypampa, climbs toward Humantay Lake and then returns to Soraypampa.
Do I need to acclimatize before hiking to Humantay Lake?
Because the route reaches approximately 4,200 meters above sea level, acclimatization is an important consideration before undertaking the hike. Travelers arriving in Cusco from lower elevations should allow time to adjust to the altitude before attempting this high-altitude excursion and consider their individual circumstances when deciding whether the hike is appropriate for them.
Is the Humantay Lake Tour a group tour?
Yes. The Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco is a shared group tour. Travelers follow the same scheduled itinerary and share transportation and guiding with other visitors. The group travels from Cusco toward Mollepata and Soraypampa before completing the hike to Humantay Lake.
What is included in the Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco?
The tour currently includes a professional bilingual guide, hotel pick-up, round-trip tourist transportation, breakfast in Mollepata, buffet lunch, carbon-fiber trekking poles, a first-aid kit, emergency oxygen, the guided hike to Humantay Lake and assistance throughout the tour.
Is the Humantay Lake entrance fee included?
No. The entrance fee is not included in the tour price and is paid separately. The current tour information lists the entrance fee as PEN 20 per person. Because admission fees can change, travelers should confirm the current rate before their trip.
What should I bring to Humantay Lake?
For the Humantay Lake hike, bring your original passport or identification document, comfortable hiking shoes, warm layers, rain protection, sun protection, water and a small personal snack. It is also useful to carry cash for the entrance fee and personal expenses, as well as a camera or mobile phone for photographs.
Can I rent a horse for the Humantay Lake hike?
Horse assistance is not included in the standard tour service. The current tour information lists an emergency horse as an excluded service, so travelers who require or choose horse assistance should consider this separately when planning the hike.
Is the Humantay Lake Tour suitable for solo travelers?
Yes. The shared group format is suitable for solo travelers, couples and groups of friends who want to join an organized excursion. Instead of arranging private transportation and guiding independently, travelers can share the main tour services with other visitors while following the scheduled itinerary.
Can children join the Humantay Lake Tour?
The current service information available for this page does not specify a minimum age for children. Because the excursion involves approximately 6 kilometers of hiking, a sustained uphill section and an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters, families should confirm the current age policy and tour suitability with the agency before booking.
Can I book a private Humantay Lake Tour instead?
Yes. Travelers who prefer an exclusive experience with their own group can choose the Private Humantay Lake Tour instead of the shared group format. The private option is designed for travelers who prioritize exclusive transportation and a more personalized service.
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