Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco A Full-Day Hike to the Turquoise Glacier Lake
A 1.5-hour climb to the turquoise Humantay Lake (4,200 m), right below the Humantay and Salkantay glaciers. Hotel pickup, breakfast, buffet lunch and entrance included — from $40 per person.
The Humantay Lake tour takes you to one of the most striking places in the Cusco region: a turquoise glacier lake at about 4,200 m, framed by the ice walls of Humantay and the summit of Salkantay (6,271 m). We pick you up at 4:30 AM, stop for breakfast in Mollepata and continue to Soraypampa (3,900 m), where the hike begins.
From the trailhead, a steady path climbs about 300 m to the lake in roughly an hour and a half. At the shore your guide leads a short Andean offering to the mountains, and you have time to rest and take photos before walking down for a buffet lunch. Transport, breakfast, lunch, the entrance ticket, a walking stick, a bilingual guide and oxygen are included for US $40. Read our Humantay Lake guide to prepare.
The water takes its colour from the glacier above it, and on a sunny morning it is an intense turquoise.
Salkantay and Humantay peaks
The lake sits at the foot of the Humantay glacier, with Salkantay, the highest mountain near Cusco, close by.
A short but high hike
About 1.5 hours up and 1 hour down — a rewarding first high-altitude walk before Rainbow Mountain.
An Andean offering
At the shore your guide shares a traditional offering of coca leaves to the apus, the spirits of the mountains.
Breakfast and lunch included
Breakfast in Mollepata on the way and a hearty buffet lunch after the hike.
Horses if you need them
Local families rent horses at Soraypampa for the way up, so everyone can reach the lake.
Tour at a glance
Duration
Full Day · 13 h
Price
From US $40 per person
Hotel pickup
4:30 AM
Back in Cusco
5:30 PM
Max altitude
4,200 m
Walking
≈1.5 h up + 1 h down
Difficulty
Moderate
Drive from Cusco
about 3 h
Meals
Breakfast + buffet lunch
Entrance fees
Included
Group size
Small group, max 14 travelers
Last-minute booking
Until 11:30 PM the night before
Book today, travel tomorrow
Online booking stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). With a 4:30 AM pickup you can book until 11:30 PM the night before — the calendar updates by itself. You receive your confirmation by email as soon as you pay. Need a seat even sooner? Message us on WhatsApp and we will check availability for you.
A long but rewarding day: an early drive through the Limatambo valley, breakfast in Mollepata, the hike to the lake and back to Cusco in the evening.
FULL DAY
Full Day · Humantay Lake
4:30 AMPickup in Cusco. We collect you from your hotel and drive west through the Limatambo valley towards Mollepata.
7:00 AMBreakfast in Mollepata. A warm Andean breakfast before the last stretch of road to Soraypampa (3,900 m), the trailhead.
8:30 AMHike to the lake. A steady climb of about 300 m on a clear path, roughly 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace, to Humantay Lake (4,200 m).
10:00 AMAt the lake. Time to rest, enjoy the view of the glacier and take photos, and a short Andean offering led by your guide.
11:00 AMWalk down and lunch. About an hour down to Soraypampa, then a buffet lunch before the drive back.
5:30 PMBack in Cusco. We arrive in Cusco between 5:00 and 6:00 PM, with drop-off near your hotel.
Good to know: The trail climbs above 4,000 m. Some travelers feel mild altitude symptoms, so oxygen is available throughout and the pace is kept comfortable.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Humantay Lake tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Comfortable transport — door-to-door from your hotel.
Breakfast & buffet lunch.
Entrance ticket to Humantay Lake.
Certified bilingual guide.
Walking stick for the hike.
First aid kit & oxygen on board.
Not Included
Tips for guide and driver (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Humantay Lake day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize first
Spend at least 2 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before this hike. The lagoon sits at 4,200 m. Hydrate well, eat light, walk gently and take your time — oxygen is carried throughout.
Physical fitness
The hike is moderate: a climb of about 300 m from Soraypampa (3,900 m) to the lake (4,200 m), roughly 1.5 hours up and 1 hour down. The path is steep in places but well marked. Horses can be rented at Soraypampa for the way up.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October. Under a clear sky the lake shows its brightest turquoise and the glacier is in full view. From December to March clouds often hide the peaks and the path gets muddy. We run the tour all year.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,200 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers: early morning is close to freezing, midday can feel warm in the sun.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $40 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $120 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $38 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $36 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
About 1.5 hours up from Soraypampa and 1 hour down, at a relaxed pace with stops. The whole day from Cusco takes about 13 hours.
The lake is at about 4,200 m above sea level. The trailhead, Soraypampa, is at 3,900 m.
It is moderate. The distance is short, but the altitude makes the climb slow. Most travellers who have spent two days in Cusco manage it well, and horses can be rented for the way up.
For US $40: hotel pickup, transport, breakfast, buffet lunch, the entrance ticket, a walking stick, a bilingual guide, first aid and oxygen. A private tour costs US $120 per person.
Yes. Online booking stays open until 11:30 PM the night before (5 hours before the 4:30 AM pickup). You receive your confirmation by email as soon as you pay.
Humantay (4,200 m) is lower than Rainbow Mountain (5,030 m), so it is a good first high-altitude day. Compare them in our best day trips from Cusco.
Warm layers for the early morning, a rain jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, snacks and comfortable hiking shoes. Cash in soles is useful if you want to rent a horse.
