Humantay Lake Tour Full Day Peru

Duration
Full Day
Service
Group
Pickup
Hotel
Cancel
Non-refund
Guide
Difficulty
Moderate

About this experience

Get ready for one of the most breathtaking adventures in the Andes. During our Humantay Lake Full Day Tour from Cusco, we will explore one of Peru’s most spectacular natural treasures. The turquoise waters of Humantay Lake reflect the majestic Salkantay Mountain, creating a dreamlike scene that will take your breath away.

We will travel through beautiful Andean landscapes, passing traditional villages and lush valleys. Our journey will begin early in the morning as we drive toward Mollepata, a charming town located at 2,803 meters above sea level. Here, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and prepare for our hike to the famous lake.

The trail will lead us through peaceful mountain paths surrounded by unique flora and fauna. Step by step, we will ascend toward Humantay Lake, located at 4,200 meters above sea level. The vivid turquoise color of its waters contrasts beautifully with the white peaks of Salkantay Glacier, creating a scene of pure natural beauty.

This tour combines adventure, culture, and nature in a single day. It is perfect for travelers who want to discover the essence of the Peruvian Andes and connect with their majestic landscapes and the Salkantay trek.

Why will we love the Humantay Lake Full Day Tour?
We will visit the famous turquoise lake of Cusco, admire stunning mountain views, and travel with expert local operators who will guide us every step of the way.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Cusco

Start: 04:30 hrs approx.
End: 18:30 hrs approx.
Important: Schedules are referential. Our operations team will confirm the exact pick-up time one day before the tour. The Humantay Lake Peru tour will start at your hotel in Cusco’s historic center and end at Plaza Regocijo or Plaza San Francisco.

We will start our adventure early in the morning, between 04:00 and 04:30 hrs, picking everyone up from their hotels in Cusco. If we stay outside the historic center or in an Airbnb, we will agree on a meeting point to ensure an on-time departure at 05:00 hrs.

We will travel for almost 2 hours and 30 minutes through the stunning Andean valleys, witnessing the first light of dawn touching the mountains. Our first stop will be in Mollepata, a charming Andean town located at 3,000 meters above sea level. Here, we will enjoy a delicious traditional Andean breakfast prepared with local ingredients. The setting is rustic, offering a genuine experience of rural life in the highlands.

After breakfast, we will continue by bus toward Soraypampa, located at 3,900 meters above sea level. The landscapes along the way will reveal deep valleys, ancient terraces, and snow-capped peaks from the Salkantay range. Upon arrival in Soraypampa, our guide will give us time to prepare our hiking gear, walking poles, water, and personal backpacks before beginning the trek.

The hike to Humantay Lake will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes on a steep uphill path. We will walk at our own rhythm while admiring breathtaking views of the Salkantay Glacier, one of the most sacred mountains in the Andes. Along the way, we will see native vegetation and may encounter local herders guiding their animals through the rugged terrain.

Reaching Humantay Lake at 4,250 meters above sea level will be a magical moment. The turquoise waters of the lake reflect the majestic snow-covered peaks above, creating a stunning natural mirror. We will have enough time to rest, take photos, and connect with the peaceful energy that surrounds the lake. The place invites reflection and gratitude, offering a perfect setting for meditation or a quiet moment of admiration.

After enjoying this unforgettable view, we will descend the same trail back to Soraypampa, taking approximately 1 hour. Our transport will be waiting to take us back to Mollepata, where we will enjoy a comforting Andean lunch surrounded by nature. Afterward, we will return to Cusco, arriving at around 18:30 hrs.

Day Statistics

  • Total distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) round trip
  • Highest altitude: 4,250  meters above sea level
  • Lowest altitude: 3,000  meters above sea level
  • Route: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay – Cusco
  • Difficulty level: Moderate

We will finish our Humantay Lake Full Day Tour with hearts full of gratitude and incredible photos of one of Peru’s most beautiful natural treasures. This unforgettable journey through the Andes will connect us deeply with the spirit of Humantay and Salkantay.

Note: itineraries are subject to change.

Inclusions & exclusions

What's included

  • Round-trip transportation Cusco – Soraypampa – Cusco
  • Pick-up from your hotel
  • Entrance ticket to Humantay Lake
  • One breakfast and one lunch
  • Trekking poles
  • Blankets for the cold
  • Professional certified guide
  • First aid kit

What's not included

  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Horse rental (optional, 80 PEN)
  • Extra expenses such as tips

Frequently asked questions

We answer your questions about this tour

1 Do we need to book the Humantay Lake tour in advance?

We recommend booking in advance due to high and low seasons, which affect tour availability.

2 How long is the hike to Humantay Lake?

The hike takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours at a slow pace. We may reduce time by renting horses at the mountain base.

3 When are the high-demand dates?

High-demand periods include: Easter (April 7–11), Inti Raymi (June 20–25), Independence Day (July 28–31), All Saints’ Day (Nov 1–4), Christmas and New Year (Dec 23–Jan 1).

4 How much does a horse rental cost?

Horse rentals are arranged directly with locals at the start of the trail. The cost is about 90 PEN (USD 25) for one-way. You will walk on the return.

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Traveler Experiences

What our travelers say about our Machu Picchu tours

Our reputation is built on the experiences of real travelers. With more than 1,200 verified reviews across TripAdvisor and Google, we are consistently rated 4.9 out of 5 — one of the top-rated Machu Picchu tour operators in Cusco.

4.9
out of 5 based on
PS
MR
DK
AC
SE
+1k
+1,200 reviews
See all on TripAdvisor
Tripadvisor

"Punctuality, very attentive guide and perfect organization. From the hotel exit, transit by train, lunch schedule and guided tours."

AS

Andrey S.

October 14, 2025

Google

"Machu Picchu Peru Tours full day Sacred Valley was an amazing highlight of our trip to Peru. Do not miss it! Our driver Julio Cesar took us on time and safely to all amazing places and experiences beating the crowds. The guide, Erik, was the most passionated guide I've met. An incredible story teller, knowledgeable and giving us a superb experience. It was a real perfect day and an amazing almost private tour feeling like a super engaging history class. Don't think twice."

PN

Patricia N.

A year ago

Tripadvisor

"A very enriching experience, a lot of history, although it rained that day, was a good for nothing our tour. Our guide was very attentive and professional."

MR

Maria R.

October 12, 2025

Google

"We had a amazing tour with Machu pichu Peru tours to the vinicunca mountain, or the rainbow mountain. Tour was well organised and your tour guide took really good care of us. Also the breakfast and lunch was quite good. We can totally recommend this tour organisation."

DK

Daniel K.

2 years ago

Tripadvisor

"The tour starts very early type 3-4 am, how good you can sleep on the way, we breakfast in a very good buffet and then depart for the mountain. Here the height is the problem, you can walk up but it requires a lot of condition, the good thing is that there are horses that you can pay and for 90 suns they leave you 15-20 minutes from the top. Wear layered clothes as you can warm up when climbing. We already walk down and the road is much easier. On horseback you go up in 40 minutes, you are on the mountain an hour to take pictures and the return is about 1 hour or so. In the end we still had lunch in the same very rich buffet!"

AC

Alejandra C.

October 12, 2025

Google

"I highly recommend Machu Picchu Peru Tour. Their service is incredible. I highly recommend their guides, especially Rocio and Jhordi. They are very professional and super friendly. My recommendation is because they have everything arranged and structured so we can fully enjoy the experience: transportation, lodging, food, and tourist attractions. I hope you can take advantage of traveling with them and enjoy it as much as we did."

CG

Cesar G.

8 months ago

Tripadvisor

"I liked the Service and attention I received, plus the quality of the guide who touched us to know the sacred valley on the way to Machu Picchu was first class, with extensive knowledge of the Inca culture and with very good explanation, I highly recommend them."

SM

Salvador M.

September 19, 2025

Google

"It was a wonderful experience. Getting to know one of the wonders of the world and learning its history in detail was very rewarding. We had an excellent guide who answered every one of our questions and her support was unconditional. The guide, Veronica Quispe, and the drivers who supported us were incredible. Thank you so much. They made the trip wonderful."

PN

Patty N.

10 months ago

Tripadvisor

"They were exceptional! Everything very organized, took care of all the details, we hired all the tours, lodging and transfer, we do not regret!"

SE

Sarah E.

October 12, 2025

Google

"The quality and friendliness of the staff were impressive. Wendy served us and was always very attentive to everything, responding quickly. They offer good options without breaking your budget. A short but substantial excursion. The guide Jaime knew everything in detail and provided excellent explanations. I recommend him, especially if you're traveling with children or older adults, as he really has everything under control."

AS

Ara S.

3 years ago

Tripadvisor

"Recommended! What a beautiful place!!! Most of us went up there on mules. Important to clarify if the person weighs more than 110 kg he will not be able to carry it and will have to walk up. It is still very expensive, to have proper footwear."

VL

Veronica L.

October 12, 2025

Google

"I had the wonderful experience of coordinating a group trip with Carolina from this agency, and it was very positive. They were always willing to help and facilitate the trip. On the tours, we had the opportunity to meet Alex on the Sacred Valley tour. He is an excellent guide, very friendly and knowledgeable about all the sites, making the tour very entertaining. In Machu Picchu, we were guided by Edmar, an excellent, knowledgeable, and friendly guide."

KD

Kevin D.

2 years ago

Google

"I loved that the travel agency made everything easy for me in Cusco. All I had to worry about was being on time for pickup and choosing what to eat at the buffet. The agency itself took care of everything. If I could highlight anything, it's the fact that I had a different guide on each tour, and they were all very kind and polite. They did their jobs well and knew how to explain the history of each place."

EG

Enrique G.

10 months ago

Google

"The excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas was a great one. Our guide, Veronica, accompanied us the entire time and did her best to make the experience as informative as possible."

AG

Agustin G.

A year ago