Humantay Lake Day Tour from Cusco

Full Day
Moderate
Day Tour
Cusco to Humantay Lake

Climb to a turquoise glacial lake at about 4,200 m (13,780 ft), below the ice of Humantay peak, on a guided day trip from Cusco.

Duration Full Day
Difficulty Moderate
Max altitude 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Best season April to October
Distance 7 km / 4.3 mi round trip on foot (approximate)
Transportation By road (about 3 hours each way)
Guide Local mountain guide

Overview

Humantay Lake sits in a hollow below the glaciers of Humantay peak, in the Vilcabamba range west of Cusco, at about 4,200 m (13,780 ft). Its water is an intense turquoise, colored by fine glacial sediment, and on a still morning the ice wall above it is reflected on the surface. It’s one of the most rewarding day hikes near Cusco, and a short, honest test of how you handle altitude.

The day starts early. You leave Cusco in the dark and drive west for about three hours, through the town of Mollepata and up a mountain road to the trailhead near Soraypampa, the same place where most Salkantay treks begin. From there, a steady climb of roughly an hour and a half brings you to the lake, gaining roughly 300 to 400 m (1,000 to 1,300 ft) in a short distance. The path is well used but steep, and the altitude makes it feel steeper.

At the top you have time to rest by the shore, take photos and, if you like, walk up the ridge above the lake for a wider view of the Salkantay massif. The way down is quicker, and you’re back in Cusco in the late afternoon. Many programs include breakfast on the way and lunch after the hike.

This is a day hike, not a trek: there’s no camping and you sleep in Cusco. It’s a favorite warm-up before the Inca Trail or a multi-day route, and the lake is also the first highlight of our Salkantay Trek 4 Days. Give yourself at least two nights in Cusco before you go. To see how the lake fits into the full trek, visit our Salkantay Trek page.

Highlights

Hike to Humantay Lake, a turquoise glacial lake at about 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
See the hanging glaciers of Humantay peak reflected in the water
Views of the Salkantay massif, one of the highest mountains near Cusco
A short, steep climb that’s ideal preparation for a multi-day trek
Back in Cusco the same day, with no camping

Itinerary

Very early
Cusco to Soraypampa
A pre-dawn pickup and a drive of about three hours west, via Mollepata, to the trailhead.
We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco around 3 or 4 a.m. The road heads west across the Anta plain and then climbs to Mollepata, where many programs stop for breakfast. From there a mountain road continues up to the trailhead near Soraypampa, with the snowy summit of Salkantay coming into view.
Starts
Cusco
Ends
Soraypampa
Meals
Breakfast (when included)
Morning
The climb to Humantay Lake
A steep, steady ascent of about 1.5 hours to the turquoise lake below Humantay peak.About 1.5 hours upMax altitude 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
The trail starts gently across a grassy valley and then zigzags up a moraine, the pile of rock left by the retreating glacier. It’s a steady climb, and your guide will keep the pace slow. At the top, the path crests the moraine and the lake appears suddenly below you, bright turquoise against the dark rock and white ice of Humantay peak.

You have time to rest, take photos and, if you feel good, follow the path up the ridge beside the lake for a wider view over the valley and toward Salkantay.
Starts
Soraypampa
Ends
Humantay Lake
The descent is steep and can be slippery. Trekking poles help.
Afternoon
Descent and return to Cusco
Down to the trailhead, lunch on the way back and arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon.About 1 hour down
The walk down to the trailhead takes about an hour. After lunch, when it’s part of your program, you drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Starts
Humantay Lake
Ends
Cusco
Meals
Lunch (when included)

What’s Included

Included

Local guide for the hike
Transportation from and back to your hotel in Cusco
Breakfast and lunch, when shown in your confirmed itinerary

Not included

Community entrance fee at the trailhead, unless shown in your quote
Horse rental, if available and wanted
Travel insurance
Tips for your guide and driver

Pickup time, meals and every inclusion are confirmed in writing with your quote.

What to Bring

Documents

Cash in small Peruvian soles for the entrance fee and restrooms

Clothing

Warm layers: fleece, insulated jacket, hat and gloves for the cold start
Waterproof jacket
Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes

Gear

Trekking poles, very useful on the steep descent
Water (at least 1 liter) and snacks

Health & personal

Sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm
Any personal or altitude medication your doctor recommends

Food, Lodging & Transport

Food & meals

Most programs stop for breakfast on the way, often in Mollepata or near the trailhead, and serve lunch after the hike before the drive back. Whether both meals are included is confirmed with your quote. Bring snacks and water for the climb.

Difficulty & Altitude

Difficulty: Moderate
Highest point: 4,200 m / 13,780 ftHumantay Lake (the ridge above the lake is a little higher)

Fitness

We rate this hike as moderate, but steep. It’s short, around 3 hours round trip including time at the lake, and the path is clear. What makes it demanding is the gradient combined with the altitude: most of the climb is a sustained uphill from about 3,900 m to 4,200 m. Walking slowly, with regular pauses, makes a big difference.

If you can walk uphill for an hour with breaks and you feel well in Cusco, you can do this hike. Local families near the trailhead sometimes offer horses for part of the climb for an extra fee, but availability varies, so don’t count on one.

Altitude

The trailhead near Soraypampa sits at roughly 3,850 to 3,900 m (12,600 to 12,800 ft), and the lake at about 4,200 m (13,780 ft). That’s about 800 m higher than Cusco.

Acclimatize first. Spend at least two nights in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before this hike.
Pace yourself. Slow and steady is the rule, and your guide will stop often.
Listen to your body. If you feel a severe headache, dizziness or nausea, tell your guide and head down.

Many travelers use Humantay as a test before a longer trek. If it goes well, that’s a good sign for the Inca Trail or Salkantay.

Permits, Tickets & Rules

Community entrance fee. The local community collects a fee at the trailhead. We confirm the amount before your trip and whether it’s included in your quote.
No swimming. The lake is considered sacred locally, and the glacier water is extremely cold, so swimming isn’t allowed.
Leave no trace. Carry out your trash and stay on the marked path around the lake.

Traveling with Family

Active children who are used to hiking and have spent a few days in Cusco often enjoy Humantay, and the lake is a real reward at the top. It is still a steep climb at high altitude after a very early start, so it isn’t for everyone.

Talk with our local team about whether this route fits your family. We can suggest easier days first and help you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How steep is the hike to Humantay Lake?

Steep. You gain around 300 to 400 m (1,000 to 1,300 ft) in about an hour and a half, at high altitude. The path is clear and there’s no scrambling, but most people need regular breaks.

How high is Humantay Lake?

About 4,200 m (13,780 ft), roughly 800 m higher than Cusco.

Can I swim in the lake?

No. The lake is considered sacred locally and swimming isn’t allowed. The glacier-fed water is also extremely cold.

Is it a good warm-up for the Inca Trail or Salkantay?

Yes, it’s one of the best. A day at 4,200 m helps your body adjust and shows you how you handle the altitude before a multi-day trek.

Is this the same as the Salkantay trek?

No. This is a day hike from Cusco. Most Salkantay treks visit Humantay Lake on their first day, so if you’re doing our 5-day Salkantay route or the 4-day version, you’ll already see it.

Can I rent a horse?

Local families sometimes offer horses for part of the climb for an extra fee, but it depends on the day. Plan to walk.

Humantay Lake or Rainbow Mountain?

Humantay is lower and closer to the glaciers, with a steeper but shorter climb. Rainbow Mountain is higher, at about 5,000 m, and is all about the colored slopes. If you’re preparing for a trek, start with Humantay.

Route

Route map coming soon

Route at a glance

Cusco, about 3,400 m (11,150 ft)
Mollepata
Soraypampa trailhead, about 3,900 m (12,800 ft)
Humantay Lake, about 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
Back to Cusco

Humantay Lake is about three hours west of Cusco by road, near Soraypampa, the usual starting point of the Salkantay trek. A route map is being prepared.

Tour Video

Travel Tips for This Trip

Rainbow Mountain vs Humantay Lake: Which Day Hike?
6 min read
Cusco Altitude: How to Acclimatize and Avoid Altitude Sickness
7 min read
Inca Trail vs Salkantay Trek: Which Is Right for You?
7 min read

Why DSL Adventures

Planned by a Local Team in Cusco

Based in Cusco

Your trip is planned by people who live here and know the region’s seasons, roads and trails.
Local Guides

Guides from the region who know the trails, the history and the communities along the way.
Direct Communication

One conversation with the team organizing your trip, from your first question to your last day.
Personalized Planning

Dates, pace and details shaped around your group.
Visual Storytelling

Photos and stories from our routes help you picture each day before you go.

Plan your trip

Let’s Plan Your Trip Together

Tell us your dates, who’s traveling and what you’d like to see. Our team in Cusco will reply with availability, ideas and clear next steps.

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Humantay Lake 1 Day Price on request

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Trip facts

Overview

Highlights

Itinerary

Cusco to Soraypampa

The climb to Humantay Lake

Descent and return to Cusco