Departure times
- Departure: 5:00 AM
- Back around 5:00 PM
Essentials at a glance
- Duration
- 12 h
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- 05:00
- Pickup
- Hotels in Cusco’s historic center
- Languages
- English & Spanish
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 hours before
The experience
Why you’ll love this
Leave Cusco early for the Andes, with breakfast in the village of Mollepata before the trailhead at Soraypampa (3,900 m). With your private guide, climb at your own pace to the viewpoint at about 4,200 m, where Humantay Lake’s turquoise water lies beneath its glacier and the peaks of the Salkantay range, then return for lunch.
Tip: acclimatize in Cusco for at least a day or two first, and bring warm layers.
- Hike to turquoise Humantay Lake
- Views of the Salkantay mountain range
- Breakfast and buffet lunch included
- Private guide and transport
Step by step
Your route
Private hotel pickup
Your private guide and driver pick you up at your hotel at 5:00 AM.
Scenic drive
A drive through the southern highlands, past villages, valleys and mountain landscapes.
Mollepata
Breakfast in this small Andean village before the hike.
Soraypampa trailhead
The starting point of the hike, at about 3,900 m (12,795 ft).
Humantay Lake
The viewpoint at about 4,200 m (13,780 ft), with turquoise water beneath the Humantay Glacier and the Salkantay range.
Lunch
Back at Soraypampa, a buffet lunch before the return to Cusco.
Hotel drop-off
Back at your hotel around 5:00 PM.
Everything taken care of
What’s included
- Private transport
- Private bilingual guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Humantay Lake entrance
- Breakfast and buffet lunch
- Water
Not included
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Good to know before you go
Plan your day with confidence
Pickup and return
- Hotels in Cusco’s historic center
- Be in your lobby 5–10 minutes early.
- Urubamba or Ollantaytambo? Ask us for a quote.
What to bring
- Trekking shoes with good grip
- Warm layers and a rain jacket
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Water and a light snack
- Trekking poles (recommended)
Important information
- Moderate to challenging hike, up to 4,200 m.
- Acclimatize in Cusco before the tour.
- Mountain weather can change trail conditions.
- 50% surcharge on Peruvian national holidays.
- Dietary or mobility needs? Tell us in advance.
- Card declined? Ask your bank to enable international online purchases. If it still fails, write to us and we will give you another payment method.
Clear before you confirm
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. This is a private experience for your group only. You’ll receive your confirmation email within 15 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the hike?
Moderate to challenging, mainly because of the altitude: from about 3,900 m to 4,200 m. The pace is yours.
What does the day look like?
About 12 hours. Your private guide and driver collect you at your hotel at 5:00 a.m. and we climb through the southern highlands. Breakfast is in Mollepata, an Andean village on the route, and the hike to the lake starts at Soraypampa. On the way back there is a buffet lunch before returning to Cusco.
How should I prepare for the altitude?
The lake sits above 4,000 metres, so arrive in Cusco a couple of days ahead and do this tour once you have acclimatised, not on your arrival day. Bring layers, a hat, sunscreen and water; the weather turns fast and can go from strong sun to cold in minutes. If you have a heart or respiratory condition, check with your doctor before booking.
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