Humantay Lake Hike: Amazing Day Trip from Cusco
Hiking to Humantay Lake is undoubtedly one of the best day trips from Cusco, Peru. Read our Laguna Humantay hiking guide, including tips on how to get there from Cusco (with a tour or independently), how to deal with the altitude, what to pack, and where to stay, so your only task will be trekking the moderately-difficult trail and enjoying the incredible scenery.
It is impossible to walk around the city center of Cusco and not to be offered a tour to Humantay Lake. The insanely turquoise lake high in the mountains is a photographers' dream, and the hike that leads to it gets the well-deserved attention among travelers visiting the area.
Even if you've never heard about the beautiful blue-green lake surrounded by towering jagged peaks of the Andes where the fog and clouds keep rolling all day long, you do not have a chance to escape it.
We are pretty sure that photos hanging on every shop window in Cusco will persuade you to include Laguna Humantay on your Peru travel itinerary.
We wanted to hike to Humantay Lake since we arrived in Peru, but we only had to figure out how to get to the trailhead from Cusco.
In the end, we killed two birds with one stone because we booked the five days / five nights Salkantay Trek, which took us nowhere else than to the mysterious Inca city of Machu Picchu, and the hike to Humantay Lake was included as it was just a short detour.
As we were backpacking around Peru for almost two months, we had seen our share of fantastic blue glacial lakes surrounded by green hills and towering peaks covered with snow all year round.
Especially the area around Huaraz is incredible, and places such as Laguna 69 or Laguna Paron will take your breath away.
Still, Humantay Lake was yet another place where we stood in awe for a while when we reached the edge from where we could overlook the scenery for the very first time.
Simply put, if you do not have a hike to Humantay Lake on your bucket list, you should immediately put it there.
HUMANTAY LAKE HIKE
We'll guide you through possibilities on how to get from Cusco to Humantay Lake later on, here we share what you can expect from the hike based on our experience.
Unlike tours leaving Cusco early in the morning, we could sleep a bit longer because we stayed in privately owned accommodation as our hike to Humantay Lake was a part of Salkantay Trek.
Suppose you want to travel independently to the lake (more about it later) or plan on hiking the Salkantay Trek without a guide.
In that case, you can arrive at the base the day before the hike, stay in one of the simple accommodations (it is impossible to book them online at the moment), which will give you a head start.
The hike's first section is flat, we passed several campgrounds, with nowadays too popular glass tents offering tourists views of the starry sky all night long.
When the weather plays along, you can see snowy peaks and green pastures with cows and horses in front of you.
It is quite important to say that the valley and the lake area is often foggy, so the views are often hit or miss, but on the other hand, this is precisely the type of weather that gives Humantay Lake the sought-after mysterious atmosphere.
We were quite lucky when the hike started, but later, the clouds began to roll in.
We continued for a short while until we arrived at the intersection where the path turned slightly left. Here we passed the last houses where local people live (this is the last point where you can use the bathroom for one sol), and from this point, the trail started to climb up unmercifully.
The trail is easily visible from a distance, so we walked slow and steady and frequently stopped because we started to feel the altitude, and it was harder to catch a breath.
We chewed some coca leaves our guide gave us, and after a short break, we continued straight up.
Thankfully, we felt quite fine that day, but some people from our group struggled with breathing and headaches. As you need to gain 400 meters on a relatively short distance, the incline gets pretty steep, but on the other hand, you do not have to hurry.
Keep your pace, and enjoy the views of pastures and Peruvian countryside in the right sense of the term.
When we felt that the hike takes longer than it should, we crossed the edge, and suddenly, we stood at the lake's shore. For a couple of minutes, we stood by the lake, which was that early in the morning peaceful, the mountains around us were silent, and we were savoring the moment.
During our travels, it did not happen to us often that a group of young people would be quietly sitting by an insanely beautiful lake rather than taking selfies, but it happened here at Humantay Lake.
As it was still cloudy, we decided to wait it out, so we sat down, drank a hot tea, and then, the clouds lifted up a bit, and we could spot the glacier hanging above the lake.
Humantay Lake, same as many lakes in this part of the mountains, have a glacial origin, and the insane watercolor is caused by mineral coming from the melted snow.
If you have more time, it is worth it to walk around the lake's shore a bit, take photos from a different angle, and play with perspective.
Later, when we started to feel cold, we set off for the way back, which was easy now, leading downhill all the time.
Only now, we started to meet other people climbing up to see the lake.
HOW TO GET TO HUMANTAY LAKE FROM CUSCO
Because the word about Humantay Lake's beauty and the incredible scenery has already spread, this day hike quickly became one of the most popular activities among travelers in the Cusco area.
And even though you will find plenty of awesome day trips from Cusco, Humantay Lake is a place not to be missed.
For some, it is even one of the main reasons to arrive in Cusco (except for Machu Picchu, of course).
Before you book the trip, there is one thing you should know, though.
It takes three hours to get to the trailhead by either taxi or standard minivan, so you will spend six hours in transport that day, which, together with the hike itself, guarantees a long day on the road. On the other hand, we think the reward is well worth it.
You have several options on how to get to Humantay Lake from Cusco.
We've put together all alternatives, and it is only up to you which option you choose - always consider your travel style and budget.
GUIDED TOUR
Currently, the most popular way to get to Humantay Lake from Cusco is with a guided tour.
The classic Humantay Lake Tour starts early in the morning (around 3 AM or 4 AM) when a van picks you up at the hotel and includes the entrance fee to the lagoon, guide, transfer, breakfast, and lunch.
The day usually goes smoothly, but as with every organized tour, you need to wait for the slowest person in your group, plus you will never be alone by the lake (but we think it is a rare luxury anyway) as most of the tour operators start around the same time.
There's no set price for the tour; expect to pay anything between 80 - 100 soles per person - the more last-minute you book, the higher chance you have to haggle the price down.
It is also essential to know when to stop bargaining - after all, we believe you want to get a quality service.
SALKANTAY TREK
It is possible to visit Humantay Lake as a part of the Salkantay trek that leads from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and, consequently, to Machu Picchu, and this is what we did.
Check out travel agencies in Cusco, some of them for sure offer Salkantay Trek with Humantay Lake Tour, but ask in advance because it is not a standard.
If you plan on hiking Salkantay Trek anyway, we think including a short detour to Humantay Lake is an excellent option as it saves you time and money.
It depends on which travel agency you choose as it is possible to hike to the lake either early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Both times are perfect because you will get to Humantay Lake either before all the groups arrive or when they are already gone.
PRIVATE TRANSPORT
For many people, traveling with a group of strangers is not exactly the way they want to enjoy a place. We totally get it.
Thankfully, there is still a way to get to Humantay Lake if you do not fancy taking the tour.
It is also crucial to mention that public transport is not an option if you want to get to the Humantay Lake trailhead.
The furthest you can get by bus is to Mollepata, but from here, it is another 22 kilometers to Soraypampa, the trek would take you at least two days return
You can try to shop around Cusco and find a taxi driver who will take you to the lake's trailhead - there is a small chance to find a reliable driver available on the day of your planned trek (or the price will be higher), so reserve the car at least one day before you want to go.
The advantage of private transport is that you can travel to Humantay Lake at the time of your choice, so you can avoid groups.
Round trip costs around 250 soles (without ten soles entrance fee, obviously), so this trip is worth it when traveling with a group of friends or with a family or if you are on a strict schedule.
RENTAL CAR
It is not very common, but if you prefer freedom and want to plan your day as you please, you can rent a car in Cusco and travel to Humantay Lake's trailhead on your own.
The drive takes around three hours, and be ready that the road is pretty bendy, so drive carefully, especially if you set off early when it is still dark outside.
From Cusco, take road 3S and later turn to smaller road 109.
There is no official parking lot, but you should be able to park your car at the end of the road. But again, this is the least popular option on how to get to Humantay Lake.
When traveling by rental car, you need to pay the rental fee, fuel, and ten soles entrance (payable in Mollepata) admission to the lake.
ENTRANCE FEE
We've already mentioned in the text a few times that the entrance fee to Humantay Lake is ten soles per person, but there are a few more things you should know.
Firstly, the price is payable in Mollepata, which is the official checkpoint. Mollepata is also the furthest you can get by colectivo from Cusco at the moment.
The entrance fee to Humantay Lake is not covered by Boleto Turistico.
If you booked the tour, your Humantay Lagoon entry ticket should already be included, so double check before you make the reservation.
If you travel independently by taxi, colectivo, or rental car, make sure you have smaller bills.
WATER AND SNACKS
If you travel with a tour or hike to Humantay Lake is a part of Salkantay Trek, you are all covered, and you do not need to worry about food and water as everything should be provided.
When traveling on your own, either by rental car, taxi, or public transport, you need to bring your own food and water unless you want to buy an expensive refreshment in one of a few houses at the beginning of the trail.
Water in Peru is not drinkable, so bring enough water in your reusable water bottle, or consider using a SteriPen, which is a gear that treats water, so you do not have to buy plastic bottles at all.
When it comes to food, buy snacks (it is common that people in the altitude are not hungry), bananas, nuts, and we have quite a good experience with energy bars that are light and nourishing.
HIKE DIFFICULTY
We would evaluate the Humantay Lake trek as a moderately-difficult hike. In general, every average fit traveler or a person who does sport from time to time should not have significant trouble reaching the top.
Yes, the trail leads steeply uphill, but the trip itself is not that long. You should be able to reach the lake within an hour or and an hour and a half maximum, while the way back will take you less than that.
What can make the trip more difficult is altitude sickness.
In case you run out of energy, you can use the horse service local people offer along the way. First, you should negotiate the price, though.
READ MORE:
Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek: Which Hike to Machu Picchu is Right for You
Ultimate Inca Trail Packing List
Day Trip to Pastoruri Glacier from Huaraz
Lima in One Day: Best Things to Do and See
Flying Over the Nazca Lines in Peru
Chan Chan and Trujillo: A Guide to Ruins in The North Coast of Peru
Kuelap: Machu Picchu of Northern Peru
ALTITUDE & HOW TO DEAL WITH IT
The hike to Humantay Lake would not be that hard, hadn't it been for the high elevation where the lake sits. The tricky part is that nothing and no one can prepare you for the altitude and how the thinner air will affect your body.
The trek itself starts 3800 meters above sea level, which is relatively high already, and you must gain another 400 meters to reach Humantay Lake, which sits at 4200 meters.
When hiking up to the lake, we felt fine, but we were already staying in Cusco (3400 meters) for a couple of days. This is the key to your success - do not underestimate proper acclimatization, and stay in Cusco for at least two days.
There are plenty of things to do in Cusco, and you can explore the Sacred Valley or Sacsayhuaman Ruins on the next day.
We cannot stress enough how important is acclimatization before you do the trek because the altitude sickness is no joke, and you can ruin your entire stay in Cusco or Peru overall.
Although you can never know how the altitude will affect you (it has nothing to do with physical ability or how your body reacted to high altitude previously), there are several simple rules you should follow to maximize your chances to enjoy the trek.
Drink enough water, avoid alcohol, do not eat heavy meals, and try to do some light physical activity in Cusco.
Do not forget that health and safety always go first, so in case you start feeling dizzy or a headache gets stronger during the hike, do not continue and get back to a lower altitude as quickly as you can.
If you make it to Humantay Lake, the next step could be another rewarding Rainbow Mountain day trip from Cusco.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHAT TO PACK
The weather in the Peruvian mountains is very unpredictable. It is often cold and windy when hiking in the altitude, plus the fact that you will be leaving Cusco in the death of night means you will have to pack layers and warm clothes even when the weather forecast promises a hot sunny day.
Here are a few essential things you should pack for a one-day trip to Humantay Lake. The most important is to have a quality backpack where you can fit all extra layers and snacks.
It is worth investing in a comfortable daypack with a back support and waist strap.
Although it is doable to reach the lake in sneakers, we definitely recommend sturdy hiking shoes. It is essential to wear layers; you can always store them in the backpack if you feel warm.
A fleece jacket, same as a rain jacket or even a down jacket, is more than advisable (we like to put the down jacket on in the van as the drive back is always long and cold). We never leave the hostel without an old-fashioned rain poncho.
You can buy in any pharmacy in Cusco a special herbal essence for dealing with high altitude, which should give you a small relief from headaches.
No matter you've never used hiking poles before, we think it is a must-have when in the mountains. Plus you can always use them for other hikes such as Pisac Ruins as well.
In general, hiking the Humantay Lake is like any other high altitude trek, so it is essential to be well-prepared and expect any weather type.
We've also created an in-depth South America packing list where you will find more useful tips and advice on what to pack.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR HUMANTAY LAKE HIKE
The weather in Peruvian Andes can be harsh, but you can expect two distinct seasons in general. May to October is the dry season, which is defined by clear skies, sunny weather, and colder temperatures.
This is the main hiking season in Peru, so that you can expect crowds by the lake. On the other hand, November to April is the rainy season.
We traveled at the beginning of November, and the conditions were manageable - it was usually clear in the morning, and then it was cloudy later in the afternoon. Temperatures are higher as it is Peruvian summer.
The rainiest months are January and February. February is even the month when the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance, but also because of the high chance of landslides, so it is necessary to take into account this is not the best time for hiking.
It is possible to do the hike all year round, but it is absolutely essential to check the weather forecast and consider the pros and cons.
The climate high in the mountains is often changeable, so be always ready, even when the weather forecast looks more than promising.
WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO BEFORE HIKING TO HUMANTAY LAKE
Cusco offers an extensive network of reasonably priced hotels in the city's historical part, and you don't need to stay anywhere on the outskirt to save money when traveling on a budget.
It is very likely you'll stay here for a while because the area has a lot to offer, so it is worth it to choose a place where you'll feel comfortable.
We've handpicked the best hotels in Cusco for every type of traveler.
Budget | Cusco Bed and Breakfast - Spacious and clean rooms, comfortable beds, very quiet at night, excellent location, and the price is very reasonable for such a touristy destination.
Mid-range | Tierra Viva Cusco Centro - This hotel provides a tranquil environment, beautiful rooms and also has one of the top-rated locations in Cusco.
Luxury | JW Marriott El Convento Cusco - The hotel features impressive interiors, has a charming colonial courtyard, luxury rooms, and Cusco’s cathedral or main square are only three blocks away.
HOW TO GET TO CUSCO
Cusco is Peruvian destination number one, and it does not matter from where you want to reach Cusco; you can be sure you'll get there
The most common way for backpackers to get to Cusco is by bus - we took plenty of night buses on our trip, and the quality and service were quite satisfactory.
Cusco also has an airport, in case you are traveling to Peru only for two or three weeks and you need to travel around the country quickly and efficiently.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
