Humantay Lake Peru Tour is a popular full day trip from Cusco, as the Rainbow Mountain Tour. It takes you to the turquoise lake, Lake Humantay at 13.780 ft/4.200 meters above sea level, snuggled between the snow capped Andean peaks of Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
This hidden gem is a popular stop on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. To Incas and to the people living in the valley the lake is a sacred entity. Even today Shamans (Andean priests) often visit the lake to offer Apacheta.
Apacheta is a process of piling stones each on top of the other. They do this to express their gratitude to the mother earth (Pachamama). Shamans also use three coca leaves (Kintu) to seek blessings from Apus (Sacred Peaks).
Visiting Peru Lake Humantay is somewhat challenging. This is a high altitude experience. You need to be reasonably fit and acclimated to avoid altitude sickness. It normally takes about 1.5 hours to get to the lake from the nearest camp.
If you are not keen on hiking, you can rent a horse from the local community at an additional cost.
Humantay Lake Peru Tour starts with a drive to the trail head of Salkantay trail, Soraypampa early in the morning. After a hot breakfast, you’ll hike for about 1.5 hours through highland Andean farmlands to the turquoise lake.
At the summit, our guide will be explaining to you the importance of the lake in the life of Incas and its prominence today. We operate this full-day tour in small groups and as a private tour as well.
Machu Picchu Tours is a locally owned tour operator and a licensed Inca Trail operator based in Cusco. Our guides are passionate about the history and culture of Peru. They have years of experience on hiking to Machu Picchu.
This is a high-altitude experience. The highest point of the trek is at 4.200 meters above sea level. Although our tour guides will be carrying oxygen tanks and coca leaves, It is highly recommended to spend 3-4 days in Cusco to avoid altitude sickness.
Do take a moment to check out reviews on Trip Advisor.
Confused about choosing between Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake? Check out our detailed post on Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake Trek.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0430 AM
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 04:30 AM. Then in our private transport, we embark on a three hours drive along the Sacred Valley of Incas to Soraypampa. Here we will be serving you breakfast.
Our local expert will be sharing some safety tips before beginning the full day hike. The route up to the lagoon offers captivating views of the Peruvian highland farms. Here you will be able to spot the Andean camelids – Alpacas and Llamas grazing.
Once at the summit (on the shores of the turquoise lake), our local expert will be explaining to you about the importance of the lagoon and how the Andean community continue to worship it.
Once you have had your fill of this hidden gem, we will be hiking back to Soraypampa the same way we went up. At Soraypampa, our driver will be meeting you and will be driving you to Mollepata town. Here we will be stopping for lunch.
After lunch, we will be driving you back to Cusco City.
It was a phenomenal experience with John the tour guide. Lake Humantay Trek is surreal. It is an unmissable place. Although make sure to be acclimatised, Humantay Lagoon Trek is somewhat challenging.
