Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

The Humantay Lake Trek

The Humantay Lake Trek

4MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2023-03-08

Trekking to Humantay Lake has to be one of the best day trips from Cusco, Peru.  The mind-blowing turquoise lake high in the mountains is a photographer's dream, and the hike that leads to it gets 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. The Humantay Lake is simply magnificent!

 

The Humantay Lake trek reaches an altitude of about 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) at Humantay Lake, so acclimatization to the altitude is important. We recommend spending at least 2 days in Cusco on other Cusco tours before attempting this Trek. The round-trip trek typically takes about 6-7 hours, including time to explore the lake and have lunch.

Humantay Lake

 

Where is Humantay Lake located?

It forms part of the Mollepata District within the Anta province. While you need to embark on a proper Humantay Lake hike to reach this location, it’s one of the most impressive, breathtaking locations you will ever visit. It feels like something out of a sci-fi movie, a serene location from a distant planet.

 

The turquoise waters of Humantay Lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks create a stunning and serene setting. The Lake is formed by the water from the glacier above called the Humantay Glacier. This lake is incredibly photogenic and worth the effort on a Cusco day trip.

Humantay

 

How Do I get to Humantay Lake?

The most common way to reach the Humantay Lake is on a tour from Cusco. These guided tours start at 3 or 4 AM, and a van picks you up from the hotel. Then you will go directly to the lake. The route is direct, however, it will be a 3-hour drive until you reach the lake. If you want to take the Humantay Lake hike, you can start from Soraypampa and go to the lake directly. The trail is near Mollepata, and it’s known for being quite difficult. This is why it makes more sense to go with a dedicated tour rather than hike yourself, especially if you lack any hiking experience.

 

The Humantay Lake trek offers a chance to experience the natural beauty of the Andes, with opportunities to see native flora and fauna along the trekking route. The trek passes through the traditional communities of Soraypampa, giving trekkers a glimpse into local Andean life and culture on their Cusco tours.

Starting the Trek

 

What to Expect on the Humantay Trek

The one-day Humantay Lake Tour starts early in the morning when a van picks you up at the hotel and includes the entrance fee to the lagoon, guide, transfer, breakfast, and lunch. The hike's first section is flat, you will pass several campgrounds, with nowadays popular glass domes 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. 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. The reward, however,  is well worth it. Humantay Lake, the same as many lakes in this part of the mountains, have a glacial origin, and the insane watercolor is caused by minerals 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.

 

On the initial day of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, we will have the option to stop by Humantay Lake. On this day, we will travel from Mollepata to Soraypampa campsite. We will have enough time to hike to the lake and return to the campsite for dinner. This enhances the awe-inspiring nature of the first day's trekking adventure.

Cloudy Salkantay Peak

 

Visit Humantay as part of The Salkantay Trek

It is also possible to visit Humantay Lake as a part of the Salkantay Trek that leads from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and, consequently, to Machu Picchu. If you plan on hiking Salkantay Trek anyway, you can include a short detour to Humantay Lake is an excellent option as it saves you time and money. If you combine the Humantay lake with The Salkantay trek it has the advantage of arriving at the lake when the day trippers have already left, so definitely worth considering!

The round-trip trek from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake and back to the campsite usually takes about 3-4 hours, depending on your pace and the amount of time spent at the lake. The Salkantay Trek becomes even more impressive with this short side trip!

Salkantay Trek

 

How Difficult of a Hike is The Humantay Lake Trek?

The Humantay Lake hike route can be quite challenging. While the path itself is easy to follow, you will encounter stones that protrude from the ground. Additionally, the trail is also slippery in some locations, making the experience even more difficult. Rockslides or avalanches are not that common, but they do happen at times. So yes, the Humantay Lake Trek itself can be quite difficult, not because of the route, but due to the weather and other similar factors. If you were wondering how hard the Humantay Lake hike is, you should be prepared for a bit of a challenge. Yet it’s well worth visiting!

 

The Humantay Lake trek is a popular day trip from Cusco. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and relatively easy access. The trek starts from Soraypampa, a small community located about a 3-hour drive from Cusco. The Humantay Lake trek is in the same region as The Salkantay Trek both of which pass through Soraypampa.

Humantay Picnic

 

If you want to visit the Humantay Lake on a day trip or combine the Humantay Trek with The Salkantay Trek, contact us here!
 

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