The Magical Humantay Lake

Why is Humantay so Special?

Humantay Lake is not only a place of incredible colors and panoramic views or a place where one can feel the magic of the amazing landscape. It is also a sacred and mystical spot where you can witness the fragility of the terrestrial ecosystem and view the effects of climate change. Certainly, those intrepid travelers who come to Humantay and witness these delicate interconnections between air, earth, and water will return to their homes at lower elevations and act as goodwill ambassadors who have seen personally the effects the global warming.

 

Ice caps Melting

 

Where is Humantay Lake?

The turquoise-blue Humantay Lake is located in the Cusco region of Peru. It is found northeast of the City of Cusco high up on the side of the great snowy Humantay Mountain, close to the Soraypampa community in 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 Mules from Mollepata

 

Facts about The Lake

Elevation: 4200 masl (13,780 ft.).
Co-ordinates: 13°24’41.72” South Latitude: and 72°37’2.43” East Longitude.
Extension of Humantay Lagoon: 618 meters long and 164 meters wide.

 

The Lagoon

 

Where does the lake get its name?

The name "Humantay" comes from the Quechua word HUMANTAY, which means “Head of the Gods”. This could possibly be because it is located at a dominant high point above the Amazon jungle.

How is Humantay Lake formed?

There is not a lot of information about the geology of this lagoon. Geologists tell us that it is certainly of glacial origin. At some time in the past, snow and ice came down and covered the lower parts of the mountain. These great blocks of ice carved out depressions on the sides of the mountain. When the ice melted, the beautiful Humantay Lagoon was formed. Without a doubt, the magical turquoise color of the water in the lagoon is due to the purity of the glacial melt-water and to a species of algae called Microcystis aeruginosa y Oscillatoria.

 

Hiker at The Lake

The Cultural Significance of The Lake

Local traditions tell us that Apu Humantay was the youngest son of Apu Salkantay. They were both in charge of sharing the water that flows down from the eternal snow above to the villages and farms located on the sides of these great peaks. Therefore, these Apus are revered by the local people and they are recognized as representatives of Pachamama. This is why you will be able to see “apachetas” (man-made piles of rocks) in the area. These are mounds of stones placed one on top of the other by local people or by travelers. They could be an offering of Thanks to Pachamama, or of thanks for having made it safely to this sacred lagoon. It is said that the color of the lake is caused by the deep and true feelings of the Apu (the Sacred Mountain).

 

Humantay Lagoon

 

What to expect on a day trip to Humantay Lake

This hike takes you up to over 4,200 meters. That alone makes it difficult and is one of the main reasons why you should use a travel agency to get to Humantay. That way you won’t have to worry about anything except enjoying your Humantay Trek. The difficulty level of the trek is classed as moderate. The trail starts out going up a pretty steep incline. Then the trail then winds around curves and there are quite a few loose rocks. And, the final section is a short descent where you can look down and see the peaceful, clear water. Apart from the loose stones, the cold, and the high elevation, it is a relatively easy hike.

 

Magical 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.

 

Starting the Trek

 

 

Our Trek To Humantay Lake

 

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!

 

Humantay Lake

 

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.

 

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!

 

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!

 

Humantay Picnic

 

If you want to visit the Humantay Lake on a day trip or combine the Humantay Trek with The Salkantay Trek, to visit this magical and mythical lake contact us here for more information!