2 Day Humantay Lake Tour With Machu Picchu

Humantay is the snow-capped mountain that gave its name to this impressive lake, considered one of the most beautiful and sacred in Cusco. Its fame is mainly due to its turquoise waters adorned by the white snow of the snowy Salkantay. In addition to visitors who take the 1-day tour to the lake, tourists who do the so-called ‘Salkantay Trek’ (5-day hike to Machu Picchu) have the opportunity to visit this lake.

The Humantay Lake is located near the Salkantay snow-capped mountain in the Andes Mountains of Cusco, Peru. The lakeis located 4,200 meters above sea level (13,779 ft).

To get to the Humantay Lake from the city of Cusco, you must follow a road trip of approximately 120 kilometers, passing through the towns of Limatambo and Mollepata until arriving at the community of ‘Soraypampa’.

Once in ‘Soraypampa’, an uphill walk of approximately 2 kilometers begins until reaching the lake. If you travel with a tourist package, transportation is included as well as breakfast and lunch in the town of Mollepata. If you travel on your own you must hire public transportation in the city of Cusco.

The climate in Humantay lake is cold. It varies from 10ºC. (50ºF). at 0ºC. (32ºF). Because its waters come from melting snow, the temperature can be even lower. There are two seasons in the year: a) the dry season (without rain and colder) and the rainy season (with more probability of rain and less cold).

Yes. To go to the lake on your own you must take public transportation from the city of Cusco to the town of Mollepata. The buses depart from the ‘Arcopata’ terminal and have an approximate cost of 15 Peruvian soles (5 USD).

Once in Mollepata you must get a collective taxi service to the community of Soraypampa. There are times when you will not find this transportation so you will have to get a taxi. This service could cost 50 Peruvian soles (15 USD).

Finally, in Soraypampa you must make the walk to the Humantay lake. Due to the complexity of the trip by public transportation, it is recommended to choose a tourist package with transportation included. It can be cheaper and safer than going on your own.

– In the town of Mollepata you must pay to enter the Soraypampa camp where the lake is. The cost for foreign tourists is 10 Peruvian soles (3 USD). The cost for Peruvian tourists is 5 Peruvian soles (2 USD). Some tour packages include this entrance while others do not.

The final stretch of the trip is the walk from Soraypampa to Humantay lake. This stretch is approximately 2 kilometers and can take 1 to 2 hours, depending on the physical condition of the visitor. Tourists who are not used to this type of hike can rent a horse as transportation to the lake. It is common for tourists to feel the symptoms of altitude sickness, whether in Cusco, Machu Picchu or Humantay.

The residents of the Soraypampa community offer horse rental at the starting point of the walk to the Humantay lake. The service is only for the uphill section and has an approximate cost of 90 Peruvian soles, negotiable (30 USD).

Due to the cold climate of Humantay lake, it is recommended to bring a warm jacket as well as gloves and a jacket. Of course, during the walk wear light clothing since the visitor will inevitably sweat. A rain poncho is also important since it can rain at any time.

In Cusco there are several tourism agencies that offer a 1-day tour to the Humantay lake. All services must include: full transportation, breakfast, lunch, and tour guide service. Choose the tourism agency that meets your expectations. Remember that you can also contract the service through the tourist agency’s website.

Yes. Unlike the Inca Trail tours or the tickets to Machu Picchu, there is always availability for the tour to the Humantay lake. Therefore, you can get a tour to the lagoon once in Cusco, without any problem.