The pristine water of Peru’s Humantay Lake reflects a snowy mountain towering in the distance. The lake is near the high-altitude city of Cusco in the Andes. Click the icon in the lower righthand corner of the player to expand the video.
Reflecting a towering snowy mountain, the glacier-fed waters of pristine Humantay Lake are like something from a dream. Here’s important info on the location.
Although the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and the mesmerizing colors of Rainbow Mountain headline most tourists’ Cusco itineraries, the aquatic perfection of Humantay Lake should never be overlooked. The following information will help prepare you for your visit to one of the world’s most beautiful bodies of water:
When is the best time of year to visit Humantay Lake?
March through November is your best bet for good weather at Humantay Lake and anywhere else in the Peruvian Andes, for that matter. Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are opposite from countries in North America. I toured Humantay Lake in June, a few days after the winter solstice. This is the ideal time to visit Peru, as the month falls in the middle of the nation’s fair-weather calendar range.
How much does a tour cost to Humantay Lake?
I booked my day tour through the website Viator for $33 USD, which included breakfast, lunch, transportation, guide service, and my entrance fee (which is $10 PEN, or around $3 USD).
Those with a disability, fitness concern, or sensitivity to altitude should consider paying for a horseback ride. A seat in a saddle will cost you around $80 PEN ($22 USD), and a horseman or horsewoman will lead you to a dismount point near the shore.
Along with essential fees, plan on bringing along extra money for souvenirs and refreshments, which are available near the parking area at Soraypampa and at a shop along the trail. I think $50 PEN ($14 USD) should be a fair amount for discretionary spending.
Note: While I am providing the exchange rate from Peruvian soles (PEN) to U.S. dollars (USD), all cash on hand should be in PEN.
What time will my tour leave for Humantay Lake?
As with any day tour in the Cusco area, you should reserve the earliest possible departure time if you want the best experience. My tour operator met me at my hostel at 4 a.m., allowing our group of 12-15 people to beat the mid-morning rush to the lake. There’s only a small stretch of shore that offers the ideal photography/videography angle of Humantay Lake; keep that in mind when you are evaluating how early you want to rise.
How far is the hike to Humantay Lake?
The distance from Soraypampa to the water’s edge is around 1.5 miles (2.5 kms). Once you are done touring the site, the trail loops back down a similar distance to your original starting position. The trek in both directions is self-paced, and your guides will give you plenty of time to enjoy the natural wonders of the lake regardless of your speed.
How difficult is the hike to Humantay Lake?
While the total distance of the loop trail is only around three miles (five kms), the high altitude and steep grade make the trek to Humantay Lake somewhat challenging. The shoreline is at an elevation of just under 14,000 feet above sea level (around 4,200 meters); in the short 1.5 miles from Soraypampa to the lake, you will also gain 1,305 feet (around 400 meters).
Acclimating to the thin air of the Peruvian Andes for at least a few days in Cusco is highly recommended before attempting this hike. Trekking poles are also helpful to aid in both the steep ascent and descent. Your guides should offer you a pair prior to beginning the hike.
When will I arrive back in Cusco after touring Humantay Lake?
From pickup to drop-off, expect your tour to take a little over 12 hours, a good portion of which will be in a shuttle.
The total drive time between Cusco and the trailhead to Humantay Lake in either direction is just under three hours. Breakfast on the way in and lunch on the way out are served at the village of Mollepata, which is located around 45 minutes from Soraypampa. After being picked up at 4 a.m., I arrived back at my hostel between 4:30 p.m.-5 p.m.
Related Content
– Click to view my high-resolution photo collection from Cusco, Peru.
– Click to read my travel guide “How to Tour Cusco Without Going to Machu Picchu” to learn where I went, ate, and stayed in and around the high-altitude city.
– Click to watch my high-definition video filmed atop world-famous Rainbow Mountain near Cusco.