Humantay Lake Tour, Humantay Lagoon Day Trip (Small Group Tours)

On our Humantay Lake Tour you will experience one of the most awesome sights in the Andes Mountains. Recommended by every nature lover and serious traveler, Humantay Lake Day Trip takes you up near the sky into the high country where the panoramic views enable you to make a magical connection with the sacred water of this turquoise jewel. Humantay Lake Tours transports you into the heart of the Andes where the cold, crystal clear waters flow off the glacier, down the flanks of Salkantay Mountain, and into that great hidden Peruvian treasure, the multicolored Lagoon.

If you are an intrepid traveller looking for new adventures and really incredible scenery, our Lake Humantay Tour is definitely one of the trips that you shouldn’t miss out on. We invite you to take an exclusive journey to this new destination in Cusco, Peru. You will explore many majestic places where the amazing landscapes will inspire adventure travelers to take care of this Lagoon and of all the special places on our planet. When you hike along the trail on our day trek, our professional guide will help you to feel comfortable as you discover this hidden attraction of South America. The level of difficulty for this activity is just moderate. 

During our Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco you will explore this beautiful mountain mirror. It is part of the Salkantay alternative trekking route from Cusco to Machu Picchu. How the traditional people of the ageless little villages that you will pass through still keep the ancient Inca traditions will amaze you. This incredible Travel Package starts and ends in the City of Cusco. Finally, we recommend that our clients begin in good physical shape, and also, that they be acclimated to the altitude before they begin the Humantay Lake Full Day Tour.

• Type of Tourism: Trekking, Hiking, Nature and Ecotourism.
• Overnight: Hotel lodging is not included in this tour package.
• Duration: Day Trip from Cusco (16 hours approximately).
• Service: Small Group Tour. (If you prefer you can take this tour in exclusive private service).
• Period: April to October is the best season to take this trek. In November and December, it might rain. 

For both your security and ours, all of our Humantay Lake Tours are Small Group Tours. During January, February and March we do not operate the Humantay Lake Trek because it is the rainy season. The high country is almost always cloudy and wet at that time of year.

For 2019 – 2020 it is recommended that you book your Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco as early as possible, especially if you are travelling during the high season. As long as you make your reservation early, we can guarantee you the best guide and the finest transportation.

Humantay Lake is located in the Peruvian Andes close to Cusco at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level. The biggest highlight of your trip to Peru is sure to be hiking up to see this incredible Lake close to Salkantay Mountain. When you reach this sapphire jewel, you will see just how fragile the Andean ecosystem really is. So, instead of looking at pictures on the Internet, make up your mind now to take the Day Trip to Humantay Lake and see with your own eyes this wonder that the Quechua people and the Incas worship. It will be the best decision that you ever made in your life!

• Pick-up at your hotel in the City of Cusco before your Hike to Humantay Lake.
• Transportation in a heated Mercedes Sprinter tourist van to and from the starting point.
• Blankets for each passenger of the van, so you will feel warm while riding in the early dawn hours.
• One delicious buffet breakfast in one of the best restaurants in the village of Mollepata prepared by local chefs.
• Entrance fee for Humantay Lake – Salkantay Mountain.
• First aid kit. If you taking any medications, please bring your prescription with you.
• Humantay Lake Tour will be in both languages, English and Spanish. That means that your guide will explain everything to you in English, and then he will explain the same thing to other travelers in Spanish. This is because, at present, there is not a great demand for “English only” on the Lake Humantay Tour.
• Your guide is a professional who is especially trained in mountain trekking.
• One delicious buffet lunch in one of the best restaurants in the village of Mollepata prepared by local chefs.
• Hot drinks (Coca and Muña Tea) available upon your arrival at the trailhead.
• Snacks during the Trek to the lake.
• Walking sticks.
• Assistant guide for groups of more than 9 people.
• Oxygen bottle that can be used for extra oxygen during the hike.
• We are the safest operator of the Tour Humantay Lake Package. For this reason, we can guarantee you the absolutely finest experience as you trek through the high Andes.

• Food and beverages that are not indicated in our Humantay Lake Excursions from Cusco.
• Additional expenses due to weather problems during the day treks.
• Any additional expenses that the client incurs during the round-trip journey.
• Damages that the passenger might cause to the van.
• Rain ponchos (These you can buy in Cusco).
• A horse if the customers want to go by horseback instead of by walking. If you would like to travel by horseback, your guide will help you to rent a horse. The payment for the horse will go directly to the horse’s owner. In this way you will be helping out the local people.
• Any additional expenses that the traveler incurs during the hike.
• Tips for our team members (TIPS).

We leave everyday from Cusco between 4:00 am and 4:20 am. By leaving at this early hour you will be among the first travelers to arrive at the starting point. So, you won’t be climbing the trail accompanied by lots of people, and when you arrive at your destination the light for your photo opportunities will be perfect.

Another advantage of leaving early in the morning on your visit to Humantay Lake is that you will return to Cusco around 4:00 pm. By returning at that time you will have more time to explore outdoor places around Cusco or you can take a short rest at your hotel before sampling the excellence nightlife of Cusco.

It is not recommended that you take this day trek if you are over 70 years of age. Due to the high altitude and the steep climb, it can be dangerous for your health.

For this Humantay Lake Full Day Tour, we recommend that you take with you:

• Your Passport, your ID, and for Peruvian travelers, your DNI.
• Extra cash for personal expenses.
• Warm clothes, preferably water-proof, and a wind-breaker or poncho. Hat, gloves, and comfortable hiking shoes.
• Sun block, sunglasses and kangaroo belt pouch.
• The weather can change in seconds when you’re high up. So, be sure to pack warm clothes and thick socks. Bring a spare pair of socks just in case.
• Personal medication. If you are taking medications, please bring your prescriptions with you.
• Camera for taking pictures. If you want, you can take extra batteries.
• Rain poncho, if you want you can buy one along the route.
• You can try to beat the altitude by chewing coca leaves. Coca leaves help the body to adjust to high altitude.

Very Important:

• In order to take part in these activities, you should start out in good health and in a good physical condition. The reason for this is that you will be ascending to an elevation of over 4,200 masl. The trail itself is rated as medium difficulty.
• If you have health problems with your heart, with asthma, or with hypertension, we recommend that you do not take this trip. Remember your health and safety are of paramount importance.
• For your security and comfort, it is best to acclimatize yourself to the altitude of Cusco and the surrounding mountains. For this reason, we recommend that this memorable Lake Humantay One Day Tour be your last activity before leaving Cusco and moving on to your next destination.
• We recommend that you let us know in advance of any special needs that you might have. We will be happy to accommodate you if we can.