Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco: Early Lagoon Arrival

Three hours on the bus through Andean landscape, then two hours hiking to a turquoise lake ringed by glaciers

A full-day tour from Cusco to Humantay Lake combines a long drive through the Andes with a guided hike to an alpine lagoon set below the Salkantay mountains. The tour departs early to arrive at the lake before other groups, includes breakfast at a local restaurant en route and lunch after the hike, and is led by a professional guide in English or Spanish. Hotel pickup is included, and the total day runs 13 hours from Cusco.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour to Humantay Lake

• Travel from Cusco to Humantay Lake
• Stop for breakfast with mountain views
• Hike to Humantay Lake
• Enjoy time at the lake and take photos
• Descend to restaurant for lunch
• Return to Cusco and end service

The experience

The day starts before dawn with pickup from your Cusco hotel. A three-hour drive north takes you through the high Andes, climbing toward the Salkantay range. Partway up, you stop at a local restaurant for breakfast with views of the peaks. The early departure is the reason you arrive at Humantay Lake ahead of the main groups: the lagoon sits at high altitude behind Salkantay, and the timing lets you spend your time there without the afternoon crush.

Once at the trailhead, a professional guide leads a two-hour hike to the lake itself. The path climbs through alpine terrain with the snow-capped mountain visible the whole way. At the lake, you have time to walk the shore, take photographs and sit with the landscape before the guide leads you back down. A comforting lunch waits at the restaurant where you had breakfast, and then the drive back to Cusco takes the afternoon.

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the long drive, a hiking stick if you want one, oxygen for altitude support, and a professional guide who speaks English or Spanish. Breakfast and lunch are made with local products from the region. The hike itself is moderate (two hours up and two hours down), but the altitude (the lake sits well above 4,000 meters) is the real demand. Travelers should have at least moderate fitness. The operator does not recommend this tour for anyone with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from your Cusco accommodation.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• breakfast and lunch at a local restaurant with Andean views, both made with regional products.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the three-hour drive each way.
• hiking stick (optional).
• oxygen bottle for altitude support.
• first aid kit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 75 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Inka Altitude

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Cusco without a car: hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport to the trailhead, and the early departure time is what lets a full day at the lake fit into a single outing from the city.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

How early does the tour leave Cusco?

The tour departs very early in the morning from your hotel to ensure you arrive at Humantay Lake before other groups. The full day runs 13 hours from pickup to return.

What is the hike to Humantay Lake actually like?

The hike takes two hours to reach the lake and two hours to descend. The trail climbs through alpine terrain with views of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain throughout. The altitude is the main challenge (the lake sits above 4,000 meters), so moderate fitness is necessary.

What meals are included, and where do I eat?

Breakfast and lunch are both included at a local restaurant with Andean views. Both meals are made with local products from the region. You eat breakfast on the way up, then return to the same restaurant for lunch after the hike.

Is hotel pickup really included, or do I need to get to a meeting point?

Hotel pickup from your Cusco accommodation is included in the tour price. The guide and driver collect you in the early morning and return you to your hotel at the end of the day.

What should I bring for the altitude and the hike?

Bring warm layers (the Andes are cold even in the morning), and sturdy hiking boots or shoes with good grip. The tour provides a hiking stick if you want one and an oxygen bottle for altitude support. Sunscreen and a hat are essential at this elevation.