Humantay Lake day tour from Cusco: Beat the crowds

Hike to a turquoise lake at high altitude while the morning is still quiet.

A private day tour from Cusco to Humantay Lake with early hotel pickup, bilingual guide, and meals included. You hike 1.5–2 hours to reach the lake at 4,200m (13,800 ft.), explore elevated vantage points most tours skip, and return to your hotel by mid-afternoon. The early 3 a.m. departure is what keeps the lake mostly to yourself instead of crowded with other groups.

Step-by-step itinerary

Early start and Humantay Lake visit

• 3:00 am hotel pick-up in Cusco
• 5:35 am breakfast en route
• 7:40 am arrive parking lot and briefing
• 9:30 am hike to Humantay Lake
• Explore vantage points and take photos
• 11:00 am return to vehicle
• 12:00 pm lunch at local restaurant
• 3:30 pm return to Cusco hotel drop-off

The experience

The pickup happens at 3 a.m. from your Cusco hotel: early enough that you're on the road before dawn. Breakfast comes next, fresh and substantial, eaten on the drive toward the trailhead. By 7:40 a.m. you're at the parking lot meeting your bilingual guide, who briefs you on the hike ahead and the altitude you're about to climb. The trail itself takes 1.5 to 2 hours and gains elevation steadily. The guide paces it for safety and enjoyment, not speed. Trekking poles, a first-aid kit, an oximeter and oxygen are all provided: the operator accounts for the fact that 4,200 meters is high enough that your body notices.

When you reach Humantay Lake, the water is a clear turquoise that photographs well from the standard viewpoint, but the guide takes you to elevated vantage points around the lake that most tours don't reach. That's where the light and the angle change what you can capture. You have time to stand there, breathe the thin air, and let the quiet settle. By 11 a.m. you're heading back down to the vehicle. Lunch waits at a restaurant known locally for its quality and its view over the valley, not a tourist canteen, but a place where the food and the setting both matter. The drive back to Cusco takes the afternoon. You're dropped at your hotel by 3:30 p.m.

The van itself is modified with comfortable seats designed to spare your back on a long drive. A detail that matters on a 13-hour day. The guide speaks English and Spanish fluently, so the briefing and the hike make sense in whichever language you prefer. Groups stay at 8 travelers maximum, which is what keeps the experience private and the pace manageable.

What’s included

• Private bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco.
• breakfast and lunch at a restaurant with valley views.
• trekking poles, first-aid kit, mountain radios, oximeter and oxygen bottle.
• transport in a modified van with comfortable seats designed to ease back strain on the long drive.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 03:15

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by exploor

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to reach Humantay Lake before the crowds arrive and have the space mostly to yourself: the 3 a.m. pickup and small group size (maximum 8 travelers) are what make that possible. If you prefer a later start or a larger group experience, look for a standard shared departure instead.

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★

144 verified traveler reviews

5 ★137

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★2

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is Humantay Lake like when you get there?

Humantay Lake sits at 4,200 meters (13,800 ft.) in the Andes, surrounded by high peaks and glaciers. The water is a clear turquoise color, and because you arrive early in the day before other tour groups, the space around it stays quiet and uncrowded. The guide takes you to elevated vantage points around the lake that most standard tours skip, which changes both the view and what you can photograph.

How hard is the hike to Humantay Lake?

The hike takes 1.5 to 2 hours and climbs steadily to 4,200 meters. It's manageable but requires a moderate level of fitness. The altitude is the main challenge, not the technical difficulty. Your guide paces the trail for safety and enjoyment, and trekking poles are provided. The operator recommends at least 24 hours of acclimatization in Cusco before attempting any high-altitude tour.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes private guide service in English or Spanish, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco, breakfast and lunch at a restaurant with views, trekking poles, first-aid kit, mountain radios, an oximeter and oxygen bottle for altitude support, and transport in a modified van with comfortable seats.

What time does the day start and end?

Hotel pickup is at 3 a.m., breakfast happens on the drive, and you reach the lake by 9:30 a.m. You head back down by 11 a.m., have lunch around noon, and return to your hotel by 3:30 p.m. The full day is approximately 13 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What should I bring on this hike?

Bring a backpack, a rain cape, and layers of clothing for warmth at altitude. Pack gloves, a hat, and hiking shoes with extra socks in case of snow. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential at high elevation, and bring some extra money for any personal purchases. The operator provides trekking poles and safety equipment.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

The minimum age is 12 years old. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness to manage the altitude and the hike. If you have concerns about your health or fitness, check with the operator before booking.