Humantay Lake trek from Cusco: Small group, early start

Reach the sacred lake before the crowds arrive

A day trek from Cusco to Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters, departing early to avoid the larger groups that arrive later. You're picked up from your hotel between 3:30 and 4:00 am, driven through the Apurímac valley to Mollepata for breakfast, then transported to Soraypampa to begin the trek. The steep climb to the lake takes about 90 minutes, or you can ride a horse if you need it. A bilingual guide explains the site's significance to the Incas, you spend time at the summit, descend for lunch in Mollepata, and return to Cusco by early evening. Groups stay under 18 people, or choose the small group option capped at eight.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Salkantay Trailpass by
2. Cusco Historic Center3h

Humantay Lake Trek from Cusco

• Meet driver at hotel early morning
• Drive to Mollepata village
• Stop for breakfast in Mollepata
• Drive to Soraypampa
• Begin trek to Humantay Lake
• See majestic Apu Salkantay
• Hike or ride horse to lake
• Learn about Inca sacred site
• Return trek to Mollepata
• Have lunch in Mollepata
• Drive back to Cusco

The experience

The pickup happens in the dark. Your driver meets you at your Cusco hotel between 3:30 and 4:00 am and drives two hours through the Apurímac valley to Mollepata village, where you stop for breakfast to fuel up before the hike. The early departure is the whole point. You're on the trail while the large tour groups are still loading their buses, which means you get the lake and the views of Apu Salkantay without the pavement crowded with other trekkers.

From Mollepata, the car takes you another hour to Soraypampa at 3,900 meters, where the trek begins. The hike to Humantay Lake climbs about 300 meters over roughly 90 minutes: steep enough that it's genuinely hard, but the trail is direct and the guide sets the pace. If your legs or your lungs tell you to stop, you can ride a horse for the rest of the way up. The lake doesn't care how you get there. Once you reach the top at 4,200 meters, the view of the turquoise water backed by the snow-capped mountain makes the effort disappear. Your guide walks you through why the Incas held this place sacred and gives you time to stand there and take it in. Then you descend the same way, return to Mollepata for a hot lunch (vegetarian options available), and ride back to Cusco, arriving near Plaza San Francisco around 6 pm.

The whole day runs about 14 hours door to door. You'll need moderate fitness (the altitude and the steep climb are real), and the early start means you're up before dawn. But you're not navigating the route yourself, you're not arranging the transport or the meals, and you're not standing in a queue at the trailhead. A bilingual guide handles the route and the story, and the small group size (up to eight on the small group option, or up to 18 on the standard tour) keeps the experience intimate instead of industrial.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Cusco between 3:30 and 4:00 am.
• private transportation to and from Mollepata and Soraypampa.
• breakfast and lunch with vegetarian options.
• entrance fees for the Salkantay and Humantay areas.
• a walking stick for the trek.
• and a bilingual guide in English and Spanish for the full day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish04:00

Guide in English or Spanish03:45

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 03:45 and 04:00

AgesAdult (6 to 70 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “In the middle of the Square by the water fountain. (Plaza El Regocijo, Kusipata)”

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Willka Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the small group option if you want the quietest experience and the most time to linger at the lake. The standard group works just as well if you're comfortable with up to 18 trekkers and want to keep the cost lower. Either way, the early 3:30 am start is what keeps this trek uncrowded. You're on the mountain while the big tour groups are still in Cusco, so the lake and the views belong to your group alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the hike to Humantay Lake actually like?

The trek climbs steeply from Soraypampa at 3,900 meters to the lake at 4,200 meters, taking about 90 minutes uphill. The altitude is real and the slope is unrelenting, but the trail is straightforward and the guide controls the pace. If the climb becomes too hard, you can ride a horse for part or all of the way up.

How early do I have to wake up?

Your driver picks you up between 3:30 and 4:00 am from your Cusco hotel. The early start is what gets you to the lake before the larger groups arrive, so the tradeoff is an early morning for a quieter experience.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup in Cusco, all transportation by private vehicle, breakfast and lunch (both with vegetarian options), entrance fees for the Salkantay and Humantay areas, a walking stick, and a bilingual guide for the full day are all included. You choose between a small group capped at eight people or a standard group up to 18.

When do I get back to Cusco?

The day ends around 6 pm, with drop-off near Plaza San Francisco in the historic center. The full day is about 14 hours from pickup to return.

Do I need to be very fit to do this trek?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The altitude and the steep climb are genuine challenges, and the trek is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries. The option to ride a horse up the final stretch helps if the climb gets too difficult.

What's the difference between the small group and the standard group option?

Both options follow the same route, timing and inclusions. The small group caps at eight people for a more intimate experience, while the standard group goes up to 18. The early departure and bilingual guide apply to both.