Humantay Lake Cusco: Full Day Hike & Turquoise Waters

A 2-Hour Climb to Turquoise Water at 14,000 Feet

You're picked up before dawn from your Cusco hotel and driven to the trailhead, where a native guide leads you on a steady 2-hour climb to Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters. Breakfast, lunch, and water are included, and you'll have time to rest at the lake before a traditional mountain ceremony and the descent back. The whole day takes about 10 hours door-to-door, and you return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike and explore Humantay Lake

• Pick up from hotel at 4:30 am
• Drive to Soraypampa
• Have breakfast with mountain views
• Hike 2 hours uphill to Humantay Lake
• Explore and relax at the lake
• Tour guide performs ancient ceremony
• Descend back to Soraypampa

The experience

Hands grip the straps of a backpack, boots find the trail in the dark. It's 4:30 in the morning when the pickup arrives at your Cusco hotel, and the drive toward Soraypampa takes you out of the city before the light changes. By the time you reach the trailhead, the Salkantay and Humantay peaks are already visible against the sky, and you're standing at the start of a 2-hour uphill walk to Humantay Lake. The altitude here is real (4,200 meters, or just over 13,700 feet), so the pace is steady and deliberate, not rushed. Your guide is a native Quechua speaker trained to read the mountain and the weather, and they'll point out the native birds and wildflowers that appear as you climb, things you'd miss if you were alone.

The lake itself sits at the base of a glacier, and the water is the kind of turquoise that doesn't look real until you're standing in front of it. The reflection of the sky on the surface is so clear it's disorienting. You can't quite tell where the water ends and the air begins. Once you arrive, there's no rush. You have time to walk the shoreline, sit on the rocks, or just stand there. Some people meditate. Others eat the snack your guide brought. Before the descent, your guide performs a traditional ceremony, an offering to the mountain gods that's been done this way for centuries. It's not theatrical. It's quiet, and it happens whether you're watching or not.

The full day trip to Humantay Lake from Cusco includes hotel pickup in the early morning, a buffet breakfast at Soraypampa overlooking the peaks, the 2-hour hike up, time at the lake itself, and a packed lunch before the walk back down. Water is provided throughout, and the group stays small: small enough that your guide knows your name and can adjust the pace if someone needs to rest. The descent takes about 90 minutes, and you're back at your hotel by late afternoon. If you've never hiked at this altitude before, the climb is noticeable but not impossible. The guide will tell you to breathe slowly and let your body adjust.

Book at least a day or two ahead so the operator can confirm your dietary needs (vegetarian options are available), and have your passport details ready. The hike works best if you've spent a night or two in Cusco already, giving your body time to acclimate to the elevation. Wear layers. The morning is cold, the midday sun is strong, and the wind picks up as you descend.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and return transport, a buffet breakfast at Soraypampa with views of Salkantay and Humantay peaks, a 2-hour guided hike to Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters, a packed snack and lunch at the lake, water throughout the day, admission to the lake, and a traditional mountain ceremony performed by your native guide before descent.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:30

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

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 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by TreXperience

Is this one for you?A full-day escape from Cusco that removes the logistics of arranging transport, hiring a guide, and timing the hike yourself: the early pickup and fixed itinerary mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is handled, leaving you to focus on the climb and the view.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

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 time do I need to be ready for pickup?

Hotel pickup is at 4:30 am. Breakfast happens at the trailhead around sunrise.

How difficult is the hike to Humantay Lake?

It's a 2-hour uphill walk at 4,200 meters elevation. A moderate level of fitness helps. The altitude is the main factor, not the steepness.

Is the lake accessible for people with altitude sensitivity?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. If you're unsure, spend 2–3 days in Cusco first to acclimate.

What meals are included?

Buffet breakfast at Soraypampa, a snack during the hike, and lunch before the descent. Water is provided throughout. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and return, breakfast, lunch, snack, water, admission to the lake, roundtrip transport, and a live guide commentary in English.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring layers, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera. The operator provides water and food. Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes with good grip.

How long is the full day?

About 10 hours total, from pickup at 4:30 am to return to your hotel in the late afternoon.