Day Trip to Humantay Lake

Last Updated on July 21, 2023 by James Bustamante

There are several places we can visit in a single day that is near Cusco, Humantay lake is one of these places. The Humantay lake boasts emerald colored waters that are surrounded by an impressive Andean glacier.

Where is Humantay Lake?

We can find Humantay lake at a distance of 120 kilometers (72 miles) from the city of Cusco pressed between the Humantay mountain and on the other side the Salkantay peak. The total drive time will be around  3 hours each way and will take us through pristine Andean landscapes to admire. 

Travelers Notes: The closest village to the Humantay lake is called Soraypampa. In case you forgot to get something in Cusco before the hike to the lake this is a great place to stop and buy what you need. 

Day Trip to Humantay Lake Itinerary

4:30 am Pick up at Cusco Hotel

The Day trip to Humantay lake begins very early in the day. Our driver and guide will come to pick you up at your Cusco hotel. Don’t worry about having an early breakfast since we will be stopping at Soraypampa village or a snack before the hike to Humantay lake.

7:30 am Breakfast at Soraypampa Village

Soraypampa is located at the base of the trail that leads to the lake, we will stop here for around 1 hour in total to have breakfast.

Travelers Tip: Make sure to have a light breakfast at Soraypampa. We will be hiking up the mountain pass and eventually reach an elevation of 4,200 meters (13,779 feet).

8:30 am Begin Ascent to Humantay Lake

We begin our ascent to the lake after breakfast. The total walk time will vary on the travelers’ physical level but on average it will be 1.5 to 2 hours of walking up and through the mountain pass.

The total height at this point is 3,850 meters (12,000 feet)  above sea level and we will increase in elevation during the hiking path.

10:30 am Arrival at Humantay Lake

Next on this Day trip to Humantay Lake is the arrival. After 2 hours of hiking through the mountain pass, we reached an elevation of 4,200 meters (13,779 feet)  above sea level.

Upon arrival on this day tour, you will see the emerald colored lake as well as the massive glacier and mountains that surround it. You may begin exploring your surroundings but be extra careful since the lake will be extremely cold due to the glacier. 

11:30 am Descent to Soraypampa Village

After a few hours of exploring the lake and possibly taking a dip in the Andean waters, we begin our descent back to the Soraypampa campsite.

1:30 pm Lunch Break

We arrive back at Soraypampa by 1 in the afternoon and proceed to have lunch at the campsite.

At this point, if you are feeling well physically make sure to have a nice meal to replenish all the calories burned during this high altitude day trip to the lake.

2:30 pm Return Drive to Cusco

After lunch, we gather our gear and head back to the transport vehicle for the drive back to the city of Cusco.

5:30 pm Arrival at Cusco

We return to Cusco at 5:30 pm and will drop you off at your hotel. End of Services

Travelers Tips: Humantay lake is located at a very high elevation and it can be quite the challenge to get through the hiking portion to actually reach the lake.

Make sure you are properly acclimated before attempting this day trip. We recommend that you include this hike towards the end of your itinerary or at least wait 2-3 days to acclimate before attempting it.

Activities at Humantay Lake

Once at the lake there are a few activities you can take part in. The lake (or lagoon) is a special location to the local people and they believe it emits good energy to anyone that bathes in it or makes offerings to it.

Pachamama Offering

One of the more popular activities tends to be the Pachamama (Quechua for Mother Earth) offerings. This consists of a quick ritual and offering times such as coca leaves near the Humantay lake.

Hito de Piedras

You can of course, simply walk around the lake to get a view of the entire area. This is also a good idea in case you are here to take pictures of Humntay and the surrounding landscapes.

Swim in Humantay Lake

Well, here we are, at one of the most secluded lakes (lagoon) in the world and the wide-open opportunity to take a dip.

If you are brave enough to take on the glacial temperatures on the blue water by all means give it a go.

Just as a reminder that if you plan on doing this be sure to bring a change of clothes with you and a towel.

There is a belief among the local people that if you are adventurous enough to enter Humantay lake for a quick dip you will have good luck.

Humantay Lake Via The Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu will give you direct access to the Humantay lake. It simply depends on the route taken by the Machu Picchu hiking group. 

Since there are a couple of paths that can be taken you will just need to ask the travel adviser if a particular trek is scheduled to also go to the lake, this way you would not have to pay for a separate tour.

Why is Humantay Lake an Emerald Color?

This lake (or lagoon) is a build-up of the water coming down from the massive glacier up above. There are vast amounts of minerals allocated within the glacier that release as the ice melts.

The result is water and therefore a lake with rich emerald color. This is not exclusive to the Humantay lake, there are several bodies of water all around Peru that have a similar situation.

All around the highlands, you will find lakes with emerald blues, crystal-like grees and several shades in between.

Horseback Riding to Humantay Lake

In case you were not feeling up to the challenge of the day trip to Humantay lake hike you can always rent a horse or part of the trek.

Depending on availability, you may rent a horse in Soraypampa village near the base camp. This will get you through most of the hike but definitely not to the lake.

During the last leg before arriving at the lake the terrain changes quite a bit and it can be difficult (or impossible) for the horse to continue on.

At this point, the hills are much too steep and the ground has an uneven feel to it. At this point, you will have to get off the horse and walk the rest of the way. The path the horse leaves you on will be different from the traditional hiking path, it is still quite challenging so take it easy on this last part.

Conclusion

The day trip to Humantay lake can be a challenging experience but the reward is well worth it. You get to visit one of the most secluded and visually stunning lakes in the entire world.

Remember you can add the Humantay lake to your Machu Picchu travel package at any time. We recommend you do this hike after you’ve had at least 2 days to acclimate to the elevation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Humantay Lake