Humantay Lake is one of the most impressive natural phenomena in the Cusco Peru region, serving as a clear example of the unique landscapes that the country offers. This lake of glacial origin is formed directly from the melting of the Humantay Snowy Mountain, which belongs to the majestic Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
What distinguishes Humantay is the intensity of its turquoise or emerald coloring, a product of the minerals in the water, this characteristic, combined with the surrounding snowy peaks, creates a remarkable landscape, making it an essential destination for those looking to capture unique moments during their Cusco Vacation.
The visit to Humantay has established itself as a popular one-day challenge; also, its location makes it the first campsite and point of the renowned Salkantay trekking. This double function as a day trip and part of a multi-day challenge positions it as an icon among the treks and adventure in Peru. This guide explores the logistics, the climate, and the requirements to visit this impressive Andean body of water.
The height of the Humantay lagoon is reflected in its 4200 meters above sea level.
Humantay Lake is located in the province of Anta, inside the Cusco region. Specifically, it is situated in a valley on the eastern slope of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, an area that holds several important snowy peaks.
The land access point to start the hike is the village of Soraypampa, which is located at 3,900 meters above sea level. The lake itself is located at an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters above sea level; this location in the high mountains is the reason for its cold climate and the glacial source that gives it its unique color. Logistically, Humantay Lagoon is part of the first section of the famous Salkantay Trek.
Due to its location, the weather at Humantay Lake is typically cold and mountainous, characterized by a clear seasonal division that influences the visitor's experience.
Regardless of the season, the closeness to the glaciers guarantees a cold environment. Guides often invite visitors to participate in a short ritual of thanks to the Pachamama (Mother Earth), recognizing the sacred and amazing nature of the surroundings.
Early in the morning we will embark you a journey of 2 and a half hours from the city of Cusco to the town of Mollepata, this time is enough to enjoy the Andean landscape and the warm valleys that bring so much harmony. In this town we can enjoy a breakfast, since you will return to the bus to travel to the community of Soraypampa.
Soraypampa is the town from which we will leave in the direction of the Humantay lagoon and the only thing to do is follow a one-way road, it should be said that there is no worry of getting lost since the end of this road is the Humantay lake Salkantay.
The Humantay lake Peru witnessed several events carried out by their own visitors such as requests for hand, payments to the land, ceremonies with Andean masters, throwing coins to create a wish and romantic postcards that are easily virilized in social networks thanks to the unique landscape of this place. For the return to Cusco we will take the same one-way route not without first enjoying a lunch with Novo Andean food as well as the organic products of the area.
The Laguna Humantay is at 4250m altitude and is actually a visual highlight. An extraordinarily beautiful glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks in the middle of the Andes. Even the two-hour hike up is a formative experience! This excursion is particularly suitable for those who unfortunately do not have the time (or strength) to go on trekking tours that last for days. And even if the picture of the Humantay Lake is now known on Instagram, you will have the impression that it wasn't as completely overcrowded as other destinations.
Tours to Humantay Lake always start very early. There are several reasons for this. On the one hand it takes up to 4 hours by minivan/minibus from Cusco to the starting point Soraypampa. It is a very bumpy route through narrow mountain switchbacks and you usually stop in a village to have breakfast in between. On the other hand, you want to be there as early as possible in order to be able to experience the splendor of your destination in peace and quiet. As a rough guide, here is the timing of our tour:
If you have enough time to visit Cusco Peru, we recommend you take the most popular treks to Machu Picchu. Incidentally, a popular alternative hiking route to the Inca Trail with the destination Machu Picchu is the famous Salkantay Trek, which also starts in Soraypampa.
Day 01: Cusco - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake
Day 02: Soraypampa - Salkantay Mountain - Chaullay.
Day 03: Chaullay - Lucmabamba
Day 04: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Inca Trail - Aguas Calientes village
Day 05:Machu Picchu
The second option is the Salkantay to Inca Trail tour, this trail is the most beautiful trek to Machu Picchu. In this tour is included the classic Inca Trail 4 days.
The common trek from Soraypampa (approx. 3800m above sea level) to Humantay Lake (approx. 4200m above sea level) can be classified as demanding. However, due to the distance of just over 4km, it is still an excellent start and test for harder or longer treks. With a 400 m difference in altitude over a distance of just 4.3km, the ascent is almost 10% steep. This is really enormous and absolutely not to be underestimated. You should have gotten used to the altitude beforehand, the feeling compared to Cusco does not make an exceptional difference.
The descent is generally much faster and noticeably easier to manage but is accompanied by a noticeably higher mechanical load on the joints. Whether during or afterward, it can be very painful. To prevent or at least minimize this, descend slowly and carefully and concentrate on the steps. In particular, running down quickly is not recommended!
All in all, it can be said that one should not be in completely bad physical condition when hiking to Humantay Lake. Otherwise, the trek is very manageable if you take the time you need (for yourself). There is also the option of being carried up on horseback. Both for sporting reasons and with regard to animal welfare.
The required equipment hardly differs from other comparable hiking tours. Nevertheless, here is a summary of the most important aspects and some special features:
Ideally, you should wear trekking shoes. Especially on this trek there is a lot of unpaved scree and sometimes you have to be very careful not to slip or twist your ankle. As I said, the incline is tough and encourages possible injuries. Therefore, value should be placed on a non-slip sole.
Provisions are essential! Even if the tour is said to be all-inclusive, it is not always accessible. Be sure to take enough water with you. Even if the backpack gets correspondingly heavier, we definitely recommend up to 2 liters per person to avoid dehydration during the day. Everyone reacts differently to exertion at altitude. Furthermore, small snacks such as nuts, bars or fruit can be used to recharge your batteries and to bridge the gap between the included meals. Here applies: Better too much than too little - for your strength and health.
And last but not least, the camera equipment you need should of course be at the start to capture and document the whole experience.
Peru is a country full of contrasts: coast, highlands, and jungle offer unique routes for those seeking adventure, history, and unforgettable landscapes. From cities full of heritage to amazing natural destinations, each region shows a different side of the country and leaves indelible memories. Get to know the best tours in Peru:
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and more
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
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