Contacta con un asesor

Hola! Haz clic en uno de nuestros usuarios de abajo para chatear por whatsapp

Jenipher - Asesora de viajes
jenipher
+51 982934132
Benjamin Poma - Asesor de viajes
Benjamin Poma
+51 936 078 461
English English
Español Español ES English English EN
English English
Español Español ES English English EN
Laguna-Humantay
Full Day

Humantay Lake

De 10 a 19 personas Group size
4200 m / 13,780 pies Maximum altitude
Moderate Difficulty level

The Humantay Lake Tour is one of the most popular adventure excursions in the Cusco region. This stunning turquoise lake lies at the foot of the majestic Humantay Glacier, surrounded by spectacular Andean landscapes and snow-capped mountains.During this full-day experience, you will travel from Cusco to Soraypampa, the starting point of a scenic hike leading to the beautiful lake located at approximately 4200 m / 13,780 ft. Along the way, visitors enjoy breathtaking mountain views and pristine natural scenery.With a moderate difficulty level, the Humantay Lake Tour is perfect for travelers seeking adventure, nature, and one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Peruvian Andes.

Day 1
Cusco → Mollepata → Soraypampa → Humantay Lake → Soraypampa → Mollepata → Cusco

Important:
We recommend spending at least two days acclimatizing in Cusco before taking this tour due to the high altitude.

GROUP SERVICE: It refers that you will do the tour with a group of tourists between 10 to 14 people.

PRIVATE SERVICE: It is exclusive and only you will do the tour, there will be no other tourists in the group.

Humantay Lake, stop by stop

From Cusco to Mollepata and Soraypampa, where the climb to the lake begins.

CuscoReference photoReference photoHumantay Lake1234N
  1. 1
    CuscoDeparture from the city
  2. 2
    MollepataBreakfast and lunch
  3. 3
    SoraypampaStart of the hike
  4. 4
    Humantay LakeLake below the snow-covered mountain

Reference road to Soraypampa

Orientation map. The last marker locates the destination. Confirm access for your departure.

© OpenStreetMap · FOSSGIS / OSRM

6 Reasons to Book Your Tours with Machupicchu Luna Tours

Professional Experience and In-Depth Local Expertise

Machupicchu Luna Tours was founded and is led by licensed tourism professionals with over 15 years of experience in Cusco and Southern Peru. Our deep knowledge of Inca history, Andean geography, and mountain logistics enables us to design realistic, optimized itineraries—ensuring you make the most of every moment with the backing of genuine regional experts.

Comprehensive Safety and High-Altitude Logistics

Exploring destinations above 4,000 and 5,000 meters (13,000–16,000+ ft)—such as Rainbow Mountain, the Ausangate Glaciers, or Salinas Lagoon—demands operational responsibility. All our tours feature authorized tourist vehicles, certified professional guides, first-aid kits, and emergency oxygen tanks to safeguard your health and peace of mind throughout your journey.

Outstanding Reputation and 4.9/5-Star Traveler Rating

Backed by a proven track record, we proudly maintain an exceptional 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Google, TripAdvisor, and major travel platforms—reflecting genuine satisfaction from hundreds of global travelers. Review after review, our guests highlight our punctual pickups, warm personalized service, highly skilled bilingual guides, and seamless itinerary execution. Choosing Machupicchu Luna Tours means traveling with total peace of mind alongside a fully licensed, top-rated agency.

Diverse Range of Classic Routes and Adventure Tours

We offer a versatile tour catalog tailored to every traveler style. From iconic visits to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to adrenaline-fueled circuits including ATV quad biking, Skybike, Via Ferrata, countryside horseback riding, and private outdoor picnics, our experiences cater to both those seeking gentle altitude acclimatization and thrill-seekers alike.

Guaranteed Transparency and Personalized Attention

We maintain clear, honest, and direct communication from your initial inquiry to the completion of your journey. We provide detailed itineraries, official receipt documentation, clear policies, and 24/7 on-the-ground support—ensuring you feel fully guided before, during, and after every excursion.

Commitment to Local Development and Sustainable Tourism

By booking directly with a licensed Cusco-based agency, your journey directly benefits local communities. We work ethically and collaboratively with native guides, horse handlers, drivers, and community-led initiatives—actively contributing to the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage through responsible tourism practices.

Traveller reviews

Overall experience with the agency

Jose C praised the punctuality, organisation and service throughout his trip with Machupicchu Luna Tours.

Read the original review on Tripadvisor · Read more reviews of the agency

ItineraryRouteInclusionsIncludesBefore TravelingTipsPacking ListGearFAQFAQ

Itinerary

Día01

Cusco to Humantay Lake

Early morning pickup. We collect you from your hotel in Cusco. Confirm the pickup time for your date.

Breakfast in Mollepata. We stop at a local restaurant before continuing by vehicle to Soraypampa.

Hike from Soraypampa. The ascent takes around two and a half hours according to the tour schedule. The pace depends on the group. At the lake there is time to see the landscape and take photos.

Descent and buffet lunch. We return on foot to Soraypampa and continue by vehicle to Mollepata for lunch.

Evening return. We arrive in Cusco at around 6:30–7:00 p.m. and drop you off near the Main Square.

Places to visit

Mollepata
Soraypampa
Humantay Lake
Humantay Glacier

Day details

Breakfast and LunchMeals
ModerateDifficulty
2.5 Hours UphillHiking Time
1.5 Hours DownhillHiking Time
4,200 m / 13,780 ftAltitude

Inclusions

INCLUDED:

  • Pick up from you hotel.
  • Round trip transportation.
  • Breakfast.
  • 1 Buffet lunch.
  • Professional Tour Guide.
  • First Aid kit and Oxygen bottle

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Entrance fee (20 soles).
  • Horseback ride (90 soles)

Before Traveling

WHAT NEED TO BRING:

  • Small backpack.
  • Hike shoes.
  • Warm clothes and gloves.
  • Sunprotect and Sunglasses.
  • Raincoats (from November to May).

Packing List

Essential

MedicationsMedications
Extra moneyExtra money
Water bottleWater bottle
SunscreenSunscreen
Insect repellentInsect repellent

Clothing

Thermal jacketThermal jacket
Trekking pantsTrekking pants
Rain ponchoRain poncho
Hiking bootsHiking boots
Wool hatWool hat
Long sleeve shirtsLong sleeve shirts
Sun hatSun hat
Rain jacketRain jacket
GlovesGloves
ScarfScarf
UV sunglassesUV sunglasses

Equipment

Day backpackDay backpack
Trekking polesTrekking poles

Recommended

Snacks / energy barsSnacks / energy bars
Power bankPower bank
CameraCamera

Frequently Asked Questions

While Vinicunca is mostly a flat route with a final uphill section, Humantay is a continuous and uninterrupted climb with a steep incline from the very beginning. It is a shorter hike in terms of distance (approximately 3 km uphill), but it is more demanding vertically, with rocky terrain and glacial moraine.
The turquoise color is caused by sunlight refracting through dissolved minerals and glacial flour released by the melting Humantay glacier. Under direct midday sunlight, the turquoise color becomes more vivid; during the early morning or when the lake is in the shade, the water takes on a deep emerald-green tone.
Humantay Lake is a direct water source for local communities in the Mollepata basin and a fragile high-mountain ecosystem. Contact with sunscreen, insect repellent, or body chemicals can alter the biological composition of the water and contaminate a water resource considered sacred in the area.
The horses available in Soraypampa are rented by local residents. However, they cannot go all the way to the rocky edge of the lake due to the risk of slipping on loose rocks. They leave visitors approximately 100 to 150 meters before the top, and this final distance must be completed on foot.
When starting the hike very early from Soraypampa (3,900 meters above sea level), the valley is covered by the shadow cast by the Vilcabamba and Salkantay mountain ranges. Temperatures are extremely cold until the sun rises above the snow-capped peaks in mid-morning, at which point the temperature increases rapidly and you may need to remove some layers of clothing.
The descent is the stage when most slips and ankle injuries occur due to loose gravel and dry soil. Trekking footwear with a mid-height shaft (to protect the ankles) and a pronounced lugged sole (such as Vibram or similar) is strongly recommended. Urban sneakers with smooth soles can be highly dangerous on this route.
Temperatures near or below 0°C around the glacier slow down the internal chemical reaction of lithium batteries, causing them to lose charge more quickly. Keeping your phone in an inner pocket close to your body heat can significantly extend battery life.
The bus journey from Cusco to Soraypampa includes a strategic stop in the town of Mollepata (2,803 meters above sea level). This breakfast break interrupts the rapid altitude gain, allowing your body to digest food at a lower elevation before climbing sharply to nearly 4,000 meters at the trekking starting point.
This beautiful tour is of moderate difficulty. The hike to Humantay Lake lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes uphill, but the stunning views make the effort worthwhile.
For shared services, our groups usually range from 14 to 18 people. If you choose a private service, you will not share the tour with other travelers, allowing for a more personalized experience.
The best months to visit Humantay Lake are from May to November, which is the dry and sunny season in Cusco and offers the best weather conditions for hiking and sightseeing.
No, we recommend taking this tour on your second or third day in Cusco. This allows your body enough time to acclimatize to the altitude and enjoy the experience more comfortably.
From US$34 / person
Free inquiry
Humantay Lake
Select date and passengers to check availability
1 When do you want to travel?
DLMMiJVS
2 How many people? (First select a date)
Pax
1
Estimated price US$34
US$34 x person
Book via WhatsApp

No upfront payment — we will contact you to confirm.

Payment methods

100% secure payment

Customer service
WhatsApp +51 982934132
Message on WhatsApp
Mon – Sun: 6am – 10pm
Verified reviews
TripAdvisor Machupicchu Luna Tours Read traveler reviews →

Related Tours