The Humantay Lagoon is a place that impresses with its vastness, shapes, and colors in the landscape, making it one of the must-see tourist destinations in the heart of Peru. The Humantay Lagoon is a natural beauty tour in the Salkantay region of Cusco. It is believed that the lagoon holds the sacred waters of Apu Humantay, which irrigate the fields in the area. The Humantay Lagoon is highly respected by the locals due to its location and significant importance for the subsistence economy of the inhabitants.
Restrictions: This tour is not recommended for people with back or respiratory issues, heart complaints, or other serious ailments. It is not recommended for pregnant women, children under 10 years old, or individuals over 75 years old.
Itinerary
Day 1: Humantay Lake Tour in Cusco
On this day, we will pick you up between 4:30 and 4:45 a.m. from your hotel to start the tour, taking you to the town of Mollepata, in the lush valley of the Apurímac River. After a well-deserved breakfast to fill us with energy, we will continue our journey to Soraypampa (3900 m.a.s.l.), and after a brief rest, we will begin our hike to Humantay Lagoon, located at 4200 meters (13,779 feet).
After an ascent of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, we will witness the wonderful view and have some free time to take photographs. Then we will return to our camp for lunch, with a spectacular panoramic view surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and later we will be transported back to the city of Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Schedule:
- 05:00 – 08:40 Journey from Cusco to Mollepata
- 08:40 – 09:30 Breakfast in Mollepata
- 09:30 – 11:00 Hike to Humantay Lagoon
- 12:30 – 14:00 Return hike to Soraypampa
- 14:00 – 15:00 Lunch in Soraypampa
- 15:00 – 18:00 Journey from Soraypampa to Cusco
Inclusions
Included:
- Pickup from your hotel. Hotel pickups begin at 4:30am for group tours. For private tours to the Humantay Lake, the pickup time can be arranged.
- Bilingual professional guide (Spanish and English). In group tours, the tour is conducted in Spanish and English, one after the other. In private tours, you can choose to have the tour in Spanish, English, or Portuguese.
- Transport Cusco-Mollepata / Soraypampa-Mollepata-Cusco
- First aid kit and oxygen balloon
- Trekking poles
- Buffet breakfast and lunch. We will enjoy breakfast in Kusipata at the beginning of the tour and a buffet meal at the end of the tour.
- For the breakfast, the following will be offered: Andean bread (pan chuta), pancakes, fruit salad (chopped watermelon and papaya), jam and butter, 2 varieties of cereals (granola and crispy rice), 2 types of yogurt (strawberry or vanilla), and scrambled eggs. You have the opportunity to serve yourself from thermoses of coffee, hot chocolate, and muña tea. Sometimes juice and salad are also served.
- For the lunch, you can serve yourself spaghetti, white meat (fried chicken, tenderloin, beef stew, trout chicharrón), red meat (lamb stew, beef tenderloin, pork chicharrón), quinoa chaufa, lentils, Andean potatoes, as well as white rice or Peruvian-style vegetable rice (arroz a la jardinera). For lunch, there are also 2 varieties of salads: cooked (carrot, broccoli) and raw (lettuce, cucumber, tomato), excellent vegetarian options. If you want soup, you can have quinoa soup. For dessert, you can try mazamorra morada or arroz con leche (both are among the most popular Peruvian desserts), gelatin (jell-o), or peach stew. Hot beverages include muña tea, coca tea, and coffee.
In private tours, breakfast and lunch are provided at higher-category restaurants, offering greater gastronomic variety.
Not Included:
- Horse. You can rent a horse to ease the hike:
- S/. 80.00 Soles – Price for round trip. Maximum capacity 75 kilos. Rented at the beginning of the hiking circuit.
- Entrance ticket for Peruvians to the town of Mollepata and the Humantay Lagoon
- S/. 10.00 Soles. Can be paid at the entrance.
- Entrance ticket for foreigners to the town of Mollepata and the Humantay Lake
- S/. 20.00 Soles. Can be paid at the entrance.
To purchase the tickets, you must bring Peruvian Soles in cash.
- Drinks and snacks
- Drinks are not included with lunch.
- Dinner.
Recommmendations
- Oxyshot, in case you need it to adapt to the lack of oxygen.
- Good hiking shoes (trekking).
- 1 liter of water.
- Camera.
- Sweater and gloves for the cold.
- Raincoat or poncho.
- Sportswear.
- Hat or cap.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Standard backpack.
It is crucial to carry cash (in Soles) to purchase tickets and to rent a horse if you wish.
Faqs
HUMANTAY LAGOON
The history of Laguna Humantay gives rise to an Andean legend, where 2 brothers named Salkantay and Ausangate. According to legend, both brothers decided to travel to unknown lands to get food and end the famine of their people.
Ausangate traveled to the south, where he found food and sent to Cusco, while Salkantay went north where he had a better destiny, he found food that he sent to Cusco and also love in the goddess Veronica. However, this romance did not have a happy ending since the 2 brothers had to return to the city of Cusco to stop the drought that hit their town and for that reason they became Nevados again.
The sadness and crying of the Apu Salkantay gave rise to the beautiful Laguna de Humantay with turquoise waters, surrounded by beautiful mountains and snow-capped peaks.
The Humantay Lagoon today is a famous natural wonder with crystal clear turquoise waters and a true mirror of water, where you can connect with nature and observe different beautiful landscapes enjoying the flora and fauna. Surrounded by imposing glaciers that are part of the Andes Mountains and will make you feel a sense of peace and tranquility thanks to its natural beauty that you will witness.
