In a city like Cusco, we sometimes get the feeling of not having had enough time to know the most important places and even less unique and not very popular places which leaves us with the desire to stay and return to the mind. Cusco is an incredible destination, where there is so much to see and know, it is common that places of great interest are ignored by most visitors.
And this is how the thousand-year-old city of Cusco once again surprises us by presenting a new alternative for travelers who wish to enjoy nature, landscape in a place at the foot of a snow-covered mountain above 4,200 m.s.
Humantay Lake is located in the province of Anta, area of Cusco that in recent months has been presenting other interesting places.
In this unique place in the district of Mollepata (Anta), the snowy Humantay creates a surreal scenario thanks to the thaw, the only access is walking (this corresponds to the Salkantay trek) and in which you can practice incredible activities (in its surroundings).
This jewel is sheltered by the mountains of Salkantay and Humantay, at 4,300 m.s. The Humantay Lake is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range in southern Peru.
As part of the route to the Salkantay mountain, you can access walking or mountain biking, as well as lending itself to some other camping activities.
With a mystical air, the lagoon is visited by shamans and tourists from all over the world to leave offerings to the Pachamama, deity that represents mother Earth in the Inca culture.
Through the placement of stones, an offering is offered to the Pachamama thanking him for having successfully arrived at the lagoon, as well as asking him to accompany us on our journey.
The Humantay Lake Salkantay is a place that impacts with its immensity, traces and colors in the landscape, which make it one of the unmissable tourist destinations in the bowels of Peru.
What is Lake Humantay?
Lake Humantay is one of the most amazing natural wonders of Peru. It is a lake made by a glacier located in the Andes mountains, in the Cusco region, on the route of the famous Salkantay Trek. The Salkantay Trek is another way to get to Machu Picchu instead of the Inca Trail. Its bright blue waters, surrounded by big snowy mountains, have made this lake a popular place for travelers.
Besides its amazing beauty, Lake Humantay has a deep spiritual meaning for the local people. In the Andean view of the world, this lake is seen as an Apu, which means a protecting spirit of the mountains. It is believed to have energy and magical powers, so many visitors make offerings to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) to show respect and thanks.
What does "Humantay" mean?
The name "Humantay" comes from Quechua, the old language of the Incas. Even though there is no single exact translation, it is thought that "Humantay" might come from two words:
- "Huma", which could be related to "head" or "spirit".
- "Tay", which could refer to "father" or "protector".
So, Humantay can be understood as "Sacred Head" or "Protecting Mountain", pointing to its importance in the Andean culture and its close link to the Salkantay snow-capped mountain, which is seen as one of the most powerful Apus (mountain spirits) in the Andes.
How to get to Humantay Lagoon
Humantay Lagoon is in the Anta province, within the Cusco department. Getting there needs a road trip and then a walk of several kilometers uphill. There are two ways you can choose to get to this place:
On Your Own
If you like to travel by yourself and enjoy adventure at your own speed, you can get to lake Humantay by following these steps:
- Travel from Cusco to Mollepata: From the city of Cusco, you need to take a bus or minivan towards Mollepata, a small town about 100 km away (about 2 hours of travel). Minivans and buses leave from the Arcopata terminal, and the cost is between 15 and 25 soles per person. You can also rent a private car or take a taxi, although this can be more expensive.
- Trip from Mollepata to Soraypampa: Once in Mollepata, you will need to take another ride (taxi or bus) to Soraypampa, the starting point for the hike (this trip takes about 1 and a half hours). In Soraypampa there is a checkpoint where you pay the entrance fee to the lagoon.
- Hike to Humantay Lagoon: The hike to the lagoon starts from Soraypampa. The route is about 2 km, but due to the altitude and the steepness of the path, the climb can take between 1 and a half to 2 hours. If you prefer to avoid the effort, you can rent a horse for about 80 to 100 soles to go up to a certain point on the path.
Recommendation: If you decide to travel on your own, be sure to leave Cusco early (between 3 and 4 a.m.) to make the most of the day and avoid crowds.
With a Tour Operator
The most comfortable and popular way to visit Humantay Lake Peru is by hiring an organized tour from Cusco. These tours usually include transportation, a guide, and meals, which makes the experience much easier.
Typical Tour Itinerary
- Hotel pickup: Usually between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m.
- Travel to Mollepata: Stop for breakfast at a local restaurant.
- Trip to Soraypampa: From Mollepata, you take transportation to the base of the hike.
- Hike to the lagoon: Climb with a tour guide, with time for photos and rest.
- Return to Cusco: After the descent, there is a stop for lunch and finally you return to Cusco, arriving between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Recommendation: If you don't want to worry about the travel plans and prefer a guided experience, a tour is the best option. In addition, the guides often share stories and interesting facts about the lagoon and Andean culture.
About the Humantay Lake tour
Initially the visits to the Humantay Lake were on the part of the travelers that made the Salkantay Trek, however for some weeks in Machu Picchu Peru Tours we have been doing direct excursions to this fantastic place.
The first section is two and a half hours, in a small bu, to the town of Mollepata, at 2,900 meters high, a little lower than Cusco.
Place where we have breakfast and make the last appointments before starting the trekking.
After a well-deserved breakfast to fill us with energy we will continue our trip to Soraypampa (3900msnm) after a short break, we will begin our trek to Humantay Lake Salkantay located at 4200mt 13779 feet, after the ascent of 1 hour and 30 min approximately we will be able to appreciate such a wonderful place and we will return to our camp to have our lunch with beautiful panoramic views of the snowy peaks and later return to the city of Cusco.
Where does the walk to Humantay Lagoon start?
The walk to Laguna Humantay Peru starts in Soraypampa, a campsite located 3,900 meters above sea level. This place is the starting point for people visiting the lagoon in just one day and for those doing the famous Salkantay Trek on their way to Machu Picchu.
Also, Soraypampa is a small area with some simple cabins and places to stay that are used as a base for travelers. Here you will also find a parking area, bathrooms, and some small shops where you can buy water, snacks, and other basic things before starting the walk.
From this point, the climb to Humantay Lagoon takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how fast you walk and how well you handle the high altitude.
How hard is the walk?
The difficulty level of the walk to Lake Humantay Peru is medium to hard, mainly because of the high altitude and the steepness of the ground. Even though the distance is only 2 kilometers, the climb can be tough for people who are not used to the height.
Things that make it harder:
- Altitude: The walk starts at 3,900 meters above sea level in Soraypampa and goes up to 4,200 meters above sea level at the lake. At this height, there is less air, which can make you tired and give you altitude sickness.
- Steep slope: The path is very uphill, with some parts that are quite steep and need physical effort. The last part of the way is the hardest, because the path gets steeper and has more rocks.
- Ground conditions: The path is mostly dirt and loose stones, so it's good to wear good hiking shoes. Also, depending on the time of year, the path can be wet or slippery, especially when it rains a lot.
- Walking time: Going up takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on how fit you are. Going down is usually faster (about 1 hour), but you have to be careful with the loose stones.
Tips to Make the Walk Easier:
- Get used to the height first: Spend at least one or two days in Cusco before the walk to get used to the high place.
- Drink lots of water: Drinking water all the time helps to stop altitude sickness.
- Take it easy: Walk at a steady pace, without rushing, to feel less tired.
- Wear the right clothes: It's cold in the morning, but it gets hotter when you go up; wearing layers of clothes is important.
- Rent a horse (if needed): There are horses you can use if you don't want to walk uphill (but they don't go all the way to the top).
How Much Does it Cost to Enter Humantay Lake?
To get to Humantay Lake, you need to pay an entrance fee at the checkpoint in Soraypampa. The prices are:
- National tourists | 10 soles
- Foreign tourists | 20 soles
- Local people | 5 soles
Fun fact: The entrance fees help to protect the area's nature and pay for keeping the path in good shape, as many people walk there every day. Also, it's a good idea to bring cash in Peruvian soles, because there are no ATMs in the area and they don't take card payments.
What to Do at Lake Humantay?
Even though the main thing people like is the beautiful view of the lake and the mountains around it, there are some things you can enjoy in this amazing place:
- Take pictures and enjoy the view: The wide view of the place is amazing. It shows the lake with bright blue water, surrounded by snowy mountains, making a picture that looks like a postcard.
- Make an offering to the Pachamama: The lake is seen as holy by the people of the Andes. Many travelers and guides do thank-you ceremonies for the Pachamama (Mother Earth), putting small towers of stones called "apachetas" as a sign of respect and thanks.
- Explore the area around: If you have energy and more time, you can go up to the higher viewpoints to get an awesome wide view of the lake and the Salkantay snow-covered mountain.
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What to Bring for the Tour to Humantay Lagoon?
Because the walk is hard and the high place can affect your body, it's very important to bring what you need to have a comfortable and safe time. Here is a list of the most important things:
Essential Items
- Warm clothes in layers: The temperature changes a lot, so you can choose to bring a warm jacket, a windbreaker, and a light shirt for when you get warm during the walk.
- Trekking shoes: The path is steep and can be slippery, so it's a good idea to wear hiking boots or shoes with good grip.
- Hat, gloves, and scarf: It's cold in the mornings, especially in the high area.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: At this high place, the sun is stronger and can burn your skin easily.
- Trekking poles (optional): They help to reduce stress on your knees and to keep your balance.
Food and Drinks:
- Water (at least 1 liter): It's important to stay hydrated to avoid altitude sickness.
- Energy snacks: Fruits, cereal bars, chocolates, or dried fruits will give you energy during the walk.
Other Useful Items:
- Coca leaves or candies: They help to ease the effects of altitude sickness.
- Personal medications: If you take any medicine, bring it with you. It's also a good idea to bring pills for altitude sickness (talk to a doctor before using them).
- Cash money: To pay for the entrance, buy snacks, or rent a horse if needed.
An offer to the Pachamama
When arriving at the Humantay Lake Salkantay you will be able to observe several offerings or apachetas.
The apachetas are the mounds that are seen in the Andes, one stone on top of another. They can be small, or very large mounds.
The offering consists in choosing a stone before starting the path. Make an order to the pachamama. Contemplating the Humantay Lake and when you reach your destination, leave it at some point along with three coca leaves.
Add a Spiritual Experience
You will hear many locals refer to the mountains throughout the Andes as “apus.” Apu in Quechua literally means “lord.” The Incas used the term to refer to the god-like spirits that inhabited the towering mountains of their territory and often made offerings to appease them. To this day, local Andean people will make offerings to the apus, usually of coca leaves.
To make your own offering to the apus and gain favor for the rest of your trip, be sure to bring some coca leaves with you on the hike. Once at the lake, make a small hole in the ground.
Choose several coca leaves that are in the best condition and place them in the hole. Next, find a few flat rocks nearby and build a little tower, or hito de piedra, over the leaves.
When is the best time to hike to Humantay Lake?
The best season is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
Other Hiking Tours near Humantay Lake
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days
- 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 3 Day Inca Trail
- Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu 6 days
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
- Ausangate trek 7 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
