Hiking Humantay Lake in Peru
As soon as I decided to visit Peru, I knew I had to add Humantay Lake to my itinerary. I had seen pictures of this beautiful spot, and they always captivated my attention.
Humantay Lake did not disappoint! It’s a must-visit place in Peru. I would say it’s my favorite spot in Cusco, but the truth is I fell equally in love with all the hikes I did in Peru. Rainbow Mountain, Lake Humantay, Machu Picchu, and Lagos Ausangates were all hikes I would love to repeat.
If you love hiking, mountains, and lakes, hiking Humantay Lake will be the perfect spot for you to visit in Peru!
Hiking Humantay Lake in Peru
Table of Contents
Information about Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake is a glacier mountain near Cusco, Peru. It has crystal clear waters that come from the melting glaciers. It’s well known for its beautiful lake with bright blue, green, and yellow hues.
The lake gets the colors from the green microalgae and minerals in the soil. It is one of the most spectacular landscapes I’ve seen.
- Humantay Lake is at the foot of Humantay Glacier
- It is 120km from Cusco
- Humantay Lake starts at 3800 meters of elevation and reaches over 4200m
- The distance to Humantay Lake is about 7km from the trailhead
- It’s only steep for a short part, but the altitude makes it difficult
Where is Humantay Lake?
Humantay Lake is in the Vilcabamba mountain range of the Peruvian Andes. It sits North West of Cusco City, in the province of Anta, Mollepata district.
What does Humantay Mean?
The word Humantay means “The Head of the Gods.” For many people, this mountain landscape is a religious experience. Local people and shamans visit the lake to make offerings to Pachamama. Pachamama is the deity that represents mother Earth and plays an important role in the Inca culture.
How to Get to Humantay Lake
There are two main ways to get to Humantay Lake. One option is to do the 4-5 days Salkantay trek that takes you to Machu Picchu. One of the stops along the way is the lake. If you are in Peru to do this multi-day trek, this is a great option. However, you can still enjoy the views of Humantay Lake on a much easier hike.
You can take a day trip from Cusco through a tour company. Prices vary depending on the experience you are looking for. Tour companies pick you up early and take you to the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, you do the hike. The tour includes stops for breakfast and lunch too.
Picking a Tour Company
Depending on your flexibility and personality, you can choose to book ahead of time or upon arrival. It is much cheaper to arrive in Cusco and walk around the city center and talk to a few tour agencies to find who gives you the best deal. There are many options available, and you will find one that fits your needs.
My friend and I went with Machu Picchu Sol and had a great experience with them. I’m usually the type of person who prefers to visit places on my own, but in Peru, going on Tours is the easiest way to arrive at these mountain ranges. Everything is organized, and it includes food and transportation. The price can be 70 soles. (We got a discounted rate for booking 4 tours with them).
As you may know, using a tour means set pick-up times, lunchtimes, and the amount of time spent at each spot the tour stops at. There are also more people in your group which could be good or bad depending on your taste. As a solo traveler, this is a great way to make friends. I went with my friend to Cusco, and we made lots of friends on these group tours.
Most Tours include the following:
- Transportation
- English speaking guide
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Hiking poles
- First aid kit & Oxygen Bottles (your guide has these)
Using A Private Tour
There are also private tours you can arrange. However, they will be more expensive. These private tours are great if you are looking for more flexibility, if your focus is photography and want to take more time along the way, or if you are a slow hiker. In the city center, you will find many tours you can talk to and see what best meets your needs.
These private are more personalized and leave in private vans with more space. They also leave later, at about 7 am, and have a more private lunch experience. Although your group is smaller, you will still encounter crowds and other groups hiking to Humantay Lake during the high season.
Hiking Without A Guide
It’s possible to go without a guide, but you will have to hire a driver to get you there. There is no public transportation that arrives at Lake Humantay. Plus, they may be expensive. In my opinion, going on a group tour was fine, and I’m sure a private tour is too.
What to Expect on the Hike
This is a full-day tour that starts early in the morning. You get picked up at your hotel, and on the way to Humantay Lake, you will make a stop for breakfast. It takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to arrive at the trailhead.
Once at the trailhead, the hike will take about 1-1 1/2 hours to reach the Lake. The first part of the hike is flat, but once the steep part behind it can get a little strenuous. It’s not the hike itself that’s difficult. It’s the altitude.
The Hike Experience
When you arrive at the trailhead, I recommend using the bathrooms available there (always carry your toilet paper just in case). If you forget anything, there is a small store to buy snacks or water.
The trail starts off with a half-hour of fairly flat terrain. It’s relatively easy for most hikers, but it will definitely warm you up. Along the way, you will see cabins and tents. Those who are hiking the multi-day Salkantay Trail stay the night here.
When you cross the small bridge over the river, you will begin a slight ascent that leads to a steep incline. Once you get to the steep climb, porters offer horse and mule rides up to the trail for a fee (80 soles). Although the horses looked well cared for, and I like horse riding itself, I’m not too fond of the idea of using them for hiking trails like these.
The hike can be challenging, but it can be done by pacing yourself.
Once the path gets steep, the hike gets tough. Mainly, the issue here is the altitude. We made a few stops along the way to catch our breath.
Although we were in a group of about 13 people, our guide noticed we were faster than the rest of our group. So he told us to go ahead and wait for them at the lake. About 7 of us went ahead. Arriving first allowed us more time to take pictures at the lake.
Arriving at the Lake
Depending on your fitness level, the hike can take anywhere from 1 hour to 2. However, no matter how tough you feel it, it will be very well worth it.
When you see the turquoise water and the glacier mountains, it will make you instantly forget about every difficult-to-catch breaths you took to get there. It is truly mesmerizing!
I’m sure you’ve seen some beautiful pictures of this place with no people in it, but I have to say there is a harsh reality during the high season. There is a lot of hikers that are also at Humantay Lake. It has become a very popular spot in recent years. So, on the way up, you’ll be sharing the trail with other hikers. Also, the lake will have lots of people.
If you are there for photography, it can be a challenge. However, I didn’t find it too hard to find spots where people are not in the picture.
Tips for Altitude Sickness
The challenging part about the hike is mainly the altitude, as I mentioned. The summit is 4,200 m (13,779ft). If you aren’t used to the altitude, it will feel a bit more difficult as you try to catch your breath. Here are some things that can help with altitude sickness:
- take your time
- drink Coca and muña tea
- rest the day before
- drink water & eat carbs for energy
What to Take for Hiking Humantay Lake
To make your trek to Humantay Lake a better experience, here are a few things you can take with you.
Snacks & Water
- Granola bars
- water, chocolate,
- coca candies (for altitude)
Clothing & Gear
- Layers: the weather is unpredictable
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Waterproof Hiking Boots
- Jacket
- gloves (it gets cold)
- SPF
- Hiking Poles (ask your tour company if they include them)
- Camera: I used my Olympus Pen E PL7 and my Samsung S10
Best Time to Visit
The dry months in Cusco are from April to October. This is the best time to hit the hiking spots nearby. It will also be high season and there will be more crowds. However, you will get better weather as it tends to get very cold the other months.
January and February get a lot of rain and cause disruptions to tours. I went in August, and in the mornings we got cloudy skies, but if you wait around long enough, the sun will come out and you’ll see the beauty of the lake.
Hiking Humantay Lake
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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Hiking Lake Humantay in Peru
