- Mollepata
- Soraypampa
- Salkantay
- Humantay Lake
Visit Cusco and discover the majestic turquoise lake of Humantay
The immense mountains of Peru keep innumerable precious stones in their basins: blue, turquoise, green, yellow, and red lagoons. Among all of them, one of the most dazzling jewels that’s located in the Cusco region stands out: The Humantay Lake. Its emerald waters and the imposing presence of the glacier come together in dazzling harmony at more than 4,200 masl / 13,780 fasl. No photograph can do justice to this impressive natural wonder. So don’t miss the opportunity to meet her when you visit Cusco.
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Itinerary
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Inclusions
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Before You Go
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Pricing
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Enquire Now
Overview
Humantay Lake is one of the many hidden gems of Peru’s highland region. There’s one destination, in particular, that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It’s an impressive lake at the foot of an immense mass of snow. Surprise yourself with the Humantay Lake after an exciting uphill hike. Feel the shocking presence of two sacred mountains covered in white, the Apu Salkantay and the Apu Humantay.
Enter a paradise world where perpetual snows melt and suddenly takes on an impressive turquoise coloration.
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 0
Pre-Departure Briefing
Cusco
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Day 1
Cusco - Mollepata – Soraypampa - Humantay Lake
Our adventure begins very early. We’ll pick you up at 4:00 a.m. and we’ll go in our private transport for 2 hours to the beautiful town of Mollepata. There we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast. Take advantage of the first light of the morning to take photos of the mountains.
After having filled our stomachs, we’ll go in our private transport to Soraypampa (3,900 masl / 12,795 fasl) where you’ll already feel the powerful presence of the glaciers. Be impressed by their haunting snow faces that defy any force or evil. After listening to brief instructions from your guide, we’ll begin our 2-hour ascent to the fantastic Humantay Lagoon. Remember that you’ll face very stony terrain, so using a cane always helps. Take your time, walk slowly, get some rest, and try to drink plenty of fluids. Please, don’t carry plastic on the route and in no case leave your trash on the trail.
After the effort, the reward is huge. Hidden among the undulations, the impressive Humantay Lagoon gradually appears. This beautiful turquoise body of water originates from the same snows that cover the mountain. Walk around and make the effort to climb a little further up the surrounding rocky slopes. The higher you are, the more turquoise the water will look.
You’ll be so close to the immense glacier that its presence will shake your soul and perhaps at that moment you understand why the mountains are sacred in the Andean culture. Therefore, our guide will perform a simple ritual of permission and thanks using coca leaves.
We’ll take 1.5 hours to descend again to Soraypampa where we’ll enjoy a buffet lunch. Then we’ll board our private transportation and head back to the city of Cusco. You’ll arrive at the doors of your hotel at approximately 5:00 p.m.
- Meals: Breakfast, sandwiches, buffet lunch. Special diets.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highest Elevation: 4200 m / 13780 ft
- Walking Distance: 6.2 miles
Note: Remember that to fully enjoy this walk you must be well acclimatized. That’s why we recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 days in advance to avoid altitude sickness. It’s important that you avoid alcoholic beverages and cigarettes the first few days. In addition you must constantly hydrate yourself.
Altitude sickness symptoms include shortness of breath or extreme agitation, severe headaches, vomiting, and even diarrhoea. Nobody wants to feel like this in the middle of the mountain!
Why Take the Humantay Lake?
- Surprise yourself with the imposing presence of 2 gigantic glaciers (Humantay & Salkantay).
- Challenge your physical and mental resistance on a walk that will take you to the Humantay Lake. If the sun's rays are reflected on its waters, the Humantay Lake is capable of displaying surprising hues. You’ll be able to see a real turquoise fire in the middle of the white of the snow.
- Exercise your body and calm your spirit in the middle of a spectacular glacial valley.
- Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch in the middle of the mountains.
What Is Included?
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High Quality Service & Safety
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Pre-departure briefing
You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags which will be carried by our porters. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins.
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Experienced Guide
All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. Also, they speak English. As good cusqueños, they feel a great commitment to transmit the knowledge they have inherited from their grandparents. They are very friendly and professional. They’ll make sure you are safe and happy.
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Medical Kit
All Cusco Expeditions guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergency situations (altitude sickness, traveller’s diarrhoea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
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Customer Service 24/7
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.
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Pick up from your hotel in Cusco.
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Touristic transport from Cusco to Soraypampa (beginning of trek)
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Breakfast.
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Snacks.
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Entrance to the Humantay Lake.
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Lunch at the Sky Camp.
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First aid kit equipment.
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Transportation back to Cusco.
What Is Not Included?
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Travel Insurance
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Tips for our staff
Tips are usual on any excursion. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the porters and chefs together.
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Additional costs or delays out of control of the management
Landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.
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Personal clothing and gear
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Hiking boots.
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Waterproof gloves.
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01 hat with neck and face protector.
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Sun block: Factor 70 or more.
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Sunglasses with UV protection.
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01 waterproof jacket.
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01 waterproof trousers.
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Personal medication.
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Bottle of water or camelbak.
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Camera and extra battery.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Has another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line, and we will get back to you asap!
Briefing or informative meeting
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the Cusco Expeditions offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
Payment of Trek Balance (in Cusco)
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Storing your luggage at our Office.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pickups:
Cusco Expeditions can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours:
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations:
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects:
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
Talk to a Destination Expertito
Your dedicated specialist will take the time to understand your preferences and build them into an itinerary to match, working to your budget. He or she will keep perfecting it until you’re completely happy and ready to book.
The Humantay Lake can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trip in February because rainy season & maintenance.
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Group Price
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2020 Land Cost
US$100per person
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Payment
US$100(Required)
- This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Adventure:
- Rainbow Mountain: $100 $80
- Sacred Valley: $100 $80
- City Tour: $20
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Cusco Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Cusco Expeditions Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
We give advice and recommendations that are right for you
Feel free to reach us via email at sales@cuscoexpeditions.com or by calling us directly at +51 947 736 747
Triunfo Street 392, office 212, 2nd floor - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
Monday - Friday
9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
