Cusco Humantay Lake Tour: Review, Breakfast & Lunch Included

Planning a trip to Cusco? Well, the Humantay Lake tour, with breakfast and lunch included, is super popular for good reason, you know? People can’t seem to stop talking about that amazing turquoise water against the backdrop of those towering, snow-capped Andes Mountains. I mean, it is something else, actually. This write-up gives you, like your own insider’s look at the experience, so that you can decide if it’s right for you and figure out just how to make the very most of it, that you can be sure. We’ll get into the beauty, the challenges, and whether or not the breakfast and lunch really hit the spot, honestly. Are you ready?

What’s the Big Deal with Humantay Lake?

So, what is it that has everyone buzzing about Humantay Lake? Well, beyond being super pretty—like, postcard-level gorgeous—it is, in a way, regarded with some reverence by the local communities, apparently. Situated at a high altitude, almost virtually above 13,000 feet (that’s like your 4,200 meters!), the lake gets its vibrant color from the minerals coming off of the Humantay Glacier. That is what gives it that unforgettable, blue hue. Seeing it is, maybe just a little, spiritual in some sense; many travelers make offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) as thanks for allowing them to safely enjoy this amazing place.

Yet, the hike, that could be a factor to consider for some. It’s not, not necessarily, a walk in the park, that’s to be sure. The air gets thin at that altitude, so you might feel a bit winded if you’re not prepared. Think of it as a rewarding challenge; the moment you catch that first glimpse of the lake, trust me, it is, arguably, all worth it, so to speak.

Booking Your Tour: Options to Consider

Ok, so you’re leaning towards making this trek, right? That is, the first thing you’ll want to think about is which tour provider you wanna go with, isn’t it? There’s lots from which to choose. Many agencies in Cusco offer this trip, and it may be usually wise to read a few reviews and compare what they offer. Here’s a bit of what to think about:

Cost: Obviously, right? It can be super varied, you know, but more or less, typically expect to spend anywhere, let’s say, from $30 to $70. It is often a function of group size and which extras are included.
Inclusions: It is very important, make sure the tour includes round-trip transportation, entrance fees, breakfast, and lunch. A lot of operators say they offer an oxygen tank and first aid, you know, but it may be good to check on this, anyway.
Group Size: Smaller groups are, generally, often nice. Just ’cause that way, they can provide a bit more personalized attention, in a way. Big crowds can be overwhelming, I mean, if that bothers you, you know?
Bilingual Guide: Well, it is handy when the tour leader speaks good English, since you don’t want to miss any bits of info about the lake and local culture, do you?

Early Start: Getting to the Breakfast Stop

Alright, so now the day starts way early, like your, pickup is often between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM, basically. Just get yourself ready for it. You’ll probably still be mostly asleep. A bright side is that is usually when your group can beat the worst of the crowds. The van trip to the breakfast location may be about two hours long, more or less. That is often somewhere in the countryside, maybe, at a local spot. Is there anything there? Yes, a basic breakfast might have, actually, things like breads, eggs, fruit, and coca tea; that’s meant to assist a bit with altitude sickness, as you may well know.

That stop’s primary use, so to speak, is to stretch a bit, use the restroom, and get something to eat to boost your energy for the upcoming hike, you see? Don’t expect, of course, like, a fancy meal; it’s more about having that functional necessity so that you can prepare yourself. Coca tea truly makes such a change to how you feel when the climb starts. It isn’t really optional in some respects; drink all you can, even.

The Hike Up: Pace Yourself!

After your breakfast stop, it may be almost like the van takes you to the trailhead, basically. I wanna say, prepare yourself; even though this trek, may be just a little, more or less only around 2 miles (3 km) each way, is rated as “moderate,” the high altitude kicks it up a notch. You have to keep calm, it could affect your breathing in unexpected ways.

Here’s what I’d, possibly, recommend for your hiking pleasure:

Go Slow: Actually, go at a snail’s pace, so to speak. There’s no glory in rushing and feeling awful, there really isn’t. Allow your body the time to adapt.
Drink Lots of Water: You get so dehydrated faster at altitude. Fill a bottle with, like your, water often and sip often.
Layer Up: Could be freezing when you start and too hot a little while later, isn’t it? Wearing layers could be useful so that you can adapt to temperature adjustments.
Take Breaks: You shouldn’t be afraid to pause a minute or two if you need to catch your breath, because no one judges.
Consider a Walking Stick: You might find one, right?, ’cause it gives you extra stability, because the path could be super rocky. Some tours actually, basically, have them that you could use.

The walk normally passes through landscapes with the Andes that rise high all around you, is that right?, ’cause it provides a feeling you’re truly at the center of something amazing, I mean. You often cross paths with horses too; just know these animals, can you imagine, are available at extra fee in the event that one is too worn to go on, you’re sure?

Humantay Lake: Worth Every Step

And then, boom!, you’re there, or are you nearly?, anyway, the magnificent Humantay Lake. The color is, honestly, unreal—intense turquoise blue against white-capped mountains. I get goosebumps as I think back. Many people take that opportunity to stroll the lakeshore. Many often want memorable pictures.

As indicated earlier, quite a few people make that an opening and an apology or thankfulness opportunity, is that right? By the local god Pachamama (Mother Earth), right? That, really, adds, as a matter of fact, something deep and private into their travel experience; it often goes deeper than an average tour. A little quiet contemplation there might, maybe, be worth thinking about too, in some way. I mean, you could easily lose a good hour or more just, like your, gazing out at that stunning vista and drinking everything, you’re sure?

Buffet Lunch: Refueling Time

So now the hike down does indeed go so much faster (really!); you might think gravity actually does a great assist! In time you’re taken back towards a restaurant stop from before where everyone finds buffet lunch.

You shouldn’t go hoping, maybe, a luxurious smorgasbord but it isn’t too terrible, honestly: think more traditional Peruvian fare just as rice, soup, grilled meats, with local vegetables, or almost so, basically. Is it like haute cuisine? Almost sure not but it offers what’s needed in a situation like this is that it fills all tourists, satisfies those post-trek caloric cravings; that may be just so good.

Is the Humantay Lake Tour Right for You?

Ok, you should, possibly, really wonder; is this Humantay Lake trip good with you?? Or, will I probably survive it all (wink)? Well, you might ask and give an honest response for each the below points, anyway:

How Are You with Heights? You really, probably, need time acclimatizing around Cusco a few days earlier, do you think?, before also handling an ascent further in the Andes’ height like, really!
Do You Enjoy Moderate Physical Activity?: Keep from misinterpreting things with this! It won’t just require going far walking here because the high up levels have major contribution by means of making one feel short of oxygen with even just small levels, that might affect what one believes you may be up, truly.
Is Early Pickup Annoying for You? If that doesn’t sit well for your personality type next day might start awful (totally ruined!); and the attitude determines, maybe only partially, that everything that ensues might, I want to say, seem as exciting or depressing after that for one individual’s viewpoint there or no matter whatever one undertakes anyway; what one undertakes is, generally, as valuable if that outlook to each undertaking will seem, generally, positive also anyway!

The gorgeous location and thrilling climb will probably go right, maybe, in a few way, even though the trip might prove exhausting physically when there’s altitude involvement: So remember your considerations like those stated here.

It includes unbelievable sights.
Breakfast along with lunch make taking, kind of, an individual backpack meal redundant making it great for comfort, in particular.
There can occur challenges on health if individuals don’t get sufficiently prepared, however, especially because lack, to a certain extent, that’s enough fitness previously going, it might pose many inconveniences down below even.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tour

Acclimatize: Spending 2-3 days throughout Cusco beforehand would certainly seriously prevent major troubles while there that take occurrence from elevation as many of the ones from reduced country frequently underestimate only how significant the variation when level varies tends towards.
Bring Snacks: Keep munchies packed; those will boost, perhaps a little, additional between all meals!
Coca Leaves or Candy: Quite a few people guarantee the relief by using coca either chewing those leafs naturally themselves possibly sucking away there within hard-candied forms if having no appreciation whatsoever, basically!.
Sun Protection: Sunshine exposure rises with altitudes hence apply lotions of good UV security alongside shades likewise; cap/wide brim could come valuable additionally protecting heads also head skin regions either both by sunlight or chilling airs equally as very cold gets common once you rise really extremely extreme in altitudes here!
Positive Mindset: Adopt patience accompanied attitude alongside pleasure and allow just such memorable experience unfold there along Andes through their absolute magnitude then surprise you along every phase!.

If it might sound appropriate enough next reserve by such opportunity currently for yourself, will, I want to say, remain one such exceptional chapters over just any trip books too: Enjoy climbing by fantastic Peruvian uplands too!!.

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