Cusco to Humantay Lake Day Trip: A Detailed Excursion Review

Dreaming of turquoise waters nestled beneath towering, snow-capped peaks? A day trip from Cusco to Humantay Lake might just fulfill that very dream. So many adventurers consider it to be an unforgettable experience, this tour pulls you away from the usual paths, showing off a amazing highland lake that truly captures the spirit of the Andes.

What Makes Humantay Lake Special?

Humantay Lake isn’t only scenic, you know. This location packs a powerful punch for anyone eager to soak in the grandeur of the Peruvian highlands without weeks spent trekking. Its shining, teal surface reflects the surrounding Humantay Glacier, forming a sight so awe-inspiring that cameras, very simply, struggle to capture its majesty. It’s not only a great view, it’s pretty much a moment of natural peace that you can fully absorb and will cherish for a good while. So that pristine environment also acts as a kind of mirror to the sky.

It’s considered sacred by the local people, adding another layer of depth to your experience. Local beliefs revere the lake as a gift from Pachamama (Mother Earth), and you might even see small offerings left along the shore, like piles of rocks each placed with very intentional meaning.

Actually, it’s pretty easy to see why someone would feel a spiritual connection to the location. Its calm and natural beauty is incredibly strong and something you really have to be there to get a proper understanding of, that is, in terms of really grasping it. It’s an inspiring side of the country.

Planning Your Trip: Tour Operators and What to Expect

Many agencies in Cusco run day trips to Humantay Lake, offering a range of options to meet people’s time and price needs. Typically, you can expect an early start – as early as 4:00 AM – because it takes a good while to drive from Cusco to the trailhead at Soraypampa. Booking ahead is arguably ideal, particularly if visiting during the drier, peak tourist season. The early hours are kinda difficult, admittedly, that is before sunrise, yet the view at the end makes it way more manageable.

Most tours feature transportation, which includes pickup and drop-off at your Cusco hotel. They usually also include breakfast before the trek and lunch after returning. Many tours also bring along an English-speaking guide. When looking at the trip, you need to confirm if entrance fees to the lake are part of it as well.

For tour operators, make sure to look at reliable options. Recommendations, so to speak, can be gathered from websites like TripAdvisor and you will want to find any local agencies for ethical tour activities.

The Hike to Humantay Lake: Difficulty and Altitude

Let’s not be shy about the big challenge: the trek up to Humantay Lake happens at a height. Soraypampa, the starting point, is at around 3,900 meters (12,800 feet), and the lake is located at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). Even if you are relatively fit, it can be quite the strain at such altitudes.

The 3 km (1.9 miles) trail is also mostly uphill, and arguably rocky. Go slow, hydrate, and listen to what your body tells you. The views when getting to the top will make all the oxygen deprivation almost worth it.

Consider hiring a horse for part of the climb if you want, something many providers will offer. Know your limits, seriously. And very importantly, take your time getting to the top!

What to Pack: Essentials for a Comfortable Hike

Packing smart makes a really big change on this hike, particularly to deal with the altitude. A small backpack should consist of:

• Water: Bring a few bottles, actually! Keeping hydrated is key.
• Snacks: To help maintain energy levels, granola bars, nuts, and fruit could be great.
• Coca leaves: So many guides and locals believe these help to alleviate altitude sickness, chewing on them helps a lot.
• Warm layers: It could be pretty cold, more or less, especially early in the morning and at the lake. Layers, like fleece and a windproof coat, allow you to regulate the temperatures.
• Hiking boots: Get boots that are sturdy, provide solid support, and ideally waterproof, so you are ready for tough terrain.
• Hat and sunglasses: These are extremely important when protecting against sunlight.
• Sunscreen: High altitude sun can be rather harsh.
• Gloves: For warmth when nearing the glacier.
• Cash: More or less, just in case. This is so that you may be able to get any things or for emergency costs that arise.

Acclimatization: Preparing Your Body for the Altitude

I’m very serious about this: Prior acclimatization is truly important for successfully enjoying your trip to Humantay Lake. You need to spend at least a couple of days in Cusco (at 3,400 meters or 11,200 feet) ahead of trying the hike to let your body change, even just a little. I will mention coca tea again because locals strongly encourage it!

Avoid alcohol and heavy meals the day prior, or if that’s too hard then minimize both. Basically you want to feel well rested and well nourished, instead of feeling bad and heavy before undertaking any type of difficult and challenging exercise. Also, don’t be afraid to talk about how you’re feeling if you notice symptoms such as headache, dizziness or nausea. That can sometimes be a first sign to more issues.

In regards to the coca tea: there is lots of it around. Hotels, restaurants, just ask. Most people and business will offer the beverage readily!

The Experience: What to Expect at Humantay Lake

Getting there to Humantay Lake, the immediate effect of seeing the shining waters backed by a towering glacier is breathtaking. Take a while to just stand still, in a sense, absorb the peacefulness and consider your place among such natural charm. It’s the perfect opportunity to snap images, that is, photos or videos that you’d like to get. Keep in mind that there’s normally a ton of travelers on the scene.

Feel encouraged to walk around the lake’s perimeter to have views, but please don’t enter the water—it’s cold, so it’s very unsafe for swimming, and keeping away helps save the lake’s beauty. The most common part would arguably be taking in the incredible landscape.

There are always rock piles formed for good fortune. A ton of people can usually be found placing their own to ask for future assistance!

Responsible Tourism: Protecting Humantay Lake

Humantay Lake’s increasing tourism is great, and this means acting consciously so that we keep the wonder intact. Keep these hints in mind during the visit:

• Pack out all trash: Leave absolutely nothing behind. Bring any waste down the hill when you come back down.
• Stay on trails: Don’t leave marked paths to prevent disintegration and to save plant-life.
• Respect local traditions: In other words, value regional heritage and beliefs. Request authorizations for taking pictures or video from local residents and guides if that seems relevant to what they represent.
• Support local economies: Give encouragement and purchase food or drinks at local community-run restaurants so your visits result in wealth sharing among neighborhood communities instead of simply large tour group agencies who operate apart from them.

Photography Tips: Capturing the Beauty of Humantay Lake

This lake offers stunning photos at pretty much every angle. Some ways on maximizing that potential:

• Go early: Reaching this location earlier prevents midday crowds while that soft light greatly increases the pictures taken.
• Use a wide-angle lens: So you are able to encompass both entire scenery and mountain landscape.
• Play with reflections: Search out still pool waters to represent and capture images within those reflection-images
• Capture scale: So adding an individual picture or some element for a foreground that accentuates just to how grand is a natural-beauty location just mentioned before, which also adds visual value, thus also illustrating sense magnitude.

Things to Consider

• This is actually really tiring. The altitude gets people and is one thing they always comment on.
• Crowds do take away from the isolated feeling of nature, so keep that in mind. It is worth it, yet can come with drawbacks that should at least be considered and mentally prepped for.
• Weather does wildly affect things. Bring layers just in case! It can start nice but dip, fast!

Is the Humantay Lake Day Trip Worth It?

Provided that the thought of difficult climbs don’t scare them or any potential heights at a height (even only moderately) you should take, a trek here will turn into incredible. Just with reasonable readiness combined with respect while watching places; also keep on a schedule when the adventure to somewhere unique is something someone searches on trip planning.

• Breath-taking natural sceneries and scenery viewing.
• An enriching involvement when involved regional cultural heritage aspects.
• Appropriate regarding individuals wanting high reward given very restricted work.

Frequently Asked Questions