Humantay Lake Excursion Review: Is it Worth it?

So, you’re thinking about going on the Humantay Lake excursion from Cusco, are you? It’s almost certainly plastered all over social media, those breathtaking turquoise waters sitting underneath a towering glacier. But is it, in a way, all it’s cracked up to be? Very, very let’s find out!

What to Expect on the Way There

Alright, early start is just a little bit of an understatement! Most tours tend to begin somewhere between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM. Very, very prepare for it! You’ll probably get picked up straight from your accommodation in Cusco. This means, actually, a really early wake-up call.

Then there’s, basically, the drive itself. It’s more or less about three hours. This takes you through some pretty stunning Andean scenery, too. Think winding mountain roads and views that just kind of go on forever. It’s, like, a scenic journey even before you arrive at the trailhead.

On arrival, nearly all excursions typically stop for breakfast in a local village before starting the hike. This seems like a great chance to stretch your legs and grab some fuel for the walk ahead. Plus, arguably, it’s a nice opportunity to, sort of, experience a bit of local culture too.

The Hike: Challenge and Beauty

The hike itself, I mean, don’t let those pretty pictures fool you, very, very that bit’s challenging. That, arguably, could be around a 2-mile trek uphill at a seriously high altitude – think over 13,000 feet! So, actually, you’re going to be feeling the thin air, and that uphill climb makes it even tougher, you know?

That first part tends to be moderately steep and rocky, so do take your time. After a little while, very, very you might want to consider renting a horse for part of the way. Basically, the locals offer this service, which might be, somewhat, a welcome break for some.

Arguably, though, pushing through, as a matter of fact, really does feel rewarding. It is that the scenery really is spectacular! Once you get above that treeline, the views back down the valley and toward those snow-capped peaks are totally worth it.

Humantay Lake: Is it Worth the Effort?

Okay, you’ve finally made it, now that’s the real question, isn’t it? Is it truly, you know, worth it? I mean, when you first set eyes on Humantay Lake, so, so you understand the hype. The water is that incredibly vibrant turquoise color, often just a little bit bluer in real life than those photos.

Usually, the towering Humantay glacier sort of looms in the background, adding to the sense of drama and scale. Seemingly, there’s a bit of time allocated at the lake, generally, to take photos, you can kind of wander around a bit, and typically just soak it all in.

It does get crowded, now that’s the thing. Typically, depending on the time of day and year, there may be lots of other people around. Seemingly, it’s less of a secluded wilderness experience and quite often, somewhat, more of a popular tourist spot, too. Still, it’s pretty stunning.

Things to Consider Before You Go

Right, so altitude sickness might be just a little serious! Cusco is already at a high altitude, but, frankly, Humantay Lake is way higher. You will, somewhat, probably want to spend at least a couple of days in Cusco acclimatizing before you attempt the trek.

Bringing layers is that useful, so prepare for, actually, all kinds of weather. Usually, it can get pretty chilly up there, especially early in the morning. The weather is, naturally, going to change super fast. Pack rain gear too, just in case!

That’s really all about physical fitness, so just be realistic, alright, about your fitness level. I mean, if you’re not used to hiking, alright, at altitude, then it’s potentially a seriously tough day out.

Okay, think about the time of year too. During rainy season it’s potentially quite slippery underfoot, right, and views sometimes are obscured by cloud cover.

Overall Verdict

Okay, well is it totally worth it? If you’re up for, frankly, a challenging hike and you don’t mind, somewhat, sharing the experience with a bunch of other tourists, then probably yes! The lake is clearly gorgeous, and that scenery all around is stunning, you know?

Yet, if you’re hoping for, actually, a super peaceful or solitary experience, or maybe, you are particularly sensitive to altitude, arguably this hike isn’t your thing. I mean, there are other, in a way, seriously beautiful places in Peru that are likely a little less demanding, too.

Arguably, the Humantay Lake excursion is all about managing expectations. Now it’s gorgeous, however prepare to share it with other people, to contend with some altitude and expect, naturally, a very early wake-up call, too!