Rise and shine, it’s a fantastic day to visit the stunning Humantay Lake! Your guide will pick you up at 04:30am from your hotel. We will have a 3 hour journey by van to Soraypampa, located in the lush valley of the Apurimac River. Here, breakfast will be served to ensure you are fueled up for this hike.

We will begin ascending along a beautiful trail called the Camino Real. On this trail we will gradually gain altitude, before passing through a small village. Once we reach the village, the real work begins.

Here, the uphill begins. This section of the route is tough, but unavoidable. We climb for roughly an hour before reaching a slightly flatter section of path. It’s not long now until we are facing the final push for the summit.

Once we reach that summit, all the hard work is forgotten. The beautiful turquoise lake that stretches out in front of you, cradled between the Salkantay and Humantay mountains and glaciers, is an awe-inspiring sight to behold. You might see Apachetas on the lakeshore- small piles of rocks that are left as offerings to the gods.

We make our way to the lakeshore, where we relax, admire the landscape, have a snack and if time permits hike around the adjoining hill for a better view of the lake.

After you have had your fill of the stunning lake views, we descend back to Soraypampa. Here, lunch is served, surrounded by breathtaking views in all directions of the panoramic landscape of Salkantay.

After lunch, we drive back to Cusco arriving back at your hotel at approximately 6:30 pm.

USEFUL INFORMATION

• The earlier you leave Cusco, the better the trip. This is because you will arrive at the lake before anyone else.
• Humantay lake is actually the third most visited place in Cusco after Machu Picchu and Rainbow mountain.
• Swimming is not allowed in the lake.
• We recommend you to visit on a sunny day when the colors are the most vivid. The color of the lake can be different depending on the season, the weather, etc. It varies from blue to green.
• There are horses and mules to rent from the locals for s./ 80 one way. We recommend asking your guide to negotiate the price on your behalf.
• Do not forget that health and safety always comes first. If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, get a headache or feel tired during the trek, do not continue and get back to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
• Soraypampa camp houses several campgrounds, with popular geodesic dome tents offering tourist views of the starry sky all night long.
• The terrain can get quite rough with a few loose stones. It’s recommended to wear a pair of hiking shoes with good ankle support.