Laguna Humantay is a gorgeous glacial lake located in the Cusco region of Peru. Its pristine turquoise-blue waters are fed by the nearby snow-capped Nevado Humantay. Nestled among the the various scenic mountain peaks of the area, this is without a doubt one of the country’s most magical places.
Laguna Humantay is well-known as one of the most beautiful points of the famous Salkantay Trek, a popular Machu Picchu trek which takes trekkers around the base of Mount Salkantay, the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range. What many people do not know is that it’s possible to visit the Humantay Lake on a day trip from the city of Cusco. If you don’t have the time to complete the multi-day Salkantay Trek, a day trip to Laguna Humantay is a great option, allowing you to see some spectacular scenery, enjoy the area’s natural beauty and still make it back to Cusco the same day.
The easiest way to visit Laguna Humantay is by taking a tour which leaves from the city of Cusco. From there, the transportation to the trailhead takes around two and a half hours including a stop for breakfast. Most tours leave at around 5:00am and return to the city by about 6:00pm. It’s also possible to combine this excursion with other nearby activities or a visit to Machu Picchu.
Best Time to Go to Laguna Humantay
The best time to visit Peru generally depends on which regions of the country you plan to travel to. Laguna Humantay is located in the highland region of Peru, so it is normally subject to two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season in the Peruvian highlands lasts from December until March, while the dry season lasts from April until November. In order to avoid unpleasant weather and muddy trails, it’s usually recommended to travel to Cusco during the dry months if possible.
Before You Go
While not an exceptionally difficult trail in terms of terrain, the hike to Laguna Humantay takes place at over 4,200 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level which can be make for a challenging day if you’re not accustomed to high altitude hiking. For this reason, it’s very important to make sure that you’re well acclimatized before attempting this hike. If traveling from coastal cities such as Lima, make sure you spend at least a couple days in Cusco to allow your body to get used to the altitude before doing the hike to Laguna Humantay. Take some coca leaves with you and make sure you’re educated on how to treat altitude sickness in Peru before heading off on this adventure.
Laguna Humantay Hike
Tours to Laguna Humantay usually begins early in the morning, since it takes a few hours to drive to the trailhead. Many tours to Laguna Humantay stop at Mollepata (located about two hours from Cusco) for a light breakfast before continuing on to Soraypampa where the trail begins.
The hike to Laguna Humantay takes about 1-2 hours depending on your level of fitness. If you’re struggling to finish the hike on foot, there are horses available to rent. The horses are owned by locals who lead the animals on foot while you ride, so there’s no need to be an experienced rider.
Once you reach Laguna Humantay you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the peacefulness of this gorgeous sacred lagoon, take some photos or take part in a traditional offering to the Pachamama (the Earth mother goddess of the Andes). After you’ve had the chance to fully enjoy your time at Laguna Humantay, you’ll hike back to Soraypampa. From there, most tours will stop again at Mollepata for lunch before continuing on to Cusco where you’ll arrive in the late afternoon or early evening.
What to Bring to Laguna Humantay
- Make sure to bring plenty of water. Staying properly hydrated is important for preventing altitude sickness.
- Wear a decent pair of hiking shoes or boots. No sneakers!
- Wear multiple layers and bring warm clothes including a hat, gloves and scarf. The weather at this altitude can be cold, but you’ll also be working up a sweat by hiking, so you’ll want to be able to remove clothing depending on how you feel.
- A hiking pole or stick will be useful, especially if the trail is muddy.
- Take some coca leaves along to help with symptoms of altitude sickness.
Laguna Humantay Day Trip
The hike to Laguna Humantay is one of the most beautiful short hikes in all of Peru. If you’re planning to visit the Cusco region, this is one of the best day trips that you can do, and is highly recommended. You will be thankful that you set aside a day to visit this this pristine and peaceful glacial lake in the shadow of the Andes mountains.
