Wake up before sunrise, then earn a glacier-blue reward. This Humantay Lake day is all about steep mountain effort followed by wide-open views, with food stops that keep you going. I especially like how the route mixes high-altitude scenery (Salkantay and Humantay) with practical comforts like breakfast, buffet lunch, and a guide who lets you move at your pace.

You’ll also get breakfast and buffet lunch included, so you’re not trying to find food after the hike. The one drawback: the start is very early, and the climb (up to about 4,200 m on the tour route) can be tough if you’re not acclimated or don’t have a steady walking rhythm.

Key Things I’d Watch Before You Go

Very early pickup (3:30–4:00 AM) to beat the worst of the crowds and road traffic

Altitude math matters: the tour reaches about 4,200 m, with Salkantay and Humantay looming overhead

A steep ascent up to Humantay Lake: about 3 km (1.8 miles) and it’s not a casual stroll

Optional horse riding on some schedules, with human and horse paths that can get muddy

Meals included on the mountain day: breakfast in Mollepata and buffet lunch back at Mollepata

A Humantay Lake Day That Feels Worth the Alarm Clock

Cusco-to-Humantay starts early on purpose. The pickup runs between 3:30 AM and 4:00 AM, and that means you’re already in motion while most of the city is still dark and quiet. You trade some sleep for two big wins: more time at the lake when conditions are calmer, and a day plan that doesn’t feel rushed once you’re hiking.

What makes this tour stand out for me is the “support system” built into the day. You’re not just dropped at a trailhead with a water bottle and a prayer. You get a bilingual guide (English and Spanish), breakfast and buffet lunch, plus safety gear like a first aid kit and an emergency oxygen bottle. Guides I’ve come across for this route include names like Jonathan/Jonithan, Yonatan, Eduardo, Inti, Waldir, Jefferson, Broly, and Leonardo—and the common thread is pacing and group care.

The other reason this tour works well is the way it’s structured. You drive to Mollepata, eat, head to Soraypampa (the high plateau area), hike up to Humantay Lake, then come back down, with food waiting afterward. That flow matters when you’re dealing with altitude and a steep first section.

Cusco Morning to Mollepata Breakfast: Getting Set for Altitude

Your day begins in the historical center, with pickup available from homestays, hostels, or hotels. If you’re doing the standard meeting point, plan to wait next to the Hotel San Pedro Plaza door, where the guide calls your name. Pickup times can run a little late (they mention up to about 15 minutes), and collecting everyone can take 30 to 45 minutes depending on your option and how your group is staged.

Once you’re aboard the van, expect:

• About 2 hours of driving to Mollepata
• A 30-minute breakfast stop there

The breakfast part isn’t just filler. It’s your fuel for the cold and the uphill work ahead. You’ll also pick up water and snacks for the trek at this point, which is a smart detail because you’re high enough that energy dips can sneak up on you.

What I like here: you’re fed before you’re cold, and you get essentials before you’re hiking. It’s simple, but it makes a difference.

Soraypampa: Where the Mountains Take Over the View

After breakfast, you drive another 1 hour to Soraypampa, a high plateau setting where the day’s real focus begins. This is the moment where you’re staring up at two main characters: Apu Salkantay (6,230 m) and Humantay (5,250 m). The tour itself reaches around 4,200 m, so even if you’re not at peak elevation, you’ll feel the thinning air.

Before the hike starts, there’s time to prepare your day pack. This short “reset” matters. At this altitude, you want layers ready, water accessible, sunscreen on, and your rain gear staged. You don’t want to stop halfway up just because you forgot a glove.

Then comes the climb to Humantay Lake.

The Humantay Trek: Steep Up, Scenic Payoff, Easier Down

The trek schedule includes a 2-hour hike up to Humantay Lake from the Soraypampa side. The route is steep at the start, and the tour notes that the group is small and the guide will let you take your time. That’s a big deal. On this kind of altitude climb, pacing beats speed.

A key physical detail to plan around: you’ll need to climb about 3 km (1.8 miles) to reach the lake area. Reviews also describe the steepness and mention that the first portion is the hardest. If you’ve been sedentary at home, or if you arrive in Cusco only a day or two early, you’ll want to treat this as a real workout, not a sightseeing walk.

Optional horse help (and what to expect)

Some schedules include horse riding (listed as 1.5 hours), and the tour describes horses as optional. If you choose it, you should know:

• Horse rentals cost extra: 80 PEN one way
• Entrance to the process is on you; the provider doesn’t manage horse rentals
• There are separate trails for horses and people, and they can overlap

In practice, that means proper hiking shoes matter even if you ride part of the way. One review mentioned horse trails getting muddy, so wear footwear you don’t mind getting dirty.

At the lake: photos, a short extra viewpoint, and time to breathe

Once you reach Humantay Lake, you get:

• A photo stop and visit (about 30 minutes)
• Time to rest and take in the view
• An option for a small climb above the lake to the right or left for a more panoramic perspective

And this is where the early start pays off. Even with a short lake visit window, the timing usually helps you experience the water and mountain setting before it turns into a conveyor belt.

Soraypampa Again: The Downhill That Still Takes Work

After the lake, you return toward Soraypampa. The route notes an easy downhill section, around 1 hour back to Soraypampa, and the broader itinerary includes hiking time totaling another hike block.

Downhill can feel easier than uphill, but it still taxes your body:

• Your knees and calves take more load downhill
• Loose footing and cold air can make your pace slower than you expect

Good guides keep the group moving safely and encourage breaks. In multiple accounts, guides like Waldir and Jefferson are highlighted for checking on people and adjusting pacing so no one gets left behind.

Local Buffet Lunch Back at Mollepata

Once you’re back from the hike, you take transport to Mollepata, where a local buffet lunch is waiting. This is another included meal, and it’s one of the reasons this tour feels like a full day adventure rather than a bare-bones outing.

A few practical takeaways from the tour details:

• Vegetarian option is included for the meals
• You should still eat a real portion even if you’re tired, because you still have a drive back to Cusco

After lunch, the van ride brings you back to Cusco, typically arriving between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, with drop-off near Plaza de Armas and also downtown options like San Bernardo 132.

What This Tour Really Costs (and Why the Price Makes Sense)

The headline price is $22 per person, for a full day with:

• Pickup and downtown drop-off
• Transportation all day
• Bilingual guide support
• Breakfast and buffet lunch
• Safety basics (first aid kit and oxygen bottle)
• An optional wood stick included

But do watch the two common extras:

• Entrance fee: 20 PEN per person, paid in cash
• Horse rental: 80 PEN one way if you want it

When you think about value, this tour’s cost is strongest if you want a guided, meal-supported day with emergency supplies and a plan for the entire route. If you already have a hiking buddy, free breakfast access, and you’re comfortable arranging transport yourself, you could try to piece it together. For most visitors, though, the included logistics are the part that removes stress.

Safety and Comfort: Small Details That Make a Big Difference

This is a high-altitude trek day, and the tour spells out who should avoid it:

• Not suitable for pregnant women
• People with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or vertigo
• People with respiratory issues or low level of fitness

Even if you’re not in those categories, you still want to prep smart. The tour’s packing list is practical:

• Comfortable, sturdy shoes (hiking shoes)
• Warm layers, including an extra warm sweater/jacket
• Hat and gloves for the early cool hours
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (the sun can be sneaky)
• Water and snacks
• Rain gear (weather can shift)

One small but useful extra: the tour includes 1 wood stick (optional). If you’re using it, it can help on steep sections.

When Weather Changes, Don’t Panic

The provider can’t control conditions, and mountain weather can shift quickly. The tour encourages checking weather apps or other sources and choosing your departure day based on that.

In one note from the route experience, conditions can vary so you might not always see the lake under the exact color you hoped for. The key is to dress for changes: sun can turn to cloud and even rain, especially early and at higher elevations.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This Humantay Lake tour fits well if you:

• Want a guided day with meals and transportation handled
• Are okay with a very early start
• Can handle a steep, altitude-affected hike (about 3 km up to the lake area)

It also helps if you like structure: the tour has a clear plan from pickup to Soraypampa to lake to lunch to Cusco drop-off.

If you’re coming straight from sea level and your fitness is low, consider how quickly you can acclimate. The climb is described as steep enough that some people prefer horses for the easier breathing and reduced strain.

Should You Book This Humantay Lake Tour with Inka Altitude?

Book it if you want the best mix of scenery + guided support + included food. The early start is a trade, but it’s part of why the day works smoothly. You’re paying for more than a view: you’re paying for a full route plan, a bilingual guide, and safety items like a first aid kit and oxygen bottle.

Skip or reconsider if:

• You know you can’t handle steep hiking or altitude effort
• You have vertigo, significant respiratory limitations, or mobility challenges
• You’re uncomfortable with early mornings and cold-weather layers

If you do go, go smart: wear real hiking shoes, pack extra warm layers, use sunscreen even when it feels chilly, and keep your pace steady rather than aggressive.

FAQ

What time is pickup in Cusco?

Pickup is between 3:30 AM and 4:00 AM from hotels or meeting points in the historical center area. Pickup times can run about 15 minutes late, and collecting everyone may take 30 to 45 minutes.

Where do I meet the guide?

You wait next to the Hotel San Pedro Plaza door. The guide will recognize you when they call your name at the meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The experience is listed as 1 day.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are pickup from the historical city center, downtown drop-off, transportation, a bilingual tour guide, breakfast and buffet lunch (vegetarian option), a first aid kit, oxygen bottle for emergencies, and 1 wood stick (optional).

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is 20 PEN per person, paid in cash.

Is horse riding included?

Horse riding can be available depending on the option, but it’s not included in the base price. Renting a horse costs 80 PEN one way, and the provider does not manage the rental process.

How hard is the hike?

The tour reaches about 4,200 meters, and you need to climb about 3 km (1.8 miles) to reach the top of Humantay Lake. The ascent is described as steep, so you should be in relatively good physical condition.

What language is the guide?

The tour includes a live guide in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes (hiking shoes), warm clothing (extra sweater/jacket, hat, gloves), sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, water, and rain gear.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, people with vertigo, people with respiratory issues, or people with low fitness.