Humantay Lake (Laguna Humantay) is a turquoise glacial lake sitting at roughly 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) in the Salkantay mountain range, about a three hour drive from Cusco. If you're wondering, "Is Humantay Lake Worth It?" this guide will help you decide. The hike up from the trailhead at Soraypampa takes most people one to one and a half hours, is short in distance but tough on the lungs because of the altitude, and rewards you with one of the most photographed views in Peru. Most travelers visit as a full day trip from Cusco or as part of the classic Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu Itinerary.
Where is Humantay Lake and how was it formed?
Humantay Lake sits in the Cusco region of Peru, tucked beneath Humantay mountain in the Salkantay range, near the small settlement of Soraypampa outside the town of Mollepata. Its striking turquoise and jade color comes from fine mineral sediment ground down by the glacier above and suspended in the meltwater, the same process that colors glacial lakes elsewhere in the Andes and the Rockies.
The lake is considered sacred by many local Quechua communities, who see it as an "apu," a mountain spirit deserving of respect. Offerings are sometimes left at its shore, so it is worth visiting quietly and leaving no trace.
How difficult is the Humantay Lake hike?
The Humantay Lake hike is short but genuinely tough for most visitors, and altitude is the reason why. The trail from Soraypampa (already around 3,850 meters/12,600 feet) climbs roughly 300 to 400 meters over about 1.5 to 2 kilometers to reach the lake, which does not sound like much until you are doing it at nearly 4,000 meters of elevation with noticeably thinner air.
- Distance: approximately 3 to 4 km round trip
- Time: 1 to 1.5 hours up, 45 minutes to 1 hour down
- Elevation gain: roughly 300 to 400 meters
- Fitness level needed: moderate. You do not need to be a serious hiker, but you do need decent cardiovascular fitness and a body that has had at least a day or two to begin acclimatizing to altitude
Horses are available near the base for travelers who cannot manage the climb on foot, which is a reasonable option if you are short on acclimatization time.
Is Humantay Lake worth it?
For most travelers, yes. The color of the water is genuinely as vivid in person as it looks in photos, the surrounding peaks are dramatic, and unlike some of Peru's more famous sites you can usually still find a quiet moment at the shoreline if you arrive early. The honest caveat: it is a short, intense hike at extreme altitude for a single viewpoint, so it suits travelers who want a big payoff for a half day of effort rather than a full trekking experience. If you want more time in the mountains, doing Humantay Lake as day two of the Salkantay trek gets you the lake plus several days of trekking for the same acclimatization effort.
How do you get to Humantay Lake from Cusco?
Almost everyone visits Humantay Lake as an organized day trip rather than independently, mainly because public transport to Soraypampa is unreliable and the early departure time (most tours leave Cusco around 4 to 5am to beat the crowds and the afternoon clouds) is hard to arrange on your own.
| Option | Approx. cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organized day tour | Budget to mid-range | Transport, guide, breakfast included; early departure beats the crowds | Fixed schedule, shared group pace |
| Private tour | Higher | Flexible timing, your own pace, can combine with other stops | More expensive than a group tour |
| Independent (taxi/colectivo) | Variable | No fixed schedule | Harder to arrange, no guide, easy to underestimate the altitude risk |
| As part of the Salkantay trek | Included in trek price | See the lake plus several days of trekking to Machu Picchu | Requires a multi-day commitment |
Humantay Lake is a highlight of day two. See the lake, then keep trekking through the Salkantay range all the way to Machu Picchu.
When is the best time to visit Humantay Lake?
The dry season, roughly April through October, gives you the best odds of clear skies and that vivid turquoise color. May through August are the driest months but also the coldest at that altitude, especially before sunrise. The wet season, November through March, brings a higher chance of cloud cover and rain that can dull the color and make the trail muddy, though it is also quieter. Whatever month you go, arrive as early as possible: clouds tend to build over the mountains by late morning, and the parking area and trail get considerably busier after 9am.
Can you swim in Humantay Lake?
Swimming is discouraged and, in practice, not something most visitors attempt. The water is glacial meltwater, so it is extremely cold year round, and local communities consider the lake sacred, which is another reason to treat it with respect rather than as a swimming spot. If you want to cool off after the hike, plan on photos and a rest at the shoreline rather than a swim.
Humantay Lake vs Rainbow Mountain: which should you hike first?
Both are popular Cusco day trips and both sit at extreme altitude, so travelers often ask which to do first if attempting both on the same trip. Rainbow Mountain is the longer and more strenuous hike overall, with a greater distance and elevation gain, but Humantay Lake's trailhead starts higher, so the altitude hits faster even though the hike itself is shorter.
A good rule of thumb: do Humantay Lake first if you are still acclimatizing, since it is the shorter commitment, then attempt Rainbow Mountain a day or two later once your body has adjusted. For a full breakdown of what to expect on that hike, see our Rainbow Mountain day trip guide.
How to prepare: altitude, gear, and fitness
Altitude is the real challenge here, not distance. Spend at least one to two full days in Cusco (3,400 meters/11,150 feet) before attempting Humantay Lake, stay hydrated, go easy on alcohol the night before, and consider chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea, a traditional and widely used remedy for mild altitude discomfort. For a full walkthrough of symptoms and prevention, see our guide on avoiding altitude sickness in Cusco. According to the U.S. CDC, ascending gradually and allowing time to acclimatize is the single most effective way to prevent altitude illness.
What to pack:
- Layers, including a warm jacket for the pre-dawn departure and windy summit
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen (UV is stronger at altitude)
- Water and light snacks
- Cash for the trailhead entrance fee and bathroom use
Humantay Lake as part of the Salkantay trek
If you have the time, doing Humantay Lake as part of the multi-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is the best way to experience it. Rather than a rushed day trip, you camp near Soraypampa the night before, hike up to the lake at your own pace in the early morning light before the crowds and clouds arrive, then continue on through the Salkantay range toward Machu Picchu over the following days. It turns a single photo stop into the opening chapter of one of Peru's classic treks.
Wake up near Humantay Lake, hike it at sunrise with no crowds, then keep trekking to Machu Picchu.
Frequently asked questions
Moderate. The distance is short, around 3 to 4 km round trip, but the trail sits between roughly 3,850 and 4,200 meters, so altitude, not distance, is what makes most people feel out of breath.
It is discouraged. The water is glacial and very cold year round, and the lake holds spiritual significance for local communities, so most visitors treat it as a place to view and photograph rather than swim in.
Rainbow Mountain involves a longer hike with more total elevation gain, so it is generally considered the more physically demanding of the two. Humantay Lake's hike is shorter but starts at a higher point, so the altitude effect can feel just as intense despite the shorter distance.
Most organized day trips run 10 to 14 hours total, including the roughly three hour drive each way and the one to two hour round-trip hike, plus stops for breakfast and lunch.
Ready to see Humantay Lake for yourself?
Join the Salkantay trek and hike to the lake at sunrise, then continue on to Machu Picchu with a local guide.
View the Salkantay Trek →Small groups, experienced local guides, custom dates available.
