From Cusco: Humantay Lake with Breakfast and Lunch Buffet

Humantay Lake is the big draw: a high-altitude hike ending at a mountain lagoon, with views of the 6,230-meter Apu Salkantay along the way. The trip pairs that demanding walk with breakfast and a local buffet lunch, so you can focus on the climb rather than sorting out meals and transport yourself.

I like two things in particular: the small group and guide who lets you set your pace make a steep ascent feel more manageable, and the route gives you time to see the mountains from Soraypampa as well as the lake. One important catch: the trail reaches 4,200 meters, and the early start makes this a long day, not a gentle outing.

At a glance

• The lake is the goal: Hike for about two hours from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake, then take an optional short climb above the shore for a wider view.
• The altitude is real: The route reaches 4,200 meters, with Apu Salkantay rising to 6,230 meters and Humantay to 5,250 meters.
• Expect a very early start: Pickup in Cusco is between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. The tour lasts about 12 hours.
• Meals are part of the plan: Breakfast in Mollepata and a buffet lunch on the return are included, with a vegetarian option.
• Budget for extras: Entry costs 25 PEN per person in cash. A horse can be hired for 80 PEN per trip.
• The day ends near the center: Private transport returns to Cusco between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., with drop-off near Plaza de Armas.

A pre-dawn start from Cusco

Pickup is scheduled between 4:00 and 4:30 in the morning at your hotel, hostel, or homestay in Cusco. That means setting an alarm while the city is still dark, but it also gets the long drive underway before the hike begins. The full outing takes about 12 hours, so treat this as a major day trip, not a quick excursion.

A guide accompanies the group and speaks English and Spanish. Transportation is included, and the return is by private transport. The exact time you reach each stop can vary, but the stated schedule brings you back to Cusco between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.

The journey first takes about two hours to Mollepata. You stop there for breakfast and have time to pick up water and snacks for the trek. This is a useful pause: eat before the uphill walk, and make sure you have what you need before leaving town.

Breakfast in Mollepata, then on to Soraypampa

Breakfast is included in the price, along with a buffet lunch later in the day. Both meals feature local products from the Cusco region, and vegetarian food is available. That adds practical value to a tour with an early departure and a remote hike: you do not have to arrange two meals on your own.

After breakfast, the drive continues for about an hour to Soraypampa, a high mountain plateau. This is where the scale of the day becomes clear. Apu Salkantay reaches 6,230 meters, while Humantay reaches 5,250 meters; the trek itself climbs to 4,200 meters.

Use this stop to prepare your backpack and get ready for the walk. The mountain views begin before the lake, so there is more to the outing than a single destination photo. At the same time, you are already high up, and altitude can make even routine exertion feel harder. Give yourself permission to go slowly.

The steep two-hour climb to Humantay Lake

The uphill hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake takes about two hours. The trail is described as steep, so expect sustained effort rather than a casual stroll. The group is small, and your guide allows you to take your time, a meaningful benefit when the climb and altitude arrive together.

You do not need to race anyone. Keep a steady pace, pause when you need to, and enjoy the changing views as you gain height. A walking stick is available if you want one. It is optional, but can be useful on a steep trail, especially if you prefer extra support.

A horse can also be hired for 80 PEN per trip. This is an extra cost, not part of the tour price, and the information provided does not specify more about how or where the horse is used. If you think you may want this option, bring enough cash and ask the operator for current details before setting out.

The destination is Humantay Lake, the main reward for the climb. You have time to admire the lagoon and can make a short optional climb to the right or left above it for a panoramic view. That extra ascent is optional, not a required part of the route, so decide based on how you feel after reaching the lake.

What the altitude means for your day

The figures matter here. Soraypampa is a high mountain plateau, and the hike reaches 4,200 meters. At that elevation, the route is a more serious physical challenge than the distance alone might suggest. The tour information does not give a specific distance, so plan around the stated two-hour uphill walk rather than assuming the trail is short or easy.

The guide’s willingness to let the small group set its pace is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. One participant described the altitude as a challenge that was worth it, and that is a fair way to frame the choice: the views can reward the effort, but the effort is part of the experience.

If you are deciding whether this is the right outing, consider how you handle uphill walking and altitude. The tour provides an oxygen bottle for emergencies and a first aid kit, but those are safety provisions, not a substitute for pacing yourself. Choose comfort over speed, and do not treat the optional climb above the lake as a must-do.

The easier descent and a buffet lunch

After time at the lake, the return walk to Soraypampa takes about an hour and is described as the easier part of the hike. You then board the private transport for the drive back to Mollepata, where a buffet lunch is waiting.

Lunch is included, with a vegetarian option, and features local products from Cusco. After a strenuous morning, a prepared meal is a welcome convenience. It also means you do not need to find a place to eat during the return journey.

From Mollepata, the drive back to Cusco takes you to a drop-off point near Plaza de Armas. The tour is expected to arrive between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. That makes the outing a full-day commitment, but the central drop-off is useful if you are staying near Cusco’s main square.

Does the $30 price represent good value?

At $30 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup, transport, a bilingual guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, a first aid kit, an emergency oxygen bottle, and an optional wooden walking stick. The main value is the combination: a demanding mountain outing with meals and transport organized, rather than just a ride to the trailhead.

The cost is not the whole budget. Entry is an additional 25 PEN per person, payable in cash, and horseback riding costs 80 PEN per trip if you choose it. Tips are also not included. Bring cash for the entry fee and any optional extras, and remember that the price listed in dollars does not cover those local charges.

This is a particularly useful setup if you want a guided outing and do not want to arrange the early transport and meals separately. If you prefer to hike independently or want a shorter day, the 12-hour schedule and organized stops may feel like more structure than you need. The tour’s rating is 3.6 from three ratings, while the two written five-star comments emphasize the guide, the overall experience, and the challenge of the altitude. That is a small sample, so it offers only a limited picture.

Who should choose this Humantay Lake trip?

I would consider this tour if you want to see Humantay Lake and Salkantay on a single guided day, and you are comfortable with a steep hike at high altitude. The small group, flexible pace, bilingual guide, and included meals make the day easier to manage, though they cannot make the climb effortless.

It may suit you especially well if you value the whole route, not just the lake: the mountain views at Soraypampa, the uphill walk, the optional viewpoint above the water, and a local lunch on the way back. The schedule is long and starts before dawn, so it is less appealing if you want a relaxed morning or a short outing.

The reviews’ strongest praise is for the guide and the experience itself. One five-star comment called the guide and outing amazing, while another described the place as exceptional and the altitude as a challenge worth taking on. That matches the practical trade-off: the walk asks a lot of you, but the day is designed to make the effort worthwhile.

Before you book

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check availability for the start time, since pickup begins early and the exact departure time may depend on the schedule.

Pack water and snacks after breakfast in Mollepata, bring cash for the 25 PEN entry fee, and be honest with yourself about the altitude. If you want a guided, meal-included day to Humantay Lake and accept a steep climb and long hours, this is a sensible option. If high-altitude exertion is not for you, choose a gentler outing.

FAQ

How long is the Humantay Lake tour?

The tour lasts about 12 hours. Pickup in Cusco is between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., with return to the city between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.

How long is the hike to Humantay Lake?

The uphill hike from Soraypampa takes about two hours. The descent back to Soraypampa takes about one hour.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup, transport, drop-off in the center, a bilingual guide, breakfast, buffet lunch with a vegetarian option, a first aid kit, an emergency oxygen bottle, and an optional wooden walking stick.

How much is the entry fee?

Entry costs 25 PEN per person and must be paid in cash. It is not included in the tour price.

Can I hire a horse for the hike?

A horse can be hired for 80 PEN per trip. This cost is not included in the tour price.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Spanish.