Cusco | Humantay Lake 1-Day Tour with Breakfast and Lunch

Humantay Lake is the star here: a turquoise pool beneath glacier-covered peaks, reached by a steep mountain hike at 4,250 meters. The climb takes effort, but the reward is a striking high-Andean view, with a guide and walking sticks along the way.

I like two practical details: breakfast and a buffet lunch are included, and the guide is expected to keep an eye on the group rather than simply hurry ahead. The catch is the early start and the altitude. You’ll leave Cusco around 4 a.m., and the hike may feel hard even if you’re fit.

The details that matter

• The lake sits at 4,250 meters: Altitude is a real part of this outing, not a footnote. Take the climb at a steady pace.
• The walk begins at Challacancha: Expect about two and a half hours on foot to reach Humantay Lake.
• Breakfast and buffet lunch are included: You eat in Mollepata before and after the hike.
• The $28 price leaves out the entrance fee: Set aside 20 soles in cash, plus money for drinks, tips or other extras.
• You can hire a horse for the uphill section: The listed price is 80 to 90 soles, and the ride is only for going up.
• The day runs roughly 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Pickup is from central Cusco hotels and accessible streets; the return is near the main square.

Why Humantay Lake is worth the early alarm

The main reason to book this trip is simple: you get a full day in the high Andes without having to arrange transport, meals and a guide separately. The lake’s vivid turquoise color against the glaciers makes a memorable destination, and the approach on foot gives you time to notice the area’s plants and wildlife as well as the changing mountain views.

This isn’t a gentle sightseeing stop. You climb to a lake at 4,250 meters, and the steep trail can feel demanding. The high altitude can make a moderate effort feel harder than expected, so I’d treat the walk as a serious hike, not a quick stroll with a photo stop at the end.

That challenge is part of the appeal for some people. You earn the view, and the included guide, walking sticks and oxygen offer practical support. They do not make the altitude disappear, though. If you have altitude sickness or are unsure how you’ll handle the elevation, this is not the right excursion for you.

Leaving Cusco before dawn

Pickup is around 4 a.m. from hotels in the city center and accessible streets. That early departure gives the tour time to reach the trail, make meal stops and return to Cusco at about 6 p.m. It also means you’ll want to prepare the night before: lay out warm, suitable hiking clothes, pack water and put your personal medication where you can reach it.

Tourist transport is included, so you don’t have to coordinate the drive yourself. The description promises hotel pickup in the central area and a drop-off near Cusco’s main square. If your hotel is outside the center or on a street the vehicle cannot reach, confirm the pickup point before travel. A comfortable bus was noted by one person on the trip, but the vehicle type and group size are not specified.

The early start is the day’s first trade-off. You’ll lose sleep, and the tour lasts about fourteen hours from pickup to return. If you are planning a late night in Cusco beforehand, reconsider. A rested start is more useful than another hour out, especially before a long hike at altitude.

Breakfast in Mollepata, then on to Challacancha

The first meal is a continental breakfast in Mollepata. It’s a useful stop before the walking begins, though you should still bring a small snack. The tour recommends water, cookies or chocolate for energy, and there is no reason to rely on meal stops alone to keep you comfortable during the climb.

After breakfast, the bus continues to Challacancha. Your guide gives information along the way, and the hike begins there. The trail to the lake takes around two and a half hours. You’ll pass through an area where the local flora and fauna can be appreciated, although the precise route details and wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

The pace matters more here than a stopwatch. A past tour guide named Jonathan was noted for encouraging hikers, checking that everyone was okay before moving on and making sure no one was left behind. Guides may vary, but that is the kind of attention worth looking for on a steep high-altitude walk. The tour offers guides in English or Spanish; choose the language that will help you follow safety advice and explanations comfortably.

Handmade walking sticks are included. Use them if they help you stay steady on the uphill trail, and keep your own pace rather than trying to match the fastest person. The tour also includes oxygen, but its presence is not a substitute for taking altitude symptoms seriously or for following the guide’s instructions.

The climb to Humantay Lake

The destination lies at 4,250 meters above sea level, and the uphill walk is the most physically demanding part of the day. One person described the hill as steep but doable. That is a useful way to think about it: manageable for many people who are prepared to hike, but not effortless, and the altitude can magnify the strain.

You’ll have time at the lake for photos. The turquoise water and glacier backdrop are the visual payoff, but give yourself a moment to look beyond the camera, too. This is a high mountain setting, and the scale of the peaks is part of what makes the stop special. Conditions can change, so a waterproof jacket or rain poncho is sensible, particularly during the rainy season from December through March.

The tour gives you enough time at the lake to take photos, but no exact duration is specified. Don’t assume you can linger indefinitely. Follow the guide’s timing so the group can make the return journey and catch the transport back toward Mollepata.

If you don’t want to walk the uphill section, a horse can be hired at Soraypampa for 80 to 90 soles. The horse option is for going up only, so it does not remove the need to walk on the descent. The fee is extra, and you should bring cash. The tour description does not guarantee horse availability, so don’t treat it as a sure alternative to being ready for the hike.

Returning downhill and eating in Mollepata

After time at the lake, you descend to the station and board transport to Challacancha. From there, the tour returns to Mollepata for a buffet lunch at a traditional, colorful restaurant. The meal is a welcome part of the package after a long morning outdoors, and a buffet gives you a choice rather than a single fixed plate.

The lunch is included in the $28 price, as is breakfast. That adds real value, since you are not left to find meals in unfamiliar stops during a tightly timed day. Still, drinks and other extras are not included, so carry some money beyond the entrance fee.

The tour aims to reach Cusco around 6 p.m. and finishes near the main square. One account described being dropped near the hotel, but the stated return point is near the square, so plan around that rather than assuming door-to-door service on the way back. The long day also means you may want a relaxed evening after the excursion.

What the $28 price covers

At $28 per person, the price includes central-area pickup, tourist transport, an English- or Spanish-speaking professional guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, handmade walking sticks and oxygen. For a full-day outing that includes a long drive, a guided high-altitude hike and two meals, that is a strong package price.

The important extra is the 20-sol entrance fee, payable in cash. You’ll also need money for optional horse hire, drinks, tips, souvenirs and other personal expenses. Carry soles or dollars, as recommended, but keep the required entrance fee separate so it is ready when needed. The tour price is not the whole day’s cost if you expect to use a horse or buy extras.

Booking can be done with a reserve-now, pay-later option, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms add flexibility, but they do not change the main planning point: check that the tour’s demanding altitude and early departure suit your health and schedule.

Who should choose this hike

This outing suits you if you want to see Humantay Lake, are comfortable spending a full day on an excursion and can manage a steep uphill hike at high altitude. It’s also a sensible choice if you value having transport, meals and a guide arranged together, rather than piecing together the day yourself.

It is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with altitude sickness, babies under one year or people over 95. Even if you fall outside those listed categories, be honest about your stamina and how you respond to elevation. Bring any personal medication you need, and don’t mistake the included oxygen or walking sticks for a guarantee that the climb will feel easy.

For the hike, wear proper footwear and comfortable pants. Pack a hat, sunscreen of factor 35 or higher, water and a rain layer when conditions call for it. A snack such as cookies or chocolate can help you keep your energy up between meals. These are small preparations, but they can make a long day feel much more manageable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you’re ready for an early start and a steep, high-altitude hike in exchange for a memorable lake and glacier view. The meals, transport, guide, sticks and oxygen make the $28 fare good value, with the 20-sol entrance fee as a clear extra. Skip it if altitude sickness, limited mobility or the climb itself makes the day a poor fit. If you go, prepare the night before, carry cash and pace yourself.

FAQ

How early does the tour leave Cusco?

Pickup is at approximately 4 a.m. from hotels in the city center and accessible streets.

How long is the tour?

It is a one-day tour. The return to Cusco is around 6 p.m.

How long is the walk to Humantay Lake?

The walk from Challacancha to the lake takes around two and a half hours.

How high is Humantay Lake?

The lake is at an altitude of 4,250 meters above sea level.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a continental breakfast in Mollepata and a buffet lunch at a restaurant there.

Is the entrance fee included in the price?

No. The entrance fee is 20 soles and should be paid in cash.

Can I ride a horse instead of walking uphill?

A horse can be hired for the uphill section for 80 to 90 soles. The ride is for going up only.

Which languages are available for the guide?

The live guide speaks Spanish or English.

What should I bring?

Bring water, a snack such as cookies or chocolate, suitable hiking footwear, comfortable pants, a hat, sunscreen of factor 35 or higher, personal medication and extra money. A waterproof jacket or rain poncho is recommended during the rainy season from December through March.