Cusco: Humantay Lake Tour with Breakfast and Buffet Lunch

Humantay Lake is the payoff for a steep climb into the high Andes: a striking mountain lake beneath the peaks of Humantay and Salkantay. I like this tour for its early start, which can get you to the lake before the busiest part of the day, and for the two included meals, a welcome bit of comfort on a long outing.

The trade-off is real: this is a demanding walk at altitude, not a casual lakeside stroll. You’ll leave Cusco around 3:30 to 4:00 AM, spend hours on the road, and need to bring cash for the entrance fee and any horse rental.

• The climb is steep and high: The route covers about 3 kilometers uphill and reaches roughly 4,200 meters.
• Meals are included: Breakfast and a buffet lunch are served in Mollepata, with a vegetarian option.
• The lake visit is brief but flexible: You get time for photos and can make a short extra climb above the water for a wider view.
• A horse is an optional extra: Local horses can be rented for 80 PEN one way, but the provider does not arrange or manage the rental.
• Pack for changing conditions: Mornings are cold, weather can shift quickly, and sunburn is possible even when the air feels cool.
• The price covers the basics: At $22 per person, transport, a bilingual guide, meals, and a walking stick are included; the 20 PEN entrance fee is not.

A pre-dawn start from Cusco

Pickup is scheduled between 3:30 and 4:00 AM from your hotel, hostel, or homestay in Cusco’s historic center if your chosen option includes pickup. If not, the meeting point is beside the door of Hotel San Pedro Plaza. Pickup can run about 15 minutes late, and gathering the full group may take 30 to 45 minutes, so bring patience along with your warm clothes.

The first drive to Mollepata takes about two hours. That is a long stretch before sunrise, but it gets the road time out of the way while you rest. The route has plenty of curves, so if you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly.

Groups can be private by request, but group size depends on the option you book. A guide and driver handle the logistics, and the guide carries a first aid kit and oxygen for emergencies. Guides on this trip have included Jonathan, Eduardo, Kevin, Jefferson, and Waldir. You cannot count on a particular guide, but the guiding style described across departures is attentive: expect check-ins during the climb and encouragement to go at a manageable pace.

Breakfast in Mollepata, then a higher road

In Mollepata, you stop for breakfast for about 30 minutes. It’s a practical pause before the mountain route, and the included meal means you don’t need to search for food at dawn. You can also pick up water and snacks here. Snacks are not listed as included, so bring extra cash in local currency if you plan to buy them.

After breakfast, the drive continues for about an hour to Soraypampa, a high mountain plateau. Here, Apu Salkantay rises to 6,230 meters and Humantay to 5,250 meters. The scale of these peaks is part of the reward, even before the trek begins. Take a moment to get your day pack ready, drink some water, and add a layer if you have taken one off in the van.

The tour reaches an altitude of about 4,200 meters. At that height, a short uphill stretch can feel harder than it looks. If you have just arrived in Cusco and have not had time to adjust to the altitude, consider how your body is feeling before setting out. This route is not suitable for people with respiratory issues, low fitness, mobility impairments, vertigo, or pregnancy.

The steep climb to Humantay Lake

From Soraypampa, the route climbs about 3 kilometers to the lake. The listed uphill hiking time is around two hours, though the time can vary with pace and conditions. The slope is steep, and altitude can leave you short of breath quickly. In several accounts of the climb, people who were fit at lower elevations still found it tough. Take your time, pause when needed, and don’t let the fastest walkers set your pace.

Good hiking shoes matter. Parts of the route can be muddy, rough, or feel like a scramble, and horse and walking routes may overlap. Mud can also be mixed with horse droppings, so save your clean shoes for later. A walking stick is included as an optional aid, and you should bring water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and rain gear.

There may be a local horse available for the ascent, priced at 80 PEN one way. It is not included in the tour, and the provider does not manage the rental. You arrange it directly with the local horse handlers. If the altitude is affecting your breathing or you are struggling with the climb, using a horse for part or all of the uphill route may be worth considering. Don’t assume you can pay in dollars: entrance fees and extra expenses are payable in local currency.

Time beside the lake and above it

At Humantay Lake, the planned stop is about 30 minutes. That gives you time to rest, take photos, and look around. If you still have energy, a short climb to the right or left above the lake can open up a broader view. It is an optional extra, not a requirement for enjoying the visit.

The lake’s appearance can change with the weather. You may get clear mountain views, or clouds and shifting light may alter the colors. One departure encountered poor weather and did not see the vivid blue water shown in many photographs. That is a useful reminder: no tour company can control conditions this high up. Check the forecast before choosing a day if your schedule allows, but be ready for weather to change while you are there.

Your guide should explain the group’s timing and meeting point before you spread out for photos. Keep track of the agreed departure time. One practical concern raised on the route is that unclear paths can lead some walkers toward a creek or onto the horse trail. Stay alert at forks and ask your guide if you are unsure which way to go.

The descent, lunch, and long ride home

The return is downhill to Soraypampa. It is easier on the lungs than the climb, but a steep trail can still be tiring on the knees and ankles. The published schedule allows about two hours for the return hike, while some people complete the descent more quickly. The actual pace can depend on the group, trail conditions, and whether anyone has used a horse.

Then it is back into the van for the roughly one-hour drive to Mollepata, where a buffet lunch is served. After an early start and a high-altitude walk, a hot meal is more than a nice extra. The tour includes a vegetarian option, and the buffet gives you a chance to eat a proper meal before the final drive.

The return to Cusco takes about two hours, with arrival generally between 5:00 and 6:00 PM. Drop-off is in the historic center, near Plaza de Armas, with a listed address at San Bernardo 132. This is a full-day outing, and the drive home may feel long after the climb. One practical note: the return van has felt hot on some trips, so keep water accessible and dress in layers you can adjust.

What $22 covers, and what it doesn’t

At $22 per person, this is strong value for a full day that includes transport, a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, a walking stick, and downtown drop-off. The meals and transport simplify the day, especially when you would otherwise need to organize a very early departure and several long drives on your own.

Budget separately for the 20 PEN entrance fee, payable in cash, and for snacks or water if you buy them along the way. A horse costs 80 PEN one way and is optional. Carry local currency for these expenses; the tour information specifies that local currency is the only accepted currency for entrance fees and extras.

The advertised schedule can vary by selected option. Hotel pickup may not be included, so check that detail before booking. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later offer some flexibility, but they do not change the physical demands of the hike.

How to prepare for the altitude and weather

Bring comfortable hiking shoes, warm clothing, a jacket, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, and rain gear. The first hours are cold, but don’t let the breeze fool you once the sun comes out. Sunburn has been an issue for people who left their arms uncovered, so reapply sunscreen and consider a light layer over your arms and the back of your neck.

Pack a small day bag rather than luggage or a large bag, which is not allowed. A change of socks or shoes may be useful if the trail is muddy, though you will need to carry anything you bring. The best approach is to pack for both cold and sun, with a rain layer close at hand.

You can improve your odds of enjoying the climb by allowing time to adjust to Cusco’s altitude before this outing. The tour itself is strenuous, and people with respiratory conditions or low fitness are specifically advised not to join. The guide can set a patient pace, but nobody can make the air at 4,200 meters easier to breathe.

Who should book this Humantay Lake tour?

I’d choose this trip if you want a big Andean mountain day without arranging transport and meals yourself, and you are prepared for a steep walk at high altitude. The lake, views of Salkantay, and included breakfast and lunch make the long day feel worthwhile for someone who enjoys hiking and can manage the climb.

I’d think twice if you are short on time to acclimatize, have a respiratory or mobility issue, or want an easy sightseeing trip. The horse option can help with the uphill section, but it is an extra cost arranged with local handlers, and it does not turn the outing into a low-effort visit. If you book, go slowly, keep your guide’s timing in mind at the lake, and bring cash, water, sturdy shoes, and more sun protection than the cool morning might suggest.

FAQ

How early does the tour leave Cusco?

Pickup from a downtown hotel, hostel, or homestay is scheduled between 3:30 and 4:00 AM. If your option does not include pickup, meet beside the door of Hotel San Pedro Plaza.

How long is the Humantay Lake hike?

The uphill hike is listed at about two hours over roughly 3 kilometers. The return is also listed at about two hours, though the actual time can vary with the group and trail conditions.

How high does the tour go?

The tour reaches about 4,200 meters. The surrounding peaks include Apu Salkantay at 6,230 meters and Humantay at 5,250 meters.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast and buffet lunch in Mollepata are included, with a vegetarian option. Snacks and water are not listed as included.

Is the entrance fee included in the $22 price?

No. The entrance fee is 20 PEN per person and must be paid in cash. Bring local currency for this fee and other extra expenses.

Can I rent a horse for the climb?

A horse can be rented locally for 80 PEN one way. It is not included in the tour, and the provider does not manage the rental.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, comfortable clothes, warm layers, a hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, and rain gear. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, vertigo, respiratory issues, or low fitness. The steep climb and altitude make this a strenuous outing.