Tour to Laguna Humantay with breakfast and lunch from Cusco

The payoff is a turquoise mountain lake at 4,200 meters, framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Salkantay range. Getting there takes an early start and a steep uphill walk, but this is a striking day trip if you’re fit, acclimatized, and ready for high-altitude effort.

I like two things about this outing: the bilingual guide, who leads the walk and explains the place, and the practical package of transport, breakfast, lunch, and trekking poles. Those inclusions simplify a long day that would be harder to arrange on your own.

The main drawback is the altitude. The trail climbs from Soraypampa at 3,900 meters to the lagoon at 4,200 meters, and the uphill walk takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. This is not a gentle stroll, and the tour advises spending at least two days acclimatizing in Cusco first.

Key points before you book

• The climb starts at Soraypampa: The uphill hike takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to reach the lagoon.
• The altitude is no small detail: Humantay Lagoon sits at 4,200 meters, so acclimatize in Cusco for at least two days.
• Breakfast and lunch are included: You eat in Mollepata before and after the walk.
• The entry ticket is extra: Budget S/20 for foreign visitors or S/10 for Peruvian nationals.
• A horse is optional, not included: Arrange one before the walk and pay in local currency. The listed cost is 80 soles.
• Expect a very early departure: Hotel pickup in Cusco’s historic center begins between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m.

An early start from Cusco’s historic center

The day starts between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., with pickup at your hotel if it is in Cusco’s historic center. If you’re staying farther away, you’ll need to coordinate a meeting point. That detail is worth settling ahead of time, since the group leaves early and the drive to the first stop takes roughly two and a half hours.

This is a long day, but the early departure has a practical purpose: it gives you time for breakfast, the mountain drive, the hike, and lunch before returning to Cusco. Pack what you need the night before, including warm layers and your passport or ID. There’s little appeal in searching for gloves at dawn.

The tour uses tourist transport, so you won’t need to arrange separate transfers to Mollepata or Soraypampa. The information provided does not specify vehicle size or group size, so don’t assume a private ride or a small group.

Breakfast and a pause in Mollepata

After the drive, the first stop is Mollepata, where breakfast is included. The meal is described as an American breakfast, and the stop lasts about an hour. You also have a chance to make last-minute purchases before continuing toward Soraypampa.

This is more than a meal stop. It breaks up the drive and gives you a chance to check that you have warm clothing, water, sun protection, and suitable shoes before starting the climb. The tour does not specify what food is served, so ask in advance if you have dietary needs.

The journey continues from Mollepata to Soraypampa, a drive of about an hour. At 3,900 meters, Soraypampa is already high, and you’ll feel the elevation before reaching the lake. There’s a short break to get ready for the hike. Use it to adjust your layers and make sure your day bag is comfortable.

The uphill trail to Humantay Lagoon

From Soraypampa, the route climbs toward the lagoon. The walk takes about 1 hour 40 minutes, with an uphill distance described as roughly two kilometers. That distance may sound modest, but the elevation makes this a tough effort for many people. The tour specifically recommends being physically prepared.

Trekking poles are included, a useful aid on a rising trail. They can help you find a steadier rhythm, though they don’t remove the challenge of thin air or the climb. The guide speaks English and Spanish and leads the hike. An oxygen ball is also included, but it should not be treated as a substitute for acclimatization or for knowing your own limits.

If you do not want to walk the whole way, horse rental is available for 80 soles. You arrange and pay for the horse in local currency before starting the hike. It is an optional extra, not part of the tour price. Ask the guide about the arrangement at the start, rather than waiting until the group has set off.

Take the ascent at a pace that feels manageable. The tour information warns that the hike is difficult, and the altitude is a central part of that challenge. If you have altitude sickness, low fitness, a heart problem, or are pregnant, this trip is not suitable. It is also not recommended for children under 10 or people over 70.

Time at the turquoise water

At the top, the view is the reason for the climb: Humantay Lagoon’s turquoise water beneath the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay, whose peak reaches 6,270 meters. The lagoon is considered sacred in the Cusco region, and the guide provides an explanation at the site. You’ll have time for photographs and to take in the setting before heading back down.

Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. The tour also recommends gloves and warm clothing, alongside hiking shoes. Conditions at this altitude can feel very different from Cusco, and the open mountain setting makes it sensible to be prepared for both sun and cold.

The stop is not a long lakeside stay. The schedule allows about 1.5 hours for the walk and time at the lagoon, followed by the return walk to Soraypampa, which takes about an hour. That time includes enjoying the view, listening to the guide, and taking pictures, so don’t spend the whole stop trying to get the perfect photo.

Drones are not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited as well. If photography matters to you, plan to use a phone or camera, and keep your hands free enough to manage the trail safely.

Back to Soraypampa, then lunch

After the lake, you walk back down to Soraypampa, where the transport is waiting. The return leg takes about an hour according to the schedule. The descent is shorter than the climb, but it still calls for care underfoot, especially if you’re tired.

From there, the vehicle takes you back to Mollepata for lunch. Lunch is included and described as a buffet meal; the tour information also refers to it as a refreshment lunch. The exact menu is not specified, so treat this as a convenient included meal rather than a reason to book on food alone.

After lunch, you return to Cusco’s historic center. The exact arrival time is not given, and the full day depends on several drives and a high-altitude hike. Keep your evening plans flexible rather than scheduling something that requires you to be back at a precise hour.

What the $34 price covers, and what it doesn’t

At $34 per person, the package includes hotel pickup within the historic center, tourist transport, breakfast, lunch, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, trekking poles, and an oxygen ball. For a full-day outing with several hours of driving and meals included, that is a useful bundle.

The price does not include the lagoon entry ticket. The listed charge is S/20 for foreign visitors and S/10 for Peruvian nationals. Horse rental costs 80 soles if you choose that option. These additions make the final cost higher than the advertised base price, so include them in your budget before booking.

The value is strongest if you want transport and meals handled in one booking, and you’re comfortable joining a guided group. If you already have transport or prefer to set your own pace, the package may be less appealing. The available details do not state the group size or exact meal menu, so ask the operator if either affects your decision.

Who will enjoy this day, and who should skip it

This tour suits active visitors who have already spent time acclimatizing in Cusco and want to see a high-altitude lake without arranging transport and meals themselves. It also works well if you value having an English- or Spanish-speaking guide explain the site and lead the hike.

It is a poor fit if you’re arriving in Cusco immediately before the trip, dislike steep walks, or have a condition that makes high altitude unsafe. The operator advises at least two days of acclimatization in Cusco. The tour is explicitly not suitable for people with altitude sickness, low fitness, heart problems, or pregnancy, as well as children under 10 and people over 70.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms offer some flexibility, but they do not change the physical demands. Make your decision based on your health and acclimatization, not just the convenient price.

Should you book the Humantay Lagoon tour?

Book this trip if you’re acclimatized, fit enough for a sustained uphill walk at altitude, and eager to see the turquoise lagoon beneath Salkantay. The included transport, meals, trekking poles, and bilingual guide make the day straightforward, while the landscape at the top gives the effort a clear reward.

Skip it, or choose the horse option if walking is the concern, if the altitude feels like too much, or if you fall into one of the listed groups for whom the tour is unsuitable. Before you commit, budget for the separate entry ticket and possible horse fee, and confirm your pickup arrangements if your hotel is outside the historic center.

FAQ

How early does the tour leave Cusco?

Pickup begins between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. from hotels in Cusco’s historic center. If your hotel is outside that area, a meeting point will be arranged in advance.

How high is Humantay Lagoon?

The lagoon is at 4,200 meters above sea level. The hike starts at Soraypampa, which is at 3,900 meters.

How long is the hike to the lagoon?

The uphill walk takes about 1 hour 40 minutes and is described as roughly two kilometers. The return walk to Soraypampa takes about an hour.

Is the entry ticket included in the tour price?

No. The ticket costs S/20 for foreign visitors or S/10 for Peruvian nationals.

Can I rent a horse instead of walking?

Yes. Horse rental is optional, costs 80 soles, and is arranged before the walk. You pay in local currency.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included. Breakfast is served in Mollepata before the drive to Soraypampa, and lunch is served in Mollepata after the hike.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a hat, warm clothing, sunglasses, hiking shoes, your passport or ID card, and gloves. The tour also includes trekking poles.