Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco All inclusive
Recommended by 90% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cusco, Peru
- 14 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get a taste for Peru’s high-alpine scenery and ancient Inca customs during this full-day hike to Lake Humantay from Cusco. Ascend to this scenic body of water located at 13,779 feet (4,200 meters), learning about its sacred place in Inca mythology during your climb. An included buffet lunch back at base camp is an added bonus.
- Hike to Lake Humantay on trek from Cusco
- Reach heights of almost 14,000 feet
- Learn about why the lake was sacred to the Incas
- Entrance fees and round-trip hotel transfers included
What's Included
- Hotel pickup in Cusco city
- Transport by private minivan
- Professional guide
- 1 American Breakfast, 1 lunch ( vegetarian option
- 1 walking Stick
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Entrance fee ( if the option is selected)
- Gratuities
- Drinks
- Drop off at the hotel.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
If your hotel is located outside of the center of Cusco you must come to the meeting point, or contact us by whatsApp or email us directly to let us know the name of your hotel. We do not pick up from Airbnbs if you are in Airbnb Be in the middle of Plaza el Regocijo by the small water Fountain at 4:00am (To be confirmed).
Operating hours.4:00 am
Itinerary
After pickup from your Cusco hotel, enjoy a scenic 2-hour drive to Mollepata village, where a quick breakfast prepares you for the upcoming hike. Then, travel to Soraypampa, the starting point of the trek.
Embark on a 1.5-hour steep ascent to the sacred Humantay Lake, or opt for a horse ride if needed. At the summit, absorb the significance of this sacred Inca site and its mythology while taking in the stunning high-alpine views.
Refuel with a delicious lunch in Mollepata and conclude the day with a return to Cusco.
Embark on a 1.5-hour steep ascent to the sacred Humantay Lake, or opt for a horse ride if needed. At the summit, absorb the significance of this sacred Inca site and its mythology while taking in the stunning high-alpine views.
Refuel with a delicious lunch in Mollepata and conclude the day with a return to Cusco.
Cusco (Pass By)
1
Mollepata
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
SORAYPAMPA
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Humantay Lake
3 hours •
4
SORAYPAMPA
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Cusco
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Infants must sit on laps
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Minimum age is 14 years old.
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required for the small group option
- Not recommended for Sedentary individuals.
- Not recommended for children and elderly people.
- Be responsible and do not bring your baby or small child to this trip.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Corinna_D
It was amazing. But be aware that this is not for the faint of heart. It’s a difficult climb, and even if you rent horses, you still have to walk to the horses and the last 5 minutes steep to the lake. You will be tired! But it’s awesome.
The stop for lunch and breakfast was lovely, a family prepared meal. Our guide Carlos was awesome!
Reviews
4.7
based on 257 reviews
Aiswarya_S, Apr 2026
It was an okay tour overall, but I would strongly recommend not doing this unless you are well acclimatized to high altitude and reasonably fit.
I chose the horse option, assuming it would make things easier. However, even walking short distances at this altitude was quite difficult and caused breathing issues. There is still walking involved before and after the horse ride (from the bus parking to the horse point, and from where the horse drops you off to the lake), and the altitude makes it more challenging than expected.
The group I was with was much more advanced and not very supportive, although people from other groups were kind enough to check on me. At one point, a girl sprained her ankle, and the guide asked other participants for painkillers, which was surprising as I expected basic first aid to be included.
Regarding the horse ride — instructions were minimal, and the system is different from what many may be used to. During the ride, another participant dropped a bottle which spooked my horse. I tried asking for help (in the little Spanish I knew), but didn’t receive any assistance at that moment, and we continued the journey. Later, the horse veered off route and threw me off. Thankfully, I was not injured, but the response I received was that I should have held on tighter, which didn’t feel very supportive.
I also felt that the horses were overworked or not properly cared for. When they stopped, possibly to rest, the handler was hitting the horse to keep it moving, which made me uncomfortable about using this option.
Later, another guide mentioned that someone from his group had previously suffered a fracture and had to be taken back to Cusco, which raises concerns about overall safety preparedness.
By the time we reached the top, it was cloudy and crowded, and I couldn’t fully enjoy the experience. Throughout the tour, I felt judged for struggling, even though altitude affects everyone differently. I was otherwise fine in Cusco, but this was a completely different level.
I would say this tour is better suited for those who are already well acclimatized and comfortable in high-altitude conditions. Otherwise, it can be physically and mentally overwhelming.
Sharon_M, Jan 2026
It was an incredible hike with so much to see! It is difficult if you’re not a hiker so I def recommend riding the horse up. The families that rent them are really kind and help guide you up. Our tour guide Joel was amazing and so kind. He consistently checked in on us the whole time to ensure we were having a great time!
Beth_M, Jan 2026
Guide was not sympathetic to different fitness levels of the group and oxygen was not offered to those that needed it, please make sure you acclimatise before doing this trip and have a good level of fitness it’s a challenging hike. Food was ok. The driver was going so fast around corners that two of the group had to sit out at the breakfast stop. A lot of us felt nauseous at the lunch stop after the drive.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hi Beth, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that some aspects of the tour did not fully meet your expectations.
We would like to clarify that the pace of the hike is always managed responsibly and with respect for the group, while also following a schedule that must be respected. As this is a timed itinerary, it is not possible for the group to remain significantly behind; however, our guides consistently encourage and motivate guests to continue at a safe and steady pace.
Our guides are trained to support the group while ensuring the tour progresses according to established time frames. It is unfortunate to hear that this was perceived otherwise, and we appreciate your comment as it helps us reflect on how we communicate this during the experience.
As mentioned previously, emergency oxygen is always carried but is only administered in specific cases of altitude sickness. Fatigue alone does not warrant its use, especially at high altitude.
Additionally, nausea can be a normal reaction to altitude and winding mountain roads, and guests are advised in advance to acclimatize and take preventive medication if necessary.
Regarding the driving, we sincerely regret that some guests felt uncomfortable and will review this feedback with our transportation team.
Thank you again for your comments, which help us continue improving our service.
Kind regards,
Willka Travel Team
Bobby_T, Dec 2025
This tour company took really good care of us. They gave us clear instructions the night before (be sure to have whatsapp on your phone). Pickup was on time and the transportation to and from the lake was smooth and orderly (during pickup, we had to wait 25 minutes for a group of six inconsiderate guests to get ready, which caused pickup of subsequent guests to be delayed, but that was not the tour company's fault).
The included breakfast and lunch were greatly appreciated and the food for good.
Once we got to the base of the mountain, we had to hike a ways to get to the horse stables. That portion of the hike is flat but the rest of the way up to Humantay Lake is quite steep so we decided to take some horses up the mountain (you can hike up yourself if you prefer). It cost 80 Soles for each horse, but beware that if you are a bit heavy, they may charge you extra. Note that the horses are managed by another outfit and this tour operator has nothing to do with the horses. The trek up the mountain was fine for a while but something spooked my horse and it bucked me off, causing me to fall on my back. Fortunately, I was not seriously injured. They gave me another horse and the rest of the ride up was uneventful. At the horse dropoff point, you still need to hike a little further to get to the Lake. Once you get there, the view is beautiful, with the turquoise color of the lake and the stunning mountain backdrop forming a great background for a gorgeous picture. On the way back, we hiked about halfway down the mounting and picked up a ride that took us all the way back to the bus parking area. This cost us 30 Soles per person. This was of course the easy way to do the tour but after doing Rainbow Mountain the day before, we were exhausted and appreciated having the easy option. You can of course walk the whole way back to the bus parking area if you prefer. Overall, our guide Bryan was wonderful (he was the one who arranged the ride back to the parking area). He kept track of everyone the whole way and was very patient. Overall, this was a very worthwhile experience and a great value for the buck. Finally, be sure to tip these guys. They work really hard for you. Enjoy!
Rosa_G, Dec 2025
Our tour guide Yesenia was amazing, she made the trip so pleasant, very supportive on our steep hike. The view was worth the hike, and if you are not a hiker and still want to go up the mountain to see this beautiful magical lake, there’s lovely towns people that let you take a horse up for 80 soles. I went with three other friends, and only one of use chickened out and took a horse. It’s a hard hike but very fulfilling experience. The food was delicious, once again Yesenia was so lovely, and will definitely recommend.
JodyAnn_B, Oct 2025
Great guide and wonderful they where very helpful. 10/10 recommend.
I would recommend to all my friends the food was great
Danielle_L, Oct 2025
Jenkins was our guide and spoke excellent English! Our driver drove us safely for the 3 hours there and 3 back. The hike wasn’t as strenuous as we thought. The food was great!
Lewis_D, Oct 2025
The experience was extraordinary, beautiful place , our tour guy Cesar was great I recommend highly .
Donna_G, Sep 2025
Almost 14000 ft elevation at the top! The altitude almost forces you to walk slowly. I’m in good shape, but I felt like I was 90 walking up to the top , lol. The views are worth the effort though .
Cesi_E, Sep 2025
Amazing experience! But don't this if you're afraid of heights because it's very steep. If you want a real challenge, then hiking to the top is great but you can also choose to use a horse for an extra fee to get you to the laguna summit (no worries, they're short horses). The views are terrific and this is an experience you surely won't forget. I highly recommend it if you want a challenge and jaw dropping sceneries (especially that snow covered mountain).
Jeff_D, Aug 2025
Wonderful experience and tour guide. The lake is magnificent. Definitely 5 stars. The hike up to the lake is very challenging. I hiked it and my sister elected to take the horse which was a smart option. The hike is approximately 1.5 hours to the top. The view is magnificent and it’s one of the best experiences of our vacation. Guide was super friendly.
Ropl, Jul 2025
The guide Mcguil? & Driver was great.
The Humantay Lake & surrounding mountains was scenic.
Below has nothing to do with the operator:
Crowds at lake too much, and some irresponsible people threw garbage around
The roads to and from lake was extremely bumpy and 5-6 hours round trip almost makes hiking up to see the lake not worth it.
Breakfast and lunch surprisingly were quite good.
Meeting point by the plaza was a little tricky as there's many white Mercedes vans going in and out, hard to know which one will pick me up. So afraid to miss the right van even I arrived way early on meeting time.
Overall I'm satisfy with this company and the value of the tour.
Corinna_D, Jul 2025
It was amazing. But be aware that this is not for the faint of heart. It’s a difficult climb, and even if you rent horses, you still have to walk to the horses and the last 5 minutes steep to the lake. You will be tired! But it’s awesome.
The stop for lunch and breakfast was lovely, a family prepared meal. Our guide Carlos was awesome!
John_J, Jul 2025
Cesar’s an excellent guide. He was very patient and helpful. He made the hike twice to find a group member that didn’t show up on time. We had a big breakfast and lunch. Was absolutely worth it both the trek and the guide.
Summer_B, Jul 2025
Amazing guide and driver. Good price. We were the first up on the lake. Got to stay a long time. Didn't feel rushed. Food was wonderful.
Katherine_L, Jul 2025
Our guide Edgar was awesome! Friendly kind and helpful, taking care of everyone the whole way. He taught us about the Incan knowledge of the mountain at the lake, took pictures, made sure everyone was having a good time and had everything they needed. He went above and beyond to be the best guide. The hike was super steep and high elevation. I got tired halfway and rented a donkey, loved that part lol. Great people on the tour and we enjoyed each other’s company. Altogether great!
Rebecca_L, Jul 2025
Tour was fine - Humantay is breathtaking, but realistically our guide spent maybe 15 minutes with us on the entire hike. Would also recommend bringing your own food as the breakfast and lunch are not very good. We were fine with all of this until the very end of the tour, when our driver dropped off the only other couple in our group at their hotel’s front door, then when driving toward our hotel, stopped at the bottom of the hill 0.5 miles away and said to us “ok tour ends here, you can walk up to your hotel.” This was extremely unprofessional and truthfully rude - we understand the tour did not include a hotel drop-off, but when we are already returning an hour early and the only other people on the tour were dropped off right at their front door, the least the driver/guide could have done was let us know they weren’t going to drive the <5 extra minutes to our hotel so we had a chance to call a taxi.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you for sharing your experience and for joining us on the Humantay Lake tour. We’re truly glad to hear you found the destination breathtaking — it really is a special place.
We’re very sorry to hear you were disappointed with certain aspects of the tour, particularly the drop-off situation at the end. While the tour description clearly states that it ends at Plaza Regocijo and does not include hotel drop-off, we understand how it could feel unfair when other guests were let off closer to their hotel. In that case, it happened simply because their hotel was right along the main road we were already driving through.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the guide’s presence and the food quality — we take your comments seriously and are always looking to improve. Thank you again for your honesty, and we hope to have the chance to offer you a better experience in the future.
Warm regards,
Rolando
Willka Travel
Amanda_f, May 2025
The experience was AMAZING and the totally worth the pain in my thighs the next two days. Celsius was compassionate and informative. I have bad knees and the incline was significantly steeper than anticipated. We were able to rent horses (80 soles pp) about 2/3 of the way up. But did not take horses back - there was an option to do so about halfway down or a little further. Do bring sunscreen! We misjudged the cloudy morning and by midafternoon the sun came out gloriously. Only four ⭐️ due to the misinterpretation of “moderate hike.”
Jason_R, May 2025
Super cool adventure that is so worth the long day. Get a taste of Peru outside of Cusco and take on an awesome hike. 6.1 miles in & out hike with an awesome guide. The long drive is worth it. Bring snacks and soles.
We did not use the horse and chose to hike with our guide, Cesar. He was wonderful and took a lot of breaks to let us catch our breath. I don’t recommend this if you have kids as it is very strenuous but so worth it. Breakfast and lunch is nothing amazing but delicious. Super friendly people along the way.
Michael_J, May 2025
Booked humantay lake tour with willka travel and we were very pleased with everything they did. Excellent communication through the app, email and what's app. Picked up on time by Humberto who was fantastic all day. We had a small group of 6 people and everyone was really friendly. The day is quite challenging as even if you take a horse up there is a lot of walking. Humberto managed us all really well and never let anyone fall behind. The views are beyond spectacular, not just the lake but the entire area. A must see trip
MAN_N, May 2025
This is a place you DO NOT want to miss. We were able to leave really early and were the first ones at the lake. We were able to take pics with NO ONE in sight. :-) Of course, taking the horse helps. The breakfast and lunch was AWESOME!! Once we left the lake, so many people starting to arrive. BEST TOUR in PERU.
Diane_C, Apr 2025
THIS WAS SUCH AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE! Our tour guide, Hilton, was knowledgeable and helps you with anything you need! I was a solo traveler but the group definitely stood together and nobody was left behind. We ate at an all you can eat breakfast and lunch cute calm spot, which was much needed. Nothing about the trip felt rushed. The trail up the mountain is rather difficult, but after a short 30 minute hike, you had the option to take horses/mules up to the lake (this was not included but it was only 80 soles and only one way). The trail down the mountain was not difficult and you can take your time. Overall such a good experience. Just a few key reminders, pack light and bring water and small snacks.
Abhijeet_T, Apr 2025
Our guide was Ciro and we had difficulties in conversing with him as he didn’t know English well to communicate with us. Also, he was not supportive of the walking speed of other group members and kept on insisting to take the horse to climb up lake Humantay. There were times where we had to find our own paths as our guide was not visible at all and we were clueless which route to take. I would recommend to have a guide who is able to understand and converse in English
katherinboudreaux, Feb 2025
Amazing guide who got us to the spot before the crowds. It is beautiful and the guide makes sure you see as much as possible!! I highly recommend this tour.
Jay_K, Jan 2025
Had a great time. We rode horses up to the lagoon (80 sols extra each way). The views are beautiful and the lagoon is stunning. Definitely recommend going early (4am tour pick up). We were at the lagoon for almost an hour. The cloud coverage changed a lot throughout. We got some nice views and pictures but when we left the view was a white out. I loved the whole experience. Definitely worth the price.
Dafinka_D, Jan 2025
The guide was very kind and friendly. Everything was organized in a timely manner.
The breakfast and lunch were fine.
The view from the Laguna is breathtaking. Highly recommend.
Just have in mind that it is in around 3 hours drive from Cusco
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Hello Dafinka, thank you for your comment. We are glad you enjoyed your tour. Thank you for choosing us.
tyson_s, Jan 2025
Bring 2 sole per bathroom usage. Hand sanitizer and toilet paper is not a bad idea either. It was a challenging hike.
Kseniia_P, Dec 2024
Definitely do it
But it is super difficult and challenging. Crawl up the top, do not give up and do not stop
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Hello, thank you for your comment. This tour is really amazing, we are grateful that you enjoyed it. Thank you for choosing us.
Kendy_M, Dec 2024
The guide was amazing. I LOVED this experience and will definitely do it again when I'm back in Peru. I did this in December 2023 and still one of my favorite travel experiences! The food, vibe, and views were spectacular!
Mecca_C, Dec 2024
Hike was a bit strenuous but the views are more than worth it. The bus ride was enjoyable and smooth. When we got there we got walking sticks and continued up the trail. They have horses for rent if the hike becomes too much.
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