Humantay Lake Full Day Trek

Humantay Lake’s elevation is approximately 4,200 m. or 13,780 ft. above sea level.

Coordinates: South latitude: 13° 24’41.72″ and west longitude: 72° 37’2.43″.

Humantay Lake’s size is approximately 618 m. / 2027 ft. in length and 164 m. / 538 ft. in width.

Humantay Lake Peru is located in a natural valley sheltered from the snow, in the region of Cusco, more specifically in the province of Anta.

It is located in the northwest of the city of Cusco in Soraypampa belonging to the district of Mollepata, province of Anta.

Humantay Lake is approximately 122 km away from Cusco.

The climate is generally rather mild during the days of the dry season (April to November), but it gets cold at night and in the early morning hours. In the rainy season (December to March) it gets rainy and cloudy, so prepare yourself for a wet climate.

The average temperature during the day around Lake Humantay normally ranges between 4°C and 17°C.

The best time to visit and hike the Laguna Humantay Peru is in the dry season, i.e. between May and October. May is the most recommended month, as everything is still green after the rains.

The difficulty of the hike to Humantay Lake is moderate.

First, we climb up a wide steep slope, then it winds along a stony hillside until finally, it descends to a small ravine where you will find the turquoise waters of “La Laguna de Humantay“. From there you are free to choose whether you want to walk the steep slopes around the Lake to catch some great views.

The stones on the path can be at times a little tricky, but generally, the ways are maintained in good condition. What can make the hike a little difficult is the cold and the altitude. Beware to take it easy and take the time you need to do the hike comfortably. The length of the hike will depend on your individual physical condition, weather conditions, and whether you acclimatized well enough beforehand, generally speaking, the hike can take anything from 40 minutes to 2 hours.

• We strongly recommend acclimatizing to the high altitudes before you do the hike of the Humantay Lake Cusco. Generally, we recommend at least two days of acclimatizing in the city of Cusco beforehand. In order to avoid any symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and/or shortened breath, we recommend eating a healthy diet, don’t drink excesses of alcohol, and avoiding smoking the days before your trek.
• Wear comfortable clothing suitable for hiking: trekking shoes (waterproof), long trousers, a warm jacket, a sunhat/cap and warm hat, and depending on the season a rain cover.
• Take sunscreen, insect repellent, and if needed trekking poles.
• Take some extra cash (in soles) in case you want to make an additional purchase, buy some extra snacks, or tip the guides.
• Try to visit Lake Humantay in the mornings to get the best views.