Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private)
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 144 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private) worth booking?
Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private) is a 13-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $109 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 144 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (144)
- Duration
- 13 hours
- From
- $109 per person
An Exclusive Early Access to Serenity: Begin your journey ahead of the crowd to Humantay Lake's pristine beauty. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about having that pristine space mostly to yourself. Elevate Your
What you get
- Tour with private guide (only for tours booked after 3.11.2025; tours booked before are group tours)
- Fluent bilingual local guide
- Comfortable vans with modified seats, avoid back-pain and worse compared to touristy tours
- Trekking poles, first-aid kit, mountain radios, oximeter, and oxygen bottle
- Breakfast & Lunch at great restaurant with beautiful view over the valley
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
About this experience
An Exclusive Early Access to Serenity: Begin your journey ahead of the crowd to Humantay Lake's pristine beauty. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about having that pristine space mostly to yourself. Elevate Your Experience: After a manageable 1.5-2h hike, stand at 4200m (13,800 ft.) beside a crystal-clear lake, taking in views that many travelers don't get to see. And because we know altitude can be a challenge, we ensure the hike is paced for enjoyment and safety. Picture-Perfect Perspectives: Go beyond the typical view. We guide you to elevated vantage points around the lake that most tours miss—ensuring you capture memories and photos that will be the envy of all. Journey in Comfort: The drive is long, but it doesn't have to be uncomfortable. Relax in our specially modified seats, a pleasant change from the standard hard ones you'll find elsewhere. Travel with the Best: With rave reviews backing us, join a small group of up to 8 enthusiastic travelers!
What's included
Included
- Tour with private guide (only for tours booked after 3.11.2025; tours booked before are group tours)
- Fluent bilingual local guide
- Comfortable vans with modified seats, avoid back-pain and worse compared to touristy tours
- Trekking poles, first-aid kit, mountain radios, oximeter, and oxygen bottle
- Breakfast & Lunch at great restaurant with beautiful view over the valley
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Not included
- Beverages
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Cusco
3:00 am: Early pick-up from your hotel in Cusco (it’s worth the early start to beat the crowds and make the most of your day).
15 minutes here
5:35 am: Enjoy a wholesome and energizing breakfast (no touristy fare here—just fresh, high-quality ingredients) as we make our way to the briefing spot.
30 minutes here
Humantay Lake
7:40 am: Arrive at the parking lot + Meet your guide for an informative briefing. 9:30 am: Reach the stunning Humantay Lake, where you'll soak in the tranquility and breathtaking beauty of nature. Later, explore various vantage points for the perfect photo opportunities. 11:00 am: Head back to the vehicle.
600 minutes here · Admission not included
12:00 pm: Savor a delicious lunch at the top-rated restaurant in the area, known for its quality, cleanliness, and exceptional service.
45 minutes here
Cusco
3:30 pm: Return to Cusco and drop-off at your hotel. Note: All times are approximations.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- exploor
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Bring your backpack, a rain cape and layers of clothes so you'll be warm
- Take gloves, a hat, hiking shoes + extra socks with you (in case of snow)
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and some extra money
- We highly recommend at least 24 hours of acclimatization before doing any of our tours in Cusco
- Minimum age is 12 years
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 144 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
7 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
7 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Physical effort
6 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
144 verified traveler reviews for Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommended!
We visited Humantay Lake with Exploor and really appreciated the early start to beat the crowds. Having the lake almost to ourselves for an hour was truly rewarding — after that it quickly became busy and noisy, which made us even more grateful for the timing. The hike was slightly challenging due to the altitude, but absolutely worth it once we reached the stunning turquoise lake. Our guide, Maik, was very friendly, attentive to our needs, and knowledgeable, and our driver Harold, was both skilled and welcoming. Pick-up was on time, and the car was very comfortable, making the whole trip smooth and enjoyable. Overall, a well-organized tour and a memorable experience!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Nikoleta! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable experience at Humantay Lake and that the early start made it even more special. Having the lake almost to yourself truly is magical, and we’re glad you got to enjoy that peaceful moment before the crowds arrived. Maik and Harold will be delighted to know their friendliness, care, and professionalism made your journey smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. It’s great to hear that everything - from the comfortable ride to the timing and organization - met your expectations. Thanks again for sharing your experience and for choosing Exploor! Best wishes from our entire Exploor Peru team.
via Tripadvisor
Humantay Lagoon
The trip to the Humantay lagoon was fantastic, food was good enough for the remote area. Exploor is a serious company always on time and even when the group wasn't big enough never canceled the trip, but decided to going on even when the price was lower than what it is for private tour. Jesus, our tour guide, great guy always attentive and helpful. I would 100% recommended this company and this trip. Nathaly
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review, Nathaly! We're very happy to hear you had a fantastic experience at the Humantay Lagoon and that everything- from the punctuality and reliability of the service to the dedication of our team - met your expectations. We especially appreciate your mention of Jesús; he truly goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels cared for. And yes, even when the group is small, we believe in keeping our commitment to travelers like you. Thanks again for the recommendation! Best wishes from our entire Exploor Peru team.
via Tripadvisor
More privacy and rewarding views
We booked a "Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour" with Explore and we left feeling very happy with our experience. We were picked up in front of of the hotel very early, the van was modern, clean and comfortable and the long ride to the mountain base. On the way we stopped for a few minutes while our guide - Darwin - Grabbed breakfast to go. This saved us some time and allowed us to arrive to the lake with with only a few people there and most of the view unspoiled. It was definitely worth the early rise compared to other Tours we saw online. Darwin was fantastic, he allowed us to go at our pace... we are both in our mid 30's and this climb was definitely strenuous. We stopped often but we kept pushing onwards. When we got to the lake we had a snack and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery. Of course, we took our photos and walked about a little. When we were ready to leave, we saw big groups of people coming in, so we just missed them! So is this Tour recommended? yes, despite the higher price we felt it was worth it for the little details that made it better. I would not have want to do this with a group bigger than 4 people... in this case it was just me and my partner. Climbs are very personal and each one has their own pace. Is this climb difficult? I would say it is for those that dont usually do this kind of trail and hike. If you, like us, are city people then this will be challenging. Bring water, ask for the complementary walking sticks and take it slow and stop often. The views along the way are amazing so dont feel rushed to the top.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed the tour with us. It sounds like the early start really paid off, allowing you to take in the serene beauty of the lake before the crowds arrived. Darwin will be thrilled to know his efforts to make the experience comfortable and paced to your needs made such a positive impact. Your tips about the climb and the personalized nature of the small group tour are incredibly helpful for others considering this adventure. We appreciate your thoughtful recommendation and are delighted we could provide a memorable and tailored experience for you and your partner. Thank you for choosing Exploor Peru, and we hope to see you again for more adventures!
via Tripadvisor
Humantay Lake
Had an amazing time visiting Humantay Lake! Thank you Maik (our guide) for sharing your passion and love of Peruvian history and culture with us! It was an early early morning, but worth it as we had the Lake all to ourselves on arrival, it was very serene and beautiful:) Pick up with our guide went well, our lunch post walk was fantastic and the views were again amazing. Would definitely recommend this trip!
Response from the operator: Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing time visiting Humantay Lake and that Maik's passion for Peruvian history and culture added so much to your trip. Arriving before the crowds is just an incredible feeling, and we're glad you found the early start worthwhile. Your recommendation means a lot to us—thank you and best wishes from our entire Exploor Peru team!
via Tripadvisor
Must see but tough hike.
So worth getting up early, my guide Maik and I were the only ones at the lake and there were hundreds of people hiking us as we were coming down. Maik was also able to sore my luggage in the van as I was changing hotels after the trip.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience, Christie! We’re so glad to hear that starting early allowed you to enjoy the serene beauty of the lake before the crowds arrived. It’s great that Maik could assist with storing your luggage and make your transition between hotels seamless. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him. Best wishes from the Exploor Peru team!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 13 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 10+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $109 to $199
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 50
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private) cost?
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Prices start at $109 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private) take?
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Plan for about 13 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.
Is Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 144 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private)?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private) suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 10. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 13-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private)?
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Around 50 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 13-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cusco?
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On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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