
Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 192 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco worth booking?
Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco is a 14-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $45 per person. It scores 86 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 192 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 86 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (192)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Enjoy this scenic trekking tours around Cusco without the crowds. Live an authentic experience joining a small group of explorers we depart early in the morning than most of the large groups and agencies, ensuring a more intimate experience of the serene lake and the snow-capped mountain behind it, take time to appreciate the breathtaking views.
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy this scenic trekking tours around Cusco without the crowds. Live an authentic experience joining a small group of explorers we depart early in the morning than most of the large groups and agencies, ensuring a more intimate experience of the serene lake and the snow-capped mountain behind it, take time to appreciate the breathtaking views.
What's included
Included
- Buffet lunch vegetarian option available
- walking stick
- Pick up from cusco Hotels in Cusco
- Entrance fee for salkantay and humantay
- Group tour up to 18 people or Small Group 1 - 8 people.
- Tour Guide Billingual
- Breakfast ( vegetarian option available )
Not included
- tips
What you'll see and do
Cusco
Meet your driver at your hotel between 3:30am to 4:00am, and then travel by private transportation to Mollepata village. See the the lush valley of the Apurimac River during your 2-hour drive.
Pass by without stopping
Mollepata
In Mollepata, we will stop for a quick breakfast to get some energy before our hike! We will continue on our journey by car towards Soraypampa,
45 minutes here
We will continue on our journey by car towards Soraypampa, which will take approximately one hour (3900 masl). Here, we will begin our trek to the Humantay Lake located at 4200 masl (13779 feet).
60 minutes here
Salkantay Trail
During the trek you will able to see the majestic apu Salkantay
Pass by without stopping
Humantay Lake
The steep hike up will take about 1 hour and 30 min. If the climb is too difficult, you can ride a horse up to the lake. Once you reach the hardship will be forgotten once you reach the top and see the magnificent Apu Humantay Lake. On the top of the mountain we will learn about why this place was considered sacred for the Incas and we will take time to appreciate the breathtaking views. After that we have to return to Mollepata
180 minutes here · Admission not included
Once at the bottom, we will go back to Mollepata and have a delicious lunch.
1 minutes here
Centro Historico De Cusco
Finally, we will take our transportation from Mollepata and go back to Cusco and enjoy a much-needed siesta! Drop off are close to Plaza San Francisco around 18h.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cusco
In the middle of the Square by the water fountain. (Plaza El Regocijo, Kusipata)
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Humantay Lake Small Group
HUMANTAY LAKE (SMALL GROUP): Small group from 2 up to 8 people. Pickup included
Humantay Lake Tour (In Group)
Humantay Lake tour Group Tour: This activity is with a group up to 18 people. Pickup included
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Willka Travel
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 193 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
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
193 verified traveler reviews for Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Challenging but worth it
The tour is great! Early pickup but worth it to be one of the first at the lake. The hike is hard but just make sure to take lots of breaks and acclimate before going. Our tour guide Cesar was wonderful
via Viator
3.5 stars
We thought this was just okay. If you like tours off the beaten path, less crowded, with a thoughtfully planned day- this is not the tour for you. The trail is so crowded, frustratingly so. People kept taking breaks in the middle of the trail and blocking the path. The buffet was pretty sad- when my group arrived at breakfast, there was probably 6 other groups there (around 100 people total), and lots of the food was gone. The food that was there was not filling and didn’t taste great. Lunch was at least better but still very few options and you had to pay for any drink besides hot tea. The guide and driver were great and the views were beautiful, but it was hard to enjoy while starving and slowing inching along the trail due to the hundreds of other people.
via Tripadvisor
Nice guide, trip description wrong
The tour to Humantay Lake was very good. The guide was friendly, attentive, and provided accurate information throughout the entire trip. However, the tour description on TripAdvisor is not completely accurate: oxygen is not provided, and hotel pickup is not included, despite being stated in the listing.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour. We apologize for the confusion regarding the listing and will work to improve the information provided.
via Tripadvisor
Caring tour guide
We were blessed to have Yonatan as our guide, he spoke Spanish and English. He was so very accommodating to the whole group. He checked in as we hiked up to make sure everyone was doing good. He don’t rush us and let us take our time to hike up. He took group pictures and sent them to us.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re happy to hear that Yonatan made your hike enjoyable with his patience and care. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another adventure in Peru!
via Tripadvisor
Great way to visit responsibly.
Excellent experience. Johnathan the guide was great! The driver was a bit too fast for comfort. Overall, great experience
Response from the operator: Dear traveller, thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Jonathan made your day memorable with his guidance. We also appreciate your honest comment regarding the driving speed — your feedback helps us improve and ensure every passenger feels safe and comfortable throughout the journey. We’re glad the overall experience was a positive one, and we hope to welcome you again soon. Best regards, Willka Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $45 to $240
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 67
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Willka Travel, who run 9 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 60.9.
See everything Willka Travel runsWhy this scores 86
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco cost?
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Prices start at $45 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 Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco take?
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Plan for about 14 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 Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 86 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 192 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco?
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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 Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 14-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco?
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Around 67 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 14-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco 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, Full-Day Humantay Lake Trek (Meals Included), 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.
What is included in Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco?
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Included: Buffet lunch vegetarian option available; walking stick; Pick up from cusco Hotels in Cusco; Entrance fee for salkantay and humantay; and Group tour up to 18 people or Small Group 1 - 8 people. Not included: tips. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 560 listed pickup locations in and around Cusco. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Cusco. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco?
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Across 192 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
What booking options are available for Humantay Lake Day Trip from Cusco?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Humantay Lake Small Group, Humantay Lake Tour (In Group). Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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