• Early Bird Gets the View: Yep, it’s another early morning! We’ll pick you up from your hotel right here in Cusco around 4:00 AM. Gotta get a head start!
• Drive to Mollepata: First, we drive for about two and a half hours to the town of Mollepata (altitude around 9,514 feet / 2,900 meters). We’ll stop here for a good breakfast to fuel you up. It’s also a good spot to grab any last-minute water or snacks if you need them.
• Onwards to Soraypampa: After breakfast, we hop back in the transport for another hour and a half drive. This bit is on a dirt road, so expect it to be a little bumpy, but the scenery starts getting really dramatic. Keep an eye out for the massive snowy peak of Salkantay mountain.
• Hike Starts: We’ll reach Soraypampa (this is the trailhead, sitting at about 12,795 feet / 3,900 meters). Time to get out, stretch your legs, and start the walk!
• The Uphill Trek: Now for the hike up to the lake! It’s about 2 kilometers (a bit over a mile) pretty much straight uphill. It usually takes people between 1.5 to 2 hours. The key is to take your time – go ‘tranquilo’ (calmly), no need to race. Remember you’re climbing at high altitude. You’ll get awesome mountain views all around as you walk.
• The Reward: Humantay Lake! And then… you arrive at Humantay Lake (up at 13,780 feet / 4,200 meters)! That turquoise water is just unreal. It gets its amazing color from minerals washed down by the glacier melting off the mountain right above it. When the sun hits it right, it’s incredible.
• Lake Time & Views: You’ll have time here to just enjoy the view, walk around the edge a bit, and take tons of photos. You also get amazing views of the sacred Salkantay mountain – the Incas considered it a powerful ‘Apu’ (mountain spirit) and a place to honor ‘Pachamama’ (Mother Earth).
• Local Traditions: Sometimes people participate in a small local tradition of stacking stones (‘apacheta’) near the lake as a sign of respect and gratitude for visiting. Your guide will share some interesting stories and facts about the place.
• Hike Down & Lunch: After chilling at the lake, we make our way back down the same trail to Soraypampa where our transport waits.
• Refuel & Return: We’ll drive back to Mollepata for a well-deserved, hearty Andean lunch. You’ll be ready for it! After lunch, we start the final leg of the journey back to Cusco. We should have you back at your hotel around 6:30 PM, tired but happy!

How Hard is the Hike?

Okay, real talk: is this hike tough? It’s definitely a challenge, mostly because you gain altitude pretty quickly over a short distance. The hike itself isn’t super long (about 2km or 1.2 miles each way), but it’s a steady uphill climb from Soraypampa ($3,900$m / $12,795$ft) to the lake ($4,200$m / $13,780$ft). Most people who’ve spent a couple of days getting used to the altitude in Cusco can manage it, but you will feel the elevation. The best advice? Go slow, drink lots of water, and maybe chew some coca leaves like the locals do for ‘soroche’ (altitude sickness). The view at the top is totally worth the effort!

Physical Level

Easiest