If you’re looking to visit Peru, one of the places you do not want to miss is certainly the Humantay Lake. This region is filled with history, incredible views, and it’s also an extraordinary place to unwind and relax. There aren’t that many places in this world as beautiful and as enticing as the Humantay Lake Peru, and that’s why it makes a lot of sense to give it a shot. Plus, the entire Humantay Lake hike is remarkable, a lot of fun, and filled with incredible moments.
Before you choose to go on a Humantay Lake tour, it’s a good idea to know what this lake is all about. This is a relatively small lake in Peru, yet a few things make it stand out. The fantastic thing about this lake is that the water appears to be turquoise during a sunny day, and that’s primarily due to the glacial origin of the lake.
That leads to an incredible set of visuals, and it’s also the reason why people visit Humantay Lake for excellent, long-lasting photos. When you explore the lake, you will find various great places to take pictures while basking in the sun!
Yes, the Laguna Humantay is well worth it, as you will get to see the fantastic glaciers towering right in front of you. Additionally, the turquoise waters of the lake will impress you right from the start, not to mention they stand out on the white, snowy background. This is one of the most serene and downright beautiful places in the world, where you get to reconnect with Mother Nature.
The Humantay Lake is ~124 kilometers from Cusco. If you use the Route 3S and CU-109, it takes 3.5 hours to cover the 128 km of road (if you go via the road, it will add a few km to the entire destination). That’s why most Humantay Lake tours start very early in the morning, because it can take a significant amount of time to reach the destination.
It’s a part of the Mollepata District within the Anta province. While you need to embark on a proper Humantay Lake hike to reach this location, it’s one of the most impressive, breathtaking locations you will ever visit. It feels like something out of a sci-fi movie, a serene location from a distant planet.
How Do I get to Humantay Lake?
The most common way to reach the lake is via a Humantay Lake tour from Cusco. These guided tours start at 3 or 4 AM, and a van picks you up from the hotel. Then you will go directly to the lake. The route is direct, however, it will be a 3-hour drive until you reach the lake.
If you want to take the Humantay Lake hike, you can start from Soraypampa and go to the lake directly. The trail is near Mollepata, and it’s known for being quite difficult. This is why it makes more sense to go with a dedicated tour rather than hike yourself, especially if you lack any hiking experience. Other options like renting a car or going via Taxi are not exactly recommended when you have a guided tour available.
Yes, you can drive from Cusco to Mollepata, and then you have to go on a hike. It’s ok if you take a taxi or go via a bus if you want, as this is the cheaper option. Going alone does require you to know the region at least a little bit and you should also have a map as well. But even so, you will need to hike to get to the lake itself, you can’t just go to the lake with your vehicle. So, if you were wondering how do I get to Humantay Lake, this is the right approach.
The hike feels pretty much like climbing upstairs for around 45 minutes in total. It’s a steep hike, but one that will challenge you and provide a vast range of unique, incredible challenges. It’s well worth it once you reach the Humantay Lake.
Theoretically you can, but this is not recommended. The problem with going to the lake on your own is the fact that you need to know the region very well. You need an adequate map of the region, you also need to know the trail well and you must have at least some hiking experience. On top of that, there are many shortcuts and also points on the trail which can be very difficult to handle. So, while you can go to the lake on your own, it’s much better to go with a group. The hike is challenging, and if you are alone, you will be on your own trying to solve any possible mishaps. That’s why traveling with a group is recommended!
As we mentioned above, the Humantay Lake hike route can be quite challenging. While the path itself is easy to follow, you will encounter stones that protrude from the ground. Additionally, the trail is also slippery in some locations, making the experience even more difficult. Rockslides or avalanches are not that common, but they do happen at times. So yes, the Humantay Lake hike itself can be quite difficult, not because of the route, but due to the weather and other similar factors. If you were wondering how hard Humantay Lake hike is, you should be prepared for a bit of a challenge. Yet it’s well worth visiting!
The Soraypampa – Humantay Lake Trek is usually around 2.4 miles but due to its difficulty it can take up to 1or 1.5 hours to complete it. So while it’s difficult, it can be completed, you just need to have the right equipment and some previous hiking experience.
Swimming is not allowed, as the main focus is to preserve the water’s color as much as possible. That’s why people are not allowed to interfere with the ecosystem. Granted, when there are few groups, you can sometimes find people trying to swim in the lake. However, this is not legally allowed, and the water is very cold too. After all, the water is fed by glaciers directly, so it’s freezing. The bottom line is no, you are not allowed, and you shouldn’t swim in the Humantay Lake Peru at all.
The climate around the Humantay Lake is very cold, and the average temperature is anywhere from 4 to 12 degrees Celsius. You can expect it to be even colder than that, especially during the cold season, when it comes to the water temperature. Which means if you want to visit the Humantay Lake, you do need to be well-prepared with adequate clothing. Otherwise, you will have to deal with quite a lot of cold, which is not exactly an ideal situation.
Ideally, you want to have cash for food and any taxes/fees. You also want to get sunscreen, as the sun here is very powerful, and it can damage your skin due to prolonged exposure. On top of that, you need 1-2 liters of water with you, just to ensure that you’re properly hydrated. We also recommend having some toilet paper with you as well and the best hiking shoes you can get. As we mentioned earlier, adequate clothing can help immensely, and it’s definitely going to protect you from the changing weather and extreme cold.
The Humantay Lake weather is ever-changing, but in general you can expect temperatures under 10 degrees Celsius mid-day, with even lower temperatures during the evening or night. Additionally, the weather is very cloudy and there are moderate to high chances of precipitation as well. Due to the location, the wind is also very powerful, which is certainly something to consider.
The Humantay Lake was created due to the melting of a snowy mountain that formed a mountain range named the Cordillerade Vilcabamba. Additionally, you can see the glaciers in front of the Humantay Lake too, which is a sight to behold.
You can find a few restrooms at the beginning of the Humantay Lake hike. The next spot is after 30 minutes, but that’s it. You won’t find any restrooms near the lake, so you must be fully prepared beforehand. That’s why you should consider using restrooms at the beginning of the hike.
Yes, mules are working for the Humantay Lake hikers. They are very efficient when it comes to carrying various items. Mules are used for supplies, tent equipment, and other items the Machu Picchu hikers need. They are not suitable for personal use, especially if you are a part of the Humantay Lake tour.
Visiting the Humantay Lake is an incredible idea if you want to immerse yourself into the beauty of Peru and its stunning locations. The best way to see the Humantay Lake is via a dedicated tour, as it’s easier to do, and you will also have a dedicated professional guiding you throughout the entire process.
Exploring this location is a dream come true for everyone since it delivers incredible vistas and a breathtaking experience overall. We recommend giving it a try for yourself, especially if you are very passionate about seeing and exploring the beauty of our planet. The Humantay Lake hike is amazing too, and it leads you to a spectacular lake, whose kind you don’t get to see that often!
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