HUMANTAY LAKE

DAY 01: CUSCO I MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA - HUMANTAY LAKE
You will be picked up at your specified location between 4:15-4:30am. We begin our journey with a 2-hour drive west, until Mollepata (2800m / 9200ft). We will pause here for a light, energizing breakfast, before continuing for another 1-1^1/2 hours to the trail head – Soraypampa (3900m / 12,450ft), a traditional village which marks the start of our day’s hike.

We hike along relatively flat ground for around 20 minutes, before beginning our climb to the lake, taking approximately 1-1^1/2 hours in total. The climb, through the shadow of the two sacred apukuna (mountains), can be very steep in places. It is possible, if you prefer, to rent a horse from local attendants both at the bottom of, and during the ascent.

Rising over the ridge, we finally arrive at Humantay Lake (4200m / 13800ft), a glacial-formed turquoise gem overlooked by the imposing, snow-capped Apu Humantay. We will stay for approximately 1 hour – enough time to take plenty of photos, explore a little, learn about the lake and its surroundings, as well as their place in Incan mythology from our guide. After the hike down, we return to Mollepata for a warming lunch, before travelling back to Cusco, arriving at our drop-off point just a couple of blocks from Plaza de Armas at around 5:00-6:00pm.
 

****During the rainy season and depending on weather, this trek can have some parts that can be challenging and slippery. For this reason, we recommend good supportive hiking shoes/boots and also ask you to exercise caution.
 

WALKING DISTANCE: 6 km / 3.7 miles
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
WALKING TIME: 3 to 4 hours
STARTING ELEVATION: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
HIGHEST ELEVATION: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft