Humantay Lake Private Tour – The Ultimate Adventure from Cusco, Peru

Useful Information about Humantay Lake

Location of the Humantay Lagoon

The Humantay turquoise lagoon is located on the slopes of the Humantay snow-capped mountain, northwest of the city of Cusco, in the community of Soraypampa, district of Mollepata, province of Anta, Cusco region, in Peru.

Altitude:

• Altitude: 4200 masl (13,780 feet).
• Coordinates: Latitude south: 13°24’41.72″ and Longitude west: 72°37’2.43″.
• Length: 618 meters long and 164 meters wide (approximately).

Climate and Temperature

The climate of Humantay Lagoon is generally temperate during the days of the dry season (April to November); frigid during the night and early morning hours; and rainy and cloudy skies during the rainy season (December to March).

And the temperature in and around Humantay Lagoon normally ranges between 4° C° and 17° C°.

Distance from Cusco to Humantay Lake

The distance between the city of Cusco and the Humantay Lagoon is 123 km and is divided as follows:

• Asphalted road between Cusco and Mollepata: 98.5 km
• Motorized trail between Mollepata and Soraypampa: 22 km
• Road between Soraypampa and Humantay Lagoon: 2.5 km

Difficulty of walking to Humantay

• The difficulty and level of exigency of the walk to the Humantay lagoon is: average – moderate.
• The path first climbs a steep slope, then meanders along a rocky slope, and finally descends to a small creek through which the calm and cold waters flow, born only a few meters from the Humantay Lagoon.
• Apart from the stones of the road, the cold and the altitude, the walk is relatively easy, and does not take more than 40 minutes, on average.

Coloration of the Humantay Lake

The turquoise waters of the Humantay Lagoon owe their magical colour to the crystalline waters of the snow melt and to the microalgae of the species Microcystis aeruginosa and Oscillatoria.

However, this impressive coloration is very vulnerable to human action. The unauthorized entry of some travelers into the interior of the lagoon has caused the shores to change from turquoise to grey. For this reason, it is forbidden to enter the lagoon.

Know What to Pack for Humantay Lake Private Tour from Cusco

There is a lot to consider before you leave for your Peru journey, such as what supplies and gear are needed. It is important to know that the trails in the area can be treacherous so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of food, water, and sun protection. Be prepared with a full first aid kit and don’t forget to bring your camera for stunning memories of these breathtaking mountains!

• Original Passport: Before leaving your hotel be sure to bring your original passport, note that if you do not bring it you will not be able to visit Machu Picchu. The passport must be the same one you sent us to buy the Machu Picchu tickets.
• Clothing: The weather in the Sacred Valley is very enjoyable, but it does not mean that it does not rain at all. That’ s why it is important to always carry a pack of T-shirts and add warmth with long-sleeved clothing and a fleece jacket.
• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers with good traction are perfect for hiking in and around the Inca archaeological complexes in the Sacred Valley.
• Sun protection: Do not forget a quality sunscreen. Long-sleeved shirts and pants are recommended for better protection from the sun. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun is quite intense depending on the place you are visting.
• Rainy season: For those viting the Sacred Valley from Ollantaytambo during the rainy season, pack a waterproof jacket or a travel-size umbrella or plastic ponchos. Plastic ponchos are available to buy in Cusco and the Sacred Valley area.
• Bottled water: Staying hydrated is important for preventing altitude sickness. At Come See Peru, we provide a free water bottle to all our clients for all our tours of the Sacred Valley from Ollantaytambo.
• Money: Do not forget to carry some cash in Peruvian currency.
  Also have some coins and small notes in your pockets since often smaller shops, kiosks or vendors don’t have enough change.
• Snacks: Energy bars, candies, cookies, etc (you can also buy fresh fruits at one of the villages’ markets).
• Insect repellent: There are mosquitoes in the secred valley. We recommend opting for non-aerosol options to be more eco-friendly. Bands, patches and lotions are less likely to affect the people around you.
• Toilet paper: Some restrooms do not provide toilet paper or antibacterial hand gel.
• Personal first-aid kit: Our tour guides are forbidden to give any madication to tourits. These rules come from the government that does not allow the tour guide to use pills due to different names and components of drugs by country. For this reason, we always advise taking a basic first aid kit, pills for most common problems.