3 Days 2 Nights
Medium
8 people
Cusco - Perú
Short on time in Cusco? Our Humantay Lake and Machu Picchu tour combines two of Peru’s most spectacular places in just two days. On day one, you’ll hike to the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake and return to Cusco. On day two, you’ll travel early to Aguas Calientes and explore the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It may be the highlight of your trip to Peru.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days |
| Departs from | Cusco, Peru |
| Day 1 | Humantay Lake hike |
| Day 2 | Machu Picchu by train |
| Max altitude | 4,200 m / 13,780 ft (Humantay Lake) |
| Hiking distance | 2 km uphill (4 km round trip) |
| Difficulty | Moderate (high altitude on day 1) |
| Group size | Small groups (Min: 2 – Max. 8) |
| Price | $ 420 USD per person |
Humantay Lake lies in the Vilcabamba mountain range, at the foot of the snow-capped Humantay mountain. This glacial lake is known for its intense turquoise color, and in recent years it has become one of the favorite hikes in southern Peru.
The hike starts in Soraypampa, at 3,900 m (12,795 ft), close to the majestic Salkantay mountain. From there, a 2 km trail climbs to the lake through high Andean landscapes, where local farmland meets the snowy peaks.
The Incas worshipped the mountains as protective gods called apus. According to Andean legend, Apu Salkantay and Apu Ausangate are brothers, and each has his own family. Salkantay’s wife is the Veronica mountain, and their children are Humantay (also called Tukarhuay), the younger son, and Yanantay (also called Coyllur), the younger daughter.
The distance is short, but the trail climbs about 300 meters, from 3,900 m to 4,200 m. The hike up takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace. Walk slowly and stop often to catch your breath, and acclimatize in Cusco for at least 2 days before the tour (learn more about altitude sickness). Horses are available for those who need help on the way up.
Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Town, is the small town at the foot of Machu Picchu and the main access point to the Historic Sanctuary. It can only be reached by train, usually from Ollantaytambo. From there, buses take visitors up to the Inca citadel.
The town is named after its hot springs, located about 800 meters from the center and believed to have healing properties. Other nearby attractions include the Mandor waterfall and the Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum, on the road to Machu Picchu.
We pick you up in Cusco at 6:00 am and drive to Soraypampa. With your guide, you’ll hike up to Humantay Lake, enjoy the view, take photos and join a traditional Andean offering to Mother Earth. Around 1:30 pm, we return to Soraypampa for a hot lunch, then drive back to Cusco, arriving around 5:30 pm at Plaza San Francisco, one block from the main square.
[Hora de recojo] – We pick you up at your hotel and drive to Ollantaytambo, where we board the train to Aguas Calientes. A bus takes us up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the citadel’s main temples, plazas and terraces. In the afternoon, we take the train back to Ollantaytambo and drive to your hotel in Cusco.
After you arrive in Cusco, our main guide will meet you at your hotel 1 or 2 days before the tour. They’ll explain your full schedule, and you can ask any questions for your final preparation.
Can I hike from Aguas Calientes to Humantay Lake?
Technically yes, but it’s the reverse route of the Salkantay Trek. It requires at least 4 days of hiking and camping, with a very steep climb, and we don’t recommend it. If you want to hike to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek or the Inca Quarry Trail Trek are much better options.
05:30 am – Pickup in Cusco. We pick you up at your hotel in our private minivan and drive toward the Salkantay region.
Breakfast in Mollepata. We stop in the Andean community of Mollepata for a delicious breakfast before continuing our journey.
Soraypampa and the hike to Humantay Lake. We continue to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), at the foot of the majestic Salkantay mountain. From here, we start the hike to Humantay Lake: a 2 km trail, mostly uphill, that takes about 2 hours depending on your pace.
Time at the lake. At 4,200 m (13,780 ft), we’ll relax by the turquoise water, enjoy the peaceful energy of this sacred place and learn about its history and the Andean legend of the apus.
Lunch and return to Cusco. We walk back down the same trail to our minivan and drive to Mollepata for lunch. Then we head back to Cusco, arriving around 5:30 pm. Rest well: tomorrow is Machu Picchu.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Min altitude | Mollepata – approx. 2,800 m / 9,190 ft |
| Max altitude | Humantay Lake – 4,200 m / 13,780 ft |
| Walking distance | 2 km uphill (4 km / 2.5 mi round trip) |
| Walking time | Approx. 3–4 hours (up and down) |
| Weather | Cool to cold |
| Transportation | Private minivan, walking |
| Meals | Breakfast and lunch |
| Difficulty | 2 – challenge |
| Start time | 05:30 am |
| End time | Approx. 05:30 pm |
| Total tour time | 9 hours |
Day 1 – Humantay Lake
Day 2 – Machu Picchu
Both days
