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Humantay Lagoon Tour
Salkantay Trek Machu
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Humantay Lagoon Tour

Humantay Lagoon Tour

Humantay Lagoon, also known as a turquoise lagoon for the color seen in the lagoon, is the ideal route for nature lovers who do not have many days but who will find spectacular landscapes, with exotic flora and fauna along this adventure hike through beautiful valleys and white mountains especially the Humantay lagoon considered one of the mountains and most sacred lagoons in the region. The Humantay Lagoon is located in the province of Anta, Cusco area that in recent months has been presenting other interesting places such as the well-known Cusquenian Canon of Condor in Chonta. It is located at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level, the base of the Humantay mountain is at an approximate altitude of 4,560 meters above sea level, and the lagoon is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes such as the snow of Salkantay (approximate altitude 6,264 meters above sea level).

 

In a city like Cusco, we sometimes get the feeling that we did not have enough time to get to know the most important places and even less unique and not very popular places which leaves us with the desire to stay and return to the mind. And this is how the city of Cusco once again surprises us by presenting a new alternative for travelers who wish to enjoy nature, and landscape in a place at the foot of a snow-covered mountain above 4,200 meters above sea level where, in addition to relaxing and feeling one with nature. Enjoy the Humantay Lagoon Tour on the Salkantay Route in 1 day with really beautiful landscapes that will leave you a great unforgettable memory. We invite you to feel and enjoy the Laguna de Humantay; make contact with nature on one of the most famous natural routes of the city of Cusco, Peru.

Overview
Itinerary
Includes
Before you go

Quick Itinerary:

05:00 We pick you up from Hotel

08:00 Arrive in Mollepata

09:00 Mollepata- Soraypampa

10:00 Soraypampa- Humantay Lagoon

18:00 Arrive in Cusco

Explorer's Guide

Where is the Humantay Lagoon located?

The Humantay lagoon next to its snow-covered lake of the same name is located northwest of the city of Cusco, in the town of Soraypampa, belonging to the District of Mollepata, Province of Anta, Department of Cusco, Peru.

  • Longitude: 72 ° 37'2.43 "W
  • Latitude: 13 ° 24'41.72" S

Altitudes on the trek to Humantay Lagoon?

During the walk, we will perceive the following altitudes:

  • A: Start of Trekking the town of Soraypampa at 3,875 m.a.s.l (12,714 feet)
  • B: Camps for the route from Salkantay to Machu Picchu 3,908 m.a.s.l (12,822 feet)
  • C: Half way this is a resting place 4,125 m.a.s.l (12,, 534 feet)
  • D: Humantay Lagoon at an altitude of 4,180 m.a.s.l (12,714 feet)
  • E: Viewer of the Lagoon at an altitude of 4,200 m.a.s.l (13,780 feet)

How much distance does one walk to reach the Humantay Lagoon?

We start the walk in the town of Soraypampa from this point to the Humantay lagoon is a distance of 2.25 km away, the average time to arrive is 45 min to 1h 20min. At the edge of the Humantay lagoon, you can see stone towers that are called Apachetas and are a symbol of respect for the lagoon and the Apus of the area that is considered as living sacred beings, where the offerings are also made with the sacred leaf of the Coca (Quintu »three coca leaves representing the 3 Andean worlds), asking for permission and invoking the Pachamama (mother earth) to take care of the people who visit them.

What does Humantay mean and why do they call " Apu Humantay and Salkantay"?

Humantay means Head of the gods, this is possibly due to being located on the slopes that overlook the High Jungle. The term Apu is a Quechua word that has several meanings, is translated as Mountain, god in other cases refers to the spirits that live in the highest mountains, when we call Apu snow or mountain is because it is sacred if we are at the Apu Salkantay or another mountain or snowy mountain we refer to it as an important and sacred place.

 

What is the difficulty of the Route to Laguna Humantay?

The one day hike to the Humantay lagoon has an average difficulty. Since the walking time is 1 h 20 min doing a route of 2.25 km and the demand is moderate.

More Adventures:

CUSCO-MOLLEPATA-SORAYPAMPA
Detail

  • Cusco - Mollepata: In this route, we go to the northwest of the city of Cusco, to the town of Mollepata, this journey in mobility is approximately 2 hours, with a totally paved road passing through the valley and populated with Limatambo.Mollepata is a town that has Inca origin, there is a considerable presence of monumental archaeological remains. Also, there are terraces and roads in various places. According to the opinion of many historians, Mollepata in the time of the Incas was a properly organized place, in whose town a system of administration and control was installed for the inhabitants who had to work on the different ecological floors, call these puna, yunga, etc.
  • Mollepata - Soraypampa: this journey has a duration of 1 hour, along the trail we will climb with many climatic variations and along which we will see small groups of houses,  flora, and fauna as small wild birds and spectacular views of the peak of the snow of Humantay.
  • Soraypampa - Laguna Humantay: already starting the trek from soraypampa one can make the journey in 45 min up to 1h 30 min according to their physical capacity. Arriving at Humantay Lagoon, you can leave offerings to the Pachamama, a deity that represents mother Earth in the Inca culture. Humantay Lagoon will impact you with its immensity, traces, and colors in the landscape, which make it one of the unmissable tourist destinations in Cusco.

USEFULL INFORMATION
Detail

Departure Point: Cusco - We pick you up from your hotel.

Departure Time: 05:00

Return Point: Cusco - Near to the main square 

Service Level: Comfortable tourist-class transport and professional bilingual guide (Spanish - English).

Physical Rating: 1 - Demanding - Easy

Age requirement: 2+ / All travellers under 18 age must be accompanied by an adult.

Tour Operator: Salkantay Trek Machu

INCLUDED
Detail

  • Pick up from your hotel (your hotel should be close to the main square of Cusco, otherwise we will coordinate a meeting point) 
  • Transportation from Cusco to the beginning of the trek or hike.
  • Breakfast and Lunch.
  • Professional Guide
  • Transportation from Soraypampa to Cusco. 
  • Entrance to the Route.

 

 

NOT INCLUDED
Detail

  • Tips 
  • Extra horse in case you need.
  • Support cane
  • Extras not mentioned. 

 

What should I take to the Humantay lagoon trek?
Detail

  • Small backpack. 
  • Hat or cap for the sun.
  • Trekking shoes 
  • Personal medication
  • Sunscreen. 
  • Sunglasses. 
  • Water 
  • Camera.
  • Additional battery for your camera. 
  • Snacks (chocolates, sweets, coca leaf) 
  • Jacket for the cold. 
  • Raincoat (Consult according to the time)

PRECAUTIONS:

  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages the day before the excursion: it is an important recommendation for the beginner tourist since as we all know, vacations are also for having a little more fun and forgetting about the clock, but for a tour like This should take certain precautions, and one of them is "take as little toxins as possible in your body", this could be heavier and harder to carry than a 30-kilogram backpack.
  • Take sun protection: although the weather is quite cloudy it is advisable to bring sun protection, because what affects the skin is not sunlight, which is the UV radiation that is in the environment, and at that height, there is usually more exposure to them.
  • Wear appropriate clothing: it is advisable to go sporting, but taking into account that you will do a lot, but very cold. Trekking shoes, mountain caps, and gloves are essential for the tranquility of the walker. 
  • Take personal medication with you: for people who are under medication, it is good to make sure they take them on their trip, as well as to express to the guide with the intention that this can help better in case of emergency.
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Code HUM1D
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