Humantay Turquoise Glacier Lake Trek
Hike beneath glaciated Humantay and Salkantay peaks to an emerald alpine lake at 4,200m (13,779 ft).
Humantay Turquoise Glacier Lake Trek
Hike beneath glaciated Humantay and Salkantay peaks to an emerald alpine lake at 4,200m (13,779 ft).
For accommodations in Cusco's historic center with vehicle access, our tourist transport arrives as close as legally permitted. Due to Cusco's colonial pedestrian alleys, if your hotel is on a narrow stone walkway, we wait at the nearest corner (usually 1/2 to 1 block away). We coordinate with you via WhatsApp/phone in advance, and our assistant welcomes you at the vehicle.
Lodging outside the center? If your hotel or Airbnb is outside the historic center perimeter, meeting is coordinated at a central landmark (such as Plaza Regocijo).
Need dedicated walking escort right to your door or pickup outside the historic center? Select Boutique Private in the booking card above.
Experience overview
Starting from the Soraypampa trailhead at 3,900m (12,795 ft), this high-altitude trek climbs 300 vertical meters over 3.5 kilometers of loose scree and rocky switchbacks. The trail terminates at the natural moraine dam of Laguna Humantay (4,200m / 13,779 ft), fed by meltwater from the hanging seracs of Nevado Humantay (5,473m). Departing Cusco at 4:30 AM allows our groups to reach the lakeshore ahead of the midday tourist rush.
High-Altitude Safety Profile
Effective O₂ at 4,200m
Prior rest recommended
+984 ft vertical gain
Physiological Altitude Curve & Biomes
Select any day or milestone on the interactive graph to view its atmospheric altitude, effective oxygen pressure, and terrain biome.
Cusco
Peak Altitude
3,399 m
Effective O₂ Level
~68% vs sea-level
Crisp alpine air. Requires deliberate pacing and active hydration.· 4:30 AM pickup
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (1D)
- Day 14,200 m(13,779 ft)3.5h6 km(3.7 mi)
Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Cusco
Pickup at 4:30 AM from your Cusco hotel. Drive through the Limatambo valley to Mollepata for a hearty hot breakfast. Continue to Soraypampa campsite (3,900m). Begin the 1.5 to 2-hour uphill trek along glacial moraine trails to the turquoise jewel of Laguna Humantay. Spend an hour admiring the hanging glacier of Mt. Salkantay and participating in a traditional Pachamama (Mother Earth) offering. Descend to Soraypampa, enjoy a delicious hot lunch, and return to Cusco by 5:30 PM.
Key highlights
Meals: Hot Mountain Breakfast & Buffet Lunch
What's Included & Excluded
What is Included
100% Pre-PaidPre-paid services verified & delivered on route
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco
- Roundtrip tourist transport
- Professional bilingual mountain guide
- Buffet breakfast and hot lunch in Mollepata/Soraypampa
- Trekking poles, medical oxygen, and first aid kit
What is Not Included
Out-of-PocketPersonal expenses & discretionary gratuities
- Community entry ticket (S/ 20 cash per person)
- Gratuities
Optional Journey Upgrades
Premium UpgradesNominal permit slots & panoramic train cars available on request
- Horse rental (optional on-site rental approx. S/ 80–90 if you prefer to ride up)
Field Realities & Pocket Cash
Real ground notes from our team in CuscoIdeal Traveler Fit
Who enjoys this route mostFit travelers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts eager to witness the emerald glacier lagoon beneath Mt. Humantay (5,473m).
1.5 to 2 hours of steep, rocky switchback ascent from 3,850m to 4,200m (13,779 ft). Trekking poles recommended.
Radical Honesty: Who This is NOT For
We prefer honesty over unsuitable bookings- ✕Travelers in their first 36 hours in Cusco (strictly allow at least 1.5–2 full days acclimatizing).
- ✕Individuals with recent knee surgery, acute cardiovascular conditions, or severe asthma.
- ✕Anyone expecting horses for the descent (horses strictly carry riders UPHILL only; downhill loose shale is traversed on foot).
Route Pocket Expenses (Carry Cash Soles in Daypack)
Mandatory checkpoint fees, community tickets & coin-operated restrooms
Mollepata Community Ticket
Mandatory community access ticket paid in cash at Limatambo.
Optional Trail Horse (Ascent)
Hired directly from local muleteers; uphill ONLY for rider safety.
Trailside Restrooms
Basic mountain facilities; bring coins and personal tissues.
Luggage & Transit Rule: Early departure at 04:30 AM with a 3‑hour drive each way. Leave daypack extras safely on your assigned vehicle seat during the hike.
What to pack for this journey
Tested on the trail by our team in CuscoEssential Terrain & Practical Ground Notes
- •The hike involves a steep 300-meter (1,000 ft) elevation gain over 1.5 miles on loose rock. Take slow, rhythmic steps.
- •Local community members offer horses for hire at the trailhead for travelers who prefer assistance with the uphill climb.
Real Traveler Reviews & Experiences
Independent traveler feedback verified on TripAdvisor and Google Maps.
“Amazing tour operator with incredible coordinators, collegiate guides, and mountain chefs! Did half a dozen treks and day tours around Cusco and loved all of them. Very reliable, highly recommend!”
“Working with Daspe Travel was completely seamless. From our early morning hotel pickup in Cusco to the Vistadome train tickets and citadel entrance, our guide was exceptionally punctual, knowledgeable, and full of positive energy. Zero stress, everything was flawlessly organized.”
“I was looking for a trek along the Choquequirao route and contacted them. From the very start they gave me complete confidence, and I was not wrong. Of all the operators I have used across Peru, they were by far the most professional and attentive. The route is spectacular, perhaps the finest I have done. Standing up there taking in that beauty remains one of the best sensations of my life.”
Frequently asked questions
Have custom requests?
Dietary accommodations, hotel upgrades or a slower photography pace? Speak directly with our local Cusco specialists.