Before starting the 4-day Inca Trail we wanted to dip our toes into a hike at altitude. Any hike near Cusco, Peru requires some amount of acclimatization ahead of time. Even just walking the old city’s hilly streets can feel strenuous and should be done cautiously on your first day.

When planning our trip to Peru, hiking the Inca Trail was the centerpiece of our itinerary. Many of our planning decisions stemmed directly from the fact that we would be completing a strenuous 4-day hike at a high altitude. Therefore we carefully organized the days before and after the Inca Trail.

Hiking to Lake Humantay gave us an idea of how our bodies adjusted to the altitude. It was also a reality check to how thin the air feels when hiking at over 12,000ft. Most of all, it was the perfect warm-up before taking on the Inca Trail the next day.

Lake Humantay is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range northwest of Cusco, Peru. It takes 3 hours by car from Cusco to reach the trailhead’s parking lot.

This hike shares the same trailhead as the Salkantay Trek. Hikers are gifted with amazing views of the enormous and snowy Mount Salkantay before beginning the hike up to the lake.

About Lake Humantay

Lake Humantay is a glacial-fed lake that lies just below Humantay Mountain. Snowmelt from nearby Salkantay Mountain also helps maintain the lake’s water level. The lake sits at an elevation of 13,780 ft, while the top of Humantay Mountain reaches 17,956 ft. Today it is obvious to the human eye that the Humantay Glacier is substantially smaller than it once was.

Like many glacial-fed lakes, Lake Humantay’s color is a stunning turquoise. In the sunlight, the lake shimmers and holds the reflection of Humantay Mountain. Locals and hikers used to be permitted to swim in the lake. However, nowadays a park ranger is present to ensure no one crosses the rope that lines the perimeter.

Cultural Importance

Lake Humantay holds a spiritual and cultural importance that dates back to the Incas. Here offerings are made to the mountain gods or Apus and thanks are given to nature or Pachamama.

Apachetas or stone towers made by piling many small rocks on top of each other are common in this region. The Andean people build them to pay tribute to the environment. Apachetas of varying sizes can be seen around the lake and trail.

What to expect on the hike

Views of Mount Salkantay at the Trailhead to Lake Humantay

The out-and-back hike is considered moderately strenuous. At 4.4 miles round trip, it isn’t terribly long but if this is your first foray into hiking at high altitudes (in this case greater than 12,000ft) the hike may feel more challenging than you’d expect.

The trail begins at an elevation of 12,795 ft. Leaving the parking area, hikers cross over a bridge and are presented with perfect views of Salkantay Mountain. The trail steepens dramatically once past the field where the horses are staged. From here it’s a slow grind up to Lake Humantay.

During the hike, I immediately noticed how much harder it felt to breathe once we began to hike the incline.

The trail is well-marked and is a mixture of dirt, gravel, and stone. There is minimal shade along the trail and at Lake Humantay.

We left the trailhead around 7:30 am and arrived at the lake’s edge by 8:45 am. I normally wouldn’t consider 7:30 am an early start time for a hike, but we were just the third group to reach the lake before 9 am.

The area around the lake is ample, so even as more groups arrived there was still plenty of space to take pictures and enjoy the views of Humantay Mountain in peace.

Why Lake Humantay is the perfect warm-up hike

• Hikers won’t be too sore the next day
• You’ll have a better idea of how your breathing and energy will feel at altitude while hiking
• The views and general environment will get hikers excited about the Inca Trail
• Unlike Rainbow Mountain, you can be slightly less acclimatized
• It’s a beautiful location outside of Cusco and worth seeing even if you aren’t hiking it to prepare for the Inca Trail

More tips for hiking to Lake Humantay

• Arrive early: Similar to Rainbow Mountain, the early bird gets the worm in Peru! Choosing a tour agency that will get you to the trailhead before 7:30 am is key to a more enjoyable hike. I highly recommend the agency Valentine’s Pachamama Journeys for day trips and the Inca Trail trekking!
• Horseback Riding: If you are physically unable to hike or do not want to hike to Lake Humantay, you can pay to ride a horse. A local will guide the horse almost to the lake’s edge. Riders do need to hike back down on their own though.
• Bring Snacks: Bring a snack to eat at the lake while you take in the views.
• Slow and Steady: Go easy, and breathe deep. The initial incline may feel like a shock to the body.
• What to bring: Pack and wear layers, the temperature can change quickly. Bring Sols to pay to use the restroom and buy drinks and snacks at the trailhead.

Continue planning your trip to Peru

Peru is one of my favorite countries in South America. There is so much to see and do beyond Lima and the Cusco region. I plan to return one day to continue exploring this beautiful country!

In addition to hiking to Lake Humantay, I highly recommend hiking Rainbow Mountain and the Inca Trail. Below are my blog posts on both of these hikes. 

Hiking Rainbow Mountain: How to Have the Best Experience 

The Inca Trail: 4 Amazing Days Trekking to Machu Picchu

15 Important Things to Know Before Hiking the Inca Trail

What are some of your favorite hikes in Peru? Drop them in the comments below!