Cusco offers its visitors a wide variety of attractions that simply leave them amazed through all the history that each one has. As you can imagine, Humantay Lagoon is no exception, and a beautiful turquoise lagoon simply cannot go unnoticed by nature lovers.
The Humantay lagoon is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Peru. It is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Cusco. Its turquoise waters crowned by the imposing Salkantay snow-capped mountain give it a unique beauty. Since the time of the Incas, this lagoon was worshiped by the Andean inhabitants. It is the third most popular tourist attraction in Cusco, after Machu Picchu and the 7 Colors Mountain.
What is Humantay Lagoon?
Humantay Lagoon takes its name from the snow-capped mountain nearby (Humantay, 5,473 m) and is considered one of the most beautiful and sacred lagoons in Cusco. Its turquoise waters adorned with snow-capped Salkantay (6,270 m) whisper directly to you the reason for its popularity.
In addition to the tourists who go on day trips to the lagoon, there are the most adventurous tourists who do the so-called “Salkantay Trek”, which is a 5-day hike to Machu Picchu and where they have the chance to visit this lagoon at their leisure. passed.
By the way, would you dare to take a tour of the PeruRail Expedition? This service is ideal for visitors looking to get to Machu Picchu by train at the lowest possible cost, but without leaving aside the comforts that can be found on board a train.
How to get to Humantay Lagoon?
To get to Humantay Lagoon from the city of Cusco, you must travel a path of about 120 km, passing through the towns of Limatambo and Mollepata, until you reach the community of Soraypampa.
Once we entered Soraypampa, we began an uphill walk of about 2 km until we reached the lagoon. If you are traveling with a tour package, transportation is included (including horse rental for the hike), as well as breakfast and lunch in the town of Mollepata. You travel alone? Don't worry. Below, we give you the complete tour.
Can I get to the lagoon on my own?
Of course you can, and below we will explain step by step what your route will be:
You must take public transportation from the city of Cusco to the town of Mollepata. The bus leaves from the Arcopata terminal and costs around 15 soles (4 USD).
Once you arrive in Mollepata, you will need to take a collective taxi to the community of Soraypampa.
You may not be able to find one of these collective taxis, so you will have to take a conventional taxi. For the latter case, the taxi can cost 50 soles (approximately 12 USD).
Finally, in Soraypampa, you have to walk to the Humantay Lagoon. As we mentioned before, it is a 2km walk and, depending on our resistance, it can take between 1 to 2 hours. It is a very beautiful experience, but it is recommended to reach the lagoon on your own only if you are used to this type of tour, since the trip can be exhausting at those 4,200 meters above sea level.
How much does the entrance to the lagoon cost?
The entrance is paid in the town of Mollepata and this gives us access to the Soraypampa camp, where the lagoon is located. The fee for foreign visitors is 10 soles (2.5 USD) and for Peruvian visitors it is 5 soles (1.5 USD).
What to do in Humantay Lagoon?
If you want to have the complete experience in Humantay Lagoon, you can do some activities that the town has to offer you.
Observe the ceremony
An ancient ceremony is held in Humantay Lagoon in honor of Pachamama, Mother Earth. Once you arrive at the lagoon, you can be part of the ceremony by placing stones to thank you for your safe arrival at the lagoon.
The history of Humantay Lagoon is about the legend of the 2 brothers, whose names are Salkantay and Ausangate. It is said that both brothers decided to undertake a journey to unknown lands in order to obtain food and end the famine of their people.
Interested in learning more stories about Cusco on your trip to Machu Picchu? The PeruRail Vistadome train gives you an incredible experience through a beautiful dance of the region, a fashion show on board and explanatory audios that make your trip a very pleasant and sensory one.
Camping
Near the snowy territory, just 3 minutes from the lagoon, there is an ecocamp where you can enjoy the magical experience of witnessing the sunrise and sunset, and you will have time to explore the most fascinating corners of the Peruvian mountains.
Of course, it is recommended to bring special equipment for the cold if you go camping. This is due to the low temperatures experienced in the lagoon throughout the day.
Horseback riding
The inhabitants of the Soraypampa community offer horse rental service at the beginning of the walk to Humantay Lagoon. This service is only available for uphill sections and has an approximate value of 90 Peruvian soles (23 USD).
What is the best season to visit Humantay Lagoon?
The weather in the highlands and mountains is not very predictable. However, we can see a considerable number of tourists visiting Cusco during the dry season, which runs from May to mid-October. This season undoubtedly provides a full day of sun to take that photo that we want to upload to Instagram so much, and more so in the case of the lagoon, whose blue-turquoise color can be seen more clearly.
Humantay Lagoon is accessible all year round, although during the rainy season you will find fewer tourists. Remember that, unlike the Inca Trail tour or tickets to go to Machu Picchu, the tour to Humantay Lagoon is always available.
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If you want to live this great experience do not hesitate to contact us. Reserve our guided trips to Machu Picchu by contacting our travel experts and you will be closer to completing your adventure:
