Humantay Lake on Horseback: Day Trip from Cusco
Full Day
Up to 8 travelers
4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Moderate
Overview
This full-day tour takes you to Humantay Lake with much less uphill walking. After an early pickup and breakfast in Mollepata, you continue to Soraypampa, below the Salkantay range, where a local horse handler gives you instructions and leads you up the authorized section of the trail. You walk the last stretch to the turquoise lake, then descend on foot and return to Cusco after lunch. Groups have up to 8 travelers.
Highlights
- The horseback ascent: 1.3 km and 230 m of climb on horseback, at a controlled pace.
- Humantay Lake: a glacial lake about 700 m long below the Humantay glacier, in the Mollepata district (Anta province).
- Time at the shore: photos, rest and your guide’s explanation of the lake’s meaning in Andean culture.
What's Included
Included 7
- Pre-tour coordination
- Professional bilingual guide
- Round-trip tourist transport
- Horse and local horse handler on the authorized trail section
- Breakfast and lunch
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Small-group service (up to 8 travelers)
Not Included 4
- Tourist entrance fees unless expressly stated
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Services or activities not described in the itinerary
What Should You Bring? 7
- Passport or ID
- Water
- Sun protection
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Small amount of cash
Itinerary
1
Cusco to Soraypampa
Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa
Early pickup in Cusco, breakfast in Mollepata and onward drive to Soraypampa (3,890 m), the trailhead below the Salkantay range.
2
Horseback ascent
Soraypampa – Humantay trail
Meet your local horse handler, receive instructions and ride the authorized uphill section at a controlled pace: 1.3 km to the drop-off point at 4,120 m.
3
Final walk to the lake
Horse drop-off – Humantay Lake
Walk the last 0.9 km to Humantay Lake (4,200 m). Time for photos and your guide's explanation of the lake and the surrounding glaciers.
4
Descent, lunch and return
Humantay Lake – Soraypampa – Mollepata – Cusco
Descend 2.2 km on foot to Soraypampa, have lunch on the way back and return to Cusco.
Route & elevation profile
- 4.4 kmhiking distance (2.7 mi)
- 4,200 mhighest point on foot: Humantay Lake (13,780 ft)
- +339 melevation gain from Soraypampa
- km 0 Soraypampa Start on horseback
- km 1.3 Horse drop-off End of horse section, continue on foot
- km 2.2 Humantay Lake Final approach on foot
- km 4.4 Soraypampa Descent on foot
Good to know
Difficulty and altitude: the route profile
Difficulty is moderate, mainly because of the altitude. Our route profile: you start on horseback at Soraypampa (3,890 m / 12,762 ft) and ride to the horse drop-off at 4,120 m (km 1.3). From there you walk 0.9 km and 80 m up to the lake at 4,200 m (13,780 ft). The descent is on foot: 2.2 km and 310 m down to Soraypampa. In total you walk about 3.1 km. Spend at least two nights in Cusco before the tour and read our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco.
Who this tour is for
Travelers who want to see Humantay but prefer to avoid most of the steep climb, and those with limited time to acclimatize. If you would rather hike the whole way, the Humantay Lake hiking tour costs from USD 70.
Best time to go
According to Senamhi, rain in Cusco can continue until mid-April, with storms, hail and snow above 4,000 m; from May mornings are freezing. The trail can be muddy in the rainy months.
2026 avalanches: what we know
Ice and snow avalanches from the Humantay glacier were recorded in 2026, without injuries reported. INAIGEM recommended a risk assessment and evacuation routes, and in August 2026 Cusco’s regional risk office asked the Mollepata municipality for an early-warning system. In September, specialists pointed to the lake’s outflow, where visitors take photos, as the most exposed area. No closure had been announced (October 2026). Follow your guide’s instructions at the lake.
What to bring
Passport or ID, water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket or poncho and a small amount of cash.
Good to know
- Horses only travel on the permitted section of the trail.
- Weather, road conditions or community access may require the guide to change the order of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I ride and how much do I walk?
You ride 1.3 km from Soraypampa (3,890 m) to the horse drop-off (4,120 m). You walk the last 0.9 km to the lake (4,200 m) and the full 2.2 km descent, about 3.1 km in total.
How difficult is the horseback tour?
It is rated moderate. The horse covers most of the climb, but you still walk 80 m up and 310 m down above 3,890 m, and the altitude is the main challenge.
Do I need to acclimatize first?
Yes. Spend at least two nights in Cusco before this tour and avoid strenuous activity if you feel symptoms of altitude sickness. See our altitude sickness guide.
Do I need riding experience?
The local horse handler gives instructions before the ascent and leads the horse along the authorized section at a controlled pace.
Horseback or hiking tour: which should I choose?
The hiking tour costs from USD 70 for up to 15 travelers and climbs the whole 2.2 km on foot (310 m of ascent); a horse can be rented at Soraypampa for S/ 80. This tour costs from USD 110 for up to 8 travelers, with the horse and handler included.
Is Humantay Lake safe after the 2026 avalanches?
Avalanches were recorded in 2026 without injuries reported. INAIGEM recommended a risk assessment and Cusco's regional risk office asked for an early-warning system (Andina, August 2026). No closure had been announced as of October 2026. Keep away from the lake's outflow and follow your guide's instructions.
When is the best time to go?
The drier months are the most comfortable. According to Senamhi, rain in Cusco can last until mid-April, with hail and snow above 4,000 m, and from May mornings are freezing, so bring warm layers in any season.
What should I bring?
Passport or ID, water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket or poncho and some cash.
