Humantay Lake is a turquoise glacial lake at 4,200 metres in the Vilcabamba range — a day-trek destination that has become one of the most popular excursions from Cusco for its extraordinarily coloured water (a milky turquoise from glacial sediment) set against the snow-capped peak of Mount Humantay (5,473m). The trek begins at Soraypampa (about 4 hours' drive from Cusco) and climbs 200 metres in about 90 minutes to the lake.
The lake's colour changes with the light — turquoise in the morning, deeper blue at midday, and grey-green under clouds — and the backdrop of the glaciated mountain provides the kind of landscape that makes the Andes feel like a different planet. The hike is moderate but the altitude is challenging for visitors not fully acclimatised, and the standard advice (as with all Cusco high-altitude activities) is to spend at least 2-3 days acclimatising in Cusco before attempting it.
The trek is offered by virtually every tour agency in Cusco as a day trip and provides one of the most accessible high-altitude lake experiences in the Andes. The drive through the Apurímac valley, the Quechua farming communities along the route, and the changing landscape as you climb from valley floor to glacial zone provide as much to see as the lake itself.
Verified Facts
Humantay Lake sits at approximately 4,200 metres
Mount Humantay reaches 5,473 metres
The turquoise colour comes from glacial sediment
The drive from Cusco takes approximately 4 hours
Get walking directions
Soraypampa, Mollepata District, Cusco Region
