Among the 13,000 lakes and lagoons that exist throughout Peru, there is one that has taken great fame among travelers in recent years. This is Humantay lagoon, a Cusco lagoon surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crystal clear waters. For fans of trekking and nature, the adventure to Humantay is a must in the visit to Machu Picchu and Cusco.
Do you want to feel the power of the Andes accompanying you on this journey? We tell you everything you have to know to know this beautiful place!
How is the Humantay Lagoon?
The beauty of the Humantay lagoon, as we have previously contacted, in the surrounding snow-capped mountains and the crystalline waters with intense green and bluish tones. This lagoon is located 120 km northwest of Cusco, in the Vilcanota mountain range at 4300 meters above sea level. This height makes the weather very cold and in addition can cause soroche or altitude sickness.
How To Get To The Humantay Lagoon?
For travelers who wish to know this destination, the tour starts from Cusco at 5:00 by transport to the town of Mollepata (2,900 masl) with a duration of 2h 30min. In this place you pay an entrance fee to access the circuit and it is also advisable to have a breakfast and then explore a 2-hour walk uphill, the route is not so complicated, so it is recommended to acclimatize a day before in Cusco, for the walk It is advisable to bring coca leaves, lemon candies or chocolates and especially moisturizing water until you reach the town of Soraypampa at (3,900 masl), where Apus Salkantay and Humantay give us a great welcome with all the natural beauty of turquoise water Very crystalline full of Andean mystery.
Recommendations
The trekking to the Humantay lagoon is demanding and it is advisable to go well prepared to enjoy it to the fullest. Here are some tips:
The climate in the lagoon is mainly cold, so we recommend you take warm clothing but light, so you do not have to carry a lot of weight during the walk. Also, as the trekking progresses, you will start to need less clothe, so it is important that you wear a t-shirt for that moment.
Do the trekking with slip-resistant and comfortable shoes, as well as a sun hat.
Bring enough water to keep you hydrated all the way.
Avoid soroche or altitude sickness by taking a pill or a tea or coca leaves.
Make the tour when you have a few days in Cusco, so the height will not affect you as much.
Although breakfast and lunch are almost always included in the tour, it is always good to bring some food in case you find yourself very tired: nuts, fruit, chocolate.
Always make tours with official agencies, which are perfectly equipped, and thus avoid any type of inconvenience.
Humantay, Salkantay, Rainbow Mountain, Inca Trail, Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Inca Quarry Trail, Choquequirao and more … Cusco is full of exciting routes for trekking lovers. Choose the one you want to explore and enjoy the adventure!