A 2025 Humantay Lagoon 1-Day Review from Cusco

You’ve seen the pictures, right? Obviously, that impossibly blue-green water looks almost painted against the side of a massive, snow-covered mountain. Well, I mean, that’s Humantay Lagoon for you. Actually, so many people ask if it’s a difficult trip and if it is worth waking up before the sun comes up. To be honest, we decided to book a one-day outing from Cusco to see for ourselves, and this is, pretty much, what you can expect in 2025. It is, in a way, one of the most popular day trips from the city for a reason. Seriously, the color of that water is something you have to see with your own eyes, so you should probably prepare yourself for an early morning and a very, very real physical test.

An Early Morning You Almost Won’t Regret

Okay, the day starts comically early, like somewhere between 3:30 and 4:30 AM. You are just standing on a dark, cold Cusco street corner, you know, kind of waiting for a van to pull up. I mean, it is very chilly, and you will almost certainly question your life choices for a few minutes. Anyway, the van ride itself is about two hours long, and it’s pretty much all in the dark. So, a lot of people just go back to sleep, right? You just sort of bounce along these winding mountain roads. As a matter of fact, it’s a surprisingly good time to catch a little more rest before the day’s activities really begin. Frankly, it’s hard to see much of anything outside the window until the sun begins to lighten the sky. Basically, try to grab a window seat if you can, so you can witness the mountains slowly appear around you as daylight breaks.

Your pickup time really depends on your tour operator and where your hotel or hostel is located in the city. You will definitely get a message the night before with a specific time window. Honestly, don’t be late, because they typically have a full van of people to pick up and they are on a very strict schedule. We noticed our van was full of sleepy people from all over the world, you know, all bundled up in hats and jackets. You’ll actually find a strange sense of togetherness in that shared, pre-dawn silence. At the end of the day, that cold, early start is the price of admission for getting to the lagoon before the largest crowds appear a little later in the morning.

Fueling Up for the Climb in Mollepata

Just as you start to wonder if you’ll ever eat again, the van, you know, kind of pulls into the small town of Mollepata. So, this is your breakfast stop, which is almost always included in the tour price. Don’t expect a huge American-style buffet; instead, it is a simple but effective meal, and so it’s designed to give you the energy for the walk ahead. Actually, our stop was at a small, family-run spot that served lots of other tour groups too. I mean, the setup is more or less a buffet line with scrambled eggs, bread, butter, jam, and of course, coca tea. Obviously, you should drink the coca tea. Seriously, the local guides say it helps with the altitude, and at the end of the day, it is a warm, comforting drink on a cold morning.

Frankly, this stop is also your last chance for a proper restroom for a little while, so it’s a good idea to use the facilities here. Pretty much, you can also buy some last-minute supplies like water, snacks, coca candies, or even knit gloves if you forgot yours. The atmosphere in Mollepata is sort of functional; it knows its role is to feed and prepare trekkers before they head higher into the mountains. In a way, it is a very practical and necessary part of the whole operation. Honestly, take your time, eat well, and drink plenty of fluids because, as a matter of fact, the hardest part of your day is just around the corner.

The True Test Begins at Soraypampa

Okay, after breakfast, it’s about another hour in the van on a road that is, you know, a bit rougher and unpaved. The views, on the other hand, start to become absolutely incredible. You are driving in a valley with the colossal Mount Salkantay and its icy peaks pretty much dominating the view. The van parks at the trailhead at Soraypampa, which sits at a lofty 3,900 meters (about 12,800 feet) above sea level. So, this is where you really feel the altitude. Honestly, just getting out of the van can leave you a little breathless. Basically, this is the starting point for your hike to the lagoon.

“To be honest, the moment you step out of the van at Soraypampa, the air feels different. It is thinner, crisper, and the scale of the mountains around you is just humbling. You literally feel very, very small.”

Right at the start, you’ll see local muleteers with their horses. You can actually hire one of these horses to take you most of the way up for an extra fee (usually around 80-100 soles). Anyway, there’s absolutely no shame in doing this; a lot of people choose this option. I mean, the hike is steep and the air is thin. You still have to walk the final, steepest ten to fifteen minutes yourself, as the horses can’t go all the way to the water’s edge. You should definitely listen to your body; if you are already feeling the altitude sickness, renting a horse is a very sensible choice. At the end of the day, the goal is to see the lagoon, not to push yourself into a state of physical misery.

That First Look at the Turquoise Jewel

The hike itself takes, I mean, about 90 minutes to two hours depending on your fitness level and how well you’ve acclimatized. Honestly, it is a constant, uphill slog. You will probably need to take a lot of breaks to catch your breath. The path is pretty much well-trodden but rocky in places. Then, after what feels like a very long time, you make it over the final ridge. And so, there it is. Seriously, the lagoon sits right there below you, and the color is even more amazing than in the pictures. It’s this deep, almost glowing turquoise, fed by the Humantay Glacier hanging just above it. You just sort of stop and stare, you know, because it’s genuinely stunning.

You can then carefully walk down the slope to get closer to the water’s edge. As a matter of fact, it’s very cold up there, with a sharp wind often coming off the glacier. So, even if you were sweating on the hike up, you will want your jacket and hat ready. Most tour groups spend about an hour at the lagoon, which gives you plenty of time to take pictures, find a rock to sit on, and just, you know, absorb the incredible natural beauty. You can actually see small avalanches sometimes, with snow and ice cracking and falling from the glacier high above, creating a deep booming sound that echoes across the water. Okay, it’s a truly powerful place that makes the early start and the difficult climb feel completely and totally worth it.

A Few Useful Pointers for Your 2025 Outing

To be honest, if you are planning this trip for 2025, there are a few things that will really help you have a better time. Basically, acclimatization is not a joke. You should really spend at least two or three days in Cusco, which is already at high altitude, before you attempt this hike. Your body needs that time to adjust. Otherwise, you’re at a much higher risk for some pretty bad altitude sickness. Obviously, this is the most important piece of advice you can get.

• Dressing in layers is, you know, kind of the only way to go. You will be very cold in the morning, hot and sweaty during the hike, and then cold again at the lagoon. A t-shirt, a fleece, and a waterproof/windproof jacket is a pretty good combination.
• Footwear matters. Honestly, you really need sturdy hiking shoes with good grip. The path is rocky and can be slippery, so sneakers or trainers are not a great idea, at the end of the day.
• Bring your own supplies. Anyway, make sure you have at least a liter of water, some high-energy snacks like nuts or granola bars, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. So, you might want to bring cash in Peruvian Soles for the horse rental, extra snacks, or using the restrooms.
• Pacing is everything. I mean, walk slowly, take deep breaths, and rest whenever you feel the need. It’s not a race. You’ll literally enjoy it more if you don’t exhaust yourself in the first twenty minutes.

So, Is the Humantay Lagoon Trip for You?

Frankly, this trip isn’t for everyone, and it is very important to be honest about the physical demand. It’s not a simple walk in the park; it is a challenging high-altitude hike. So, if you have serious respiratory or heart issues, you might want to reconsider this particular outing. Likewise, if you really hate early mornings or are not in at least decent physical shape, you could find the experience more painful than pleasurable. At the end of the day, you know yourself best. The trek requires a moderate level of fitness and a great deal of determination.

However, if you are a person who loves dramatic mountain scenery and feels a sense of accomplishment from a physical challenge, then this day is, pretty much, perfect. The reward for your effort is a view that feels like it’s from another planet. You get to stand in the presence of massive Andean peaks and see a glacial lake of an unbelievable color. So, for the right type of traveler, the 2025 Humantay Lagoon day trip is an absolutely unforgettable experience that will be a highlight of any trip to the Cusco region. It is, in a way, one of those places where the reality actually surpasses the hype you see online.

Read our full review: [Humantay Lagoon in 1 Day from Cusco Full Review and Details]

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