Humantay Lake and Machu Picchu Tour 2 Days

This 2 days tour to Machu Picchu with Humantay Lake,  consider the first day from Cusco to Humantay Lake and return to Cusco. The next day, early  from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu citadel.

If you are seeking for alternative hiking experience to Machu Picchu, must be  consider the Inca Quarry Trek alternatives like: Moonstone Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days, Ancascocha Trek 5 Days. Also we have Machu Pichu Tours from 2 or 3 days.

Also, if you want to visit the Humantay Lake in one day, you can visit our Tour: Humantay Lake Full Day Tour.

The Humantay Lake

Located in the Vilcabamba mountain range, at the foot of the Humantay mountain, is the fascinating lagoon of the same name, at an altitude of 4484 m. or 14711 feet. Humantay mountain is one of highest in the Cusco region (5910 m or 19389 feet), which in recent years has become the destination of the hikers visiting the southern Peru.

To reach to Humantay lagoon of glacial origin, you have to go from the city of Cusco to the town of Soray Pampa, which is located 3,900 meters above sea level, close to another spectacular mountain: Salkantay . Then, you should take a walk for about 3 hours along a high Andean path on which you can see multicolored landscapes where the areas of local cultivation that harmonize with the snowy mountains predominant.

The Incas worshiped the mountains as protective gods and called them “apus.” Apus Salkantay and Ausangate are the same as brothers, each one has his family, the wife of Apu Salkantay is the Veronica mountain, her children are the (Humantay mountain or Tukarhuay) son younger and (Yanantay or Coyllur) younger daughter.

Humantay Lake Difficulty 

There is not much difficulty to do the walk. The trip to Soray Pampa, starting point of the walk, is by bus. When you get to this place you start walking around 1.8 km. The distance is short, however the slope goes from 3900 m. up to 4484 m. (Be careful with Sickness Altitude) It is necessary to stop continuously to breathe. Getting to Humantay lagoon takes 2 to 4 hours.

Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town)

Machu Picchu town, also called Aguas Calientes, is a Peruvian locality located in the department of Cusco, province of Urubamba, district of Machu Picchu. It is the capital of the homonym district, where the District Municipality is based. It is the main access road to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Due to its geographical location, just 9 kilometers from the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, it is the place where tourists who visit the Inca city arrive (by train only). The town has developed an important tourist and hotel infrastructure from simple accommodation to exclusive hotels.

Among its most important tourist attractions are the thermal baths located 800 m from the town, to which medicinal properties are attributed. (The name “Aguas Calientes” – Hot Waters – is origin for the name of the town)

Other nearby tourist attractions are the Mandor waterfall, 3 km from the town following the northwest railway line; the Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum, located on the road to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, 2 km from the town.

You can arrive here, from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by  bus, next using the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town).

Is possible to get Humantay Lake from Aguas Calientes?

Going from Machu Picchu Town to the lagoon, technically is possible. However, it is the reverse route of Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.

The difficulty is quite high and there are no travel operators that make this route that would require at least 4 days of hiking, carrying out camps at night. The altitude to be faced is from 2093 m (Aguas Calientes) to 5075 m (Salkantay Pass).

Aguas Calientes to Humantay Lake Route

It is a route that we do not recommend, if you are interested in making this trip we recommend doing the Salkantay Trek or the Inca Quarry Trail.

Aguas Calientes Humantay Lake Machu Picchu Tour 2 days(Download in PDF: Humantay Lake | Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu Map)

We want to give you a unique experience of Cusco region, and if you have short on time, this tour will be a great option. It may be the highlight of your trip.

Briefing.

When you arrive at your hotel in Cusco, you will have a meeting with our main guide who will give you ample information about your destination 1 or 2 days before your trip, all about your tour schedule, and you can also ask questions for the last preparation. before starting the trek.