Cusco: Humantay Lake Tour with Breakfast and Buffet Lunch

Humantay Lake starts before sunrise. This Cusco tour packs a tough 2-hour trek with breakfast and buffet lunch, and the payoff is big mountain scenery with Salkantay and Humantay towering overhead. The main trade-off is the punishing start time: plan for pickup around 3:30–4:00 a.m.

What makes it work is the support. You’ll be with a bilingual tour guide and a small-group feel on the climb, and the day includes an oxygen bottle plus a first aid kit for emergencies.

One more reality check: the route climbs to about 4,200 meters, and the trek is steep, so you’ll want solid shoes, layers, and a slow, steady pace.

Key Things I’d Plan Around

• Arrive early: the pickup is very early so you’re climbing in cooler hours
• Steep ascent first: the first part is the hardest, then it eases on the way back
• Food is not an afterthought: breakfast in Mollepata and a buffet lunch after hiking
• Emergency-ready: oxygen bottle, first aid kit, and optional wood stick
• Altitude + cold: warm clothing matters more than you think at that hour
• Optional horse help: horse can be rented one way (extra cost)

The early pickup and ride: getting to Humantay Lake with daylight on your side

This is a one-day tour with a classic “start early, see more” rhythm. You’re picked up from the historical city center of Cusco (pickup options vary), usually between 3:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., then you drive for about 2 hours toward Mollepata.

That early start is not just for convenience. It helps you avoid the worst crowds and gives your body time to warm up as you head higher. You’ll be back in Cusco between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. near Plaza de Armas—so you still have a full evening for dinner and a proper shower.

Mollepata breakfast: fueling up before the altitude does its thing

After the drive, you’ll stop in Mollepata for breakfast for about 30 minutes. This matters because you’re about to climb in thin air, and you don’t want to start the hike under-fueled.

You’ll also pick up water and snacks for the trek. Based on how the day is structured, this is your main chance to load up calories before you’re standing around at a high plateau in cold mountain air.

If you’re picky about food, good news: the tour includes breakfast and a vegetarian option, and they also run a buffet lunch later. Bring any dietary extras you rely on, but the core meals are planned for you.

Soraypampa plateau at high altitude: Salkantay and Humantay in your face

After breakfast, you’ll ride about 1 more hour to Soraypampa. From there, the views are the point: you’ll admire Apu Salkantay (about 6,230 meters) and Humantay (about 5,250 meters) towering above the plateau area.

The tour altitude reaches about 4,200 meters, which is exactly the kind of number that changes how your body feels. You might get winded fast, even if you’re fit—so this is where pacing beats speed. A big part of what you’re paying for is having a guide who helps your group move safely and steadily.

The 2-hour trek up: steep steps, small-group pacing, and when to use a horse

Once you’re ready at Soraypampa, you start the climb toward Humantay Lake. The plan includes a 2-hour trek to reach the lake, and the route is described as steep—especially at the beginning.

Here’s the key practical tip: treat the first stretch like a warm-up for your lungs. Even if the climb feels short on paper, altitude makes it longer. You’ll be given time to prepare your day pack, and the group is typically small, so the guide can let you take your time.

Horse riding is an option that’s treated as a choice, not a hard sell. The horse itself is not included in the base price, and it can be rented one way for extra cost. If you’re dealing with asthma or you’re still adjusting to Cusco altitude, this can be a smart “protect your day” move.

Also pay attention to footing. The hike can involve scrambling in places, and you’ll want hiking shoes (not flimsy sneakers), plus warm layers that you can remove as you heat up.

Reaching Humantay Lake: the photo stops, the optional extra climb, and the weather curveballs

When you finally arrive, the day turns from effort to scenery. The itinerary builds in time at the lake—about 30 minutes for photos and a visit.

There’s also an optional small climb above the lake to the right or left for a panoramic view. If you have the energy, this is often where you get the most “wow” angle, because it opens up a broader view back across the area.

One thing to plan for: mountain weather changes fast. The tour provider explicitly warns that they can’t control weather conditions, and it’s recommended to check forecast apps. Bring rain gear even if the day starts clear, and keep sunscreen handy—cool air can trick you into thinking you’re safe from sunburn.

When you’re at the lake, watch your timing with your guide. The plan has a structured flow for returning and grabbing lunch, and you don’t want to drift so long that the group has to wait.

Downhill to Soraypampa: easier feet, faster recovery, and the ride back to lunch

After you’ve had your time at the lake, you head back down. The route is described as the easier part of the trek, going downhill toward Soraypampa for the next hiking segment.

This is where you’ll feel the difference between “I survived the climb” and “I can still walk.” Your legs will be tired, but downhill is usually less about breath and more about controlling steps.

If you used horses on the way up or down, it’s still worth keeping your shoes on and ready. Some parts can get muddy, and you’ll be walking around to reposition and settle back into the return schedule.

Once you’re back near Soraypampa, you’ll transition toward the lunch stop in Mollepata. The day is long enough that this meal is not just food—it’s the final recovery step.

Mollepata buffet lunch: local flavors, vegetarian options, and real value

Lunch is set up as a buffet in Mollepata, roughly 30 minutes. This is a practical win because you don’t have to gamble on finding food once you’re done hiking—you’re carried right back into a ready-to-eat meal.

The tour includes both breakfast and lunch, and a vegetarian option is available. In a day where you’re burning energy in cold air at high altitude, the difference between a small snack and a real buffet is huge.

Another value point: since the tour includes transportation, guide support, and your meal coverage, the $22 headline price doesn’t feel like a bait-and-switch. You’re mostly paying for the logistics and the access to the Humantay area with a guided plan.

Price and what you still pay on the day: entrance fee and horse rentals

The base price is listed as $22 per person for a one-day tour with pickup, transportation, a bilingual guide, breakfast, and buffet lunch. That’s good value for a full day that starts before dawn.

Two common extras:

• Entrance fee: 20 PEN per person, paid in cash
• Horse rental: 80 PEN one way, if you decide you want it

Both are easy to plan for. The entrance fee is the kind of thing you don’t want to discover without cash, and the horse is something you only decide once you feel how the altitude and steepness hit your body.

Also note: the tour plan includes a free cancellation window and a reserve-now, pay-later style option. That’s useful when you’re trying to pick the best departure day based on weather.

Safety and logistics that actually matter: oxygen, first aid, sticks, and packing

This tour includes a first aid kit and an oxygen bottle for emergencies. That doesn’t mean you’ll need it, but it does mean the day is run with safety in mind.

They also include 1 wood stick (optional). If you’ve ever hiked uphill at altitude, you know how much a simple assist can reduce knee strain—especially when the first stretch is steep.

What you should bring is clear and worth following closely:

• Comfortable shoes and/or hiking shoes
• Warm clothing (extra sweater/jacket/hat/gloves is recommended)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (sunburn can still happen)
• Water and snacks
• Rain gear
• Sunscreen and something lightweight to cover arms/neck if you’re prone to burning

What you shouldn’t bring:

• Luggage or large bags
• Pets

The meeting point is also straightforward: wait near the Hotel San Pedro Plaza door and look for your guide calling your name. (Pickup timing can run about 15 minutes late, and full-group pickup can take 30 to 45 minutes, so if you’re early, don’t panic—wait patiently.)

Who should book this and who should skip it

This is not a casual walk. It’s a steep, high-altitude hike to a high point around Humantay Lake, and the tour explicitly says it’s not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with mobility impairments or wheelchair users
• People with vertigo
• People with respiratory issues
• People with low level of fitness

If you’re healthy and you can handle strenuous hiking, this is a great day trip. It’s also a strong choice if you like guided structure and don’t want to figure out logistics in cold, early-morning conditions.

If you’re on the fence, think like this: can you hike up a steep trail for about two hours at altitude, then walk downhill again? If yes, book it. If no, consider skipping or choosing an easier alternative.

Should you book the Humantay Lake tour with breakfast and buffet lunch?

If your goal is one unforgettable day in the Cusco region—Humantay Lake scenery, Salkantay views, and a full plan that covers transport plus meals—this tour is a solid pick. The early start, the guide support, and the included breakfast and buffet lunch make it feel like real value, not just a transfer to a viewpoint.

I’d book it if you:

• Want a guided hike with small-group pacing
• Are prepared with warm layers, hiking shoes, and sunscreen
• Know you’ll take it slow on the ascent
• Want emergency-ready support with an oxygen bottle and first aid kit

I’d skip it if you:

• Have vertigo, respiratory issues, or mobility limits
• Know you can’t comfortably handle steep uphill walking at altitude
• Don’t like waking up around 3:30–4:00 a.m.

FAQ

What time is pickup in Cusco for this Humantay Lake tour?

Pickup is typically between 3:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. from the historical city center of Cusco, depending on your pickup option.

Is breakfast included, and where do you eat it?

Yes. You stop in Mollepata for breakfast for about 30 minutes, and it’s included in the tour price (with a vegetarian option).

Do I need cash for entrance fees?

Yes. The entrance fee is 20 PEN per person and is paid in cash.

Is the horse included in the tour price?

No. Horse riding is optional and can be rented one way for 80 PEN. The tour provider does not manage the horse rental process.

How long is the trek to Humantay Lake?

The hike to Humantay Lake is planned as about a 2-hour trek (with the route described as steep, especially at the start).

How high does the tour go?

The trek reaches about 4,200 meters altitude, and you’ll also be viewing peaks like Apu Salkantay (6,230 m) and Humantay (5,250 m).

What should I bring for the cold and sun?

Bring warm clothing (including gloves/hat if you have them), sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable hiking shoes, water, snacks, and rain gear.