“Here is a brief overview with the best tips and suggestions on how to make the most of your day!
- Wear warm clothing: The morning is very cold, so you should wear several layers of clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, a fleece, a warm jacket, a cold hat, as well as a sun hat. Once you start moving and walking, you can take off layers. Once the sun goes behind the clouds, the temperature can drop very quickly. Be prepared for variable temperatures. You can also bring a small blanket for the bus journey if you want to sleep.
- Bring sunscreen: You will be at a high altitude, which means the radiation is very strong, and you can suffer a nasty sunburn unless you protect yourself with sunscreen and a hat. You should also bring sunglasses to help protect your eyes from strong radiation. There is barely any shade or protection from the sun at the lagoon.
- Get enough sleep: Make sure to get enough rest the night before your tour. You will likely have physical challenges if you only have a few hours of sleep since the tour pick-up time is around 4:50 a.m. Travelers should have a moderate level of physical fitness to enjoy the hike.
- Bring motion sickness medication while traveling on the bus: Sometimes, the bus ride can be winding, and if you know you get sick easily, you should prepare by taking some medication beforehand.
- Bring a snack and water: As the tour starts about 4 hours before breakfast, I would recommend bringing fruit, granola bars, nuts, cookies, crackers, or a small sandwich. After the tour, you are likely to be thirsty, so it’s important to bring water, fruit juice, or an energy/electrolyte drink to help replenish your body. Breakfast and lunch are included during the tour.
- Travel with a travel agency: Navigating on your own can be a challenge, so we recommend taking an organized day tour to the lagoon. Full-day guided tours include round-trip transportation from and to Cusco, entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, and oxygen. Everything is taken care of so you have more time to enjoy your hike.
- Horses: * If you’re not very fit, tired, or simply enjoy horseback riding, you have the option to rent a horse led by a local community member to the top. Tourists choosing this option will only need to walk a short distance after the horse ride to be able to see the lake. Renting a horse also helps support the livelihood of local residents. Please contact us for a price estimate.
Day trip itinerary to Humantay Lagoon Pick-up time: Between 4:50 and 5:15 in the morning from Plaza de Armas or a nearby location within the city center. Departure time from Cusco: Around 5:30 a.m. (from Plaza San Francisco or your accommodation) Return time to Cusco: Around 6:00 p.m. (drop-off at Plaza San Francisco or your accommodation) Walking times *** 25 minutes from the parking lot to the campsite where you will have breakfast and start the hike (flat area) 45 minutes to an hour and a half to the lagoon from the campsite. Most tours return from the lagoon around 1:00 p.m. 30 minutes from the lagoon back to the campsite 25 minutes from the campsite to the parking lot where your bus will be waiting.”