Dreamy Glacier Lake
My personal experience
All pictures are my own unless otherwise noted/sourced; do not use without permission.
We booked our Lake Humantay tour with Don Peru Tours and had a decent experience. We first reached out through their Facebook page and completed the reservation via Messenger, which was quick and easy. The total cost was $40 per person (including a 6% fee), and we paid securely through PayPal. The representative we communicated with was extremely responsive and kind, promptly answering all our questions and confirming that an English-speaking guide would be available. The tour package included hotel pickup around 4:00 AM, shared transportation, breakfast, entrance fees, a bilingual guide, emergency oxygen, and drop-off in downtown Cusco. Everything was well organized, and the early start was well worth it for the stunning views at Lake Humantay.
We were picked up around 4:00 AM and driven to a small town for breakfast before continuing the journey. The food was decent but nothing particularly memorable. They had coca leaves available to steep in hot water, so we made a few cups of coca tea to help with the altitude sickness.
We boarded the shuttle again and continued to the trailhead for Lake Humantay. Once we arrived, the guide began giving instructions to everyone on the shuttle, but in Spanish. We were the only ones who didn’t speak Spanish, so we couldn’t follow along. After the lengthy explanation, the guide mentioned that she would brief us in English once we got off the shuttle. When we stepped outside, she did provide a summary in English, though it was much shorter – about a minute compared to the ten-minute explanation in Spanish.
Before we started the hike, the guide handed out walking sticks and asked if anyone wanted to rent a horse. We decided to do it—figuring we’d rather not regret skipping the option later. The cost was about $25 per person, one way, and the horses take you roughly 80% of the way up. The final 20% is too steep, so everyone has to finish that part on foot.
I was placed on a large brown horse, while Cliff, the big boy, was assigned a tiny white one, which felt slightly ironic. Since I was nervous, a local guide led my horse by a rope. Cliff, who claims himself quite the equestrian, guided his tiny horse like a cowboy on a ranch.
As we ascended, the trail felt narrow and close to the edge in places, which made me anxious. I held onto the saddle tightly, especially when it seemed like the horses might slip. Cliff’s little horse appeared to struggle at times, wheezing and slowing on the steeper sections, and I couldn’t help but feel bad for it. Thankfully, we all made it safely, and we fed the horses our apples at the top as a small thank-you.
The final stretch of the hike was challenging, mainly because it was a steady uphill climb and the elevation was around 14,000 feet above sea level, which made every step feel heavier. We took it slow, stopping when we needed to catch our breath.
But once we reached the top, it was absolutely worth it. No words can truly capture the beauty of the place. The lake sits just below a towering glacier, whose icy slopes rise dramatically above the clear turquoise and emerald waters. It felt almost surreal, like standing inside a postcard.
It was a bit chilly at the top, and just as it was time to head back, a light drizzle began. By the time we started hiking down, the rain picked up, gradually getting heavier and steadier. The descent was already tricky, and it didn’t help that I was dealing with a very full bladder the entire way down, which made it even more uncomfortable.
After what felt like a long trek, we finally reached flat ground near the trailhead. Thankfully, there was a restroom nearby. We both made a quick stop and felt immensely better afterward.
We boarded the shuttle again and headed to lunch, which was served at the same spot where we had breakfast earlier that morning. The meal was decent, though nothing particularly memorable. Afterward, we began the drive back to town. The representative we had been communicating with was very thoughtful and had arranged for the guide to drop us directly at our hotel, which we really appreciated after such a long day.
We slept incredibly well that night; we were completely exhausted, sore, and satisfied after such a long day.
With the effects of climate change, the glacier above the lake continues to recede each year, and it’s hard not to wonder how much the landscape might change in the future. That thought made the experience feel even more meaningful. We were truly grateful we made the journey. It was absolutely worth every single step up and down the mountain.
