Humantay Lake and the altitude: how to be ready
See Humantay Lake treks on GetYourGuide ↗Acclimatise, acclimatise, acclimatise
The most important preparation happens before the trailhead. Give yourself two to three days minimum at Cusco altitude or higher before attempting Humantay. Hydrate, rest, ease into it, and consider coca tea or altitude medication after a chat with a doctor. Trekking on day one in Cusco is the classic way to end up sick.
The climb, and whether to take a horse
From Soraypampa the trail climbs steeply for about two hours to 4,200 m. Go slow, rest often, and breathe deliberately. Horses are available for much of the uphill for a small fee paid on the day — take one without hesitation if the altitude bites; the goal is to reach the lake and love it.
Day trip or Salkantay combo?
Most visitors do Humantay as a long day trip from Cusco. If you're continuing to Machu Picchu on foot, the two-day Salkantay combo takes in Humantay on the first day. Choose the day trip for the lake alone; the combo if the multi-day trek is your plan.
Worried about the altitude, or which tour to pick?
Leave your email and roughly when you're travelling — we'll send a short rundown of how hard the climb really is, how many days to acclimatise in Cusco first, and how the day-trip and Salkantay-combo options compare.