In short
- Organized tours start from $30 to $60 USD and include transport and meals.
- Private taxis cost $70 to $100+ USD and offer a flexible schedule.
- Colectivos cost 60 to 80 PEN but require negotiating rides mid-route.
In this article
The journey from Cusco to the Soraypampa trailhead takes between 3.5 and 5 hours. Most visitors book a full-day tour to handle the logistics. Independent travelers can hire a private taxi or use local buses, though road conditions and return trips require careful planning.
How do organized tours from Cusco work?
A guided tour is the most cost-effective way to visit. Tours start from $30 to $60 USD per platform; prices change.
Tours handle all logistics for the 12 to 14-hour day trip. They usually include hotel pickup, round-trip transport, a guide, breakfast, and lunch. Vans pick you up in Cusco as early as 4:00 AM. They stop in the Mollepata Gateway Town for breakfast before driving to the Soraypampa trailhead.
Can I take a private taxi to Humantay Lake?
Yes, you can hire a private taxi in Cusco for $70 to $100+ USD.
A taxi takes about 3.5 hours one way. This option lets you set your own schedule and beat the early morning tour buses. You must arrange for the driver to wait at the trailhead while you complete the 3.8-kilometer round trip hike.
How do I use colectivos to reach the trailhead?
You can take a colectivo from Cusco to Mollepata, then negotiate a taxi to Soraypampa.
This budget option costs 60 to 80 PEN total and takes 4 to 5 hours one way. First, ride the bus to the Mollepata District. From the plaza, you must find a local driver to take you up the dirt road. Securing a reliable return taxi from Soraypampa back to Mollepata is logistically challenging.
What are the road conditions like?
The final stretch of the drive uses an unpaved, winding mountain road.
The initial drive from Cusco is on paved highways. Once you pass the tourist checkpoint in Mollepata, the route becomes a rough dirt road. This section climbs steadily to the Soraypampa parking area at 3,900 meters (12,795 feet). Tour vans and hired drivers are accustomed to these conditions.
Which transport option is best for Humantay Lake?
Organized tours offer the best value, while taxis provide schedule flexibility.
Choose a tour if you want a simple day with meals included. Independent hikers who want to avoid crowds prefer taxis. Colectivos suit budget travelers willing to navigate rural transport.
How do you get back to Cusco?
Your return method depends on how you arrived at Soraypampa.
Tours provide direct transport back, returning to Cusco by late afternoon. Private taxis wait at the parking lot until you finish the hike. If you take a colectivo, you must find a taxi at Soraypampa to drive you down to Mollepata before catching a bus to Cusco.
Questions travellers ask
How long is the drive from Cusco to Humantay Lake?
The drive takes about 3.5 hours by private taxi or up to 5 hours by colectivo. Organized tours take 12 to 14 hours for the entire round trip.
Do I need to book a tour for Laguna Humantay?
No, you do not have to book a tour. You can hire a private taxi or take public colectivos, though organized tours are the most popular option.
How much does it cost to get to Humantay Lake?
Organized tours start from $30 to $60 USD per platform. Private taxis cost $70 to $100+ USD. Colectivos cost 60 to 80 PEN. Prices change.
