---
title: Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private)
lang: en
type: tour
city: Cusco
country: Peru
price: 181
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.88
reviews: 144
duration_minutes: 780
languages: [en, es]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 13 of 18 (Humantay Lake Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-11-08
data_updated: 2026-11-08
canonical: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/tours/beat-the-crowds-humantay-lake-day-tour-private/
---

# Beat the Crowds Humantay Lake Day Tour (Private)

**Guidekin's take:** An early start and a paced hike lead to Humantay Lake. Hotel transfers, breakfast, lunch, trekking poles, an oximeter and an oxygen bottle are included; moderate fitness is required and lake entry is extra. 4.88 from 144 reviews at €181 per person for 13h.

In our comparison: #13 of 18 in Humantay Lake Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

An Exclusive Early Access to Serenity: Begin your journey ahead of the crowd to Humantay Lake's pristine beauty. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about having that pristine space mostly to yourself.

Elevate Your Experience: After a manageable 1.5-2h hike, stand at 4200m (13,800 ft.) beside a crystal-clear lake, taking in views that many travelers don't get to see. And because we know altitude can be a challenge, we ensure the hike is paced for enjoyment and safety.

Picture-Perfect Perspectives: Go beyond the typical view. We guide you to elevated vantage points around the lake that most tours miss—ensuring you capture memories and photos that will be the envy of all.

Journey in Comfort: The drive is long, but it doesn't have to be uncomfortable. Relax in our specially modified seats, a pleasant change from the standard hard ones you'll find elsewhere.

Travel with the Best: With rave reviews backing us, join a small group of up to 8 enthusiastic travelers!

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Max 8 people: small group
- Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers
- Starts 03:15: one departure a day
- Food included: see what is included
- Age rule: Minimum age is 12 years

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €181 per person
- Duration: 13h
- Rating: 4.88/5 from 144 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: exploor
- Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price
- Group: Shared, up to 8 travellers
- Guide languages: English, Spanish
- Start times: 03:15
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08

## Reviews

4.88 from 144 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
97% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 140 of 144.

- 5 stars: 137 (95%)
- 4 stars: 3 (2%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 2 (1%)
- 1 star: 2 (1%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers value reaching the lake before the crowds and patient guiding; the steep climb is demanding at altitude.

**Praised:**
- Early arrival often means quiet time at the lake before the crowds
- Patient guides adapt the hiking pace and support travellers struggling with altitude
- Guides share knowledge of local history, culture and nature
- Lunch receives praise for its food and views from the restaurant
- Comfortable vehicles and capable drivers

**Complaints:**
- The steep climb and altitude make the hike demanding
- Bumpy, winding roads cause motion sickness for some travellers
- Some booked trips did not go ahead, leaving travellers unable to visit the lake

Written by Guidekin from the 50 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor & Viator (2021-11-03 to 2025-10-01); last checked 2026-11-08.

## What's included

- Tour with private guide (only for tours booked after 3.11.2025; tours booked before are group tours)
- Fluent bilingual local guide
- Comfortable vans with modified seats, avoid back-pain and worse compared to touristy tours
- Trekking poles, first-aid kit, mountain radios, oximeter, and oxygen bottle
- Breakfast & Lunch at great restaurant with beautiful view over the valley
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off

## Not included

- Beverages
- Humantay Lake

## Itinerary

1. **Cusco** (15m) - 3:00 am: Early pick-up from your hotel in Cusco (it’s worth the early start to beat the crowds and make the most of your day).
2. **5:35 am: Enjoy a wholesome and energizing breakfast (no touristy fare here—ju...** (30m) - 5:35 am: Enjoy a wholesome and energizing breakfast (no touristy fare here—just fresh, high-quality ingredients) as we make our way to the briefing spot.
3. **Humantay Lake** (10h) - 7:40 am: Arrive at the parking lot + Meet your guide for an informative briefing. 9:30 am: Reach the stunning Humantay Lake, where you'll soak in the tranquility and breathtaking beauty of nature. Later, explore various vantage points for the perfect photo opportunities....
4. **12:00 pm: Savor a delicious lunch at the top-rated restaurant in the area, kn...** (45m) - 12:00 pm: Savor a delicious lunch at the top-rated restaurant in the area, known for its quality, cleanliness, and exceptional service.
5. **Cusco** (15m) - 3:30 pm: Return to Cusco and drop-off at your hotel. Note: All times are approximations.

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 03:15
- Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Good to know

- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Bring your backpack, a rain cape and layers of clothes so you'll be warm
- Take gloves, a hat, hiking shoes + extra socks with you (in case of snow)
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and some extra money
- We highly recommend at least 24 hours of acclimatization before doing any of our tours in Cusco
- Minimum age is 12 years

## Compared with other Humantay Lake Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #13 of 18** | €181 | 13h | 4.88 (144) | shared, max 8 |
| [Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass Trek – 2 Days / 1 Night](/peru/cusco/tours/humantay-lake-and-salkantay-pass-trek-2-days-1-night/?format=md) | €305 | 2 days | 4.97 (402) | shared |
| [4-Day: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Humantay](/peru/cusco/tours/4-day-sacred-valley-machu-picchu-rainbow-mountain-and-humantay/?format=md) | €1138 | 5 days | 4.96 (198) | shared |
| [Humantay Lake Full Day Hike](/peru/cusco/tours/humantay-lake-full-day-hike/?format=md) | €90 | 12h | 5.0 (93) | shared |

Ranked #13 of 18 in Humantay Lake Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €90 to €1138, median €324; typical length 2 days. 4 of 18 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/humantay-lake-tours/?format=md

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