Itinerário completo da excursão ao lago Humantay saindo de Cusco
A excursão ao Lago Humantay saindo de Cusco é a maneira perfeita de conhecer um dos lugares mais bonitos do Peru. Esse passeio o leva ao deslumbrante Lago Humantay, na região da Montanha Salkantay, em uma viagem de um dia inteiro saindo de Cusco. O lago está situado na Cordilheira dos Andes, o que o torna uma visão verdadeiramente única e de tirar o fôlego.
Venha explorar um dos mais belos lagos do Peru em nossa excursão de um dia inteiro ao Lago Humantay saindo de Cusco! Esse lago deslumbrante está localizado no coração da Cordilheira dos Andes, a uma altitude de 4.200 metros. É um lugar realmente mágico, com águas cristalinas e vistas incríveis. Nossos guias experientes o levarão em uma caminhada até o lago, onde você poderá explorar a área, relaxar e apreciar a incrível paisagem.
Dia 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Lago Humantay
Seu guia turístico virá buscá-lo em seu hotel às 5h da manhã. Embarcaremos em nossa van particular para viajarmos a noroeste da cidade de Cusco, até a cidade de Mollepata. Nessa pequena e pitoresca cidade, tomaremos um merecido café da manhã para nos encher de energia e, em seguida, continuaremos nossa viagem até o ponto de partida da caminhada até Soraypampa, a uma altitude de 3.800 metros/12.460 pés. Depois de um breve intervalo, iniciaremos nossa jornada em direção à Lagoa Humantay, cercada por montanhas e vales majestosos. Após a subida de 1½ a 2 horas, aproximadamente, poderemos apreciar a Lagoa, também conhecida como Laguna Humantay, que tem um incrível e inesquecível tom de turquesa profundo com as montanhas glaciais Humantay cobertas de neve ao fundo! Depois da explicação do nosso guia turístico e de tirar as fotos de recordação, teremos um tempo para aproveitar o lugar e voltaremos a Soraypampa e dirigiremos por uma hora até Mollepata para almoçar com belas vistas panorâmicas da neve e, em seguida, seremos transferidos para a cidade de Cusco, chegando aproximadamente às 17h.
Onde está localizado o Lago Humantay?
Esse belo lago está localizado aos pés da montanha nevada Salkantay (que em quíchua significa Montanha Selvagem) e da montanha nevada Humantay. Essa última se eleva a 5450 m de altitude e, a partir do derretimento de sua neve, forma-se o Humantay Lake Tour, onde, felizmente, só se respira a pureza das montanhas.
O lago está localizado bem no meio da cordilheira dos Andes, a noroeste da cidade de Cusco, em Soraypampa, que pertence ao distrito de Mollepata, província de Anta, no departamento de Cusco, a 128 km da Cidade Imperial. As vistas são de tirar o fôlego devido à sua beleza e ao contraste entre as calotas brancas das montanhas e a cor intensa do lago.
Como chegar lá?
Para viver essa aventura, você deve reservar seu lugar clicando aqui: Caminhada ao Lago Humantay
A experiência começa de manhã cedo, você será buscado e transportado em um ônibus particular até a comunidade de Soraypampa, de onde começa a caminhada. A caminhada leva aproximadamente 4 horas entre subida e descida.
Depois desse passeio inesquecível, de tirar muitas fotos e de se sentir o trekker mais experiente de todos os tempos, voltaremos à cidade de Cusco para descansar e recuperar as forças. Recomendamos que você tire pelo menos dois dias antes de fazer essa rota para se adaptar à altura, pois esse é um exercício estressante para o seu corpo.
How high is the lake placed and how is the ascension?
The Humantay Lake is 13780 feet altitude (4200 masl). To get there you must walk a long way; it is a beautiful trek but a difficult one. For this reason, you must be physically prepared.
The distance of the trekking route is about 3 miles (5 km), but it is up the mountain so it is not an easy one. The walk takes more or less 4 hours going forth and back. You must know that the difficulty of this trail is 3 over 5 as the maximum difficulty.
How is the weather and what is the temperature of the water?
The lake is at the foot of an impressive snow-capped mountain so, as you can imagine, this is a quite and very cold place; temperature goes between 50°F (10°C) and 32°F (0°C).
The water in the lake can be below that temperature since it comes directly from the snow melting in the glacier, which makes this water pure and crystal clear.
How come the lake has that beautiful color?
White Light contains all colors of the rainbow, when the light falls on a surface or object; those retain some colors and reflect others. The wonderful turquoise color of the Humantay Lake depends on a selective absorption of the light. When the light passes through the water, due its mineral content, it absorbs the reddish tones and only reflects the blue ones, and turquoise.
The light combined with the soil minerals of the lake and the flora inside, gives that effect, but it is because of its water purity that this spectacle is possible.
What does Humantay mean?
Every place in Cusco has a special name, which keeps a special meaning. Usually they are related to legends or local stories which explain their origins or the meaning for the local people. It is said that Humantay means head of the gods due to the legend of two brothers.
The Humantay Lake Tour Legend
According to the legend, the lake is made by the tears of the Salcantay snowy mountain.
Long time ago, during a drought that was killing the Andean people, the brothers Ausangate and Salkantay decided to travel looking for water and food for their people. They parted ways and each one took a different route: Ausangate went to the south and Salkantay took to the north. Both found food and water for their dying people but Salkantay also found love during his jurney.
Sadly, Salkantay had to leave his loved one because he had to go back with his people because he was expected and trusted by them. After arriving, both brothers were transformed into imposing snowy mountains but the tears from Salkantay´s broken heart filled the land and formed the Humantay Lake, one of the most beautiful lagoons of the region.
It is being said that the color of the lake is caused by the deep and true feelings of the Apu (the Sacred Mountain).
Sacred Lake
For the local people, the Humantay Lake Tour, besides being beautiful, is considered a gift from the Pachamama or Mother Earth, because the streams that flow from it, feed the land and nearby fields, ensuring a good harvest for the community. This is why people paid their respects to this beautiful lake.
You can also see along the way some small stone mounds made by locals and visitors called Apachetas. The Apachetas are small mounds made in conical shape, putting stones one over the other as a manner of tribute. Those tributes are an ancient custom among the Andean people to showing gratitude to the Pachamama and other gods.
When you visit Humantay Lake, make one yourself in order to show your gratitude to the Pachamama and the universe for being present every day.
Is it allowed to swim in Humantay Lake?
Even when the lake looks calm and perfect for swimming and you may be wishing to take a dip into its freezing waters, swimming is not allowed since it sources water to nearby communities.
What do you need when visiting Humantay Lake?
As in any place of the Peruvian sierra, the sun is very strong, but when it hides behind clouds or when the night comes, the temperature drops significantly and if you don’t carry proper clothes you are not safe. Take precautions and carry with you whatever you may need to fully enjoy the experience.
- An outdoor jacket
- Comfortable clothes for trekking
- Headcover
- Sunscreen lotion
- Sunglasses
- Walking sticks
- Trekking boots
- Water
- Lemon or Coca candy
- Raincoat
Which is the best time to visit the lake?
You may visit Humantay Lake at any time of the year.
Are you a camping enthusiast?
At about 1.2 miles (2 km) from the lake, at Soraypampa, you may find a special camping zone if you wish to stay there and sleep overnight. It is not allowed to camp near the water since the night cold is unbearable. If you decide to camp in Soraypampa, be sure to have adequate equipment and all necessary items required by an experienced camper.
May I visit the lake without making the trek?
There is only one route for reaching Humantay Lake and is a path good only for walking. Nevertheless there is the chance to rent a horse at the beginning of the path or at any time during the walk so you can enjoy the sights without the physical effort required for this experience.
Traveling with family?
If you travel with children, the safer and recommendable way is to go up using horses since the effort could be too much for them. Due to the altitude and extreme temperatures, it is not recommended to make the route with babies or little kids, but of course, that is a family decision.
Important data about the altitude
The route starts at 12713 feet height (3875 masl) at Soraypampa
The height at the resting place in the middle of the ascension is at 13533 feet (4125 masl).
The lake is at 13780 feet (4200 masl).
Now that you have all the information about the lake, where it is, how to make the route and what to expect from the visit, you only need to chose the date for your trip to Cusco, to immerse yourself in its history, go deep in its sights and enjoy its food, music and the kindness of its people. If you think that the color of the lake and its surroundings in the pictures are unique, wait to make the trail and arrive at Humantay, you will see that it’s even better than you imagine.
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