It’s hard to overstate the beauty of Humantay Lake, one of the true hidden gems of the Peruvian highlands. Located at 4,200 meters above sea level (13,779 ft), the lake is nestled between snowcapped mountains and an imposing glacier, and its emerald waters are dazzling in their color. It’s no surprise that the lake was sacred to the Incas, and is still visited by shamans today. It’s also common to leave an offering, known as an apacheta, on the banks of the lake – something that your guide can explain in more detail. 

It’s a relatively short but quite challenging trek to reach Humantay Lake, passing through ruggedly beautiful landscapes at high altitude. It’s also only accessible (safely, at least) from below. That, however, is part of the adventure: You’ll only see this spectacular lake when you make it up there!