Humantay Lagoon avalanche alarms tourists in Cusco

On 27 July 2026 a massive avalanche of snow and ice broke off from Nevado Humantay and cascaded into the Humantay Lagoon in the Cusco region of Peru. Dozens of tourists witnessing the event captured video of the white cloud of debris and reported the incident on social media.

Local tourism operators, guides and authorities quickly moved visitors away from the dangerous slopes and alerted the Civil Defence and the Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (SERNANP) for technical inspection. No injuries or damage to trails were reported, but officials reminded visitors to stay on marked paths and follow guide instructions for safety.

The incident highlights the risk of glacier retreat and seasonal climate effects in high‑altitude tourist sites, prompting calls for increased monitoring and precautionary measures.