Group tour
FromUS$200per person
Groups of 2 to 10 people
- Small, exclusive groups
- Certified, experienced local guides and the best equipment
- Trips run and led by local specialists
Trekking & Hiking
Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass 2 Days
CuscoHumantay Lake
- Duration
- 2 days
- Physical level
- Moderate
- Max. altitude
- 4,638 m
- Group size
- 2 to 10 people
- Accommodation
- 1 night at the Soraypampa Lodge
- From
- US$200
A night under the stars at Soraypampa, between Humantay and Salkantay
Humantay Lake (4,200 m) and the Salkantay pass (4,638 m) in 2 days from Cusco, with a night at the Soraypampa lodge under a glass roof full of stars. Guide, transport, meals, chef and entrance to Humantay Lake included.
The Andean valleys of the Incas and sacred snow-capped mountains like Apu Salkantay, "the wild sacred mountain": Humantay Lake is one of the most striking hikes from Cusco. In 2 days you see the lake and its landscape of majestic snow-capped peaks, and at night a sky full of stars and constellations.
Wherever you are, don't miss it: Humantay is a spiritual doorway to the Andean gods, like Mother Earth, "Pachamama". We are sure it will be a unique, unforgettable experience. If you only have one day, there is also a full-day Humantay Lake hike, and we can build a Cusco travel package that includes this experience.
The trek at a glance
Day 1: about 6 hours of walking from Challacancha to Soraypampa and up to Humantay Lake. Day 2: the climb to the Salkantay pass (4,638 m), the highest point, and back to Soraypampa. Difficulty: moderate. Accommodation: 1 night at the Soraypampa lodge (3,869 m). Groups of 2 to 10 people.
A little history
The name Salkantay (or Salcantay) comes from the Quechua word "sallqa", meaning wild, untamed, fierce or invincible, recorded as early as 1583; it is often translated as "Wild Mountain".
Machu Picchu lies north of Salkantay, at the end of a ridge that runs down from the mountain. Seen from the main sundial of Machu Picchu, the Southern Cross sits above the peak of Salkantay when it is at its highest in the sky during the rainy season. The Incas linked this alignment with rain and fertility, and considered Salkantay one of the main deities controlling the weather and fertility west of Cusco.
- Humantay Lake (4,200 m), fed by the glaciers of Mount Humantay
- The Salkantay pass (4,638 m), facing the south face of Salkantay
- A night at the Soraypampa Lodge, stargazing through a glass roof
- Andean condors and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba range
Humantay Lake and Salkantay pass 2 days route map
← Swipe →© OpenStreetMap
01
Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake trek
Drive to Challacancha, hike to Soraypampa and an afternoon at Humantay Lake (4,200 m).
Overnight: Soraypampa LodgeBreakfast, lunch, dinner10 km · 6 h
Humantay Lake and Salkantay pass 2 days itinerary
Soraypampa Lodge
Breakfast, lunch, dinner10 km · 6 h4,200 mDay 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake trek
Your adventure starts early in the morning, when your guide and our driver pick you up at your accommodation in Cusco. The first stop is Mollepata for a nourishing breakfast, and then we drive on to Challacancha for a short rest. From here we start walking to Soraypampa, where our camp is. This first stretch is not too demanding and helps you adjust to the altitude: most of the way you follow a small Inca canal through a beautiful Andean landscape. In Soraypampa our camp is the Soraypampa Lodge. After lunch we start the climb to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). We walk slowly because of the altitude and, at the top, you have time to enjoy the view of the lake, like a jewel surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It is fed by the glaciers on the slopes of the mighty Mount Humantay. It takes a 4-hour walk to reach the lake, but the view is worth it, and the bravest can go for a swim. Our local guide leads the activity, facing the impressive Mount Salkantay. Back to the lodge. Walking time: about 6 hours (including a picnic lunch on the way). Terrain: open trail, with some steep sections. Night at the Soraypampa Lodge, at 3,869 m / 12,690 ft.
Cusco
Breakfast, lunch12 km · 5–8 h4,638 mDay 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Cusco
A very early start: we wake up at 04:00 with a hot tea, have a good breakfast at 04:30 and start walking at 05:00 up to the Salkantay pass. We like to walk early, when the air is fresh, before the strong heat typical of the Andes gets to us. We climb up the Río Blanco valley and go around Humantay peak, facing Salkantay. The highest point of the trek is the Salkantay pass, at 4,638 m (15,213 ft). At the pass we stop to enjoy the snow-capped mountains of the Vilcabamba range in every direction, with the glacier-covered south face of Salkantay rising above us. Keep an eye out for Andean condors, often seen here. After some free time we walk back down to Soraypampa for a delicious lunch, and then take the bus back to Cusco, a 3-hour drive. Walking time: about 5 hours (including a picnic lunch on the way), about 8 hours. Our style is to walk slowly, enjoy the landscape and talk with our guide. Terrain: mostly steep, with some open slopes. Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) to the pass.
Customize this journey
Change the pace, upgrade hotels, add days — this itinerary is yours to shape.
What's included
Included
- Briefing with your guide and group at our office at 18:00 the night before (let us know if you need another time)
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and private tourist transport to Soraypampa, the starting point of the hike to Humantay Lake
- Professional guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese, officially certified, who grew up in this region, explains the culture and surroundings throughout the trek, leads your group in ancient ceremonies and looks after your safety, comfort and well-being
- Private camp, chosen for a very local experience — 1 night at the Soraypampa Lodge: a comfortable bed under a glass roof to watch the stars, facing the sacred mountains Humantay and Salkantay
- Camping equipment: dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs and cooking gear (carried by our porters and horses)
- Entrance to Humantay Lake
- Professional trekking chef with an assistant
- Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner (vegetarian, vegan or special menus at no extra cost)
- Boiled, filtered and cooled water from your first lunch to your last breakfast (bring your own bottles or a CamelBak — about 3 litres; we refill them at every meal)
- Morning coca tea, brought to your tent to warm you up before the day starts
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Private tourist transport from Soraypampa back to your hotel in Cusco (day 2)
- 24-hour phone support to make communication and preparation with us easy before your trek
Not included
- Sleeping bag: you can rent one from us (mummy-shaped with liner, rated down to -18 °C / 0 °F, cleaned after each use)
- Trekking poles: you can rent a pair from us
- Personal clothing and gear
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the team: our staff are well paid, so tipping is up to you; we suggest US$6 to 8 per day per traveller for the whole trekking team, depending on your satisfaction
- Extra costs or delays beyond our control (landslides, bad weather, itinerary changes for safety, illness, government policy changes, strikes, etc.)
Humantay Lake and Salkantay pass 2 days prices
Before you go
Documents
Bring your original passport.
Accommodation
The camp or lodge rarely changes after confirmation, but it can because of government regulations and permits, bad weather or travellers' physical condition. We will let you know of any change in advance and as soon as possible.
Backpack
A daypack and a reusable water bottle (a hydration pack is recommended; about 3 litres).
Clothing
Full rain gear or a poncho, thin hiking gloves and warm gloves, trekking trousers, a quick-dry breathable T-shirt, hiking socks, a cold-weather jacket, a long-sleeved sweater or fleece, a wool hat, a cap or bandana, swimwear and casual clothes for the evening at the lodge.
Footwear
Hiking boots and comfortable shoes or sandals.
Useful items
Headlamp, sunglasses, sunblock, insect repellent, binoculars, and your camera with chargers.
Humantay Lake and Salkantay pass 2 days FAQs
G
Humantay Lake is at 4,200 m (13,780 ft) and the Salkantay pass, the highest point of the trek, at 4,638 m (15,213 ft). The night is at the Soraypampa Lodge, at 3,869 m.
It is moderate. The first stretch to Soraypampa is gentle and helps you adjust to the altitude; the climbs to Humantay Lake and the Salkantay pass are steep, so we walk slowly. Spend a couple of days in Cusco beforehand to acclimatise.
At the Soraypampa Lodge (3,869 m), in a comfortable bed under a glass roof, so you can watch the stars as long as you like.
Yes, the bravest can go for a swim — but the water comes from the glaciers of Mount Humantay, so it is very cold. Bring swimwear if you want to try.
On day 2, after lunch at Soraypampa, we take the bus back to Cusco: a 3-hour drive, so you arrive in the afternoon.
We plan a gradual ascent, starting in the lower Sacred Valley. Our guides carry oxygen, monitor how you feel and adjust the pace whenever needed.
What our travelers say
- ★★★★★
“Fast, honest answers on WhatsApp before we booked and real support during the trip. When a train was delayed, everything was rearranged before we even noticed.”
Laura & James P., United KingdomPeru Essentials in Style - ★★★★★
“Walking the Inca Trail had been on my list for twenty years. The team handled the permits, the porters were incredible and arriving through the Sun Gate was pure emotion.”
Michael K., AustraliaClassic Inca TrailGoogle - ★★★★★
“Travelling with three kids could have been stressful, but the pace was just right. The llama trek and the chocolate workshop were the highlights for our children.”
The Harrison family, United StatesFamily Adventure in the AndesTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“The perfect honeymoon. The Hiram Bingham train, a private sunrise at Machu Picchu and three nights in the Amazon — Giovanni designed something that felt completely ours.”
Emma T., United KingdomRomantic Peru HoneymoonGoogle - ★★★★★
“Our guide on the Salkantay trek knew every plant, every story and exactly when we needed a break. Crossing the pass at sunrise is a memory we will keep forever.”
David & Claire R., CanadaSalkantay Trek to Machu PicchuTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“Every single detail was taken care of, from the airport pick-up in Lima to a quiet table overlooking the Sacred Valley. We never once had to think about logistics — we just enjoyed Peru.”
Sarah M., United StatesPeru Essentials in Style
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