Humantay Lake & Salkantay – 2 Days
2-Day Humantay Lake and Salkantay Mountain Trek with Cabin Accommodation
This 2-day route combines Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass. The lake is located at the foot of Humantay Mountain, in the Vilcabamba mountain range, surrounded by glaciers, rivers, and lakes.
The following day, you will hike up to Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek, with views of Salkantay Mountain and the surrounding valleys. You will spend the night in cabins in Soraypampa.
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Itinerary
- Day 01: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake Hike
- Overnight stay in cabins Soraypampa.
- Day 02: Soraypampa – Soyroccocha – Hike to Salkantay Mountain – Glacial Lake – Return to Cusco
DAY 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE
We will pick you up at 6:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco and travel for approximately 2 hours by private transportation to the town of Mollepata. Along the way, we will pass through Andean towns such as Izcuchaca and Limatambo, with views of the surrounding valleys. Upon arrival in Mollepata, you can have breakfast at a local restaurant (additional cost). We will then continue for about 45 minutes to Soraypampa (3,850 m / 12,631 ft), the starting point of the hike.
From here, we will hike uphill for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), a glacial lake located at the foot of Humantay Mountain. There will be time for photos and a short break. The return hike to Soraypampa takes approximately 1 hour downhill.
Lunch and dinner will be prepared by our chef. Overnight stay in cabins in Soraypampa, with views of Salkantay Mountain depending on the location of the lodge and weather conditions.
- Meals: lunch and dinner.
- Accommodation: cabins in Soraypampa.
- Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles.
- Hiking time: approximately 3 hours.
- Lake elevation: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.
- Difficulty: moderate.
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SOYROCCOCHA – SALKANTAY PASS – GLACIAL LAKE – CUSCO
After breakfast at the cabins in Soraypampa, we begin the hike toward Salkantaypampa and Soyroccocha. From there, the ascent continues to Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the highest point of the route. From the summit, you can see Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m / 20,574 ft) and, in good weather, the snow-capped Humantay and Huayanay mountains.
If the group and weather conditions allow, we will take a short detour to Salkantay Glacial Lake, known for its turquoise color. There will be time for photos. We then return along the same trail to Soraypampa.
Lunch will be served in Soraypampa, followed by private transportation back to Cusco. Approximate arrival time: 5:00 p.m. We will drop you off at your hotel.
End of our services.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch.
- Starting elevation: 3,850 m / 12,631 ft.
- Maximum elevation: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.
- Hiking time: approximately 6 to 7 hours.
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging.
2-day Humantay Lake tour inclusions
Included
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Transportation to Soraypampa, the starting point of the hike.
- Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner, prepared by our cook.
- Entrance fees to Humantay Lake and the Salkantay route.
- Professional English and Spanish-speaking guide throughout the trip.
- Trekking poles.
- Morning coca tea.
- 1 night of accommodation in cabins in Soraypampa.
- Transfer to your hotel in Cusco at the end of the tour.
Not Included
- Emergency horse to carry you up the trail.
- Gratuities / Tips for the guide, porters and cook.
Recommendations to bring
- Small backpack.
- Original passport.
- Warm clothing.
- Rain gear.
- Sunglasses.
- Trekking pants.
- Camera and spare batteries.
- Water bottle or canteen.
- Snacks.
- Headlamp (very important).
- Insect repellent.
- Toilet paper.
- Small towel.
Packing List
ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
- Original passport.
- Valid student ID card (if you booked using the student rate).
- Andean Migration Card (TAM), provided on the plane or at immigration control upon entering Peru.
- Comfortable backpack; the smaller, the better.
- Water bottle or hydration system (such as a CamelBak). Recommended capacity: 1 to 2 liters.
- Comfortable, lightweight footwear with good traction. During the rainy season, waterproof shoes or boots, such as Gore-Tex, are recommended.
FOR YOUR BAGGAGE:
The horses have a luggage limit of 7 kilograms per person. We therefore recommend bringing only important and necessary items to Salkantay.
- 2 Long sleeve shirts
- 2 Breathable t-shirts
- 2 Sets of underwear
- 2 Pairs of socks
- 1 Hiking trousers
- 1 Shorts (suitable for hiking)
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Waterproof coat and pants (for rainy seasons)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sandles
- Small quick-drying travel towel
- Portable battery charger for your phone and cameras
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Facial moisturiser
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.
Additional Information
- Departure dates: We have groups for the Salkantay trek every day of the year. But it is more advisable to make this trek between the months of April to December, since the months of January, February and March are the rainy season in Cusco.
Where does the tour start and end?
- All ours tours begins with the pick up to the tourists at the door of their hotels “We pick up to our clients from any hotel located in the city of Cusco”, We recommend to stay close to the historical center of the city of Cusco, it will make it easier to find your hotel.
- All our tours ends at the door of the hotels, it means the tours will finish with transfer to your respective hotel located in Cusco.
How to prevent altitude sickness?
- The altitude sickness or soroche can cause you some discomfort during your visit such as dizziness, fatigue or nausea. Try to avoid alcoholic beverages and fatty foods before the visit.
- To reduce symptoms, try to acclimatize yourself one day before to the altitude of the city of Cusco. We recommend to drink infusions of coca leaf (natural plant used by the Incas) is an excellent option to avoid the actitude sickness.
How is the accommodation?
- For all the tours which include hotels. We offer hotels of 3* and 4* category, it has spacious and comfortable rooms, bathrooms, hot showers and bueffet breakfast. If the tourist like, you can change the accommodation to a better service. You just have to request it via email for an additional cost.
Which season is the best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu?
- The dry season months between April to December are the best time to come and visit Cusco. During those days the possibility of rain is very little, so the roads are not swampy and the landscapes can be better to enjoy and takes the best pictures. On the other hand, the months with the most rain are January, February and March.
What are the coldest months in Cusco Peru?
- The coldest season in Cusco are in the months from May to July. During this time the sun is strong in the day, but once it goes down or you spend much time in the shade, it can get very cold. It can go below zero at night, so warm clothes and Jackets are necessary to bring during these months.
How long in advance can I request the tour?
- We recommend to purchase the tours weeks or months in advance, this because the train and Machu Picchu tickets has a limit of spaces, dont wait until the lust minute to book your tour, other ways you will not be able to find spaces.
During the trip to Machu Picchu, where the big luggages will stay?
The train company that operates to Machu Picchu does not allow the traveler to carry a suitcase that weighs more than 7 kilograms. To go up and visit the city of Machu Picchu, it is recommended to carry a light and small backpack for your convenience; the rest of the luggages you can leave them without any problem at the storage of your hotel in Cusco, or you can also leave at our office in Cusco city, we have an storage too.
Very Important in case you want to book the Inca trail to Machu Picchu:
- CLASSIC INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS: If you want to book the Classic Inca Trail 4 days, you must to book early to get your desired date. Depending on the month you prefer to do the hike, you may need to book 6 months or more in advance, the limit of spaces for the inca trail 4 days is 400 people per each day.
- SHORT INCA TRAIL: If you are booking the 1 or 2 day Inca Trail, it is preferred that you also book in advance, however 2 to 4 month in advance would be good, the limit of spaces for the short inca trail is 200 people per each day.
When is the best season to hike the Inca Trail?
- The best time of year to do the inca trail is between May to October, with August and September being the best months of all. The trail is dry and the weather is lovely. During the rainy season between November to April the trail will be wet and can make it more difficult.
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