Peru
Humantay lake and Salkantay Passa 2 days
Summary
Humantay Lake & Salkantay Pass 2 Days / 1 Night – Luxury Domes in Soraypampa
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake
Travel from Cusco to Soraypampa, hike to the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, enjoy an Andean ceremony and exclusive experiences at the camp, and spend the night in a luxury dome surrounded by the Andes.
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Cusco
Hike through the famous Seven Snakes Trail to Salkantay Pass at approximately 4,638 m / 15,213 ft, descend through the high Andean landscape, enjoy lunch at the camp, and return to Cusco.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake
Highlight of the day: Hike to the turquoise Humantay Lake and spend the night in a luxury dome surrounded by the Salkantay and Humantay mountains.
Your adventure begins with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco accompanied by a professional mountain guide.
You will travel toward Soraypampa, with a stop in Mollepata to enjoy breakfast before continuing into the Andes.
Upon arrival in Soraypampa, you will settle into your luxury dome, designed to provide comfort in a spectacular high-altitude setting.
The domes feature a premium bed, private bathroom, hot shower, selected amenities, and private terraces with privileged views of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains.
From the camp, begin a privately guided hike toward the beautiful Humantay Lake.
The hike takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
At the lake, your guide will share information about the ancestral history and spiritual importance of this sacred Andean landscape.
An Andean ceremony will also be held as an offering of gratitude to Pachamama and the Apus.
After enjoying the turquoise lake and surrounding mountains, return to the camp.
A freshly prepared lunch will be waiting for you.
During the afternoon, enjoy the alpaca experience, offering an opportunity to spend time with local alpacas and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings.
At sunset, participate in a special Pisco Sour cocktail class and learn how to prepare Peru’s iconic cocktail.
The evening concludes around a private campfire beneath the Andean sky.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Difficulty: Moderate
Activity duration: Approximately 4–5 hours
Starting altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Camp altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Approximate distance: 7 km / 4.34 miles
Accommodation: Luxury dome in Soraypampa
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Cusco
Highlight of the day: Reach the impressive Salkantay Pass, the highest point of this two-day adventure.
The day begins early with a wake-up at approximately 5:00 a.m.
After an energizing breakfast at the camp, prepare for the ascent toward the highest point of the route.
You will gradually climb through spectacular high-Andean landscapes and follow the famous Seven Snakes Trail toward Salkantay Pass.
The pass reaches approximately 4,638 meters / 15,213 feet above sea level.
At the top, take time to admire panoramic views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains and the imposing Salkantay massif.
A short Andean gratitude ceremony to Pachamama and the Apus will be held at the pass.
After this special moment, begin the descent through an extensive rocky landscape toward Soyrococha and continue back to Soraypampa.
Upon your return to the dome camp, enjoy a special ceviche cooking demonstration, where the chef will prepare one of Peru’s most emblematic dishes.
A nutritious lunch will then be served.
Finally, board the private transportation for the return journey to Cusco.
Arrival in Cusco is estimated at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Difficulty: Moderate
Activity duration: Approximately 6–7 hours
Approximate maximum altitude: 4,638 m / 15,213 ft
Approximate distance: 14 km / 8.69 miles
Accommodation: None – return to Cusco
Options Pricing
Starting at $ .00 USD Per Person
Rates are not provided in the source itinerary.
Prices, availability, dome category, private or group service, and any applicable supplements should be confirmed before booking.
Inclusions
Included in your Humantay Lake & Salkantay Pass 2 Days / 1 Night:
- Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake
Hotel pick-up in Cusco, tourist transportation to Soraypampa, professional bilingual guide, breakfast, guided hike to Humantay Lake, Andean ceremony and offering to Pachamama, lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodation in a luxury dome in Soraypampa. - Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Cusco
Breakfast, professional bilingual guide, hike to Salkantay Pass, Andean gratitude ceremony, descent to Soraypampa, lunch, and private transportation back to Cusco.
General Services Included:
- Professional bilingual guide – Spanish and English
- Hotel pick-up
- Round-trip transportation between Cusco and Soraypampa
- Andean ceremony and offering to Mother Earth
- Cook responsible for preparing the meals
- 2 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 1 dinner
- First-aid equipment
Accommodation Included:
- 1 night in a luxury dome in Soraypampa
- Private bathroom
- Hot shower
Not Included in your Humantay Lake & Salkantay Pass 2 Days / 1 Night:
- Trekking poles
- Optional horseback riding from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake
- Optional horseback riding toward Salkantay Pass
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the staff
- Additional costs not specified in the itinerary
What to bring
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
- Travel Essentials
- Original passport
- Extra cash
Clothing
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Warm hat
- Warm gloves
- Comfortable T-shirts
- Comfortable pants
Footwear
- Hiking boots with ankle support
- Sandals for relaxing at the camp
Health & Hygiene
- Sunscreen – SPF 35 or higher recommended
- Personal toiletries
- Personal medications
Accessories
- Camera
before you go
Is this trek suitable for me?
The Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass trek is designed for travelers who enjoy nature, adventure, and high-altitude hiking.
The hike to Humantay Lake reaches approximately 4,200 meters / 13,780 feet, while the second day reaches the higher Salkantay Pass.
A reasonable level of physical endurance is recommended.
How long should I acclimatize in Cusco?
The source itinerary recommends spending approximately 2 to 3 days in Cusco before the trek to help your body adapt to the altitude.
If you have already spent time at high altitude elsewhere in Peru, a full day of rest in Cusco is still recommended.
Is there a briefing before the trek?
The source program schedules the pre-trek briefing at approximately 5:00 p.m. one day before departure.
The briefing generally takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
The exact location and time should be reconfirmed before departure.
How does hotel pick-up work?
Pick-ups are organized within the city of Cusco.
The final pick-up time is confirmed the day before the tour.
Due to traffic and access conditions in Cusco, the pick-up time may vary by approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Hotels with easy vehicle access are recommended.
How do we return to Cusco?
After completing the Salkantay Pass hike, you will return to Soraypampa.
Private tourist transportation will be waiting for the journey back to Cusco.
The drive takes approximately 3 hours, depending on road and traffic conditions.
Is this a group tour?
When operating as a group service, travelers may have different ages, fitness levels, and walking speeds.
Each traveler may walk at their own comfortable pace, while the guide is responsible for coordinating the group and deciding whether itinerary modifications are appropriate.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes.
Schedules are approximate and may change because of weather, road conditions, demonstrations, operational requirements, or other circumstances.
Safety and the correct operation of the trek take priority.
Who is responsible for personal belongings?
Travelers should keep track of their personal belongings throughout the trek and check that nothing has been left behind when leaving the camp, vehicles, or other locations.
