Starts at
Starts at
Trip Overview
Two days are enough to feel how strong the Andes can be.
The Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass Trek is made for travelers who want a short escape from Cusco without choosing an easy route. In only two days, you walk from Challacancha to Soraypampa, climb to Humantay Lake, sleep beneath the cold Andean sky, and reach Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.
This route is short, but it is not simple. The altitude is real. The air is thin. The trail can feel rough, especially on the way to the pass. Still, the reward comes fast: glacier views, open valleys, cold wind, bright mountain light, and a night in Soraypampa surrounded by Humantay and Salkantay.
With Machu Picchu Gol Travel, this trek is organized with clear logistics, professional guides, mountain meals, safe transport, and the practical support you need for a high-altitude route.
It is a strong choice for travelers with limited time in Cusco who still want a real Andean trek.
Tour at a Glance
Ends at
Ends at
Duration
Duration
From
US$ 100
Deposit
6%
Travel staff
Local Guide
Transport
by Bus
Accommodation
Accomodation
Departures
Daily Departures
Season
All year
Meals
1B, 1L, 1D
Physical level
Easy
Max altitude
15,090 feet (4,600 meters)
Sites to visit
Cusco, Soraypampa
Day by Day Schedule
Day highlight: Humantay Lake, reached after a steady uphill walk through high Andean terrain.
The day starts early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. The road leaves the city and moves toward Mollepata, where the group stops for breakfast before continuing to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek.
From Challacancha, the walk begins toward Soraypampa. This first section is moderate and gives your body time to adjust to the altitude. The trail follows dirt paths, open valleys, and sections near an old Inca water channel still used by local farmers.
The air is cool, and the altitude can be felt even when the climb is not too steep. Your guide sets a steady pace so the group can reach Soraypampa without rushing.
At Soraypampa, you arrive at the camp area beneath Salkantay and Humantay mountains. After lunch, there is time to rest before the afternoon hike to Humantay Lake.
The hike to the lake is shorter but steeper. The terrain can include stones, dust, mud, and wet patches depending on the season. The climb is slow at altitude, so breathing, hydration, and patience matter.
At the top, Humantay Lake sits below the glacier, with cold wind moving across the water. This is the strongest moment of the day. After time for photos and rest, the group returns to Soraypampa.
Dinner is served at camp. At night, the temperature drops, and the sky often feels clear and close. Your guide may share information about Andean astronomy and the importance of the stars in local mountain life.
Technical details
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Accommodation: Sky Camp or similar camp in Soraypampa
- Starting altitude: Challacancha, approx. 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
- Camp altitude: Soraypampa, approx. 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- Highest altitude: Humantay Lake, approx. 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
- Walking distance to Soraypampa: Approx. 7 km / 4.35 mi
- Walking time to Soraypampa: Approx. 3 hours
- Walking distance to Humantay Lake: Approx. 3 km / 1.86 mi round trip
- Walking time to Humantay Lake: Approx. 2 to 3 hours round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Dirt path, gradual ascent, rocky lake section, possible mud in rainy season
- Transport: Tourist transport from Cusco to Challacancha
Day highlight: Reaching Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft, the highest point of the route.
The second day starts early at camp. After breakfast, the group begins walking toward Salkantaypampa and then continues along the “Trail of the Seven Snakes,” a winding ascent that slowly leads toward Salkantay Pass.
This is the hardest section of the trek. The air is thin, the climb is steady, and the ground becomes rougher. You may walk over dirt, stones, rocky sections, and cold high-altitude terrain. In rainy season, parts of the path can become wet or slippery.
The climb requires calm breathing and a steady rhythm. Some travelers feel the altitude here, even if they are fit. Your guide will monitor the group and adjust the pace when needed.
At Salkantay Pass, the route reaches 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. From this point, the mountain setting opens wide, with Salkantay rising above the valley. The wind can be strong, and the temperature may drop quickly, so warm layers are necessary.
After time at the pass, the group descends toward Soyrococha and then returns toward Soraypampa for lunch. The descent can be hard on the knees, so trekking poles are helpful.
After lunch and a short rest, the group walks the final section to meet the transport. The road back to Cusco gives time to rest after two full days in the high Andes.
Technical details
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- Highest altitude: Salkantay Pass, approx. 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
- Walking distance: Approx. 14 km / 8.7 mi
- Walking time: Approx. 7 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Trail type: Rocky ascent, winding high-altitude trail, dirt paths, exposed mountain sections
- Transport: Tourist transport from the trail ending point back to Cusco
Inclusions
What’s Included
Permits and Entrance Tickets
- Entrance ticket to Humantay Lake
- Access to the Salkantay trekking route
- Route coordination before departure
Guide and Safety
- Professional English and Spanish-speaking guide
- Pre-departure briefing in Cusco
- First aid kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Basic altitude support
- Route management according to weather and safety conditions
- Communication support during the operation
Trekking Equipment
- Duffle bag for personal belongings, maximum 5 kg / 11 lb
- Sleeping bag included
- Trekking poles included
- Backpack cover
- Camp equipment for the overnight stay
Accommodation
- 1 night at Sky Camp or similar camp in Soraypampa
- Shared accommodation in standard service
- Camp located in a high-altitude mountain setting
- Dining area and basic camp facilities according to operation
Meals
- 2 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 1 dinner
- Hot drinks during camp service
- Daily snacks during the route
- Boiled water after meals
- Vegetarian, vegan, and special meal requests with advance notice
- Kitchen team and cooking equipment during the trip
Transport
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Tourist transport from Cusco to Challacancha
- Return tourist transport from the trail ending point to Cusco
- Duffle bag transport during the route, maximum 5 kg / 11 lb
What’s Not Included
- Dinner in Cusco on Day 2
- Personal hiking clothing and gear
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide, cook, driver, muleteers, and support staff
- Optional horseback rides
- Extra drinks or personal purchases
- Extra costs caused by weather, road problems, strikes, illness, landslides, government decisions, or force majeure
Recommendations
Months before the trek
- Train with uphill walks, stairs, or short hikes before arriving in Cusco.
- Break in your hiking boots before the trip.
- Check your passport validity.
- Buy travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking.
- Tell our reservations team about allergies, food restrictions, medical conditions, or special needs.
- Consider private service if you are traveling with children, older travelers, or anyone who may need a slower pace.
A few days before the trek
- Arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek.
- Keep your first days in Cusco light so your body can adjust to the altitude.
- Drink water often.
- Avoid heavy alcohol before the route.
- Attend the briefing and ask practical questions.
- Pack warm layers for Soraypampa and Salkantay Pass.
- Keep passport, money, medication, and valuables in your daypack.
During the trek
- Walk at your own safe rhythm.
- Do not rush on the way to Humantay Lake or Salkantay Pass.
- Use trekking poles on rocky or steep terrain.
- Keep rain gear close, especially from November to March.
- Respect local people, muleteers, farming areas, animals, and camp spaces.
- Ask before taking close photos of local residents.
- Carry small soles for drinks, bathrooms, snacks, or personal purchases.
- Stay mentally ready for cold, altitude, tired legs, and rough ground. These are part of the route.
More Tour Information
- Tour name: Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass Trek
- Duration: 2 days and 1 night
- Starting point: Cusco
- Ending point: Cusco
- Main route: Cusco, Mollepata, Challacancha, Soraypampa, Humantay Lake, Salkantaypampa, Salkantay Pass, Soyrococha, Soraypampa, Cusco
- Maximum altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
- Humantay Lake altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
- Total walking distance: Approx. 26 km / 16.2 mi
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Group size: Up to 12 travelers
- Accommodation: Sky Camp or similar mountain camp in Soraypampa
- Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner
- Duffle bag: Included, maximum 5 kg / 11 lb
- Guide: Professional English and Spanish-speaking guide
- Best for: Travelers with limited time who want a short high-altitude trek
- Recommended acclimatization: 2 days in Cusco before the trek
- Best season: March to January
- Not operated: February, due to rain risk and route maintenance
- Leave Cusco for two days and walk into one of the most powerful mountain areas near the city.
- Reach Humantay Lake, located at around 4,200 m / 13,780 ft, with glacier water, sharp air, and white peaks above the valley.
- Spend the night in Soraypampa, a high-altitude area surrounded by Salkantay and Humantay mountains.
- Wake up in the Andes and continue toward Salkantaypampa, Soyrococha, and the final ascent to Salkantay Pass.
- Reach Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trip at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.
- Walk the well-known “Trail of the Seven Snakes,” a winding uphill path that requires patience and steady breathing.
- See how the route changes between dry mountain paths, rocky sections, farming areas, rivers, and high-altitude slopes.
- Share the route with a professional guide who explains the land, the mountains, and the local Andean context.
- Travel with Machu Picchu Gol Travel, a Cusco-based agency focused on safety, clear organization, local work, and personal service.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is usually from hotels located in Cusco city. Some streets in the historic center are narrow, steep, or closed to vehicles. If your hotel or Airbnb has difficult access, we may coordinate a nearby meeting point.
The exact pickup time is confirmed during the briefing. Traffic and access conditions in Cusco can cause small variations.
Luggage storage
You can leave your main luggage at your hotel or at our office while you are on the trek. Bring only what you need for the route.
Do not leave valuables inside stored luggage. Passport, money, cards, cameras, medication, and electronics should stay with you.
Payment conditions
A deposit may be required to secure transport, guide, camp logistics, meals, equipment, and operation staff. Some services must be arranged before departure and may become non-refundable once confirmed.
The remaining balance should be paid before the trek according to the instructions from our reservations team. Cash payments in Cusco may avoid online transaction fees. Card or online payments may include gateway fees.
These conditions exist because transport, food supplies, camp equipment, guide service, and mountain logistics must be organized before the departure date.
Return to Cusco
After lunch on Day 2, the group returns by tourist transport to Cusco. Travel time depends on road conditions, weather, and traffic.
Drop-off is usually at your hotel or at a nearby accessible point if your accommodation is located on a street without vehicle access.
Availability
This tour does not include Machu Picchu, so it is usually more flexible than treks that require Machu Picchu tickets.
Even so, booking in advance is recommended to secure guide availability, transport, camp space, meals, and equipment. In some cases, reservations may be accepted up to 24 hours before departure, but this depends on operation capacity.
For last-minute bookings, please contact the reservations team of Machu Picchu Gol Travel directly. We will do our best to organize the trip, but acceptance is not guaranteed.
This itinerary is usually operated from March through January. February may be restricted due to rain risk, trail conditions, and maintenance.
Accommodation
Sky Camp in Soraypampa
Soraypampa is located at around 3,900 m / 12,795 ft, below Humantay and Salkantay mountains. Nights are cold, and the air is thin.
The camp gives travelers a mountain overnight stay before the ascent to Salkantay Pass. Facilities may include shared sleeping areas, dining space, basic bathrooms, and camp support according to the operation.
This is not a city hotel. The value of the night is in the location, the silence, the cold air, and the feeling of sleeping in the high Andes.
Transport Included
- Tourist transport from Cusco to the trail starting point
- Return tourist transport from the trail ending point to Cusco
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Hotel or nearby drop-off in Cusco
- Duffle bag transport during the route, maximum 5 kg / 11 lb
Transport times may vary due to traffic, weather, road conditions, strikes, landslides, or local events.
Travel Restrictions
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some tours. Roads can be blocked, and transport services may be affected. When this happens, we will try to keep your trip as close as possible to the original plan, even if this means leaving earlier than scheduled.
In some cases, tours may be changed or canceled. Any change will be coordinated by our operations team. Safety comes first, and decisions will be made to protect travelers and staff.
Lost objects
Please check your belongings whenever leaving transport, camp, restaurants, or rest areas. You are responsible for your personal items during the tour.
Keep passport, money, cards, medication, electronics, and cameras with you at all times.
Health and physical condition
The Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass Trek is a moderate to challenging high-altitude route. It reaches around 4,630 m / 15,190 ft and includes steep uphill sections, rocky terrain, cold weather, and possible mud or slippery ground during rainy season.
Travelers should be in good physical condition. Older travelers, people with heart conditions, respiratory issues, recent injuries, pregnancy, or other medical concerns should speak with their doctor before booking.
Altitude sickness can affect anyone. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, and unusual tiredness. Arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek helps reduce risk.
Enquire Now
Ready to book the Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass Trek 2 Days with Machu Picchu Gol Travel?
Send us your travel date, number of travelers, hotel location in Cusco, and any special request. Our reservations team will check operation availability, guide assignment, transport, meals, and camp logistics for your trip.
Essential documents and money
- Valid passport
- Travel insurance information
- Cash in Peruvian soles
- Credit or debit card
- Copy of passport saved offline
- Emergency contact information
Clothing
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Light shoes or sandals for camp
- Trekking pants
- Thermal pants
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Rain poncho
- Warm gloves
- Sun hat
- Wool hat
- Neck gaiter or buff
- Trekking socks
- Sleepwear for cold nights
Personal gear
- Medium daypack, 15 to 25 liters
- Water bottle or CamelBak
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Power bank
- Camera and charger
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Small dry bag or plastic bags for wet clothes
- Snacks such as energy bars, chocolate, dried fruit, or candies
Health and personal care
- Personal medication
- Altitude medication, only if approved by your doctor
- Sunblock, SPF 50 or higher
- Insect repellent
- Lip balm with sun protection
- Personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer
- Blister care
- Small personal first aid items
- Electrolytes or hydration salts
Special requirements
Travelers with special requirements must inform our reservations team in advance. This includes mobility aids, medical equipment, professional photo or video equipment, service animals, special diet tools, or any condition that may affect the route.
| Add-on or upgrade | Extra cost |
| Optional horseback ride to Humantay Lake section | From US$ 30 per person |
| Optional horseback support toward Salkantay Pass section | From US$ 50 per person |
| Extra trekking snack pack | Upon request |
| Private dietary upgrade | Upon request |
| Extra night in Cusco before the trek | Upon request |
| Private transport upgrade | Upon request |
| Extra porter or mule support for private service | Upon request |
Discounts
18 to 25 years old: This tour does not include a standard government student discount unless a special entrance policy applies at the time of booking.
Under 18 years old: A child or minor discount may be reviewed depending on the travel date, group size, and operation type.
Under 11 years old: This route involves high altitude and a demanding second day. Children under 11 should be evaluated carefully before booking, and private service is strongly recommended.
Please send a passport copy at the time of booking if you are requesting any age-based review.
Machu Picchu Gol Travel is a Cusco-based travel agency operating tours in Cusco and other regions of Peru. Our service is built around clear logistics, trained local guides, safe transport, careful food handling, and respect for the people who work on the route.
This trek passes through areas linked to Mollepata, Challacancha, Soraypampa, Salkantaypampa, Soyrococha, and the Salkantay mountain zone. These areas are connected to rural Andean life, farming work, local transport, muleteers, cooks, and families who depend on the land and tourism.
Our commitment is to work with local staff in a fair and organized way. A trek like this may last only two days, but it still requires people who wake up early, prepare food, manage equipment, check logistics, drive mountain roads, and support travelers at high altitude.
For this route, equipment matters. Nights in Soraypampa are cold, the pass is exposed, and weather can change quickly. We organize the service with mountain-appropriate logistics, practical briefing, and clear guidance about clothing, altitude, and trail conditions.
Food is also important. The body needs energy for the climb to Humantay Lake and the next-day ascent to Salkantay Pass. Our kitchen team prepares warm meals with balanced portions for trekking days. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs can be arranged with advance notice. In private service, food requests can be more personal and may include an extra cost depending on the request.
Traveling with Machu Picchu Gol Travel means walking with a local team that knows the altitude, the road, the trail, the camp area, and the details that help travelers feel supported from pickup to return.
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