Itinerary
Discover what awaits you in the Hike to Laguna Humantay and Salkantay trek
day 1
DAY 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - CHALLACANCHA - SORAYPAMPA - HUMANTAY LAKE
- Hiking Time: Approximately 5 hours.
- Distance to cover: 11 Km.
- Weather: Cool with presence of wind.
- Altitudes: Cusco 3350 m. / Mollepata 2900 m. / Challacancha 3600 m. / Soraypampa 3900 m. / Humantay lake 4200 m.
- Accommodation: Overnight at Eco-Lodge “Mama Andrea,” in an Andean Cabin in the Soraypampa area.
The tour begins with a 4:00 a.m. pick-up from your hotel in Cusco to travel to the town of Mollepata, where we’ll enjoy breakfast. From there, we’ll continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the Humantay Lake and Salkantay Trek tour. The first part of the journey takes about 3 hours to reach Soraypampa (3,900 m.a.s.l.), where we’ll have lunch surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes.
In the afternoon, we’ll begin the ascent to the beautiful Humantay Lake, located at 4,200 m.a.s.l. The hike takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete. From the top, you’ll enjoy one of the most impressive views of the trip, with the turquoise lake at the foot of the snow-capped Humantay mountain, perfect for taking photographs. After the visit, we’ll return to Soraypampa, where we’ll have dinner and spend the night in cabins or domes.
What is this day like? check our photos
day 2
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA - SALKANTAYPAMPA - SALKANTAY PASS - CUSCO
- Hiking Time: Approximately 7 hours.
- Distance to Cover: 12 km.
- Weather: Cool with winds.
- Altitudes: Soraypampa 3900 m / Salkantaypampa 4200 m / Salkantay Pass 4630 m.
After breakfast, we begin our hike to Salkantaypampa, with a gradual 1-hour and 30-minute route. From here, we start the ascent known as the “7 serpents,” a zigzag trail that climbs for about 2 hours and 30 minutes until reaching the majestic Salkantay Pass (4,650 m.a.s.l.), the highest point of the hike. From this location, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of Salkantay Mountain and Humantay Mountain, plus experience walking one of the most famous sections of the Salkantay tour.
After a well-deserved rest and taking unforgettable photographs, we’ll begin the 2-hour and 30-minute descent to Soraypampa, where we’ll have lunch before boarding our transport back to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 p.m.
What is this day like? check our photos
Includes
- Information one day before the tour
- Transportation Cusco – Challacancha / Soraypampa – Cusco
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish / English)
- Cook
- 1 night accommodation in cabins
- 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner (vegetarian options or special diets available)
- 1 tea time (hot beverages such as: tea, coffee, coca tea, hot chocolate with milk; as well as cookies, special snacks, and popcorn)
- Boil water to refill water bottles
- Canvas bag (for your personal items) provided one day before the trip
- First aid kit
- Oxygen tank
Not include
- Personal items
- Humantay Lake entrance fee
- Travel insurance
NOTE: No need to bring a sleeping bag
Packaging list
- Personal medications
- Protection products (sunscreen, insect repellent, UV protection sunglasses)
- Trekking shoes or the most comfortable ones you have
- Comfortable and warm clothing
- Personal hygiene products (towel, toothpaste, soap, deodorant)
- Camera with charger and external battery (optional)
- Cash in soles
Recomendations
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Book your excursion in advance as spaces fill up quickly.
- Arrive at least 1 day before your excursion as it will serve as prior acclimatization to your hike. Remember that the city of Cusco is at 3400 meters above sea level.
- Check your personal items that you will be taking on the trip.
- Visit us at our Main Office located in the Historic Center of the City of Cusco, 1 day before your hike at 7:00 pm. to receive an Informational Talk about the trip led by the Tour Guide. This will help you be much more
- Informed, Secure, and Ready for your Tour.
- Leave your luggage that you will not take on the excursion for free in the luggage storage of our Main Office.
- If you have any questions or wish to have more information about this Tour, do not hesitate to contact us.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Walk amidst beautiful landscapes and admire the beauty of the Andean valleys and snow-capped mountains.
- Ideal for couples, groups of friends, nature lovers, and families.
- Travel informed and guided by a local expert and friendly Guide.
- Pickup and drop-off from all accommodations located in the City of Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
- Free luggage storage while you do your hike.
- It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
F.A.Qs
FAQ
Here you will find the Most Frequently Asked Questions from our Clients. Before asking any questions, we invite you to carefully read these questions and answers, as well as all our links about this Tour. This will help you to get informed in a simple, quick, and practical way.
WHAT MEALS WILL I HAVE DURING THE TOUR?
We understand the great curiosity you have about the quality of the food you will have during your trip. For your peace of mind, we include All Meals and Snacks throughout the hike. All reports and comments made by our clients guarantee and demonstrate that our meals are excellent.
All food is prepared with fresh ingredients, purchased at the local market in Cusco the day before the trip. Everything is transported by the porters, and then prepared by our cook. We do not use any canned or rehydrated food. Everything is fresh, healthy, and delicious!
Each cook is professionally trained to prepare the best breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks. Food is served daily starting in the morning with a great breakfast, then you will be given some snacks to enjoy along the way, at midday you will have a good lunch, upon arrival at the campsite, you will enjoy tea time, and finally at night you will have a delicious dinner. Undoubtedly, all of this will exceed all your expectations about food on the hike.
Below, we show you some examples of what our cooks can prepare and serve for meals:
- Breakfasts: Scrambled eggs, bread, pancakes, omelets, cereals, fruit salad, toast, orange juice, milk, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, butter, jam.
- Hiking Snacks: Fruits, Cookies, Cereals, Chocolate, Candies.
- Lunch: Corn soup, Mushroom Cream, Asparagus Cream, Rice with chicken, sausages, Fried trout, ceviche, meat, beans, fried rice, French fries, boiled vegetables, Salads, Omelets, etc.
- Tea Time: Popcorn, fried wantons, tea, coffee.
- Dinners: Stuffed chicken, vegetable omelets, pizza, spaghetti, pork chop, sautéed vegetables, salads.
In case you have special dietary needs, No problem!.. We are prepared to serve vegetarians, vegans, celiacs, and any type of food allergy at no additional cost, so you will always be well fed throughout the trip.
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE ON THE HIKE?
The weather is very unpredictable along the Trail; it is impossible to say exactly what kind of weather you will encounter during your Tour. No matter what month you travel, make sure to have waterproof clothing such as a waterproof jacket or a good rain poncho.
During the dry season (from April to November), early mornings are cloudy and can be cold. As the morning hours pass, the clouds clear and the sun comes out, so it can get quite hot. Sun protection, insect repellent, and a good hat are essential. However, keep in mind that sometimes there may be rain in June and sun in December.
During the rainy season (from mid-November to mid-April), rainfall is very heavy. However, don’t be surprised if some days are sunny during this season.
Remember, a rain poncho is highly recommended regardless of the season you decide to travel. Also, consider that when it rains, the stones on the trail become slippery, so it is very important to wear shoes with good traction and maybe a rubber-tipped trekking pole.
WHAT IF I GET SICK DUE TO ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Don’t worry! All our Guides are trained in case you get sick with this condition. All our Guides carry an oxygen bottle and a First Aid Kit, ensuring that you are very well assessed and attended to, which will allow you to continue with your hike. Additionally, all our staff is prepared for emergencies. After being attended to, if you still feel very unwell and cannot continue with the hike, the Guide will make the best decision for you whether to continue or return. For us, your Safety and Health come first.
If you have to return, don’t worry, you still have the option to meet up with your group, head to the town of Aguas Calientes, and from there climb up to Machu Picchu very early on the 4th day to meet again with your group at the Entrance Zone to Machu Picchu and not miss the opportunity to visit it. This will have some additional charges.
DO I NEED TO BRING EXTRA MONEY ON MY TOUR?
Yes, only if you want to buy some snacks like cookies, dried fruit, chocolates, etc., or some additional drinks such as sodas, beers, or an energy drink, as it is possible to purchase these products at small local shops on the first day.
Also, if you need to use a support horse on the second day just for the ascent.
