Hike Around Humantay Lagoon And Salkantay Pass 2D/1N.

Starting from USD180 per person

Dificulty

Moderate

Duration

2 Days / 1 Night

Group Size

02 - 15 People

Max Altitude

4,200 msnm

Description

Who lives sees much. Who travels sees more The 2-day hike to Humantay Lagoon and Salkantay Pass is a great way to explore the highlights of the Andes Mountains in a short period of time. Humantay Lagoon is one of the many hidden gems of the mountainous region of Peru and is well known for its incredibly bright blue and green water. Salkantay is the second highest mountain in Cusco. Approximately at (6,272 masl/ 20,577 ft). It has very interesting places in the surroundings of the hike, glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, lagoons.

Humantay and Salkantay is an adventure planned for people who do not have much time and who want to visit these Natural Wonders in the heights of the Peruvian Andes. Whether you are traveling alone, as a couple or with a larger group, you can join us any day of the week on this incredible 2-day tour in the middle of the Peruvian Andes. You will be able to escape the hectic city and connect with pachamama (mother nature) in the most picturesque setting you can imagine.
Our experienced guides will accompany you every step of the way, sharing their deep knowledge of the region’s history and natural wonders. Experience this trip in comfort and excellent company, surrounded by the beauty of the Andes. You will visit the famous Humantay lagoon, camp at over 4,000 meters of altitude and sleep where few venture! Then you will test your limits by climbing up to the Salkantay Pass at over 4,650 meters; where a magnificent glacial landscape awaits you.

We will start by picking you up from your hotel around 4:30 a.m. We will travel for three hours in our private transport to the starting point of the hike. After two hours of driving, we will make the first stop in the town of Mollepata, where there are restrooms and the first breakfast. Then, the journey will continue for another hour until we reach Challacancha, the starting point of our hike.

There, we will meet our support staff and organize all the equipment. At approximately 9:30 a.m., we will begin our hike toward Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). The first part of the trail consists of paved stone paths. Along the way, we will see an ancient water channel that still supplies water to the new inhabitants. The first stretch is 6 km, which we will complete in three hours to reach Soraypampa, where we will have lunch. This will also serve as our base camp.

After lunch and a short rest, we will continue the hike to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). This is a 4 km hike that will take three hours round trip. Once we reach the lake, we can admire the Humantay glacier and the stunning sunset. Soraypampa is located in the middle of glacial valleys, where the absence of artificial light makes it a perfect place to appreciate the constellations in the sky.

📌 Tour Details
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
🛏 Accommodation: Mountain sky cabins
🚶‍♂️ Total hiking distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
⏱ Total hiking time: 6 hours
🥾 Difficulty level: Moderate
📉 Minimum altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
📈 Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
🏔 Accommodation elevation: 3,900 m / 12,975 ft

Today is the big day, as you will reach the highest point of the journey, encountering breathtaking landscapes surrounded by an impressive mountain complex. Around 5:00 a.m., our cooks will wake you up with a hot cup of coca tea, giving you time to pack and get ready for our hearty and nutritious breakfast. Afterward, we will begin the hike to the highest point, Salkantay Pass (4,650 m / 15,255 ft). The distance is 7 km, which we should complete in four hours. During the ascent through the rocky valley, we will observe the magnificent Salkantay peak (6,272 m / 20,577 ft), and we might even see chinchillas along the trail.

Once we reach the top of the trail, we will enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, and Pumasillo. Salkantay is considered the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the main Incan deities, known as “Apu Salkantay.” Hiking to Salkantay Pass is the most challenging part of the entire trek, but you will feel so accomplished!

At the summit, you will have time to admire the mountain views, take photos, and learn about the mountain gods with your guide. You will also participate in a small Andean ritual to honor the Apus, the sacred mountain deities. Then, we will begin a three-hour descent back to Soraypampa, where our transport will be waiting to take us to Mollepata for lunch. After lunch, we will continue with a two-hour drive back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m.

📌 Tour Details
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, lunch
🚶‍♂️ Total hiking distance: 14 km / 8.699 miles
⏱ Total hiking time: 7 hours
🥾 Difficulty level: Challenging
📉 Minimum altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
📈 Maximum altitude: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft

Incluye

✓ PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING

You will meet with your guide a day before the trek at your hotel for an orientation session. The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m.

✓ FIELD STAFF

Professional Guides:
Specialized in trekking and selected from accredited universities. Our guides are fluent in English and have between three to ten years of experience in various hikes throughout the region. They are experts in managing groups under pressure, as well as in first aid and rescue techniques. Most of them come from different Andean communities and bring with them their cultural heritage. Along with the rest of the field team, our guides will make your journey a unique experience.
Chefs with culinary training:
Trained in local gastronomy schools, they are experts in modern Andean cuisine, traditional Peruvian food, international culinary styles, and vegetarian/vegan cuisine. They have extensive knowledge of the nutritional properties of their meals and are skilled in preparing food quickly. All of this, of course, is done with a strong emphasis on hygiene and food safety during preparation.

✓ DUFFEL BAG SERVICE FOR THE TREK (5 KG)

During the briefing session, you will be provided with a duffel bag that allows you to pack up to 5 kg of your personal belongings.

✓ ACCOMMODATION

Personal Accommodation in Private Campsites:
Just like our ancestors, we are very mindful of Pachamama (Mother Earth). That’s why our campsites and lodges are adapted to the environment to prevent any negative impact.

✓ COOKING EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS

We provide all the necessary equipment and utensils for meal preparation and service. Our team is responsible for transporting them to each campsite, ensuring you enjoy your meals in optimal conditions.

✓ MEALS

Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Wake-up tea
Tea time or happy hour
Snacks along the route
Hygiene products

✓ TRANSPORTATION

Day 1: You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel in private transport along with the group to the trek’s starting point.
Day 2: Return transport from Soraypampa station to Cusco.

✓ EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND REMOTE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Radios:
They have a range of 10 km and 8 frequencies, allowing our guides, cooks, and porters to communicate with each other. Additionally, the radios can be used to contact Salkantay park rangers in case of an emergency.
First Aid Kit:
We carry alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine tincture, germicidal soap, cotton, gauze, bandages, medical adhesive tape, surgical gloves, pain relievers for muscle and stomach pain, and antipyretics. If you take prescription medications, you should bring your own.
Portable Oxygen Tank

✓ IMPORTANT:

Please note that only a medical professional can issue a prescription. Our guides DO NOT have the authority to prescribe treatments for clients during the trek, and all medications will be administered with your consent and at your own responsibility. If you have a medical prescription, it is recommended that you bring your own medication.

No Incluye

× ENTRANCE TICKET TO HUMANTAY LAKE AND SALKANTAY TRAIL

On the first day, an entrance ticket must be paid to the local government of Mollepata. The cost is 20 soles for foreigners (approximately $6) and 10 soles for Peruvians (approximately $3). Payment is made in soles and in cash at the entrance.

× SLEEPING BAG

If you do not have your own, you can rent one from our company. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable, protecting you from temperatures as low as -18°C (0°F). They have a mummy shape and include a sleeping liner. The sleeping bags are cleaned after each trip.

(Rental available for $10 USD at Bestreks agency).

× TREKKING POLES

With extra rubber tips included in our service, they are very useful for rough terrain and for ascending and descending. You can rent a pair from the company.

(Rental available for $10 USD at Bestreks agency).

× DRINKING WATER FOR BOTTLES

We do not include bottle refills, but we provide cold and hot drinks at each meal. For bottled water, you have two options: buy mineral water from small shops along the Salkantay Trail, with prices ranging from 5 to 12 soles per 2.5-liter bottle, or bring a filter or purification tablets for mountain water.

× INTERNET CONNECTION

There is no cell signal from 9:00 a.m. on the first day until you reach the campsite. At the first campsite, Wi-Fi is available for 10 soles.

× DINNER IN CUSCO ON DAY 2

× PERSONAL HIKING CLOTHING AND GEAR

× TRAVEL INSURANCE

This is not a requirement, but we always recommend that our clients purchase it in case of flight issues or unexpected health problems. Be sure to check if your travel insurance policy has altitude restrictions, as some policies are void above 4,000 m / 13,123 ft.

× ADDITIONAL COSTS

Delays beyond management’s control (landscape, bad weather, itinerary modifications due to safety concerns, illness, government policy changes, political instability/strikes, etc.).

✓ TIPS FOR YOUR CREW

Tipping is a standard practice in tourism or any excursion. Although we pay good wages to our entire team, any extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Usually, group participants collect their tips.

✓ BACKPACK

Choose a small and ergonomic backpack to stay comfortable during the hikes.

✓ WATER STORAGE

Carry between 1.5 and 2 liters of water; consider a Camelbak or a similar system. You will be able to buy water along the way.

✓ HIKING BOOTS

Select lightweight options with good traction.

✓ HEADLAMP

Essential for visibility in the early morning or late evening.

✓ FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAG

1-2 moisture-wicking t-shirts
1 pair of hiking pants
2 sets of underwear
2 pairs of hiking socks
1 fleece jacket and 1 warm down jacket for cold nights
1 waterproof jacket and pants for unpredictable weather
1 sun hat and 1 wool hat for different temperatures
Comfortable shoes for camping and sturdy boots for hiking
Waterproof gloves (ski gloves are fine)
Waterproof jacket/rain poncho for heavy rains
Quick-drying towel (larger than the provided one, if preferred)
Small bottle of soap for personal hygiene
Battery charger (power sources are scarce along the trail)
Large plastic bags to organize and protect items
Sleeping bag (rated at least -10°C for cold nights)
Toiletries
Sunscreen and facial moisturizer to protect the skin
Hand sanitizer for hygiene
Wet wipes for quick cleaning
Toothbrush and toothpaste for oral hygiene
Toilet paper for personal use
Personal medications and a basic first-aid kit

✓ PRICE PER PERSON

$180 USD – Adults

✓ PRICE GUARANTEE

Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase under any circumstances. Therefore, before booking, please make sure to read all the important information about the tour.

✓ HOW TO BOOK

You can reserve your spot online through our website, where our booking platform will guide you step by step. The tour payment can be made using any credit or debit card, and you can also pay in your local currency for convenience.

✓ PAYMENT OPTIONS

Remaining Balance Payment: If you choose to pay only the deposit, the remaining balance must be paid upon your arrival in Cusco, one day before the tour starts. The balance can be paid in soles or dollars in cash or by card (with an additional 5% fee). You also have the option to pay online on our website (with a 5% fee).
Full Payment Option: You can choose to pay the total cost of the tour online at the time of booking.

✓ CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel 2 to 3 days before your trip, it will be considered a “no-show,” and you will be required to pay 100% of the total cost.
If you decide to stop the trek for personal reasons after it has started, all included services will be automatically forfeited. Any additional costs incurred for your return, such as food, transportation, or accommodation, will be at your own expense.
Uncontrollable events that make any part of the trip impossible, such as strikes, protests, flight cancellations, weather conditions, or hotel/flight overbookings. In such cases, we will suggest alternative arrangements (if available) to make the trip possible. Any costs associated with these alternative arrangements will be the traveler’s responsibility.

✓ RECOMMENDATIONS

We highly recommend that you fully understand all booking and cancellation policies before making your payment to ensure your investment is protected and to have a smooth booking experience for your adventure.

✓ Informative Meeting or Briefing

All briefings and informative meetings take place the evening before your trip begins at our main office in Cusco (or at your hotel) at 6:00 p.m. Your guide will also hand you the duffle bag. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you are unable to attend, you will need to coordinate another time via email or phone call.

✓ Payment of the Trek Balance (in Cusco)

If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it one day before your trek/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed. If possible, it would be highly appreciated if you could pay the trekking/tour balance in cash, either in US dollars or local currency, at our office in Cusco or during the briefing. You can withdraw money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (in US dollars or Peruvian soles). You can also pay with a credit/debit card or via IZIPAY, either online or in person, but a 5% service fee will apply, charged by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and IZIPAY.

✓ Customer Pickup
Please note:

All pickups take place within the city of Cusco, but we recommend booking a centrally located hotel in the historic center. Our guide or staff will confirm your pickup time one day before the tour. Due to traffic conditions, pickup times may vary by 30 to 45 minutes. Cusco is an ancient city with many narrow, cobblestone streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets with no vehicle access or on long, steep inclines, making luggage transport difficult. We strongly recommend booking accommodation with easy access.

✓ Lost Items

Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to collect everything before leaving our transport, campsites, or restaurants. You are solely responsible for your belongings during the tour.

✓ Weather

The weather is unpredictable. Typically, Cusco’s dry season runs from April to October, but this does not prevent rain in June or sunshine in December. Be prepared—no matter the month of your trek—by carrying rain gear, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and gloves. Many people forget gloves, but the cold and humidity can make hiking unpleasant.

Additionally, prepare for all four seasons. Andean treks involve multiple microclimates, so layers are essential to adjust to temperature changes. Bring a warm jacket for the cold nights.

✓ Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and Stomach Issues

For hikers arriving in Cusco from sea-level locations, we recommend arriving at least two days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are altitude sickness (soroche) and stomach discomfort due to slow digestion.
Altitude sickness:
Symptoms may include headaches and nausea. Some over-the-counter medications can help minimize symptoms, such as Aspirin, Diamox, Sorojchi Pill, Alti Vital, and others. If symptoms persist, oxygen use is the next step. Our team and equipment are ready to assist hikers in such cases.
Stomach issues:
We recommend drinking 3 to 4 liters of water per day to stay hydrated. Hot beverages like coca leaf tea are especially beneficial. Also, consuming soups, vegetables, and carbohydrates (avoiding fried or heavy foods) is recommended. Sweets, chocolates, cookies, and fruits are also good options—generally, any food that is easy to digest. Avoid alcohol and smoking.

Make sure to sleep at least 8 hours and avoid excessive physical activity. Keep your body at an appropriate temperature by wearing warm clothing. When adapting to the altitude, a general rule is to eat lightly and drink plenty of fluids.

Salkantay is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region, standing at 6,271 m / 20,574 ft. It is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range, 6 km northwest of Cusco in the central Peruvian Andes. “Salkantay” means “Wild Mountain” and has been considered a sacred deity that controls weather and fertility by locals since the Inca era.

The Salkantay glacier has an extreme climate. During the day, temperatures can reach 25°C, while at night, they may drop to -10°C. However, this varies depending on the time of year.

Salkantay from October to March:
This is the rainy season. During these months, days are cloudy (around 19°C), and nights are not as cold (4°C) compared to the rest of the year. However, the frequency of rain increases significantly, making the trek more challenging.
Salkantay from April to September:
This is the dry season. During these months, daytime temperatures remain stable (20°C), but nights can reach the lowest temperatures of the year (-10°C). Despite the cold, the weather is drier, making trekking through the snow-covered mountains more feasible.

Most people travel to Cusco by air. Please note that Cusco’s airport only operates domestic flights. Therefore, if you arrive in Lima from abroad, you will need to collect your luggage and check it in again for your flight to Cusco. Four airlines operate round-trip flights between Lima and Cusco: LATAM Airlines, AVIANCA Airlines, and Star Peru. These airlines offer similar flight schedules and services, but we generally recommend LATAM Airlines.
Alternatively, you can travel to Cusco by land. However, the journey from Lima to Cusco takes approximately 24 hours.

It is very important to be well acclimated before starting the trek. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least two days before your trek to help you adjust and avoid altitude sickness. If you have already been in another high-altitude area in Peru before arriving in Cusco, we suggest resting for a day in Cusco to recover.

Although no specific training is required to complete the treks in Cusco, we suggest that the best way to prepare physically is by exercising on a treadmill with an incline setting, as well as climbing stairs or using a stair climber. Keep in mind that you should spend at least two days in Cusco before the start date of your trek.

We always recommend using the lightest possible trekking shoes. Boots with ankle support are very useful, especially for inexperienced hikers, as you will be climbing and descending many stairs built by our ancestors, the Incas.

Trekking poles are always useful for hikers, especially for this trek. There are many trails with varying altitudes, and they are not always flat. Using trekking poles can help relieve pressure on your knees and assist with climbing. Additionally, our trekking poles are adjustable, so when you are not using them, you can shorten them to avoid inconvenience. If you plan to bring your own trekking poles, ensure they have rubber tips; otherwise, park rangers will not allow their use. If you forget to bring them from your home country, you can buy rubber tips in Cusco.

All luggage that is not needed for the trek must stay in Cusco. All hotels in Cusco are accustomed to and prepared to store luggage. If you do not have a place to leave your belongings, you can store them at our office until our adventure is over. We will ensure your luggage is kept safe, so you don’t have to worry!

We offer a variety of local superfoods and traditional Peruvian dishes, including rice, chicken, beef, salads, potatoes, vegetables, and fresh fruits, all prepared by our local chef. We also have excellent vegetarian and vegan options. We cater to specific dietary requests with proper preparation and good communication.

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Hike Around Humantay Lagoon And Salkantay Pass 2D/1N.

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