Salkantay and Humantay Lake 2 days: the complete guide
If you want a real taste of the high Andes without committing to a long expedition, this two-day trek is hard to beat. You hike to the glowing turquoise of Humantay Lake, sleep in a cozy cabin beneath the glacier, and climb the Salkantay Pass the next morning.
The short trek with big rewards
Most people see Humantay Lake on a rushed day trip. This two-day version lets you linger — watching the light change on the water, sleeping under the stars, and adding the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m) on day two for glacier views few day-trippers ever reach.
The route, day by day
| Day | Route | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco → Soraypampa → Humantay Lake | Cozy cabins |
| 2 | Salkantay Pass (4,650 m) → Soraypampa → Cusco | — |
See the full itinerary
Read the day-by-day plan, inclusions and dates.
How hard is it, and what to bring
This is a moderate trek — the climb to the lake is steady rather than brutal — but everything happens at high altitude, so acclimatize in Cusco first. Bring warm layers for a genuinely cold night; see our packing guide.
Two days: Humantay Lake and a night under the stars
This short trip is the perfect taste of the Salkantay region for travelers without time for the full trek. Day one drives to Soraypampa and hikes up to the glacier-fed turquoise of Humantay Lake (4,200 m); you then spend the night at a high camp — often in sky-view domes — beneath the Salkantay massif before returning the next day.
| Day | Itinerary |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco → Mollepata → Soraypampa → hike to Humantay Lake → overnight at high camp |
| 2 | Optional sunrise viewpoint → descend → return to Cusco |
Why the overnight makes it special
The magic of the two-day version is the night at altitude. After the day visitors leave, the Soraypampa valley falls silent and — on clear dry-season nights — the sky fills with stars rarely seen near cities. Many camps use transparent domes so you can watch the night sky from bed. Waking up surrounded by glaciated peaks, with the option of a quiet early return to the lake before the crowds, is an experience the standard day trip simply cannot offer.
Altitude, cold and preparation
You sleep above 3,900 m and hike to 4,200 m, so acclimatize in Cusco first and expect a genuinely cold night — bring warm layers, a hat and gloves even in the dry season. The hike to the lake is short but steep. Favour May–October for clear skies and the best star-gazing. See our altitude guide, and if you want to continue all the way to Machu Picchu on foot, look at the 4-day Salkantay trek.
Frequently asked questions
Humantay Lake sits at about 4,200 m, and the Salkantay Pass on day two reaches 4,650 m. Acclimatizing in Cusco beforehand is important.
It is moderate — a steady uphill to the lake — but the altitude makes it feel harder, so prepare in Cusco first and take it at a comfortable pace.
No, this is a mountain-and-lake trek that does not include Machu Picchu. For that, see the longer Salkantay routes.
