This 2-day trek brings together the two great sights of the Salkantay region without the full journey to Machu Picchu. We pick you up at 5:00 AM, stop for breakfast in Mollepata and continue to Soraypampa (3,850 m). From there a climb of about an hour and a half leads to the turquoise Humantay Lake, and in the afternoon you settle into cabins with views of the glacier.
On day two you climb about two hours to the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m), the highest point, with a short side trip to the glacier lake below Salkantay. After lunch at Soraypampa we drive back to Cusco, arriving at around 5:00 PM. Transport, a bilingual guide, the entrances, poles and the cabin night are included for US $150. More in our Salkantay and Humantay guide.
A turquoise glacier lake at about 4,200 m, reached in an hour and a half.
The Salkantay Pass
The highest point at 4,600 m, at the foot of the 6,271 m glacier.
A night under the glacier
Cabins at Soraypampa with views of the snow peaks.
Short distances
About 4 km on day one and 9 km on day two — the challenge is the altitude.
Back in Cusco in two days
Ideal if you want a real trek but already have your Machu Picchu plans.
Entrances included
Humantay and Salkantay fees, poles and coca tea are part of the price.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Salkantay and Humantay Lake 2 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake
A 5:00 AM pickup drives you about two hours to Mollepata (2,900 m) for an Andean breakfast, with views of the snow-capped Salkantay range along the way, then on to Soraypampa (3,850 m).
You hike 1.5 hours up to the stunning turquoise Humantay Lake (4,200 m), with plenty of time to soak in its beauty, before descending to cozy cabins with glacier views.
Distance
4 km / 2.5 mi
Duration
~3 hours
Max altitude
4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Cozy cabins
Difficulty
Medium
DAY 2
Salkantay Pass, glacier lake and return to Cusco
After breakfast you climb about two hours to the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m), the highest point, with glorious views of Salkantay, Humantay and Huayanay and a short side hike to the turquoise Salkantay Lake.
You descend to Soraypampa for a hearty lunch, then drive back to Cusco, arriving around 5:00 PM.
Distance
9 km / 6 mi
Duration
~6 hours
Max altitude
4,600 m / 15,092 ft
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Difficulty
Moderate
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Salkantay and Humantay Lake 2 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in Cusco
Private transport to Soraypampa
Bilingual professional guide
Entrance to Humantay Lake and Salkantay
Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Trekking poles and coca tea
One night in comfortable cabins
Return transfer to Cusco
Not Included
Sleeping bag (rent in Cusco)
Extra meals
Tips and gratuities
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Salkantay and Humantay Lake 2 Days day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Moderate, at high altitude. About 4 km on day 1, including the climb to Humantay Lake (4,200 m), and 9 km on day 2 over the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m). The distances are short, but the altitude makes every climb slow.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clear skies and firm trails; nights at camp are cold, especially from June to August. From December to March rain, mud and cloud are frequent, and snow is possible on the high passes.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,600 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF. Nights at camp can drop below freezing, so pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $150 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $142 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $135 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Moderate, but at high altitude: the distances are short, yet every climb is slow above 4,000 m. Spend at least two days in Cusco first.
In cabins at Soraypampa, at about 3,850 m. Bring or rent a warm sleeping bag: nights are cold.
No. It returns to Cusco on day two. To continue to Machu Picchu, see the 4-day Salkantay trek.
Transport, a bilingual guide, the Humantay and Salkantay entrances, poles, coca tea and the cabin night. Extra meals and the sleeping bag are not included.
