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Salkantay and Humantay
2 Days · Glaciers and turquoise lake

A two-day trek to Humantay Lake and the Salkantay Pass beneath the glaciers. From $150 per person.

Full Day · 12 h
4,650 m
Moderate
4.9 · 465 reviews
Max 14 travelers
Breakfast & Buffet Lunch
Meals
Up to 14 People
Group Size
4,650 m
Max Altitude
Moderate
Difficulty
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About this tour

Discover the Humantay Lake and the Salkantay Glacier on this 2-day trek with INKANET ADVENTURE, beneath the towering Salkantay mountain.

Hike to the turquoise Humantay Lake (4,200 m), sleep in cozy cabins, then climb to the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m) for glacier views before returning to Cusco — a perfect short Andean escape.

2 Days
Duration
4,650 m
Max altitude
Moderate
Difficulty
Max 14
Group size

Tour Highlights

Read our complete guide: Salkantay and Humantay 2 DaysRoute, difficulty, best time and insider tips

Turquoise Humantay Lake

Hike to the glacial Humantay Lake (4,200 m), its turquoise water framed by snow-capped mountains.

Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m

Cross the legendary Salkantay Pass beneath glaciers and the towering 6,271 m peak of Salkantay, a National Geographic top trek.

Diverse Andean ecosystems

Pass from high glaciers and alpine plains into lush cloud forest alive with orchids, waterfalls and birdlife.

Gourmet trail meals

Enjoy fresh breakfasts, lunches and dinners prepared by your chef, with vegetarian options on request.

Expert bilingual guides

Travel with certified guides fluent in English and Spanish who bring Inca history and nature to life.

Safety and support

Horses, muleteers, oxygen and a first aid kit support you the whole way for a safe, rewarding trek.

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 (4,650 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
4,650 m / 15,367 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

The hike is rated moderate: 3 hours uphill + 1.5 hours back down. If you can walk steadily for 4–5 hours at home, you'll be fine. Horses are available at the trailhead (~ US $20) if needed.

Best time to go

Dry season: April to October. Skies are clearer, trails firm, colors most vibrant. Avoid the rainy season (Dec–Mar), when colors mute under cloud cover. We run tours year-round but recommend the dry months.

Sun & weather

The Andean sun is intense at 5,000 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers. Pre-dawn is below freezing; midday can hit 18°C in the sun.

Cancellations & weather

Free cancellation up to 30 days before the tour. In case of dangerous weather (snowstorms, road closures), we'll offer a free reschedule or full refund. Safety always comes first.

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.
  • Warm layers — fleece + thermal base. Pre-dawn below 0°C.
  • Wind & rain jacket — weather changes fast.
  • Beanie & gloves — your extremities will thank you.
  • Sun hat + sunglasses — UV at altitude is brutal.
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+ + lip balm with SPF.
  • Reusable water bottle 1–1.5 L.
  • Daypack 20–25 L — light, comfortable.
  • Peruvian soles in cash — for entrance tickets, snacks & tips.

Nice to Have

  • Camera + extra battery — cold drains batteries fast.
  • Snacks — energy bars, dried fruit, nuts.
  • Coca leaves or candy — helps with altitude.
  • Personal medication + altitude pills (if prescribed).
  • Microfiber towel — handy for sweat or rain.
  • Trekking poles — useful for descent (we provide if needed).
  • Travel insurance card — emergency contacts.
  • First-aid items — band-aids, blister patches, ibuprofen.

Pricing & group rates

Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.

Group TypeGroup SizePrice / PersonWhat's Different
Shared Group
Most popular
2 – 14 travelersUS $150 / ppMixed international group · set departure
Family Package4+ adults & kidsUS $142 / pp5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+8 or more travelersFrom US $135 / ppAutomatic 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.

Free cancellation

Full refund for cancellations 30+ days before. 50% refund 15–29 days before. Weather-related cancellations from our side = full refund or free reschedule.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.

The Salkantay Trek is challenging due to high altitude and the steep climb to the Salkantay Pass. Good fitness and proper acclimatization in Cusco are recommended.
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared fresh by our chef each day, with vegetarian and special diets available on request.
Acclimatize in Cusco for a day or two, hydrate well, eat light and avoid alcohol. We carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout the trek.
Sturdy hiking boots, warm layers, a rain jacket, hat and gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, a water bottle and your original passport.
From
$150 / pp
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