Humantay Lake & Salkantay Pass Tour 2D/1N (with domes)

Itinerary of the Sky Camp & Humantay Lake Tour 2D/1N

DAY 1:

CUSCO | CHALLACANCHA-SORAYPAMPA-SKY CAMP-HUMANTAY LAKE

• Pick-up from the hotel at approximately 4:00 a.m.
• Drive for 3 hours passing through Anta and Mollepata, where we will stop to have breakfast. We then continue until reaching Challacancha, the starting point of the hike.
• Around 9:30 a.m., we begin the hike towards Soraypampa (3,869 m / 12,690 ft), with a duration of approximately 3 hours. (7 km / 4.35 miles)
• Lunch in Soraypampa.
• Continue the hike towards Humantay Lagoon (4,221 m / 13,845 ft), approximately 3 hours round trip (5 km / 3.1 miles).
• Visit to Humantay Lagoon.
• Return to camp and rest.
• Overnight at Soraypampa Sky Camp.

INITIAL ALTITUDE: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft

HUMANTAY LAGOON ALTITUDE: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft

CAMP ALTITUDE: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft

Hike Difficulty: Moderate, with approximately 6 hours of total hiking, divided into two segments: around 3 hours before lunch and another 3 hours after lunch.

DAY 2:

SORAYPAMPA | SKY CAMP-ABRA SALKANTAY-SORAYPAMPA-CUSCO

• Wake up at 5:30 a.m. to start the day with an energizing breakfast.
• We begin the hike ascending along the trail known as “The path of the 7 serpents” until reaching the highest point of the route: the Salkantay Pass (4,638 m / 15,213 ft).
• From the Salkantay Pass, we start descending along an exciting trail that takes us to Soroycocha, where we will enjoy lunch.
• After lunch, we continue descending to the Sky Camp in Soraypampa.
• After a 30-minute walk, transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
• Arrival in Cusco at approximately 6:00 p.m.

SALKANTAY PASS ALTITUDE: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft

HIKING DISTANCE: 14 km / 8.7 miles

Hike Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Total hiking duration: approximately 7 hours.

The price of the Tour Sky Camp & Humantay Lake 2D/1N includes:

Pre-departure briefing

• Transportation Cusco–Challacancha and Soraypampa–Cusco
• Expert guide in English and Spanish
• Entrance to Humantay Lagoon and Salkantay

Meals:

• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner
• Water for the hike
• Wake-up tea
• Tea time or Happy Hour
• Daily snacks on the route. A cloth snack bag (per person)
• Two breakfasts, two lunches, and one dinner. (Special menus, vegetarian or vegan available at no additional cost)

Accommodation:

• 1 night in Sky Camp. Double domes with shared bathrooms, no showers.

Other inclusions:

• Limited electricity in the domes: Day 1 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Day 2 from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Sleeping bag
• Trekking pole
• First aid kit and oxygen available upon request with the guide in case of emergency.

The price of the Salkantay & Humantay Lake 2D/1N Tour does not include:

• Personal clothing and equipment
• Travel insurance
• Horseback ride from Soraypampa to Humantay Lagoon or Salkantay Pass (optional)
• Dinner on Day 2

What to bring for the Salkantay & Humantay Lake Tour 2D/1N?

Documents and money

  • Valid passport

  • Extra money (recommended in soles)

Health and personal care

  • Personal medication

  • Sunscreen 70+ or higher

  • Insect repellent

  • Water bottle or camelback + purification tablets

Clothing

  • Hiking boots/shoes (preferably waterproof)

  • Light footwear

  • Socks

  • Thermal pants

  • Hiking pants

  • Shorts

  • Long-sleeve shirts

  • Short-sleeve shirts

  • Thermal jacket

  • Waterproof jacket

  • Rain poncho

  • Neck scarf or buff

  • Wool or waterproof gloves

  • Wool hat

  • Hat that protects face and neck

Accessories and gear

  • Sunglasses with UV protection

  • Medium hiking backpack (15 to 25 liters)

  • Snacks: energy bars, chocolate, nuts, etc.

  • Camera with charger

  • Power bank

  • Flashlight and batteries

Considerations for the Salkantay & Humantay Lake Tour 2D/1N: 

• The seating arrangement on the transport is random, based on the order of arrival and pickup
• The streets of the city are narrow, which limits vehicular access to certain places; in this case the guide will suggest a nearby point to pass by looking for you and enjoy the tour.
• You must be in reasonable physical condition to do the tour.
• If the reservation is made by 1 person, it is likely that you will have to share the dome with another person. If you want a private dome, please ask us the price difference.
• It is important that you enjoy a few days in Cusco before doing the Tour; only then your body will be adapted to the altitude of the region.
• This tour is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Adults over 60 years of age should be aware that this activity requires a good physical condition.
• Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not Allowed:

• Pets.
• Smoke.
• Large suitcases or bags.

Not recommended for:

• People with heart problems, back problems, asthma or high blood pressure.
• People in wheelchairs.
• Pregnant women.

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cancellation Policy

• More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 20% of the total amount
• Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 40% of the total amount
• Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount

Date changes

• More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 5% of the total amount
• Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 10% of the total amount
• Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount
• Subject to availability.
• There will be no refunds in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.

We want to be part of the experience that you will live in the Humantay Lake & Salkantay Tour 2D/1N (with domes).

If you are still wondering why choose us, we would like you to read 7 outstanding features of our service:

1.  QUALITY: When you go to a teacher, it is because you want to answer all the questions. When it comes to travel, money, time and enjoyment there is a lot to solve and that's what Guru Explorers is all about, giving you the perfect balance for the adventure you DESERVE.
2.  EXPERIENCE: To become Guru Explorers, we are still world travelers, but experts in Cusco, Lima, and the most important destinations in Peru. We experienced bad and good experiences, finding that in the details is the difference, that's why we know what elements are essential for your trip, we are travelers and we strive to enhance your experience!
3.  TRANSPARENCY: We are here to provide you with the best information and description of our tours. We are not in favor of hidden costs. We provide the necessary information so you can choose the inclusions or upgrades you are looking for.
4.  SAFETY: You trust us with your time, your money and your expectations and that is why we fine-tune every detail to guarantee the trip you dream of.
5.  FLEXIBILITY: Although we have pre-established packages; we adapt to your needs and make tailor-made plans for you to visit any place in Peru, with the expertise of a Guru Explorers. We adapt trips for special occasions such as your corporate travel, honeymoon, birthday, social, cultural or sporting event in your visit to Peru, offering you complete advice to achieve and exceed your expectations.
6.  PASSION: Before being tour guides, we are travelers, explorers, adventurers; that makes us passionate about creating the best experiences in the time you invest for you and those you love.
7.  SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: We promote Responsible and Sustainable Tourism without affecting the traveler, nor exploiting the communities that receive us or their environment. We create experiences that are more humane and respectful of heritage.

Want a different trip? We won't keep you waiting!

¿ What is the level of difficulty of the Humantay Lake Hike?

At Guru Explorers, we categorize this hike as MODERATE. The physical effort is not so demanding, although we recommend using hiking poles.

Due to the altitude of the region we suggest you be acclimatized with at least 2 days in Cusco to avoid respiratory problems.

¿ It is possible to do the Humantay Lake tour on horseback.?

Yes, at the base of the beginning of the hike you will have horseback transportation services. The owners, local people, will accompany you as muleteers along the way.

In high season it is difficult to find available horses due to the demand. The approximate price to hire this service round trip is approximately 100 Peruvian soles. (~30 USD - payment is in cash and in Peruvian Soles).

¿ What is the weather like during the Humantay Lake Tour?

The cold season is between May and October, and the rainiest months are between November and April. However, the weather at high altitude is unpredictable, from sunny, windy, cold, to rain out of the blue.

We recommend that you plan your clothing to withstand the weather conditions. The sun is usually intense during the morning and part of the afternoon and the temperature can range from -5 to 18 °C.

¿ What luggage should I bring to the Humantay Tour??

No suitcases or large bags are allowed. However, you may bring a backpack for basic items such as water, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, among others.

¿ What is the difference between group service and private service?

In the group service you share the experience with a small group of passengers, all departing from Cusco and being picked up at their respective lodgings. The private service is personalized and has the option to leave earlier to avoid other groups of tourists, also, the tour will be at your pace and you can customize the experience on special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, family trip, among others.