The Humantay Lagoon is one of the natural landscapes that most tourists want to see in Cusco – Peru. Just a few kilometers away is the Salkantay Pass, the highest pass for hikers close to the imposing snow-capped mountain. The 2-day Humantay Lagoon tour is the most complete service that includes a visit to these two tourist destinations. The tour includes everything you need, even a night in an eco lodge in the cold Cusco mountains. Find out what is included, the itinerary and the prices of this incredible tour!
Tour details
- Duration: 2 days.
- Includes: hotel pick-up, full transportation, guide, entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, dinner and one night in an eco lodge.
- Not included: horse transportation.
- Payment: 100% secure online with credit or debit cards.
- Confirmation: immediate.
- Safety: Complies with all protocols for safe travel.
- Entrance: entrance to Humantay.
- Group: 16 tourists maximum.
Summary
| Difficulty |  |
| Walking distance | 24 kilometers (14.9 miles). |
| Maximum altitude | Abra Salkantay (4,600 msnm). |
| Minimum altitude | Mollepata (2,803 meters above sea level). |
| Maximum temperature during the tour | Mollepata (from 15oC to 21oC). |
| Minimum temperature during the tour | Soraypampa (from 0oC. to 10oC.). |
| Breakfast | At the tourist restaurant in Mollepata on day 1 and at the Soraypampa camp on day 2. |
| Lunch | At the Soraypampa camp on day 2 and at a tourist restaurant in Mollepata on day 2 (buffet type). |
| Itinerary | |
Day 1 Cusco | Humantay LagoonSoraypampa
Day 2 Soraypampa | Abra Salkantay | Cusco
| |
Itinerary
Cusco | Humantay LagoonSoraypampa
Pick up and from Cusco to Mollepata
- The tour to the Humantay lagoon begins at approximately 5 am with the pick-up of visitors from their hotel in the city of Cusco.
- Then, aboard a tourist minivan, the trip is made by tourist transport for approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to Mollepata.
Breakfast and start of the walk
- In Mollepata we will stop for breakfast.
- Then, after a short ride on tourist transport, the walk to Soraypampa begins (approximately 3 hours).
Walk to the Humantay lagoon
- In Soraypampa we will settle in the tourist lodge and have lunch.
- In the afternoon, from Soraypampa, the final walk to the Humantay lagoon begins.
- This hike is 2 kilometers long but takes between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours due to its ascending paths. Tourists can optionally rent a horse.
Free time at the Humantay lagoon
- At the Humantay lagoon we will get incredible photos. The guide will accompany us throughout our adventure.
Return to Soraypampa and trip to Mollepata
- We will then return (by the same route) to the Soraypampa camp. In the afternoon we will have dinner. Finally we will rest in the camp, which is equipped for the low temperatures (sleeping bag not included).
Soraypampa | Abra Salkantay | Cusco
Breakfast and hike to the Salkantay pass
- At around 5 am we will have breakfast at the Soraypampa camp.
- Then we will get ready to hike to the Salkantay pass, a challenge of approximately 8 kilometers uphill (3 hours on average)
- Tourists can optionally request a horse to complete the route.
Visit the open Salkantay
- At the Salkantay pass we will have time to take incredible photos. It is the highest point of the entire route, at about 4,600 meters above sea level.
- The tour guide will always accompany us on the route.
Return and buffet lunch
- At the time indicated by the guide we will return to the Soraypampa camp by the same route we took to climb (now the route will be downhill)
- In Soraypampa we will board the tourist transport to take us back to the town of Mollepata (approximately 1 hour trip)
- In the town of Mollepata we will enjoy a buffet lunch in one of the town’s tourist restaurants.
Final return to Cusco
- In the town of Mollepata we will take the tourist transport again to make the final trip back to the city of Cusco (route of approximately 2 hours 30 minutes)
- The tour ends at the hotel or in a central square in the city of Cusco at approximately 5 pm.
What is included and not included in the 2-day Humantay Lagoon tour
Here’s what’s included and not included on the all-inclusive 1-day Humantay Lagoon tour:
| What’s included? | What’s not included? | Optional on the tour* | What should I bring? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pick up from hotel. | Pick up from the airport. | Horses to reach the lagoon. | Comfortable clothing for trekking (in layers). |
| Full transport. | Horses to reach the Humantay lagoon. | Horses to reach the Salkantay pass. | Poncho in case of rain. |
| Professional guide (Spanish or English). | Horses to reach the Salkantay pass. | Coca tea on the road. | Gloves. |
| Entrance to the lagoon. | Snacks and drinks. | Beers on the road. | Durable trekking shoes. |
| Food (breakfast, lunch and dinner). | Phone calls. | Tour guide in another language (private). | Sleeping bag. |
| Tourist lodge camp. | Accident insurance. | Hot shower. | Documents and cash. |
Frequently asked questions
These are the most popular questions and answers asked by tourists interested in taking the 2-day all-inclusive tour to Humantay Lagoon.
1. Is it possible to cancel this tour?
Yes, to do so you must send an email to info@caminoincamachupicchu.org. The deadline is 3 days before the start of the tour. Cancellation of the tour has a penalty of 35% of the tour value (65% refund).
2. Can I make changes if I have already purchased the tour?
Yes, you must send a simple request to info@caminoincamachupicchu.org. The deadline is 3 days before the tour. The available modifications are for changing the date or changing the tour holders. A change can only be made once and there is a penalty of 25% of the tour value (from 3 to 5 days). If the change is made 5 days or more, there is no penalty.
3. What is the difference between the 1-day and 2-day tours to Humantay Lagoon?
The 1-day tour only includes a visit to the Humantay lagoon. The 2-day tour adds a visit to the Salkantay pass. This last tour includes a night in a tourist lodge in the high mountains of Cusco.
4. Is there little availability on the tour?
The tour has wide availability. The tour can be purchased days in advance.
5. What is the weather like on the 2-day tour to Humantay Lagoon?
The climate during the tour is temperate – cold with temperatures ranging from 15ºC during the day to 0ºC at night. From November to March is the rainy season. From April to October is the dry season.
6. What is the best time to take the 2-day tour to Humantay?
The 2-day Humantay Lagoon tour can be done all year round. A good time to do it is during Cusco’s dry season (April to October).
7. Is the tour available all year round?
Yes, the 2-day tour to Humantay Lagoon can be done all year round.
8. Is the tour safe?
Yes, the tour is safe. Visitors are only recommended to be over 8 years old and enjoy hiking. Seniors should be in good health, especially heart health.
9. What is the price of the 2-day tour to Humantay lagoon?
Check our prices on the website.
10. Does the tour include meals?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast (day 1 and day 2), lunch (day 1 and day 2) as well as dinner (day 1). All meals are made with Andean ingredients and include dishes from Peruvian cuisine.
11. In what language is the tour conducted?
The 2-day Humantay Lagoon tour is conducted with a shared tour guide service in Spanish or English. For a tour in another language you must request a private tour at info@caminoincamachupicchu.org.
12. How to hire a horse for this tour?
Horses are optional to complete the routes to the Humantay lagoon (2 kilometers) and the Salkantay pass (8 kilometers). These can be hired in the same place with the muleteers who own the horses. Prices are negotiable (between 60 and 120 soles approximately).
We are part of MACHUPICCHU TERRA, Travel agency and tour operator authorized to operate the Inca Trail and other hiking routes in Cusco. Our authorization code is "CI1578".
We have the certificate CALTUR, which recognizes the application of good management practices for the service of travel and tourism agencies. We offer a proven quality service!
Machupicchu Terra received the ‘Safe Travels’ seal for its compliance with all the control and prevention protocols against Covid 19. Travel in complete safety!