Soraypampa

Your professional tour guide will pick you up at your homestay, hostel or hotel in Cusco between 3:30 AM and 4:00 AM. After a 2-hour drive, you will arrive in Mollepata where we will stop for breakfast and pick up water and snacks for the trek. After breakfast, travel 1 more hour to Soraypampa. Once you arrive at this high mountain plateau, admire the beautiful mountains Apu Salkantay (6,230 meters above sea level) and Humantay (5,250 meters above sea level) above sea level. The tour itself reaches an altitude of 4,200 meters. After a short time preparing your day pack you will start the 2-hour trek to Humantay Lake. The way up to Humantay Lake is steep however your group is small and your guide will let you take your time to enjoy the trek.  Enjoy the views of Humantay Lake and enjoy an optional small climb above the lake to the right or left where you can enjoy a panoramic view.  Next, you will have the easy part of your trek. Go downhill to Soraypampa for another hour. Then you will take your private transportation back to Mollepata where a local lunch will be waiting for you. Once you finish your buffet lunch you will go back to Cusco arriving between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM at the drop-off near Plaza de Armas.

Join the Ultimate Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu—a journey that goes beyond just seeing the sights. Imagine walking through the heart of the Andes, surrounded by lakes, sacred mountains, stunning landscapes, and trails filled with ancient stories. Every step brings you closer to the magic of Machu Picchu and gives you a deeper connection with nature. This trek isn’t just an adventure; it’s an experience that challenges and transforms you. Day 1: Cusco Humantay Lake - SalkaGlamp Campsite Begin your adventure with an early 4:30 am pickup, followed by a 3-hour scenic drive to the trailhead. After a hearty breakfast, meet your dedicated team and start your hike to Soraypampa (3,800 m) in about 3 hours. Relish a well-deserved lunch, then trek 2 hours to Humantay Lake (4,200 m) for stunning views. Continue another 2 hours to the cozy Salka-Glamp campsite at 4,150 m, where you'll end the day with a delicious dinner beneath a star-lit sky. Day 2: Salka Glamp - Salkantay Pass - Cloud Forest Wake up with fresh coffee or coca tea, then embark on a 2-hour hike up to the highest point of the trek at 4,630 m. Take in breathtaking views and visit a nearby lake before descending for 3 hours to Wayracmachay for a rewarding lunch. Continue 3 hours down through changing landscapes and climates, ending at the Collpapampa campsite (2,770 m) beside a local village. Day 3: Campsite - Pachamanca Barbecue - Llactapata After breakfast, journey through scenic trails, crossing wooden bridges and passing waterfalls and plantations, leading to Lucmabamba (2,000 m) for a traditional Pachamanca Barbecue lunch. Visit organic coffee farms, then set off on a 3-hour hike along the ancient Inca Trail to Llactapata (2,750 m), an Inca site with views of Machu Picchu. Camp with a panoramic view of the iconic citadel. Day 4: Llactapata - Hydroelectrica - Aguas Calientes Start your morning with a view of Machu Picchu from your tent and a freshly brewed coffee. Descend for 2 hours to the hydroelectric station, enjoying a final brunch with your team. Then, take a 3-hour hike along the railway and Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, with a stop to explore the Mandor Botanical Gardens, rich in birdlife and orchids. Check into your hotel in Aguas Calientes, and spend the evening exploring or relaxing at the hot springs, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco The highlight of your trek awaits—Machu Picchu! After an early breakfast, take one of the first buses up to witness sunrise over this wonder of the world. Enjoy a 2-3 hour guided tour uncovering the secrets of Machu Picchu, and if you wish, hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Afterward, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, retrieve your belongings, and board the Panoramic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private van to Cusco, arriving around 7:30 pm.

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lagoon Begin your adventure with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco. After a 2.5-hour drive, stop in Mollepata to enjoy a delicious breakfast. Continue to Challacancha, the starting point of your hike. Walk for 3 hours to the Soraypampa base camp, located at 3900 meters (12,800 feet). Enjoy a nutritious lunch and then head towards the famous Humantay Lagoon (4220m / 13850 feet). Admire the incredible views along the 1.5-hour walk. Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa Start your day with a breakfast and then hike to the highest point, the Abra Salkantay, where you will enjoy stunning views of the snow-capped mountains of the high Andes, including Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. Pass through Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha, discover a beautiful small lake, and then begin your descent towards Huarachmachay. Have lunch and continue your descent to your camp in Collpapampa. Day 3: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba After breakfast, begin your 5.5-hour hike through the Peruvian jungle, navigating many ascents and descents. This part of the walk takes you through the cloud forest, where you will discover several coffee plantations, orchids, and many natural plants used for medicinal purposes. Arrive at your lunch point to rest a little and take a tour of the coffee. Spend the night in your jungle camp. Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Hot Waters After breakfast, prepare for the next part of your trekking adventure. Walk a part of the original Inca Trail and ascend the Inca Trail, enjoying the beautiful views of the Santa Teresa Valley. After a 2.5-hour climb, arrive at the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata. Your local guide will share his knowledge about the history of this place. In addition, have the opportunity to see Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain for the first time. Descend for lunch and then continue your hike to Hidroeléctrica. Choose to walk to Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours or take a train for an additional fee. Upon arrival we will have dinner and overnight stay. Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco Wake up early, around 4:30 AM, to have a packed breakfast. Begin your hike to Machu Picchu, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. Descend for 30 minutes to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, where you must show your original passport, Machu Picchu tickets, and student ID if you are a student. After crossing Puente Ruinas, climb the stairs for about an hour to reach the main gate of Machu Picchu by 6:00 AM. Store your bags while you are in Machu Picchu, as large backpacks are not allowed inside Machu Picchu. There is also a bus option from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, which takes approximately 30 minutes and has an additional cost. In Machu Picchu you will have a 2.5 hour guided tour. During this tour you will learn about the history and culture of this impressive Andean paradise.

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a popular alternative to the Inca Trail. It is considered by many to be the best alternative route due to the natural beauty found along the trail and the lack of crowds. Because it is a more remote and rugged route, the Salkantay Trek has significantly fewer people than the Inca Trail. With breathtaking and inspiring views, this less traveled trail is invaluable. It is truly, as the Incas called it, sacred. If you are looking for an adventure in Peru, consider the “Salkantay Trek” as an option to reach Machu Picchu. Day 1: Humantay Lake We’ll pick you up at 4 a.m., and after a bit of rest in our comfortable transport, we’ll stop in Mollepata for breakfast. Then, we’ll start the hike from Challacancha to Soraypampa, where you'll settle in at our private camp. After lunch and some rest, you’ll hike up to the stunning Humantay Lake (4200 m). Back at camp, enjoy a delicious dinner with a beautiful sunset and a peaceful atmosphere. Day 2: Salkantay Pass At dawn, you'll be woken up with coca tea, and after breakfast, you'll begin the trek to Salkantay Pass (4630 m) via the challenging "Trail of the 7 Snakes." At the top, you'll enjoy stunning views of Salkantay (6271 m). After a long day, you'll reach Collpapampa (2950 m) for dinner and a restful night in the cozy DOMES. Day 3: Cocalmayo Hot Springs You’ll be woken at 6 a.m. for tea and breakfast before heading out from camp towards La Playa, walking through the Santa Teresa Valley. After lunch at camp, you can choose to visit the Cocalmayo hot springs for a relaxing soak, or simply unwind at camp. Later, enjoy tea, dinner, and a group bonfire. At night, settle into your cozy Dome, drifting off to the sounds of nature and gazing at the stars through the dome roof. Day 4: Llactapata Trek After a filling breakfast, you'll be eager to start your final day of trekking, including a section of the original Inca Trail. After a 2-hour uphill climb, you'll reach Llactapata (2700 m), an archaeological site with views of Machu Picchu. Then, you'll descend for 2 hours, catching glimpses of the citadel before stopping for lunch in Hidroeléctrica. Finally, you’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes, check into your hostel, and enjoy dinner at 7:00 p.m. as you prepare for the highlight of the trip: Machu Picchu! Day 5: Machu Picchu Today, you'll finally visit Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World! After a 1.5-hour guided tour of the ancient site, you’ll have free time to explore. You can hike Huayna Picchu (2720 m) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3000 m), or visit the Sun Gate (2729 m) or Inca Bridge.

The tour starts from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am approx, depending on your hotel location the pickup time will be quite different. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as we make our way toward Humantay Lake! We'll begin by boarding our tourist transport and traveling by car for approximately 2 hours until we arrive at the charming community of Mollepata. There, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast to fuel up for the rest of the journey. From Mollepata, we'll continue on towards Humantay Lagoon, leaving the main road behind and taking a dirt road that winds through beautiful landscapes, canyons, and cloud forests. Keep an eye out for the breathtaking Salkantay Glacier, which is the second-largest glacier in the Cusco region. After another hour on the road, we'll finally arrive at Soraypampa, where the true adventure begins. Get ready to experience the stunning beauty of Humantay Lake and all that the surrounding area has to offer! After arriving at the last car stop in Soraypampa, the group will embark on a roughly 1.5-hour walk to reach the stunning turquoise lake of Humantay. The duration of the hike is an average estimate and may vary depending on your pace. However, there's no need to worry as you can walk at your own speed. Keep in mind that this hike is a bit more challenging than the Rainbow Mountain tour, so it's recommended to take frequent breaks to avoid getting exhausted easily. Upon reaching the magnificent Humantay Lake, the tour guide will provide the group with relevant information about the site. You will then have around 40 minutes of free time to explore the area before heading back to the parking lot. Finally, at the end of the Humantay Lake Tour, you return to Cusco where our transportation will take you to the city center (05:00 pm approx) or if it is in private service, to your respective hotel. End of services Emergency numbers: +51 979300796 /+51 983784029

Start your day with an early morning departure from Cusco, heading towards Mollepata, where a delicious breakfast awaits to energize you for the adventure ahead. After breakfast, continue your journey to Soraypampa, taking in breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains, including the imposing Salkantay Mountain, which rises to 6,230 meters above sea level. Next, embark on a scenic 3-kilometer hike to the mesmerizing Humantay Lagoon, a trek that takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Upon reaching the lagoon, marvel at its striking turquoise waters and take a well-deserved break while immersing yourself in this unforgettable natural spectacle. On your return to Soraypampa, relax in our comfortable transport and soak in the stunning landscapes along the way. Then, savor a delicious local lunch before making your way back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lake – SalkaGlamp Basecamp Start early with a 4:30 AM pickup. After breakfast in Mollepata, hike 3 hours to Soraypampa, where a fresh lunch awaits. Then, enjoy a 2-hour climb to Humantay Lake’s turquoise beauty at 4,200 m, with stunning Andean views and possible wildlife sightings. Afterward, head to SalkaGlamp at 3,900 m for your glamping experience—complete with tea, dinner, and a peaceful night under the stars. Day 2: SalkaGlamp – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa Start your day with coffee or coca tea brought to your glamping tent. Step outside to stunning views of plains and snow-capped peaks. After a hearty breakfast, hike 2 hours to the trek’s highest point—Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m (15,190 ft). Take in the breathtaking landscapes and serene lake beneath Salkantay Mountain. From here, descend 3 hours to Wayracmachay (3,800 m) for a well-earned lunch. Then, trek another 3 hours down into the cloud forest, where vibrant flowers, hummingbirds, and orchids await. By evening, reach Collpapampa (2,770 m) to relax in cozy jungle huts, enjoy a hot shower, and rest in a comfortable bed. Day 3: Collpapampa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes This is the highlight of your Salkantay adventure! After breakfast, enjoy a 3-hour scenic hike to Lucmabamba (2,000 m), where you’ll help prepare a traditional Pachamanca barbecue—a unique Peruvian feast cooked with hot stones. After lunch, visit an organic coffee farm to learn about coffee-making and try your hand at brewing espresso from fresh beans. Then, take a short drive to Hidroelectrica and hike 3 hours to Aguas Calientes, surrounded by lush scenery as you approach Machu Picchu. Arrive around 5:00 p.m. for dinner and a cozy night in a local hotel, ready for tomorrow’s big adventure! Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco Get ready for the ultimate highlight of your adventure: Machu Picchu! Start bright and early with a 5:30 a.m. bus ride to the ancient citadel. As the first light touches the ruins, you’ll enjoy incredible views and, if the skies are clear, the unforgettable sight of sunrise over the Lost City of the Incas. Your guide will lead a fascinating 2-3 hour tour, sharing the history and mysteries of this magical place. Afterward, take time to wander on your own, or, if you've booked in advance, tackle Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for breathtaking views. When you’re ready, head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Then, relax on the scenic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo, where our team will be waiting to take you back to your hotel, wrapping up this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

The journey begins at your hotel in Cusco. Our transfer will visit you very early between 4:00 and 5:00 in the morning. We will embark on a approximately two and a half hour car ride to the town of Mollepata in the province of Anta, where we can enjoy a delicious breakfast and gather the necessary provisions. After breakfast, we will continue our journey for about an hour and a half by car. The road we will take is a dirt road until we reach the community of Soraypampa, located at an altitude of 3900 meters above sea level. During the trip, we will see beautiful landscapes and the impressive "Salkantay" snow-capped mountain. From Soraypampa, we will start a 2 km hike. The path is ascending and it will take us around 1 and a half to two hours, during the hike, we will witness panoramic views of snow-covered mountains, stunning natural landscapes, and a great diversity of flora and fauna until we reach the "Humantay Lagoon" at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level. The "Humantay Lagoon" has a turquoise color due to the minerals at the bottom, and you can see the reflection of the sky in its waters. The lagoon is fed by the glaciers of the mountain and is considered a natural jewel. In addition to enjoying the Humantay Lagoon, we will be able to admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, such as the Salkantay snow-capped mountain, which was considered the most sacred mountain during the Inca times, a millennial space in honor of Pachamama, Mother Earth. Once you reach the lagoon, you can take part in a ceremony by placing stones to express gratitude for your arrival in this magical place. Our guide will accompany you around the lagoon and share other interesting information. After our visit, we will descend on foot to the community of Soraypampa, where we will enjoy a delicious Andean lunch. After lunch, we will begin the return journey to the city of Cusco. Our tour ends at approximately 6:30 in the evening, conclude our one-day hike to the Laguna Humantay.

check with us the availability of the entrance to machu picchu before making your reservation. Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa - Laguna Humantay We start with the pick up from the hotel in Cusco at 5 am and head to Mollepata for 2 hours where we will have breakfast (not included). Then we continue by van for 1 hour more to Challakancha where we will meet the horsemen and the horse that will carry all the luggage, food and the 5 kilos of belongings of each hiker. We start the trek to Soraypampa for 4 hours we arrive for our first lunch. Then in the afternoon we will visit the Humantay Lagoon with a 4 hour round trip hike, you will also have time to take pictures. After returning to camp we will have dinner and then rest at your designated campsite. Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Collpapampa or Chaullay Wake up at dawn with a cup of energizing coca tea to get you going. Enjoy a nutritious breakfast before starting the hike to the highest point of the route, the Salkantay Pass at 4630m. Hike 7km for 3 hours. It is a difficult climb up to the “Trail of the 7 Serpents”, which takes its name from its winding path. Once at the top, you will appreciate the most magnificent view over the surrounding valleys, as well as the snow-capped Salkantay right next to it (6271m), which is the second highest in the Cusco region and one of the Apus (Inca gods). We will descend down a rocky and gravel road to the lunch spot. We will have an energizing lunch at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, also known as the “Cloud Forest”. After lunch we will descend for 4 hours to our campsite for dinner and rest after such an exhausting day. Day 3: Collpapampa - Lucmabamba - hot springs Cocalmayo This day, we will wake up at 5:00 a.m. for breakfast before heading through the Santa Teresa Valley to La Playa. There we will have lunch at the campsite. In the afternoon, we will plan a visit to the hot springs of Cocalmayo for a relaxing bath or just to rest at the camp. Finally, you will enjoy dinner and a group campfire. Afterwards, you will return to your room to rest. Day 4: Lucmabamba - llaqtapata - Aguas calientes. After a hearty breakfast, you will be eager to begin your last day of hiking, walking along part of the original Inca trail. After a 2-hour climb, you will arrive at Llactapata (2,700 m), an archaeological site overlooking Machu Picchu. After the visit, you will descend for 2 hours to Hidroeléctrica for lunch. Finally, you will walk to Aguas Calientes, check into your accommodation and have dinner with the group at 19:00. Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco After breakfast, you will climb all the stairs for an hour to the main gate of Machu Picchu to be there around 6:00 am. At Machu Picchu you will have a guided tour for 2 hours. You must return to Cusco after visiting Machu Picchu our return according to your reservation.

Day 1: Departure from Cusco at 4:30 in the morning to Mollepata for breakfast, and then to Challacancha to meet with the muleteers. Hike 4 hours to Soraypampa camp for lunch. After lunch, 1.5 hour hike uphill to Humantay Lake and return to camp for dinner and overnight. Day 2: Start with an early breakfast, then hike for approximately 3.5 hours to the Salkantay pass at 4615 m, which offers panoramic views of Salkantay and other peaks. After the guide's explanation, descend to Wayracpampa at 3900 m for lunch. After lunch, the route passes from Andean landscape to high jungle, culminating at Colpapampa camp at 2800 m. Day 3: Early start with a descent to Playa Sawayaco at 1900 m, hiking through the rainforest. After lunch at Playa Sawayaco and saying goodbye to the muleteers and horses, transfer to Santa Teresa at 1550 m, and continuation to the hydroelectric plant. A 3-hour hike along the train track takes you to Aguas Calientes at 1950m for the night. Day 4: Rise at 4:00 am for a 1.5 hour hike to Machu Picchu at 2400m. After check-in, enjoy a 1.5 hour guided tour of the site. Free time to explore Machu Picchu, then return to Aguas Calientes at 1950 m. Pick up luggage and take a train to Ollantaytambo, followed by a transfer to Cusco.