Fantastic holiday, a real adventure. We saw sights I had only dreamed about. Every day there was something new to wonder at, from…
Anonymous | Traveled in MayTwo glacier lakes. A sacred 6,271-meter mountain directly above your bed. A high-alpine pass at 4,650 m where the air is thin and the views stretch across three snow-capped peaks. And you sleep — on a real bed, with a hot shower and a private bathroom — in a sky dome at the foot of the Salkantay glacier.
This is a two-day version of the most iconic mountain route in the Cusco region, designed for travelers who want the raw, high-altitude Andean experience without a five-day commitment. It is not a watered-down version of anything. Day one takes you to Humantay Lake — a vivid turquoise glacial pool that most people consider the single most visually striking moment of their entire Peru trip. Day two crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m and drops to the Salkantay Lake on a side route that almost nobody else walks.
Machu Picchu Peru Lovers runs this route with a maximum of 8 hikers, a dedicated cook team, a horseman crew from the highland communities near the trailhead, and a campsite at altitude that is several levels above anything the word “camping” usually implies.
No government permits. No booking deadlines. Available any date with a minimum of 2 participants.
Day highlight: Standing at the edge of Humantay Lake with the glacier directly above — one of the most visually striking single moments on any route in the Cusco region
The van picks up from your Cusco hotel at 4:30 AM. The route passes through the highland communities of Iscuchaca and Limatambo — quiet towns at altitude, still mostly dark at that hour, with the distinctive architecture and street-level life of highland Andean communities. Later, as the light comes up, Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m) appears above the valley.
At Soraypampa (approx. 3,900 m), the trailhead. Snacks while you take in the view — both Humantay (5,917 m) and Salkantay (6,271 m) are fully visible from here. The scale of these mountains takes a moment to process. Lace the boots, adjust the pack.
The hike to Humantay Lake takes approximately one hour — steep, rocky, and worth every step. The path climbs directly toward the glacier, gaining altitude fast. The vegetation thins quickly above the trailhead. The stone underfoot becomes raw and loose near the lake.
At Humantay Lake (approx. 4,200 m), the water color is a vivid turquoise that photographs cannot fully capture. The glacier is above. The mountains are reflected in the surface on still days. The setting is raw, high-altitude, and completely silent except for wind and water. Take time here.
Return to the trailhead, then the afternoon section begins — a two-hour hike further into the valley toward camp at Soyroccocha, situated above Soraypampa and deeper into the glacial terrain. The path follows the valley floor with continued altitude. The vegetation here is spare and high-alpine: low grasses, cushion plants, and rock. The Salkantay glacier dominates the skyline at the end of the valley.
Camp is set up when you arrive. Hot drinks and appetizers ready. The sky domes at Soyroccocha are the accommodation for the night: real beds with proper bedding, hot shower, private bathroom, Wi-Fi. From inside, the Salkantay glacier is the view. At night, at this altitude, away from any city light, the sky is dense with stars.
Temperatures overnight range between 0°C and -3°C — the dome insulation and the beds handle this well, but warm layers for the evening outside the dome are needed.
Meals: Snacks at trailhead · Lunch · Afternoon Tea & snacks · Dinner | Accommodation: Sky domes at Soyroccocha — real bed, hot shower, private bathroom, Wi-Fi
Day highlight: The Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m — glacier face close, three peaks above you, and the turquoise Salkantay Lake below
A hearty breakfast at the dome camp before the day starts. Then the climb to the Salkantay Pass (Apacheta, 4,650 m / 15,256 ft) — the highest point of the entire route.
The ascent from camp takes approximately one hour. The terrain is rocky and exposed, the gradient moderate but consistent. As altitude increases above 4,400 m, the thin air makes itself felt clearly — slower steps, deeper breaths, the kind of effort that is disproportionate to the pace. The horsemen and the guide set a rhythm that accounts for the altitude. Follow it.
At the pass, the full scale of the mountain range opens. The Salkantay glacier face is close — the crevasse structures are visible on clear days. The peaks of Humantay and Huayanay rise on either side. Glacial rivers run white with minerals through the boulder fields below. The air is cold and sharp.
The Salkantay Lake side trip begins from the pass — a 30-minute route off the main trail, descending into the glacial cirque on the far side to reach the lake. The same turquoise water as Humantay, a different bowl, a different angle on the mountains. Almost no trekkers make this side trip. Return the same way to the pass.
The descent follows the same route back down toward the trailhead. The terrain is loose and steep in places; trekking poles help significantly on the descent.
Lunch at Soraypampa — the cook team has the meal ready at the trailhead when the group returns. Last photos of the mountains before the van loads.
The private van returns to Cusco from the trailhead, arriving at your hotel at approximately 6:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast at camp · Lunch at trailhead | Accommodation: Return to Cusco hotel
Trip went very smoothly and was very well organized. Easy to highlight is Machu Picchu, but our visit of Amantani island on Lake Titicaca was a real interesting and unique experience. Read more.
This was an excellent well-organized tour at a great value with plenty of variety and lots of free time to explore. Read more.
This was our first trip with Bookmundi and we are extremely happy. From start to finish the experience was excellent. Read more.
We saw all the highlights, the guides were excellent and the trip flowed nicely. The pacing was just right. Read more.
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A few days before:
During the trek:
On payments:
| Per person (all inclusive) | $297 USD |
Minimum 2 participants. Available on any date. Pack horse for personal belongings up to 7 kg included. A duffel bag is provided at the evening briefing.
Documents:
For your duffel bag (carried by pack horse — max 7 kg total):
Reminder: sleeping bag approx. 3 kg, sleeping pad if renting approx. 1 kg, leaving approx. 4 kg for clothing
For your day pack (carried by you on the trail):
Additional notes:
Airport transfer
Cusco airport to your hotel is included. A Machu Picchu Peru Lovers representative will be waiting at the arrivals terminal exit with a sign bearing your name. They cannot enter the terminal — exit the arrivals hall to find them. Send your flight details to our reservations team at least 14 days before arrival.
Hotel pick-up on day one
Pick-up from your Cusco hotel at 4:30 AM on day one. Confirm your hotel name and room number at the briefing the evening before.
Luggage storage
Your main luggage — suitcases and large bags — stays in Cusco at your hotel or our office during the two days. Pack only what goes into the duffel bag and day pack for the trek.
Payment conditions
Passport changes
If you renew your passport or change your name between booking and departure, notify us immediately. A name or number update costs $25 USD per person. If you choose not to pay the fee, bring both the old and new passport — you may be required to show the original document used at booking at certain checkpoints.
Hotel drop-off on day two
Drop-off to your Cusco hotel is included on day two, arriving approximately 6:00 PM. If your accommodation is in the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo, Urubamba), coordinate with us at booking and we will arrange the drop-off accordingly.
This trek is available year-round on any date that works for you, with a minimum of 2 participants.
No government trail permits are required for the Salkantay route. No Machu Picchu tickets are involved. This is one of the most flexible treks in the Cusco region in terms of booking timeline.
This is a 2-day trek with no permit queue and no fixed-quota entrance system. For most dates and most seasons, flexibility is genuinely available. When in doubt, call us.
Transport
This tour uses a private van throughout — there is no train segment.
If your Cusco accommodation is in the Sacred Valley, coordinate at the time of booking — drop-offs to Ollantaytambo and Urubamba can be arranged.
Accommodation — sky domes at Soyroccocha
One night in the sky dome camp in the Salkantay valley, at approximately 4,100–4,300 m. These are not standard camping tents:
Temperatures overnight reach 0°C or below depending on season. The dome insulation handles this, but warm layers for time outside in the evening are recommended.
For context: the sky domes at this altitude are the same accommodation used on the first night of the 5-day Salkantay Trek — this two-day version gives you the same high-camp experience without the five-day commitment.
A note on the two lakes
This route visits both glacial lakes that the Salkantay area is known for, in two consecutive movements:
Physical fitness considerations
This trek is classified as moderate to challenging, and the second day deserves the challenging classification:
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and can affect road access to the trailhead. We will always try to keep the trip as originally planned, including adjusting departure timing where necessary to work around disruptions. If tours must be changed or canceled due to civil disruption, our operations team coordinates directly with you.
Lost items
Pay attention to your belongings at camp, in the van, and at the trailhead. Once the van leaves a location or the horses move ahead, retrieval is not practical. You are responsible for your own items throughout the tour.
If you have a question about this or any other trip, our travel experts are ready to help with dates, availability and private options.
