Salkantay & Humantay Horse Trek 2 Days
The DUAL LAKE + PASS: Humantay Lake 2 Day Trek Overview The 2-Day Humantay Lake + Salkantay Pass Tour with Machu Picchu is the ONLY combo in the Kondor Path catalog combining BOTH iconic Andes landmarks — Humantay Lake 4,200m (turquoise waters + snow-capped Salkantay reflection) + Salkantay Pass 4,630m (panoramic Andes views) — BOTH […]
Photography enthusiasts and time-limited travelers seeking BOTH Humantay Lake’s turquoise waters AND Salkantay Pass’s Andes panorama + Machu Picchu experience face a common dilemma: Humantay Lake Day Tour (~$60) offers Humantay only — no Salkantay, no MP. Meanwhile, Salkantay 2-Day ($379) delivers Salkantay Pass + MP but misses Humantay Lake entirely — no turquoise waters, no glacier lake photography.
The 2-Day Humantay Lake + Salkantay Pass + Machu Picchu Tour is the ONE tour that solves this — the ONLY Kondor Path 2-Day combo combining BOTH Humantay Lake + Salkantay Pass BY HORSE + Machu Picchu.
Five reasons discerning dual-landmark travelers choose this specific 2-day trek:
1. DUAL iconic Andes landmarks BOTH by HORSE Day 1 ⭐ UNIQUE in Kondor Path catalog. No other 2-Day tour combines HUMANTAY LAKE 4,200m turquoise waters (sacred lake reflecting Salkantay glacier) AND SALKANTAY PASS 4,630m panoramic Andes views with horseback ascent to BOTH. Perfect for photography enthusiasts wanting DOUBLE iconic Peru landmarks in one adventure.
2. Only $33 more than Salkantay 2-Day ($379) — Humantay Lake included. For a modest $33 premium ($412 vs $379), you get Humantay Lake horse ascent + Humantay Lake entrance + Humantay Lake exploration — an incredible value upgrade for photography-focused travelers.
3. Cocalmayo hot springs Day 1 + Santa Teresa 2-star hotel — comfort included. Unlike camping Salkantay combos, this trek delivers 1 hour Cocalmayo natural hot springs relaxation post-descent + 1 night 2-star Santa Teresa hotel included with private beds + hot showers. Adventure with essential comfort.
4. Machu Picchu Circuit 2 Classic + 2-hour guided tour Day 2. Complete MP experience — Circuit 2 (Classic circuit) exploring Sun Temple + Main Plaza + Intihuatana + Sacred Rock + Terrace of the Guardians with 2-hour bilingual guided tour. Return train flexibility (Inca Rail Voyager 16:12 OR PeruRail Expedition + private transfer to Cusco).
5. Time-efficient 2-day format — no camping, no 4-6 day commitment. Unlike Salkantay 4-Day + Short IT ($511) requiring 4 days of camping, or MP Full Day ($287) missing Andes entirely, this 2-Day delivers DUAL Andes landmarks + MP in the most efficient format — perfect for photography enthusiasts, time-limited travelers, and Peru “instagram-worthy” landmark seekers.
| ⏱️ Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| 🎯 Category | DUAL LAKE + PASS + HORSE + LODGE |
| 📅 Day 1 | Cusco → Soraypampa → HORSE to Humantay Lake + Salkantay Pass → Challway → Cocalmayo → Santa Teresa hotel |
| 📅 Day 2 | Santa Teresa → Hidroeléctrica → MP Pueblo → MP Circuit 2 + 2h guided tour → Cusco |
| 🕐 Day 1 pickup | 04:30 AM Cusco hotel |
| 🕐 Day 2 start | 05:30 AM Santa Teresa |
| 📍 Pickup location | Cusco hotels |
| 🏔️ Humantay Lake Day 1 | HORSE ascent from Soraypampa ⭐ UNIQUE |
| 🏔️ Salkantay Pass Day 1 | HORSE ascent from Soraypampa ⭐ |
| ♨️ Cocalmayo hot springs Day 1 | 1h relaxation included |
| 🎫 MP Circuit Day 2 | Circuit 2 Classic + 2h guided tour |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | Salkantay Pass 4,630m Day 1 |
| ⛰️ Humantay Lake altitude | 4,200m Day 1 |
| ⛰️ MP altitude | 2,400m |
| ⛰️ Lowest elevation Day 1 | Challway 2,829m |
| 🥾 Total distance | ~22.7 km (Day 1: 13.7 km + Day 2: 9 km) |
| 🎫 Humantay Lake entrance | Included |
| 🎫 Salkantay entrance | Included |
| 🎫 Cocalmayo entrance | Included |
| 🎫 MP entrance | Included (Circuit 2) |
| 🏨 Hotel included | Santa Teresa 2-star Day 1 |
| 🍽️ Meals included | 3 (Day 1: 1BL + 1D; Day 2: 1B at hotel) |
| 🚂 Return train | Inca Rail Voyager 16:12 OR PeruRail Expedition + private transfer |
| 🎯 Format | PRIVATE TOUR |
| 👥 Group size | 1-10 travelers (+10 contact) |
| 🎓 Minimum age | 14 years with guardian (18+ unaccompanied) |
| 📅 Operating | Daily departures throughout the year |
| 💪 Difficulty | Challenging (Level 3) — dual horse reduces demand |
| 💲 From | $412 USD per person (group of 10) |
The DUAL LAKE + PASS 2-Day Peru Andes Adventure — the ONLY Kondor
Path 2-Day combo combining Humantay Lake (4,200 m) with its stunning turquoise waters (⭐ UNIQUE — not included in Salkantay Trek 2 Days) and Salkantay Pass (4,630 m) with breathtaking Andean panoramas. Enjoy horseback rides to both iconic destinations from Soraypampa (⭐ exclusive dual horseback experience), relax in the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, spend the night in a comfortable 2-star hotel in Santa Teresa, and finish with a guided visit to Machu Picchu Circuit 2 Classic before returning to Cusco by train.
Day 1: 04:30 AM pickup from your hotel in Cusco, scenic drive to Soraypampa (3,900 m), horseback ride to Humantay Lake (4,200 m) for spectacular turquoise views beneath Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m), continue by horseback to Salkantay Pass (4,630 m), then hike downhill through the cloud forest to Challway (2,829 m). In the afternoon, unwind in the Cocalmayo Hot Springs before spending the night at a 2-star hotel in Santa Teresa.
Day 2: Breakfast at the Santa Teresa hotel, drive to Hidroeléctrica, hike approximately 3 hours to Machu Picchu Pueblo, then enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu Circuit 2 Classic. Return to Cusco aboard either the Inca Rail Voyager or the PeruRail Expedition train, followed by a private transfer if applicable.
The 2-Day Humantay Lake + Salkantay Pass Tour with Machu Picchu is the ONLY combo in the Kondor Path catalog combining BOTH iconic Andes landmarks — Humantay Lake 4,200m (turquoise waters + snow-capped Salkantay reflection) + Salkantay Pass 4,630m (panoramic Andes views) — BOTH by HORSE Day 1 + Machu Picchu Day 2.
This is NOT the tour for:
This IS the tour for:
Humantay Lake — sacred Inca glacier lake:
Why HORSE to Humantay Lake advantage:
Salkantay Mountain (6,271m) — sacred Apu:
Both landmarks by HORSE — UNIQUE dual experience.
BRIEFING: 6:00 PM at your hotel reception the day before departure.
Pre-tour preparation (night before):
Scenic drive via Limatambo → Mollepata → Soraypampa 3,900m.
Breakfast stop en route: Mollepata local restaurant (NOT included).
Preparation at Soraypampa 3,900m:
First peak experience Day 1 — Humantay Lake by horse.
Route:
Humantay Lake highlights:
Photography opportunity: iconic Humantay Lake + Salkantay peak reflection.
30-minute rest at lake for:
Second peak experience Day 1 — Salkantay Pass by horse.
Route:
Salkantay Pass views:
30-minute rest at pass for:
Progressive descent through diverse ecosystems.
Landscape transitions:
Local vehicle transports group to Santa Teresa town.
Natural thermal baths relaxation:
Included: entrance + 1 hour relaxation.
Santa Teresa 2-star hotel included:
Home-cooked Peruvian meal.
Overnight: Santa Teresa 2-star hotel included.
Total Day 1: 13.7 km / 5h hiking (descent only) + DUAL horse ascent + hot springs + hotel.
1 BL, 1D
Challenging
13.7km (8.5 miles)
5 Hrs.
Starting Altitude Salkantay Pass: 4,630m (15,190 ft)
Minimum Altitude Challway: 2,829m (9,281 ft)
Local vehicle transports group to Hidroeléctrica train station.
Scenic walk along the railway through cloud forest to Aguas Calientes.
Landscape:
Distance: 9 km / 3h walking.
Preparation + 25-min bus ride to citadel entrance.
Peak archaeological moment — Machu Picchu entrance 12:00 PM.
Circuit 2 Classic exploration (2 hours guided):
Upper terraces:
Main Plaza area:
Lower sectors:
Free time for optional lunch (NOT included) + shopping.
Two options:
End of DUAL LAKE + PASS 2-Day Adventure.
Total Day 2: 9 km / 3h walking + bus + MP + train.
B
Moderate
9km (5.5 miles)
3 Hrs.
Santa Teresa 1,575m (5,167 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Transport
Horse Service ⭐ UNIQUE DUAL
Accommodation
Guides
Entrance Fees — All Included
Meals — 3 Included ⭐ Fernando confirmed structure
Additional Experiences
Safety
Other
Accommodations:
Flights:
Meals NOT included:
Personal:
Weight restrictions:
Train upgrades PeruRail:
Additional horse Day 1:
Discounts:
Essentials:
Weather variability: Day 1 Salkantay Pass 4,630m + Humantay 4,200m cold (5°C possible). Day 2 MP 2,400m variable (10-25°C). Layer accordingly.
Humantay + Salkantay 2-Day is CHALLENGING — moderate difficulty with dual horse ascent:
Physical preparation (1-2 months before):
Altitude preparation:
Not suitable for: severe altitude sensitivity, mobility-limited travelers, family with young children under 14, medical conditions affecting high altitude, participants weighing more than 300 pounds.
Key difference: this tour ADDS Humantay Lake 4,200m Day 1 to the Salkantay 2-Day experience.
| Aspect | Salkantay 2-Day ($379) | This DUAL 2-Day ($412) |
|---|---|---|
| Humantay Lake | ❌ NOT included | ✅ INCLUDED Day 1 ⭐ UNIQUE |
| Salkantay Pass | ✅ Included (horse) | ✅ Included (horse) |
| Horse ascent | Only Salkantay Pass | BOTH Humantay + Salkantay Pass ⭐ |
| Photography | Salkantay Pass only | DUAL landmarks ⭐ |
| Price | $379 | $412 (+$33 for Humantay) |
Choose Salkantay 2-Day if: budget-focused + Salkantay Pass sufficient. Choose this DUAL 2-Day if: want DOUBLE iconic landmarks + photography-focused.
Humantay Lake — sacred Inca glacier lake:
Its fame comes from the turquoise waters adorned by the white snow of the Salkantay Mountain.
Humantay Lake is located near Salkantay snow-capped mountain in the Andes Mountains of Cusco, Peru at 4,200 meters above sea level (13,779 feet).
Access: 120km road trip from Cusco via Limatambo + Mollepata + Soraypampa community.
Cold to warm variability:
Two seasons:
Clothing strategy: warm layers + light layers + rain poncho.
No — 04:30 AM Day 1 pickup requires Cusco hotel base + altitude acclimatization. Recommended: fly to Cusco 2-3 days before trek.
All entrances INCLUDED in tour price:
Total: ~22.7 km / 2 days:
Horseback sections Day 1:
Standard: 2 horse rides included Day 1 (Humantay + Salkantay Pass). If additional horse needed:
Layered strategy essential:
Safety at 4,630m altitude:
Alternative for younger travelers:
Two options based on availability:
Option A: Inca Rail Voyager Class 16:12 (default)
Option B: PeruRail Expedition + Private transfer ⭐
Or upgrade:
Travel insurance STRONGLY recommended through World Nomads.
Yes — PRIVATE tour format:
Yes — Daily departures throughout the year.
Best months:
Yes, but complex logistics. Independent option:
Recommendation: tourist package easier + safer + includes vehicle + guide + horse + meals + Salkantay Pass + MP.
PRIVATE TOUR pricing — scalable by group size:
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 967.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 668.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 585.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 516.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 492.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 462.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 451.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 434.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 423.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 412.00 USD |
