Itinerary
DAY 1 – CUSCO – HUMANATAY LAKE – CUSCO
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30am and drive 3 hours to the trailhead of Soraypampa located in the lush valley of the Apurimac River. Here we will enjoy hot breakfast made by our professional chef.
We hike along a path called the “Camino Real,” as we gain altitude. After reaching the tiny village, where few amenities exist, we continue for another hour and a half, ascending 1,200 feet in just 2 miles up a steep path. After conquering the last hill, we will gaze down on a turquoise lake below, which is surrounded by steep peaks and an impressive glacier.
On the trek you are surrounded by the Salkantay Mountains, one of Peru’s most sacred mountains, towering 20,600 feet with a sheer and snowy face. The equally impressive Humantay Peak, rising 19,412 feet, is also within view. Shamans and other natives will often give blessing when reaching the crystal-clear waters of Humantay Lake. Once we reach the lakeshore, we relax, enjoy a snack, go for a swim (if you are brave!) or give thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth). When you are ready to hike back down, we will descend to Soraypampa and have a hot lunch while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views of the snowy peaks. We drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Inclusions
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Hot Breakfast & Lunch Prepared by Our Chef
- Private transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco
- Fluent English/ Spanish speaking expert trekking guide
- Fees to access private land
- First aid kit & Oxygen
- Small group experience (max 8 guests)
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Water: please bring 1 liter per person
- Voluntary Tips for Guide, Driver and Cook
*We run our trips daily with a 2 person minimum. We take only small groups & private trips, to enhance the experience giving you the full attention of our guides and staff.
What to wear
Packing List
- Please limit your total jungle gear to the following essentials:
- BINOCULARS, A MUST!.
- Insect repellent
- Flashlight with spare bulb and batteries. (An additional flashlight is a better choice).
- A rain jacket (and pants for the rainy season) or poncho.
- Two loose long pants and two long-sleeved shirts.
- Quick-drying, tight-knitted combinations of cotton and polyester are preferred.
- T-shirts, as many as days you will spend in the trip.
- A pair of lightweight hiking boots.
- A pair of tennis shoes or sneakers.
- A light sweater or sweatshirt.
- A wide brim hat for sun and rain (which can be secured to your head so that a strong wind does not blow it off).
- Underwear, socks.
- Sandals for use inside the lodge..
- Sunscreen
- A plastic water bottle (1 qt.).
- Toilet kit.
- Personal first-aid kit.
- Six large plastic bags or stuff sacks (to compartmentalize clothes, laundry, and wet items within your duffel).
- Pocket knife.
- Sunglasses.
- Alarm clock
