Our exclusive 2-day program is perfect for those who don't want to miss two of the top attractions on a short trip to Cusco: Humantay Lake and Machu Picchu.
On the morning of the first day, we'll leave Cusco for Soraypampa to start a short hike of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to Humantay Lake, which lies in front of the imposing mountain of the same name. You'll enjoy the peace and natural beauty of the surroundings before returning to our vehicle and having lunch before heading back. A private vehicle will be waiting for you in Poroy to take you safely to Ollantaytambo train station, where you'll board the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), home to your hotel for the night. On the second day, after breakfast, you'll go with your guide to the bus station to ride up to Machu Picchu and start the guided tour, which lasts about 2 hours. Afterwards, you'll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, board the return train and, finally, transport will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
| Duration | 2 days |
|---|---|
| Altitude of Humantay Lake | 4200 m a.s.l. |
| Horse rental for the climb to Humantay | approx. 90 soles (covers about 90% of the climb; the final meters are done on foot). |
| Luggage on the train | maximum 5 kg per person. |
The tour starts with pickup from your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. as we set off on our adventure. We'll drive for approximately 2 hours to the town of Mollepata, located in the lush Apurímac River valley. In Mollepata, we'll have breakfast and get ready for the hike. Our journey will continue to Soraypampa, where we'll begin the hike to Humantay Lake, which sits at an altitude of 4200 meters. If the hike is too challenging for you, you can rent a horse to reach the top (you can decide along the way).
After approximately 1.5 hours of hiking, you'll see Humantay Lake, considered sacred in Inca mythology; once you see it, it's easy to understand why. After visiting the glacial lake, you'll walk back and we'll return to Mollepata for a delicious, hearty lunch.
After lunch, we'll return to Poroy. Your private transport will be waiting there to continue to Ollantaytambo, from where your train will leave at 7:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. for Aguas Calientes. After the 2-hour train ride, you'll spend the night in a selected hotel.
Today we'll visit Machu Picchu, a wonder of the world. You'll get up early to have breakfast at the hotel, and then we'll walk 5 minutes to the bus station to try to catch one of the first buses, which start running at 5:30 a.m. The bus takes about 25 minutes to reach Machu Picchu. You can also hike up to the ruins, about an hour's walk; if you choose this option, you should leave your hotel before 4:00 a.m.
As soon as you arrive at Machu Picchu, your guide will be waiting to take you to the best spot to admire the ruins and get a panoramic view of the landscape. There will be a chance to watch the sunrise and get a spectacular view of the Lost City of the Incas. You'll then have a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, followed by plenty of free time to explore on your own. If you have tickets to climb the beautiful Huayna Picchu Mountain, your guide will show you where the hike begins.
Once you've finished exploring everything Machu Picchu has to offer, you'll take a bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll take a train back to Ollantaytambo and from there the bus to Cusco, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel.
The maximum allowed on the trains is 5 kg per person, so you should travel with the bare minimum; the rest of your luggage will need to stay at your hotel in Cusco during the two days of the trip. If you check out when traveling to Machu Picchu, you can leave your luggage in the hotel's storage room.
Entry for this tour is from 7:00 a.m., but it may vary depending on ticket availability at the time of booking. Remember: the sooner you book, the better your chances of getting the best time slots.
Yes, you can rent a horse for the climb if you wish. The approximate cost is 90 soles; the horses cover about 90% of the climb, and the final meters must be done on foot.
The hike from Soraypampa takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the lake sits at 4200 m a.s.l.
Yes. Bus transport to the Machu Picchu sanctuary (up and down) is included.
Breakfast and lunch on the Humantay Lake tour (day 1) and the buffet breakfast at the hotel (day 2). Other food and drinks are not included.
Train and bus tickets: can be changed at least 15 days before the service date. Changes are subject to availability, possible penalties and fare adjustments according to each company's policies. The same time, class and original price are not guaranteed.
