Horseback Riding to Salkantay Pass & Humantay Lake with Sky Domes
2 days / 1 night
Easy
4,630m / 15,190ft
8
Two Iconic Andes Highlights. On Horseback. In One Weekend.
You want Salkantay Pass and Humantay Lake without the five day trek and without climbing 4,600 meters on foot. This weekend escape gives you both on horseback with one night in our private Sky Domes at Soraypampa.
Over two unforgettable days you ride, you do not hike up. We have mountain trained horses and local arrieros from Soraypampa who know every trail in this range. You climb gradually through alpine meadows and glacial valleys to Salkantay Pass at 4,630 meters, stand under Apu Salkantay with prayer flags around you, and ride down. Next morning you ride to Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters and arrive on horseback before the big day tour crowds.
At night you sleep in our Sky Dome at 3,900 meters with proper bed, private toilet and chef dinner. No tents. No cold floor. You watch the glacier turn pink at sunset and the Milky Way through your glass roof.
This is our easiest way to experience Salkantay. No backpack, no altitude sufferfest, just riding and scenery.
Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night from Cusco to Cusco
Route: Soraypampa to Salkantay Pass to Humantay Lake
Max Altitude: 4,630m at Salkantay Pass and 4,200m at Humantay Lake
Accommodation: 1 night in Sky Domes at Soraypampa at 3,900 meters
The Difference: Both icons on horseback, private Sky Dome night included, no long uphill hike
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. No riding experience required. You sit on the horse 4 to 6 hours per day
Why Horseback with Sky Domes is Better:
Save Your Legs, Keep the Views: Ride to both passes instead of hiking steep uphills at altitude. Horses carry you, you enjoy the view.
Private Sky Dome, Not a Tent: Sleep in our private glass domes at Soraypampa at 3900m, not a tent or shared lodge. Real bed, hot water bottle, private toilet, hot shower and panoramic dining dome.
No Crowd Arrival at Humantay: Ride in early and arrive above the turquoise lake while day trippers from Cusco are still climbing on foot. Best light for photos.
Local Horse Team and Safety First: Our horses are mountain trained and our arrieros are from Soraypampa. Helmets, safety briefing and oxygen included.
High-Impact Highlights
Pure Horseback Focus: You ride to both landmarks, you do not hike up. Horses and local arrieros carry you to Salkantay Pass and to Humantay Lake. You enjoy the views without the uphill grind.
Sky Dome Night Included: One night in our private glass domes at Soraypampa at 3,900 meters. Proper bed, private toilet and glacier views from your bed. No tents.
Both Icons in 48 Hours: Salkantay Pass at 4,630 meters on Day 1 and Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters on Day 2. The two most photographed spots in the Vilcabamba Range in one weekend from Cusco.
Full Service Team: Mountain trained horses, professional arrieros from Soraypampa, bilingual licensed guide, helmets and safety briefing, plus hot chef meals and boiled water in our dining dome.
Day 1 | The Pass: Cusco to Soraypampa to Salkantay Pass on Horseback
Ride to 4630m under Apu Salkantay.
Private Transfer to Soraypampa at 3900m We pick you up at 6:00 am from your hotel in Cusco. Drive 3.5 hours through Limatambo Valley and Mollepata to Soraypampa at 3900m. Breakfast on the way. At Soraypampa your horses and professional arrieros are waiting.
Safety Briefing and Ride to Salkantay Pass at 4630m After safety briefing and saddle adjustment, we start riding toward Salkantay Pass. Ride steadily for 3 hours through alpine meadows and glacial valleys, gaining altitude gradually without the physical strain of hiking. The landscape opens wide as you approach 4630m, the highest point of the Salkantay route. Stand at the pass surrounded by peaks, prayer flags and the immense face of Apu Salkantay. Time for photos and small Apacheta stone ceremony. We descend on horseback and with a short walk back to Soraypampa for a late hot lunch
First Night in Soraypampa Sky Domes Retreat to your private Sky Dome. From your bed watch alpenglow settle over the glacier. Chef prepared dinner in our panoramic dining dome, then clear Andean night sky through your glass roof.
Day 1 Stats: Riding 5 to 6 hours | Max altitude 4630m at Salkantay Pass | Overnight Sky Domes at 3900m
Day 2 | The Lake: Humantay Lake Ride and Return to Cusco
Turquoise lake on horseback and back to Cusco by evening.
Sunrise Ride to Humantay Lake at 4200m Wake to first light touching the ice walls above camp. Hot coca tea served to your dome. After high energy breakfast, we mount up again toward Humantay Lake. The trail climbs gently for one hour through open terrain before sudden turquoise of Humantay Lake appears at 4200m. Arrive on horseback to one of Peru’s most photographed alpine lagoons without the crowded uphill hike most visitors do. Time to absorb stillness, glacier reflections and scale of the Andes.
Ride Down and Private Transfer to Cusco Return by riding downhill to Soraypampa for lunch. Private transport back to Cusco. Arrival around 6:30 pm at your hotel.
Day 2 Stats: Riding 3 to 4 hours | Max altitude 4200m at Humantay Lake | Arrival in Cusco evening
Travel Essentials
Important Information
High Altitude on Horseback
This is a high altitude ride, not a low valley tour. You ride to 4,630 meters at Salkantay Pass and 4,200 meters at Humantay Lake and you sleep at 3,900 meters in Soraypampa. That is higher than any point on the Inca Trail. You should arrive in Cusco at least 24 to 48 hours before Day 1 to adjust. Day 1 on the horse at 4,630 meters is the hardest. Tell your guide how you feel, drink at least 2 liters of water per day and go slow at the pass. Riding is easier than hiking but altitude is the same.
Luggage and What the Horses Carry
You ride light. You only carry a small daypack on the horse. Your big suitcase stays free and safe in our office in Cusco. For this 2 day tour, your main overnight bag (max 5kg) goes in our support vehicle and meets you directly at the Soraypampa Sky Domes, it does not go on the horse. While riding, you only carry a tiny, lightweight daypack (under 25L) with your immediate trail layers, water, and camera.
Cash
Almost everything is included: transport, Sky Dome, meals, horses and arrieros, guide. You only need small cash in Peruvian soles for Humantay Lake entrance 20 soles, water and snacks on the road, and tips for horse team if you want to tip. Shops in Soraypampa do not take cards. Get soles in Cusco, there are no ATMs in Soraypampa.
Insurance
If you opt for insurance, check that your policy covers horse riding and trekking up to 5,000 meters, medical treatment and emergency evacuation in the Andes. Helicopter evacuation from Soraypampa is very expensive without cover. Check that horse riding is included in your adventure activities.
Mandatory Documentation
Bring your original passport for Day 1. We check it at Mollepata checkpoint on the way to Soraypampa and at Humantay checkpoint Day 2. A photo or copy is not accepted. Also carry travel insurance card. No Machu Picchu ticket needed for this tour.
Packing Essentials
You need sun and freezing in one small bag. Hot sun at midday, freezing wind at Salkantay Pass and cold night in domes.
Keep your overnight bag at 5kg max. Carry only essentials on the horse.
Note: No heavy backpacks on the horses. Your 5kg overnight duffel goes in the support vehicle to the dome. Keep your riding daypack strictly under 25L so it sits comfortably and does not throw off your balance or bother the horse.
Essential Documents:Original passport mandatory for checkpoints.
Protection:Sunscreen SPF 50, sunglasses with UV protection, sun hat for riding and warm beanie for Salkantay Pass.
Weather Gear:Waterproof jacket and pants always in daypack, warm down jacket, gloves and beanie for 4,630m pass. Weather changes fast above 4,000m.
Clothing for Riding:Long trekking pants or leggings mandatory, no shorts while riding, 2 moisture wicking shirts, thermal top for night in dome, warm socks. Bring extra layer for dome evening.
Footwear:Closed shoes with ankle support for riding, waterproof hiking shoes ideal. No sandals on horse. Sandals fine for dome after ride.
Hydration and Food:Reusable 1L to 1.5L water bottle. We provide boiled water at Soraypampa to refill. Hot breakfast Day 1 and Day 2, hot lunch Day 1 and Day 2, hot dinner Day 1 in dining dome. Snacks included.
Small Extras:Headlamp for dome at night, power bank, camera, small cash in soles, helmet provided by us in all sizes.
Pro Tip:Start riding with long pants and layers you can take off. Mornings at Soraypampa are freezing, midday sun at Humantay is strong. Dress in layers, not one big jacket.
Questions & Answers
FAQs
No experience needed. This is our easiest Salkantay option. Horses are mountain trained, calm and walk slowly uphill. Our arrieros lead each horse on steep sections and you just sit. You ride 5 to 6 hours Day 1 and 3 to 4 hours Day 2 at a walk, no galloping. If you can sit on a horse and you are comfortable with height, you can do it. You do not need to be fit like for trekking.
Yes, for horse welfare and safety. Maximum weight for riders on this route is 100 kg or 220 lbs including your daypack. If you are over 95 kg tell us at booking so we assign our strongest horse. Helmets are provided in all sizes. If you are over the limit we can arrange hiking with horse support for your bag, same itinerary.
You ride to 4,630 meters at Salkantay Pass and 4,200 meters at Humantay Lake. You sleep at 3,900 meters in our Sky Domes at Soraypampa. That is high. We recommend you arrive in Cusco 1 full day before the tour. Drink water, no alcohol the night before, and tell your guide if you have headache or nausea. Your guide carries oxygen and pulse oximeter at the pass. Riding is easier than hiking but altitude is the same.
Pack light. One small duffel or backpack for one night.
Clothing: Waterproof jacket and pants, warm down jacket for Salkantay Pass, fleece, thermal top for night, sun hat, warm beanie, gloves, sunglasses, SPF 50.
For riding: Long pants not shorts, trekking pants or leggings are perfect, closed shoes with ankle support, not sandals while riding.
Essentials: Small daypack, 1L water bottle, power bank, headlamp for dome at night, cash in soles for Humantay entrance.
Leave in Cusco: Big suitcase, we store it free in our office.
Same Sky Domes as our 5 day trek. Private glass domes at 3,900 meters in Soraypampa with clear roof over your bed, proper bed with private toilet inside. Shared hot showers and dining dome with chef dinner. Warm inside even when minus 5 outside. This is not a tent.
Yes. Our horses are from Soraypampa families and work this trail daily. Our arrieros are local horsemen, not porters. Your guide is licensed and speaks English and Spanish and carries first aid kit, emergency oxygen and radio. You have safety briefing and helmet fitting before riding. We walk horses on narrow or rocky sections.
Yes, kids from 8 years old can ride with us on a lead horse held by an arriero. From 12 years they can ride alone with guide close by. Weight limit still applies. For kids under 8 we recommend private tour with extra arriero, ask us. No need for parents to have riding experience.
Included: Private transport Cusco to Soraypampa return, 1 night Sky Dome with all bedding, all meals from breakfast Day 1 to lunch Day 2, professional horses and arrieros for both days, helmet, guide, oxygen and first aid.
Not included: Humantay Lake entrance 20 soles per person paid on spot, travel insurance, dinner on Day 2 when back in Cusco, tips for horse team.
You can stop anytime. Our arrieros will hold the horse and walk beside you. If you want to get off and walk a section you can, and get back on when ready. If you cannot continue riding to the pass, you wait with guide at lower viewpoint at 4,400 meters with same views and your horse waits with you. No extra charge.
Best months May to October dry season with clear sky over glacier. In rainy season November to March the trail is muddier, Humantay Lake can be less turquoise and afternoon snow at pass. We run this tour all year. For photos of lake, morning light Day 2 is best, we start early to arrive before big day tour crowds from Cusco.
Horseback Riding to Salkantay Pass & Humantay Lake with Sky Domes
Real experiences from travelers who slept under the Andean sky
James WhitfieldOctober 8, 2025London, UK
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★★★★★
Sleeping Under the Stars at 4,600m
I never thought I could sleep in a luxury bed while staring at the Milky Way through a transparent dome. The Salkantay glacier right in front of you at sunrise — absolutely unreal. Worth every penny.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky Dome
Sofia MartínezOctober 7, 2025Buenos Aires, Argentina
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★★★★★
The Dome Made the Trek Unforgettable
We did the full Salkantay Trek and stayed at the dome on night two. After a hard day of hiking, coming back to a real bed, hot shower and that view of the mountain? Nothing compares to that.
SkyDomeCamps - Salkantay Trek
Thomas BrauerOctober 7, 2025Munich, Germany
G
★★★★★
Best Night of My Life
I have camped across Patagonia and Nepal but nothing matched this. The dome is warm, beautifully designed and the silence at 4,600m is something else entirely. I woke up at 3am just to stare at the stars.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky Dome
SDC
@skydomecampsTransparent domes under the Andean sky. Tag us #SkyDomeCamps ✦
