Cerro Soray Climb
A first alpine climb for anyone who has never worn crampons, finishing on a 5,446 meter summit with a full sweep of the Vilcabamba Apus. It shares a trailhead with the Salkantay and Ahobamba treks, so it adds neatly onto either.
The Objective
Cerro Soray is an ideal challenge for beginners who have never climbed in an alpine setting or put on crampons. The views from the summit provide a unique perspective of the Vilcabamba Apus, ranging from Nevados Padreyoc, Lasunayoc, and Pumasillo to Nevado Humantay (Tucarhuay) and Nevado Salkantay. It is also a fantastic way to deviate from the crowds for a couple of days by adding onto your Salkantay trek or Ahobamba trek itineraries, as they share the same trailhead.
Trip Highlights
- 10 out of 10 summit views of the Vilcabamba Apus
- Off-the-beaten path
- Add to Salkantay trek and Ahobamba trek itineraries
- Easy accessibility from Cusco
3D / 2N
5,446 m / 17,867 ft
Beginner
April to October
F
Elevation Profile
Distance
5.59 km
Total Ascent
+1,553 m
Trailhead
3,900 m
High Point
5,446 m
Itinerary
Cusco to Soraypampa
We will depart from Cusco at 6 am in private transport. Our first stop will be in the town of Mollepata, where you can enjoy a breakfast buffet. Afterward, we will continue for one more hour to reach our lodging in Soraypampa. From Soraypampa, you have the option to hike to the popular Humantay Lake as a sightseeing and acclimatization activity. Before dinner, we will fit crampons to your boots and familiarize you with your personal climbing gear.
Accommodation
Lodging in Soraypampa
Soraypampa to Base Camp
We'll eat breakfast around 7am, then break for our hike to base camp by 8am. The hike passes below Humantay Lake until we reach an open field. From the field, we'll ascend steep grassy slopes until we reach our base camp at 4,700 meters.
Accommodation
Base Camp
Summit Day and Return to Cusco
At around 1am we'll wake up for a light breakfast, and at 2am we'll depart from camp. We'll walk on grassy terrain for a short distance until we reach the moraine. From there, we'll take the moraine to a talus field that leads us to a moderate rock scramble to the start of the snow-covered terrain. After about one hour of ascending the north ridge—walking on snow and half a rope length of climbing—we'll reach the summit. We'll have time to soak in the views before descending down the same route that we camp up. Once we arrive at camp, we'll pack up our belongings and go back to Soraypampa, where private transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
Accommodation
Not included
What's Included
Included
- Certified mountain guide or aspirant guide in training
- Private groups
- Group technical climbing equipment (ropes, snow pickets)
- Camping equipment (tent, stoves, group gear)
- Cooks, porters, cargo donkeys, arrieros
- All meals during expedition
- Private transportation
- First aid and emergency response management
- Entrance fee
Not Included
- International and Domestic airfare/buses
- Accommodation in Cusco (before & after expedition)
- Personal equipment (mountaineering boots, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, 50-75L backpack)
- Clothing
- Travel insurance
- Personal favorite snacks of your choice
- Rescue or evacuation costs
- Tips
Packing List
Don't Have Everything?
We can arrange rentals in Cusco for boots, crampons, ice axes, and harnesses, and advise on what is worth buying versus renting. Tell us what you already have and we will fill the gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the Mountain
Ready to plan this climb?
Every departure is arranged privately. Let us know which mountain you want to climb, a brief note about your experience level, and when you want to start the climb.