Soray: Highland Landscape and Cultural Connections

When considering Soray as a destination for a stay, it helps to first distinguish between Soray and the Soray–Soraypampa sector. This sector lies at an elevation of 3,861 m. Landscape features, access points, and routes refer to different geographic areas: some apply to Soray, while others apply to Soraypampa or the surrounding area.

Landscape between Soray and Soraypampa

Soray is considered a cold plain on bofedal cones. Its landscape characteristics also include a rainy, semi-frosty climate and a dry winter. Between the hills, the climate favors plant growth. Thus, both the open plain and the hilly surroundings form part of the landscape, while the elevation refers to the combined Soray–Soraypampa sector.

In the vicinity of Soray, Humantay Lagoon lies in the Soraypampa sector. It is at the foot of Humantay, also called Apu Humantay, and opposite Apu Salkantay. Its water is turquoise. As a point of reference in the landscape, this location therefore connects a lagoon with two named mountains: Humantay at its foot and Salkantay opposite it. Its location in Soraypampa helps distinguish this excursion destination geographically from Soray itself.

Cultural significance and protected area

In the surrounding area, Salkantay is revered as an Inca huaca, or Apu. The landscape therefore has cultural significance in addition to its natural features. Another geographical reference concerns the part of Mollepata District that includes the Soray sector: it belongs to the buffer zone of the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. The mountain’s veneration and the buffer zone are different aspects of the region—the former concerns the spiritual significance of Salkantay, while the latter concerns the classification of part of the district.

Access points and routes

Sayllapata and Challacancha are the access points to Soray. The pre-Hispanic Mollepata–Salkantay trail section also runs through the surrounding area. It is approximately 25 km long and passes through the Mollepata, Soraypampa, and Salkantay sectors. The access points to Soray and this longer trail section therefore refer to different routes: the access points lead to Soray, while the trail passes through several sectors.

Another connection is the Mollepata–Soraypampa road. It is classified as a departmental road, is about 50 km long, and is unpaved. Since the road surface can change and needs to be checked regularly, it is advisable to check its condition before traveling. The approximately 25 km refers to the pre-Hispanic Mollepata–Salkantay trail section, while the approximately 50 km refers to the Mollepata–Soraypampa road; the figures relate to different routes.

Natural environment and travel planning

The Soray sector is considered a natural area where tourist activities take place. A local custom is also associated with the area: the activity of the muleteers’ association toward Soraypampa is considered a tradition that has grown with the increase in tourist numbers. This adds a social aspect to the description of the landscape and routes without suggesting that the activity is a bookable visitor program.

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Soray, it may help to distinguish between the place names mentioned. Sayllapata and Challacancha are access points to Soray; the lagoon lies in the Soraypampa sector, and the road connects Mollepata with Soraypampa.

Discover more destinations: Las Cruces, Ocongate, Urubamba, Quillabamba, Ollantaytambo, Colcapampa, Cusco, Sicuani

For the main travel overview: Cuzco.