from $650,00
Book Now

Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Created with Sketch. Cachicata, Cusco, Peru
Ranking
Created with Sketch.

Duration

4D/3N

Created with Sketch.

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Created with Sketch.

Group Size

10 people

Created with Sketch.

Languages

Español, Ingles

Overview

Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N, The new route to Cachicata Trek or Inca Quarry Trail is a beautiful alternative route to Machu Picchu located in the Sacred Valley of the Inca, just outside of the stunning Ollantaytambo. With breathtaking views of high peaks, we will visit numerous Inca ruins, while being surrounded by a variety of lush and vibrant flora and fauna in this region. This Inca Quarry trail is highly recommended for those wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of the busier treks. Aside from the tranquility, the highlights of this Inca Quarry to Machu Picchu is our visit to the Inca site of Cachicata, the quarry that supplied the stones used to construct Ollantaytambo. This site, is rich in history and fascinating experiences, with mummies, chullpas, and well preserved Inca buildings. If you are in search for a experience without the crowds, rich in history and culture, where you visit numerous Inca ruin sites and mountain villages,  look no further, the Inca Quarry Trail is perfect for you!

Tour Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better” Einstein
View More
    Activities: Challenging, Trekking Adventure
    Levels of difficulty: 4 of 5
    Maximum altitude: 4450 masl. / 14599 cakes
    Accommodation: 3 days of camp, 1 day of shelter
    Departure day: Daily departures.
    Includes: Train, entrance to Machupicchu
    Begins: Pick-up at your accommodation in Cusco around 4:00 AM
    Ends: Leave your accommodation in Cusco around 9:45 PM

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Socma – Rayanniyoc
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco relatively early and drive down to the Sacred Valley of the Inca to the village of Socma, just a short drive outside of Ollantaytambo. Before we arrive to Socma, we stop at a spot where we can view and take photos of some stone age petroglyphs.

Today’s hike, takes us up the valley behind Socma. As we make our way to a small and pristine Inca site and beautiful waterfall that lie at the top of the valley. Along our Inca Quarry trek, we walk past fields of potato, corn, and quinoa nestled among the incredible mountains. Throughout, we will have the opportunity to see a variety of flora and fauna – gorgeous and lush fields and trees and fascinating native birds. Also, your guide will inform you of the customs of the Andean people of this region and will teach you some Quechua (the Inca language) as we hike.

After a relaxing morning’s walk, we finally arrive to our destination, the best Inca site of Perolniyoc. We will tour here and learn of the significance of this site. After, we will carry on for just a little longer to our campsite at Rayanniyoc (3650m / 11975 ft.). In the afternoon, we will visit one of the local families and you can practice the Qhechua you had learned in the morning. As for the Quecha you didn’t learn in just a morning’s time, your guide will translate for you, making this a beautiful cultural exchange and learning opportunity for both you and the local people.

In the evening, we enjoy a deliciously prepared dinner by our trekking chef, soak in the views, and sleep amidst the mountains.

Shuttle to Abra Soqma: 1½ hour by bus from Cusco.
Hiking distance: 8 Km. / 5 mile.
Hiking time: 4½ to 5 hour approximately.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Climate: Cold at the beginning of the biking and very hot in the night.
Acomodation: Dry Mountain, Camping
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum Altitude: 3700 masl. / 12136 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3205 masl. / 10512 ft.
Day 2: Rayanniyoc – Inti Punku – Cachicata
We wake up early with a cup of hot coca tea and breakfast prepare for the longest day of the adventure. We continue on up the valley, approaching the first pass of the Quarry trek Peru. This agricultural area is still tended by the local people despite the high altitude. One of the few plants that thrive wildly in this region is muña, Andean mountain mint. The aroma is lovely and the scent infuse the air, especially in the morning. Muña makes a beautiful cup of tea, so along the way we pick some for later.

In total, it’s about a 4 hour hike to the pass (4500m / 14,764ft.), where we will stop to take in the stunning panoramic views, snap some photos, and catch our breath before carrying on. It is only about another 20 minutes until we arrive at our lunch spot, at an incredible vantage point of the valley below.

After lunch, the hike is slightly easier, having reached the top of the mountain, the terrain levels out. We then hike through a strange area, a landscape with numerous mounds, that resemble burial mounds but are actually glacial moraines. These are piles of rock deposits are from glaciers dating back to the Ice Age, fascinating!

In the late afternoon, we pass a beautiful Inca ruin site, Intipunku, which means Sun Gate in Quechua. Of course, we will rest here and take advantage of this incredible photo opportunity, with the valley below and the snow capped mountains surrounding us.

As we work our way down from the high plateau, our destination for the day is the Inca Quarry of Cachicata resting at (3,6000m / 11,808 ft.). This is our home for the night and will share a lovely dinner in this tranquil campsite.

Hiking distance: 13 Km. / 8 mile.
Hiking time: 8½ to 9 hour approximately.
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Climate: Cold at the beginning of the biking and very hot in the night.
Acomodation: Dry Mountain Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum Altitude: 4450 masl. / 15250 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3700 masl. / 12139ft.
Day 3: Cachicata Trail – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Today we wake up amidst the mountains and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Our day we is dedicated to exploring Cachicata trail and all it has to offer. Despite it’s proximity to Ollantaytambo and the incredible architecture and ingenuity, hardly anyone actually comes up here. Cachicata is a vast site, as it was the quarry used by the Inca for the construction of Ollantaytambo. There are a number of significant sites, including: large buildings, abandoned and half finished quarried stones, chullpas (burial houses), and a cave with Inca mummies still in place. We will take ample time here and learn of the interesting history this site holds.

After our Cachicata Trek, we’ll continue following the trail down the mountain walking along the original platform that the Incas used for transporting stones to Ollantaytambo. In the early afternoon, we arrive in Ollantaytambo, where we will board the train. We then take a scenic train ride from the Sacred Valley of the Incas through the lush jungle to Aguas Calientes. Once we arrive at this lovely town, we will check you into the your comfortable hotel and then you will have the rest of the afternoon to relax and explore. Aguas Calientes has bustling artisan markets and natural hot springs, plenty to do to fill your late afternoon. Then, in the evening, we meet for dinner at a lovely restaurant in town and return back to the hotel.

Walking distance: 11 km. / 7 miles.
Walking time: 3½ to 4 hours approximately.
Difficulty level: Challenging
Climate: Heat at the beginning and cold at night.
Accommodation: Hostel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum altitude: 3525 masl. / 11562 ft.
Minimum altitude: 2840 masl. / 9315 ft.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
The hotel we use provides a very early buffet, or can provide a boxed breakfast, to ensure we are in the queue for the bus as early as the group would like. It is about a 25 minute drive along the winding road to Machu Picchu, and on a clear day the sunrise can be spectacular.

Upon arrival your guide provides a 2 hour walking tour of the site, named as one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Then you are free to wander through the ruins yourself, perhaps finding a solitary spot to reflect on this awesome achievement of the Incas, or, if you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains you can begin the hike once your guided tour concludes.

Your guide will arrange the time for you to return to Aguas Calientes by bus in time to make your train connection back to Poroy or Ollantaytambo. From here you will travel by private van to Cusco and back to your hotel. Arrival times will vary depending on traffic and connections, but should be around 8pm.

Distance Travelled: 8 Km. / 4.9 mile
Hiking time: 2 hour approximately.
Level of Difficulty: Easy/Challenging*
Optional: Shuttle to Machu Picchu:25 minutes from Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu guided tour: 2½ hour.
Climate: tropical warm.
Shuttle to Cusco:3 hours by train and bus from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast.
Maximum Altitude: 2440 masl. / 8052 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 2040 masl. / 6691 ft.

*The standard trek includes a permit to climb Huayna Pichu Mountain which is a fairly easy 1 hour hike. However, if no tickets are available (e.g. due to late booking) then a permit to climb Machu Picchu mountain will be issued. Note that this is a 2-3 hour strenuous climb up and down following very steep and narrow steps

What is Included?

  • Professional English Speaking Guide
  • Assistant Guide for groups of 9+
  • Pre trek briefing 1 or 2 days before your Inca Quarry trail
  • Transfer upon arrival from airport or bus station in Cuzco to your Hotel
  • Chef
  • Breakfast on Day 1
  • Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
  • Pick-up from your hotel
  • Transportation by bus to Socma
  • Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
  • Return transportation by train and bus to Cuzco
  • Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the Inca Quarry trek, you will need to bring your own)
  • 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary such as vegetarian food please let us know and request with no cost at all.
  • Dining tent with tables and chairs
  • a 4-men tent for every 2 trekkers
  • Hotel on Day 3
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Oxygen bottle
  • First aid kit
  • Entrance to Machupicchu

Not Included:

  • Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
  • Lunch and dinner on Day 4
  • Tips for the crew
  • Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your Inca Quarry trek Peru.
  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain-US$ 30
  • Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu-round trip.

Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days Tour's Location

Created with Sketch. Cachicata, Cusco, Peru

Tour Map Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days FAQs

What is the weather going to be like on my trek?
The weather in the region is pretty stable year-round, with the exception of rain versus dry season. Whenever your trek is, we will be able to give you advice on planning for the weather on your trek. This link on our website has lots of weather information!
What kind of rain gear should I bring?
Your best friend is the “generic” poncho. The ideal thing is a large poncho that will fit over your day pack.

You also need a rain coat. It is actually a good idea for your rain coat to be your outer shell (instead of a big winter coat). Then you can layer underneath it. We recommend this amount of rain gear even in the dry season, because it is so practical.

An umbrella is optional. If you want to bring an umbrella, and you have room for it in your duffle bag, it could be helpful to bring one.
Where should I stay in Cusco?
There are an incredible number of fantastic hotels in Cusco. No matter what your budget, you will be able to find a comfortable hotel with great service and fantastic breakfast. We will send you our Cusco hotel recommendations. There are less than 15 hotels listed on that document, and there are over 400 hotels in Cusco. So just because a hotel is not listed on our recommendations does not mean it is a bad hotel!
What about altitude sickness?
Please visit this link on our website for more information about altitude sickness.
What is food like on the treks?
It is incredible. There is plenty of food at all times and the quality is amazing. Please visit this link on our website for more information about our food
I have a dietary restriction. Is that going to be a problem?
Absolutely not. We can accommodate pretty much everything: vegetarian, gluten free, allergies and many others.
What will I do with my luggage when I am on the trek?
All hotels in Cusco offer free and secure storage for your belongings while you are on the trek.
What is the payment process?
To confirm a booking, a deposit of US $200 is required via PayPal. The remainder of the balance is not due until you arrive in Cusco for your trek.

The balance due can be paid with cash or with PayPal.

If you pay with PayPal, there is a 8% fee and the payment needs to be sent one week before your trek departs.
What is the booking process?
It is pretty simple. We just need the deposit and the following information:

Name
Nationality
Gender
Date of Birth
Passport Number
Can you guarantee me a permit for my Ancascocha + Inca Trail start date?
Yes. We will be there the day permits go on sale to get your permits.
How big is my group going to be?
The maximum group size is 12 hikers.

Our average group size is 3 to 6 trekkers. If you book a group together of 8 or more people, we will make it a private trek.
Is a permit for Huayna Picchu included in my trek price?
Huayna Picchu permits are included with all of our treks, with the exclusion of the following:

Ancascocha Trek plus Inca Trail 7 days, 6 nights
For the treks that don´t include Huayna Picchu permits, the price to hike Huayna Picchu is US $75 per person.
Created with Sketch.
from $650,00
Extra
  • Machu Picchu Entrance ⇨$0,00 *
    Include
  • Return Tourist Train ⇨$0,00 *
    Include
  • Mountain Huayna Picchu ⇨$25,00
  • Mountain Machu Picchu ⇨$25,00
  • Sleeping Bag & Walking Sticks ⇨$40,00
  • Bus Up and Down ⇨$25,00
  • Buffet Lunch in Machu Picchu ⇨$35,00
  • Vistadome Train 360º | Return ⇨$40,00
  • Private Service ⇨$250,00
There are no spaces available for this date

Contact Us If you have questions about the Tour?

Whatsap Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu +51 967 - 524 - 344

You might also like

Get Updates & More

Thoughtful thoughts to your inbox