Overview
Inca Quarry trail to Machu Picchu – Overview
- First day: Cusco – Socma – Rayanniyoc
- Second day: Rayanniyoc – Cachicata
- Day 3: Cachicata – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
- Fourth day: Machu Picchu
Trek Information
- Starting Altitude – 3300m / 10,827ft.
- Highest Altitude – 4500m / 14,764ft
- Walking Distance – 32 km/ 20 miles
- Overall Difficulty – Easy-Moderate.
Itinerary
Inca Quarry Trek – 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 trail, 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.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Afternoon Snacks / Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Maximum altitude: 3,700 m. / 12,136 ft
- Minimum altitude: 3,300 m. / 10,827 ft
- Walking Covered: 8 km. / 5 miles
- Approximate walking time: 3 – 4 hours
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 Inca quarry trail. 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.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Afternoon Snacks / Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Maximum altitude: 4500m / 14,764 ft
- Minimum altitude: 3,600 m / 11,808 ft
- Walking Covered: 13 km / 8 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
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.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Accommodations: Hotel
- Minimum altitude: 2,840 m / 9,315 ft
- Maximum altitude: 3,525 m / 11,562 ft
- Walking Covered: 11 km / 7 miles
- Approximate walking time: 4 hours
Day 4: Machu Picchu!
We wake up early, to bring on our big day tour to Machu Picchu! After breakfast at the hotel, we board the first bus that will wind up the beautiful cloud forest to the ancient citadel itself. Upon arrival, we will begin our 2 hour guided tour with our professional guide. On the tour, you will visit various sites, all that hold significance in understanding the history of Machu Picchu and how the Incas lived thousands of years ago high up in the mountains. You will visit temples, ceremonial sites, fountains, and much more.
After, you will have ample time to visit other places that may catch your eye or if you have the permit, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain. These hikes are both quite a climb, although well worth it once you are at the top with such picturesque views and even more fascinating ruin sites to explore.
In the afternoon, we will make our way back down to Aguas Caliente by bus and then board the train that takes us back to Ollantaytambo. We then have private transport awaiting our arrival to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Maximum altitude: 2,040 m. / 6,691 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,440 m. / 8,052 ft
Inclusions
The trek Includes
- Professional English Speaking Guide
- Assistant Guide for groups of 9+
- Pre trek briefing 1 or 2 days before your tour
- 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 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
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu-round trip.
Not Include
- 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 trail.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain-US$ 70
What you need to take?
- Original Passport
- Valid STUDENT CARD (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch
- Spare batteries.
Price
Inca Quarry – Prices
- 2 people US$660 per person
- 3 people US$600 per person
- 4+people US$560 per person
Discounts
- Student Discount: US$20 (Requires Valid STUDENT CARD to qualify)
- Under 15 years Discount: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Optional Extras
- Hiking Poles US$15
- Sleeping Bag US$25
- Single Tent Supplement US$25
- Additional Night in Aguas Calientes US$90
- Vistadome Train Upgrade US$60
- Huayna Picchu Mountain US$70
- Machupicchu Mountain US$70
FAQs
When is the best time to hike the Cachicata trek?
Peru is a year-round destination, although most people plan to trek during the dry season, running from April to October. The mid-year months, June and July, are the most popular and therefore the most crowded times of year to visit. Low cloud cover in these winter months also means cold nights on the trail, so bring some thermal wear for a good night’s sleep.
Do I need a permit to trek the Inca Quarry?
While there are no permit requirements for the Inca Quarry Trail, we run small groups averaging 12 people. So to secure a place on the tour, we recommend booking at least a few months in advance.
The Inca Quarry Trail takes you up and down through altitudes each day, with the highest pass reached on the second day (4,500 m / 14,764 ft.)
When is the rainy season?
From November to March is the wet season; the temperature rises and the region receives heavy rainfall.
When is the high season on the Inca Quarry Trek?
The high season for trekking in Peru runs over the drier months, from April to October. The Inca Quarry Trail is gaining a reputation for its archaeological sites and off-the-beaten-path cultural interactions. I am saying this, you will most likely have the Inca Quarry Trail all to yourself, even during the high season.
How hard is the Inca quarry trail?
The Quarry Trail is not the most difficult alternative to the Inca Trail but some would claim the scenery is even more spectacular than on the classic Peruvian trek. The walk takes in several sets of Inca ruins, including irrigation works, the Sun Gate and, of course, the Inca quarry for which the trek is named.
How cold does it get on the Inca quarry trail?
It depends. Peru has two seasons,wet and dry. The dry season runs from April to October with moderately warm days and cold nights. It’s important to pack thermals and warm clothing for the evening.
Does the Inca Quarry Trek visit Machupicchu?
On the fourth day, you will take a 30-minute bus ride from Aguas Calientes to visit MachuPicchu. The Inca Quarry Trail itself does not lead to Machu Picchu.
What type of accommodations can I expect on the trek?
Accommodation on the Inca Quarry Trail is camping (two nights).Four person tent for every two people and air mattress will be provided. The porters will set up the tents each day.
What are the toilets like on the Inca Quarry Hike?
There are no toilets on the Inca Quarry Trail. When we set up camp, we provide a camping toilet tent with a small portable chemical toilet in it.
How do I get back to Cusco after Machupicchu?
After spending the day exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll take a train and bus through the Sacred Valley and back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
Can I bring my own hiking poles?
Yes, you can bring your own hiking poles. Alternatively, you can rent from us.
Additional
INCA QUARRY TRAIL SPECIAL ADDITIONALS:
- Inflatable Mattress (Included)
- Pillow (Included)
- Blanket (Included)
- Extra 7kg of personal items (Included). All of our adventures include porters, who are responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They will also carry your personal duffel, which you will receive at your briefing the night before your Inca Quarry Trail. This duffel can not exceed 7 kg/14 lbs, and must include your sleeping bag and an air mattress.
