The less popular Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the best routes to Machu Picchu. It not only offers the magnificent Andean scenery you expect on any trek around Cuzco, but it also visits three lesser known archaeological sites on the way. You will be trekking alone and seeing other traveling is not likely, making this trek remote and peaceful.
This trek will also take you to an amazing Inca temple above Ollantaytambo that was built as a shrine to the snow-capped mountian Veronica. The quarry will give you insight into the craftsmanship and engineering skills of the Inca. If you dare, you will even get to peer inside the Inca tombs which still contain the human skeletal remains of those who chose to sacrifice themselves to the sacred mountain. You will be impressed by the history and panoramic views that this tour has to offer.
Take the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. On your final day, will be the long awaited tour to explore and experience the masterful energy center of the spiritual world of Machu Picchu with our professional tour guide!
4450 m.s.n.m
Up to 8
Group or private
Adventure, self-guided
Moderate
4 days / 3 nights
Leave Cusco early and drive to Choquequilla for 2 hours, here you will visit a small ruin where the Inca would honor the moon. From here drive to Rafqa where is the start of the trail. Here meet our horsemen and pack up and start the trek. Hike for about 1 hour to reach a indigenous community of Socma which features Inca Terraces. Walk further on and arrive at the waterfalls of Perolniyoc Cascade a great place to take photos and have a snack. Today we reach the campsite about lunch time. Later explore Qorimarca archeological site which was a check point during the time of the Incas.
Today is the most challenging day of the hike but also the most beautiful and of the hike. A hike of 3 hours takes us to the top of the first pass, Puccaqasa. Enjoy the views of the valley below. Later descend for 30 minutes where we will have lunch.
Rested and full of energy after lunch, head up for about 2 hour to the highest pass of the trek: Kuychicassa (4450m/14599ft). From here, we head down for 2 hours to the site that the Incas called Inti Punku, (meaning Sun Gate) with its imposing views over the valley and the horizon thats engulfed by the Veronica Mountain. Our campsite is a short distance away at Choquetacarpo (3600m/11811ft).
Day 3 is all downhill hiking, our first stop at the Cachiqata Quarry where we can personally witness the workmanship of the Incas, which they could not complete due to the Spanish Conquest. Midday we arrive at the town of Cachiqata, the end of this challenging and fascinating trek. From here we visit the original Inca settlement Ollantaytambo and in the afternoon we travel by train to Aguas Calientes where we stay overnight at our private hotel.
Bursting with excitement on your final day, we take the first bus at 5:30am to Machu Picchu archeological site, tour the Citadel of the Incas, Machu Picchu, something that will live with you forever. Your guide will expertly take you through the energetic ruins and its diverse main streets.
If you wish to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own you can (not included in the price):
When you are ready, you will descend to Aguas Calientes, have a leisurely lunch and later on board the train at 14:55h for the return trip to Cusco stopping at the Ollantaytambo Station, where you will catch our car back to Cusco and arrive at your hotel around 18:30h.
This price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs, we will provide a duffle bag for you to put your things in.
“Please read the following information carefully; it will help with your questions about our services and the Inca Quarry trek to Machu Picchu”
You will be greeted at the airport in Cusco and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to start of your trek. Look out for our representative holding an orange board with Inca Trail Hike Peru at the arrivals terminal.
It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm at our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2nd Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO.
Of course! During the Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are free.
FIRST, to book your Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Inca Quarry Trek Machu Picchu permit without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$200.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of info@incatrailhikeperu.com.
You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Inca Quarry Trek, other entrances and reservations. The rangers will check your passport when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train.
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to forecast. BUT you will have many different seasons as you pass through the numerous microclimates and it will depend on your location. We highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.
The maximum group size is 12 persons. Usually our groups are between 2-6 persons. Orange Nation Peru specialises in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provide a personalised service.
You will have 1 cook per group. The number of porters depends of the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, they will have 4 porters, 4 trekkers will have 6 porters, 6 trekkers will have 9 porters, 8 trekkers will have 12 porters.
The Inca Quarry Trek Machu Picchu is a 39 km hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 4,700mt. On the second day of the trek we climb two mountains. The Trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise.
In preparation: try walking 15kms a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, for sure we wil pick you up there !
It will depend on the train availability (high season it could book out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore you we usually book the train at 4:22pm.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you feel it, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffle bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40Litres for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
Frequently Ask Question for the Inca Quarry Trai Trek.
Usually How long does it take?
It’s a 4-day trek, about the same amount of time as the Inca Trail, but the final morning is just a transfer from Cachiqata to Aguas Calientes. You will only be walking for around three days.
Do you still get to see Machu Picchu?
Of course! The only difference is you will make the very last leg from Cachiqata to Ollantaytambo by bus, then a train to Aguas Calientes. If all goes according to plan, you should still get to Machu Picchu around sunrise.
What’s the scenery like?
Pretty much the same, but different. You are still trekking through the best of the Andes, so expect soaring green peaks, granite boulders, isolated villages like Socma and archaeological sites like the famous Q’orimarca ruins. Many trekkers who have done both say The Quarry trail actually beats the Inca for scenery.
When is the best time to hike?
If you want to beat most of the crowds (not that the Quarry Trail ever gets really busy), pick a shoulder season. May or October are good months. Peak time is the same as the Inca Trail, June, July and August.
Weather here will be great, but you will be fighting for photo space at Machu Picchu. The difference is, you will have had the Andes to yourself on the Inca Quarry Trek.
How crowded is it?
A lot of people every year trek the Inca Trail, but the Quarry Trail doesn’t even come close. You will get all that beautiful Andean scenery more or less to yourself (apart from the odd person from a Quechan village or friendly llama).
The vital stats
The overall distance of the Quarry Trail is about 26km (the Inca Trail is 43km) and the maximum altitude is 4,450m above sea level (the Inca Trail’s highest point is Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215m). We highly recommend you to spend at least 2 days Inca Cusco in order to get used to the altutide before going on any trek.
The trekking route for the Quarry Trek
You will set off from Raf’q, where you will meet the horsemen and guides that’ll be your best buddies for the next four days. Set off on the trail and you will soon hit the little town of Socma, then it’s on to the stunning Perolniyoc cascade lookout. A good spot for a selfie and a snack. After a rest, push on to the campsite, which sits about 3,700m above sea level.
The second day of the Quarry Trail is probably the toughest. You will climb to the pass of Puccagasa (4370m) for some of the best views in the Andes, then hike for about two hours to the highest point on the trek: the mammoth Kuychicassa pass (4450m). Luckily the trail is downhill for a while (phew), two hours of easy walking down to a site the Incas called Inti Punku (which means the Sun Gate, although it’s not THE Sun Gate). You can see the Veronica mountain shooting into the sky from here. It’s magic. Camp out near Choquetacarpo, about 3,600m above sea level.
On the third day it’s mostly downhill. You will walk past Kachiqata quarry (hence the Quarry Trail). This is a rock quarry that the Incas never completed due to the Spanish conquest. By midday you’ll be at Kachiqata town, where you’ll take a train to Aquas Calientes (with a dip in the hot springs on arrival). The next morning it’s a short bus ride and all the glory of Machu Picchu.
How fit do I need to be for doing this hike?
Anyone trekking for three solid days over 3,500m above sea level needs a reasonable level of fitness. Altitude sickness is a real risk, try to acclimatize with some time in Cusco before the trip. Most people complete the Quarry Trail without any problems. Drink lots of water as you go, pace yourself, wear polarized sunglasses and appropriate boots.
Cusco
Cusco
