Inca Quarry Trek 4D/3N

Take an alternative trek in the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is a more unknown trek and has been seen by few tourists. See interesting sites including an unfinished Incan Quarry among other ceremonial sites on your way to Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World. This is a good alternative trek if the Inca Trail is full.

• Season : Year Round
• Departure Dates : On Request
• Prices Start at : $ USD
• Minimum : 2 Trekkers

Day 1: Cusco - Choquequilla - Rafq'a - Perolniyoc - Q'orimarca

We will leave Cusco very early (5:00am) driving towards Ollantaytambo.  From Ollantaytambo we will drive approximately 30 min to Choquequilla, a small ceremonial place where Incas used to venerate the moon.  A short drive from there takes us to Rafq’a, which is the starting point of our trek and where we will meet the horsemen that will transport our equipment during the hike. From there we will walk an hour to the small community of Socma. Another hour of walking will take us to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for great photos, because of the spectacular picturesque scenery. Afterwards we will continue on to our campsite, 3700 meters above sea level, which we should reach by lunch time. After lunch we set off to explore the archaeological site of Q’orimarca, which was used to be a check point during the times of the Incas.

Day 2: Puccaqasa - Kuychicassa - Choquetacarpo

This is the most challenging but most rewarding day of the hike. A 3 hour walk takes us to the top of the first pass, known as Puccaqasa (4370 meters). After half an hour of walking downhill we will reach our lunch spot. After a delicious lunch and a rest, we will hike 2 hours to the highest pass of the trek: Kuychicassa (4450 meters). From there we will descend for 2 hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku, (Sun Gate) with amazing views of the valley bellow and the Veronica Mountain, which will appear in the horizon line. Our camp is settled at Choquetacarpo (3600m).

Day 3: Kachiqata - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo)

Whole day three we will be descending. The first stop is at the Kachiqata Quarry, where we will observe the work the Incas could’nt complete because of the Spanish conquest. About midday we finally arrive to the town of Kachiqata - the end of the trek. From there we will visit town Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon we will take the train to Aguas Calientes. You have the evening free and may choose to visit the natural hot springs if you like. You will spend the night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes.

Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco

We wake up at 5:00 AM for breakfast. We leave our luggage at the hostel and take an early bus up to Machu Picchu, where our English-speaking guide will be waiting for us. On this time in the morning it is most possible that the site is empty and we will have the best chance to enjoy the beauty and the magic of Machu Picchu.  A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2,720 m/8,923 ft). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top of Huayna Picchu and you will get a magnificent view over Machu Picchu and its surroundings. We suggest that after visiting Machu Picchu you can take the bus down to Aguas Calientes by 13:00 at the latest (assuming the train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco departs at 18:45). Busses to Aguas Calientes depart every 10 minutes. Check with the guide for actual times. Arrival to Cusco will be expected to be around 10:00 PM. From there we will provide you a transfer back to your hostel. Arrival time in Cusco might change depending on availability of trains.

Included:

• Round-trip transportation from your hotel
• English-speaking Tour Guide
• Spacious, personal tents
• Sleeping mat
• Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes (while hiking). With adequate advance notice, we can supply boiled water to fill your water bottle or hydration pack.
• Accommodations: 3 nights camping, 1 night hostel
• Horses for days 1-3 (for equipment and 6 kg of your personal items), including horsemen
• Excellent Meals (3 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 3 Dinner)
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Round trip train tickets Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
• Round trip bus tickets Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

Not Included:

• Optional Ollantaytambo ruins Entrance Fee
• Optional Huayna Picchu Entrance Fee
• Hot Springs at Aguas Calientes

What you need to Bring:

• Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC), if applicable)
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required)
• Sleeping bag (also can be rented from us)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun protection cream (SPF 35 or higher recommended)
• Insect repellent
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camelbak
• Water (only for first 4 hours of trek, then we will provide you with previously-boiled drinking water throughout the trek)
• Toiletries (including toilet paper)
• Personal medication
• Camera
• Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
• Cash in local currency (Peruvian Soles) to purchase items along the trail and tips for porters

*To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC card. Please scan and email us a copy at the time of booking.
If desired, the train back to Cusco can be upgraded to Vistadome (+$20)

Optional Items to Bring:

• Shorts
• Walking sticks or trekking poles. Trekking poles used are required to have rubber tips.
• Bandages or moleskin
• Sandals
• Entrance fee for hot springs

Optional Services (Not Included):

• Sleeping bag rental, $20.00
• Breakfast on Day 1, lunch on Day 4, dinner on Day 4
• 1 extra horse to carry personal items, $30 per day
• Walking sticks, $8

Prices for 2014:

Cusco Native is a company comprised of certified and licensed local tour guides. All tours booked with Cusco Native are led and staffed by Cusco Native employees. We will never pass you onto another tour company for your trek. We are a local company with professional employees and guides who are knowledgeable in all of the main (like the Inca Trail) and alternative (Lares, Choquekirao to Machu Picchu) treks.

Cancellations

In the event of a cancellation we need to be informed in writing. Cancellation charges plus forfeiture of the non-refundable deposit will be applied as shown below calculated from the day written notification is received by Cusco Native.

Our cancellation table is as follows:

In the event of partial cancellations, the remaining passenger may have to pay any remaining charges (e.g. single room supplements or double-occupancy).