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Inca Quarry Trek: It not only offers the magnificent Andean scenery you expect on any trek in the Cuzco region, but it also visits three lesser known archaeological sites on the way. The likelihood of running into other travellers is very small, which adds to the remoteness and the experience of the hike.
The Inca Quarry Trek, or the Cachicata Trek, is one of the best alternate routes to Machu Picchu. On the Inca Quarry trek, you will visit some little-known Inca ruins and trek through amazing landscapes as you make your way to Machu Picchu. This trek will also take you to an amazing Inca temple above Ollantatambo that was built as a shrine to the snow-capped mountian Veronica. The quarry itself will give you an insight into the incredible crafstmanship and engineering skills of the Incas. If you dare, you will even get to peer inside Incan 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 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.
| Difficulty: | Maximum Altitude: |
| Medium | 4450 m / 14,600 ft |
Season : Year Round
Departure Dates : On Request
Prices Start at : $ USD
Minimum : 2 Trekkers
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.
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).
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.
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.
Machu Picchu Trekking is a licensed tour operator comprised of certified and licensed local tour guides. We are a local company with professional employees and guides who are knowledgeable in traditional (Inca Trail) and alternative (Lares to Machu Picchu) treks; all tours booked with Machu Picchu Trekking are led and staffed by Machu Picchu Trekking employees. We value your trust and never pass our valued clients onto other tour companies.
Cancellations
You may need to cancel your Inca Trail Trek due to personal emergency, illness or flight delay. Because we schedule and purchase permits well in advance of your travel, we are not able to refund you your full amount.
To be refunded (see our refund chart below), please notify us as soon as possible in writing (email). Cancellation charges in addition to the non-refundable deposit will be applied as shown below, calculated from the day written notification is received by Cusco Native. (Please consider purchasing optional travel insurance to cover emergency cancellations.)
Our refund table is as follows:
| Days Prior to Start of Trek | Percentage Refund of Total Trek Price |
| 29 to 22 | 40% |
| 21 to 9 | 20% |
| 8 to 0 | 0% |
In the event of partial cancellations, meaning other members of your party will continue with the trek, the remaining passenger(s) be subject to pay additional charges (e.g. single room supplements or double-occupancy).
