Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu

Highlight of the trip

The Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu is recommended for people who want to experience nature and explore the less popular paths to Machu Picchu. Other tour that take you to Machu Picchu are: inca trail to machu picchu, salkantay trek 4 days.

  • The route of the Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu is very little visited, if you are looking for walks outside the common without a doubt this is the one, you will enjoy the solitude and the beautiful sunsets, surrounded by mountains and snow-capped peaks like Verónica.
  • Visit one of the most famous quarries from where the Incas obtained their lithic materials of great proportions, it is still possible to see many stones already worked ready to be taken.
  • You can visit some of the local communities, who still practice the ancestral agriculture of the Incas.
  • You will have the best postcard photo of Verónica’s mountain from Puerta del Sol. This route offers you very beautiful archaeological sites such as Perolniyoc, Ñaupa Iglesia (Choque keel).
  • Enjoy a train trip to Machu Picchu, the route has a change of landscapes from the sacred valley to the cloud forest.
  • Delight your palate with the best gastronomy of Cusco and Peru, everything is prepared by our experienced cooks.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Soqma – Peroiniyoq – Qorimarka

We will pick you up at 05:30 am from the hotel and we will go to Choque quilla, a small Inca ceremonial place. From here we will continue until we reach Rafqa (2800msnm), where we will start walking and that is where our support staff awaits us to join our walk. After an hour of walking, we will arrive at the small community of Soqma (3000msnm). Another hour of walking will take us to the Perolniyoc waterfall (3300msnm) where we will stop to take photos and eat something. From here, we continue to the Inca site of Qorimarka to explore for around 30 minutes, and then arrive at the camp at lunchtime.

  • Hiking distance: 4-5 Km
  • Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
  • Maximum altitude: 3600msnm
  • Minimum altitude: 2800msnm

Day 2: Qorimarka – Intipunku – Choquetacarpo

After our breakfast, we started walking. Four hours of walking will take us to the top of the first pass Pukaqasa (4400msnm). After enjoying the views of the mountains and the lower valley, we went down approximately 20 minutes to the lunch spot. From here, we continue another 2 hours to reach a small Inca site with incredible views of the sacred valley of the Incas and the Veronica mountain (5750msnm). Finally we arrive at our Choquetacarpo camp (3600msnm)

  • Hiking distance: 10-11 Km
  • Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
  • Maximum altitude: 4400msnm
  • Minimum altitude: 3600msnm

Day 3: Choquetacarpo – Kachicata Quarry – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

The third day, we had an early breakfast and then we continued our descent to the Cachicata quarry (3500msnm), where we will witness the Ollantaytambo quarry with remains of solid stones in which they had worked and that were destined for the construction of Ollantaytambo there are some places interesting that include several large buildings, half-finished quarry stones and caves with Inca mummies still in place. After exploring the quarry, we will continue descending for about 2 hours towards the city of Ollantaytambo (2900msnm), which is the end point of our walk, then we will board the train to travel to Aguas Calientes or to the town of Machu Picchu (2040msnm). We will spend the night at the hotel and have dinner.

  • Walking distance: 6-7 Km
  • Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours
  • Maximum altitude: 3600msnm
  • Minimum altitude: 2040msnm

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu-Cusco

We will wake up early in the morning to have breakfast at the hotel and then take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu (2400msnm). There is a good reason to be at the entrance of Machu Picchu early. It is worth the effort to wake up early since the Inca citadel is quieter in the early morning and we will have plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the sunrise in Machu Picchu. Our guide will take you to the classic place to take postcard photo. This point of view offers an excellent view of the entire complex, and then our guide will give you a tour of Machu Picchu that will inform you about the history of Machu Picchu and the most important constructions. At the end of our visit, we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then we will board the train to return to Ollantaytambo where our private transportation will be waiting for us to take us back to Cusco-Hotel.

Included:

  • Information prior to departure 1 or 2 days before the trek
  • Pick up from your hotel in Cusco
  • Horses and horses to carry our camping and cooking equipment
  • Professional guide speaks Spanish and Quechua
  • 4 seasonal tents, with capacity for 4 people, but only used by 2
  • Sleeping pad
  • 04 breakfasts, 04 lunches, 04 dinners
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
  • Train from Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
  • Transfer from the Train Station to Cusco
  • One night’s accommodation at the Hotel Aguas Calientes
  • Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu

Not Included:

  • Sleeping bag: can be rented in our office $ 20 usd
  • Walking tracks: possible to rent $ 15 usd
  • Lunch in Aguas Calientes on the last day.
  • Tips (cook, rider and guide)
  • Travel insurance
  • Huaynapicchu Mountain $ 30 usd

What to bring?

  • Original passport is required for the Cachicata trek
  • Hiking shoes are suggested for the Cachicata hike
  • Waterproof jacket, rain pants / poncho
  • A warm jacket
  • Hat and gloves
  • Tshirts
  • Comfortable pants
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Toiletries and hand sanitizer
  • Personal medications
  • Camera and film
  • Flash light
  • Spare batteries

Frequently Asked Questions:

How high is the Inca Quarry of Cachicata Cusco?

The Cachicata Ollantaytambo Quarry is located at about 4100 meters above sea level, about 6 km. away from the Inca city of Ollantaytambo.

How long is it to walk to Inti Punku and Cachicata?

To get to Canteras de Cachiccata and La Puerta del Sol Cusco from the Inca city of Ollantaytambo it is an approximate 3 hours of steep road, and to reach the Inca viewpoint of Inti Punku (La Puerta del Sol Cusco) is an additional 1 hour.

Which is the best season for the Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu?

The visit to these tourist attractions can be done in any season but the agency recommends that you do it in the dry season (March – October) so that you can make the walk without any problem such as rain and admire the landscape in all its splendor.

How long travel time is Ollantaytambo?

The trip from the city of Cusco to the Inca city of Ollantaytambo is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in private mobility but if you wish to travel by public transport units the approximate time is 2 hours.

Can I hike the Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu by my own?

The Walk to the Canteras de Cachiccata being part of the Inca road circuit that runs through the country of Peru, and the Qhapap Ñan circuit, it is recommended that it be carried out with the supervision of an authorized agency that provides you with the professional guide service for that you can enjoy the best way to walk to Cachicata and take a nice memory back to your country.

How high is Inti Punku «La Puerta del Sol Cusco»?

Inti Punku or «Puerta de Sol» is the highest point in the Cachicata Trek Peru towards the Inca quarry being at a height of approximately 3886 meters above sea level from that point you will be able to appreciate an impressive view of the Sacred Valley and the Nevados that are around as they are the snowy Veronica.

Is a tourist ticket needed for the Inca de Cachicata Quarry?

At the moment no income is being charged, which will allow you to discover with greater freedom the way of the Incas to the Inca quarries of Cachicata Cusco.

Excellent
Based on 151 reviews
Fernanda L
Fernanda L
2023-09-01
Mariela es muy especial! Fue todo perfecto! Mariela es increíble y hizo todo para que nuestro viaje fuera inolvidable. La dedicación de Mariela por su trabajo y por su familia también son muy bonitas. Eso hace todo aún más especial.
Michel
Michel
2023-06-30
Cusco Visitei Cusco em Junho/2023 e reservei todos os passeios com a Qorianka. Equipe muito atenciosa, todos os passeios foram ótimos e bem organizados.
Da F
Da F
2023-06-23
Perfeito!!!!! Quando fui planejar a viagem para Cusco pesquisei muito os locais que queria conhecer e as empresas que faziam os passeios, encontrei a Qorianka Tours entrei em contato e fui super bem atendida pela Mariele que esclareceu todas as minhas dúvidas. Quando estamos planejamento uma viagem sempre surgi o medo de não ser o que esperávamos, mas falo com vocês que foi melhor do que eu esperava, me surpreendeu o comprometimento, a atenção de toda a equipe que esteve comigo e com meu marido no período da viagem. Vou detalhar um pouco como foi, quando chegamos no aeroporto já tinha uma pessoa esperando para levar até o hotel, nos dias de buscar para os passeios foram todos extremamente pontuais, os guias sempre alegres e com toda atenção explicavam as histórias dos locais, os locais de café da manhã e almoço muito bom e agradáveis e no fim da viagem também nos buscaram no hotel e levaram até o aeroporto. Ficamos 9 dias em Cusco, foi uma viagem maravilhosa, um sonho realizado. Agradeço toda a equipe da Qorianka Tours que conseguiram transformar minha viagem em algo mais surpreendente do que eu espera. Se vc estiver planejando super indico a Qorianka Tours, não tem nenhum ponto negativo para reclamar. Podem confiar.
Solange Puga
Solange Puga
2022-09-27
AGÊNCIA CONFIÁVEL!! A agencia é confiável, fiz a reserva pelo Brasil,só paguei uma pequena reserva,em um banco no Brasil,fiz o resto do pagamento diretamente com a Mariella em Cusco. Eles são honestos,mas meio informais. . No city tour,eles atrasaram, logo após 20'' de atraso eu liguei,esqueceram de nós,mas logo Mariella resolveu o problema e mandou um carro para nos levar até o grupo. Adoramos os guias de cada passeio,Aidê,Roni,Ivan e Mari,são eficientes,educados e divertidos . As Vans eram confortáveis. O hotel do pacote em Aguas Calientes,,era bom e bem localizado,foram nos buscar na estação.
Silvia P
Silvia P
2022-09-04
7 lagunas con Diego Go!! La mejor experiencia!!! desde inicio hasta al final... cuentan con servicio de desayuno, almuerzo típico delicioso? Además de conocer y hacer amistades de otros países? y lo más importante el guía quién nos orienta e explica durante todo el trayecto.... totalmente agradecida y muy feliz Guía: Diego Suna Quispe
Rocio O
Rocio O
2022-09-04
TOUR 7 LAGUNAS CON DIEGO GO! La mejor experiencia de la visita a las 7 lagunas además de contemplar su belleza natural fue que el guía Diego nos dejó tomarnos el tiempo necesario para captar las mejores fotografías y hacer videos, ya que estas imágenes quedarán guardadas por siempre para el recuerdo. También agradecer por la alimentación que estaba deliciosa con ingredientes propias de la zona. Un consejo para las personas que deseen aventurarse en este tour (o alguno otro, ya que el guía es experto en muchos tours) no se arrepentirán en tomarlo como guía a DIEGO GO! ( como lo bautizamos ???) su nombre real es DIEGO SUNA QUISPE
Rafa Rodriguez
Rafa Rodriguez
2021-04-26
Todo el viaje valió la pena El viaje fue súper cansador pero llegar a la montaña de colores compensó todo el cansancio! Además con el guía Ronald aka Picasso hizo esta experiencia mucho más gratificante y hermosa!
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