Inca Quarry plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days

Inca Quarry Trek plus Short Inca Trail 5 Days 4 Nights is the best option for those who want to get off the ‘beaten track’ and walk at least on the last stretch of the Classic Inca Trail. Our unique route is stunning, with majestic ice glaciers, blue glacial lakes, waterfalls. On the original Inca trail hike, just like in ancient times, explore the ancient Inca religious cities along the way and enter through the Sun Gate directly to Machu Picchu Citadel.

Inca Quarry plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days highlights:

• Trek by the hidden path that not many people go.
• Visit Perolniyoc Waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in the sacred valley.
• Learn a lot about the Inca culture with your private tour guide.
• Chance to see local flora and flora, including the Andean condor.
• You will savor the Peruvian cuisine which our master chef will prepare.

Acclimatization:
We recommend you be in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek to be acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude so that you won’t have a problem during the tour.

About us:
Peru Tripper is a direct local tour operator in Cusco – Peru; we never share our tours with other companies as most of them do to minimize operating costs. We don’t work with intermediaries or have hidden prices; we have the best local guides and professionals. We guarantee that your travel expenditures will support the local economy, and improve the lives of local Peruvians, due to the simple reason we are a local business!

We will begin the Cachicata trek with the pick up of travellers from the hotels in Cusco. We then drive through the Sacred Valley for 1 hour and 40 minutes to arrive at the village of Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft). Which is the trailhead for Cachicata trek; the horsemen will be waiting for us at this village, ready to join us in this adventure trek.

To start the Cachicata Trek from Soqma, we’ll gently make our way up following a picturesque path along the beautiful stream; after walking for 1 hour, we will stop at the waterfall of Perolniyoc, which is one of the nicest falls in the northern part of the Sacred Valley. We will continue our Cachicata trek ascending for one more hour uphill to reach out to the archaeological site of Perolniyoc, located above the waterfall. After exploring the ruins with our guide, we will walk for one hour to arrive at our lunch spot and campsite.

This first day of this Inca Quarry trek will be part of the acclimatization to the high altitude. So after lunch we can relax and have rest for the next day; we spend the night at Rayan campsite (3,700 meters/12,136 ft).

Hiking time: 3.5 hours.
Hiking Distance: 11 Km / 8.83 miles.
Meals: Lunch, Tea, Dinner.

After breakfast, we will set off from the camp, 3 hours of slow hike will lead us to the highest pass of our trek called Puka kasa pass (4,450 m /14,600 ft); for many people, this is the most challenging section because of the altitude but is the most spectacular day, we will see many snow-capped mountains and the Sacred Valley in the other side. Once we reach the hill, there will be a magical feeling of surviving one of the highest passes on this mountain range.
We then walk downhill for 25 minutes to our lunch place. We will hike for two more hours in the afternoon undulating trail with some ascents and descents. The last 25 minutes of this segment lead us uphill to the highest pass of the trek, Kuychi kasa (4,457 m/ 14,619 ft)
We then trek downhill for 2 ½ hours to the famous Inca building Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate. From this point, you will have a spectacular view of Veronica Mountain(5,682 m/ 18,637 ft) and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We will spend the night at Choquetacarpo which is a 30 minutes downhill walk from Inti Punku (3,600m/ 11,808 ft).

Hiking time: 7 hours.
Hiking Distance: 18 Km / 11.18 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner.

We will have an early breakfast and then walk one hour downhill to the Cachiqata Inca quarry (3,525 m/ 11,562 ft), where we observe the location where stones were cut for Ollantaytambo. We will have a tour and talk about how you can still see remains of stonework that was interrupted by the Spanish conquest.

From the quarry, we descend for 3 hours until we reach Ollantaytambo (2,840 m / 9,315 ft). We will have lunch in Ollantaytambo. Where we stay this third night, after a deserved relaxation at the hotel, we’ll go for an exploration of the authentic Incan streets in the same town. At night, We’ll have our dinner at the tourist restaurants.

Hiking time: 5 hours.
Hiking Distance: 13 Km / 8.07 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner.

We will pick you up from your Ollantaytambo hotel early in the morning and then we walk to the train station at Ollantaytambo and take the tourist train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes about 1 hour and a half to km 104 is an unscheduled train stop so you will probably feel a twinge of satisfaction that the train is stopping especially for you – and by knowing you are about to see things that no one else will get to! At Km 104 we will get off from the train and cross the Inca Trail checkpoint where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft).

These ruins were one of the last shelters that the Incas used before they reached Machu Picchu. This site was also used as a religious and administrative center and features several buildings. Then, we will gradually ascend for about 2-3 hours climbing Inca stone steps while our guide points out different flora and fauna along the route.

We will then pass a tall waterfall before arriving at the archaeological site called Wiñay Wayna at (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), which is named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the ruins and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of Wiñay Wayna and the Urubamba river valley. This large site sits on a mountainside and features experimental terraces that the Incas used to grow different crops. We will visit an important temple with 7 windows that was dedicated to the rainbow as well as observe the amazing engineering of water channels that still function today.

Once we finish our tour here, we will continue our hike for about 1 ½ hour on a part of the Inca Trail which is relatively flat, with small ascents and descents along the way. At about 2:00 pm we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft) which is called Intipunku in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu and from there we will head down to the photo point then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, you will check in to your hotel, and later we will have dinner.

Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours.
Hiking Distance: 13 Km / 9 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, and Dinner.

After breakfast, we will board the first bus, which will take us to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. As part of our itinerary, the same professional tour guide from your Inca Quarry Trek & Short Inca Trail 5 Days 4 Nights will explain all the history of this mysterious and beautiful place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal Palace, Principal Temple, Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable and inspiring experience. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own.

If you have booked the Huayna Picchu hike, you’ll need to coordinate with our guide regarding your scheduled time to take this additional hike. For people not hiking Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (Book in advance), there are other optional activities you can do on your own:

Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.

Hike to the Inca Bridge: The Inca Bridge offers a dose of adventure for your next Machu Picchu visit. However, in this case, the experience is a little less strenuous but a lot more death-defying, not for people with vertigo.

When you are finished with your personal time exploring the extraordinary city of Machu Picchu, you will return to Aguas Calientes by bus and board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where our private van will be waiting to transport you back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.

Hiking time: 3 hours.
Meals: Breakfast at Hotel.

• Pre trek Briefing (briefing at the hotel).
• Pick up from your hotel on the morning of departure.
• Transportation from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the hike by private car.
• Entrance fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu US$ 80 extra) and Inca Quarry.
• English / Quechua / Spanish professional guide speak.
• Second Tour Guide over 12 people.
• Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent, which allows for greater comfort and storage of backpacks.
• Thermarest air-inflate Comfortable sleeping Mattress.
• Professional Cook.
• Cooking equipment.
• Dining equipment, including portable chairs and tables.
• Local food service in the campsites (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, 4 snacks).
• Vegetarian and free gluten food for no extra cost.
• Daily tea service (weak up Coca tea and afternoon tea time or happy hour with full of popcorn, chocolate, coffee, and special snacks made by our cooks).
• Water for Drinking: we will supply filtered, and boiled water and your bottles will be filled at each mealtime. Please bring enough water for the first day only.
• Single tents upon request with no extra cost.
• Horseman and horses. (they will carry our duffel bag of 7 kilos including your sleeping bag, matt, and clothes.).
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu round trip (5th day).
• Expedition train ticket to the head of trail (104 Km.).
• Expedition train ticket Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo.
• Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• 1-night accommodation in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes (twin bedroom with private bathroom and hot shower).
• Insurance policy of life for cooks and horsemen.
• Visit Machupicchu on the last day (2 hours guided tour to explore the whole incan sites).

• Extra expenses.
• Breakfast – Day 1.
• Lunch and dinner – Day 5.
• Pillows.
• Not detailed meals.
• Porter to carry your personal stuff along the short Inca trail Extra Porter (Full Porter 12kg) US$150 – Extra Porter (Half Porter 6kg) US$75
• Travel and health insurance (bring copies with you).
• Huayna Picchu entrance US$ 80 extra.
• Sleeping bags (it can be rented from us for US$ 30 for the entire trip).
• Walking sticks (it can be rented from us for US$ 20 for the entire trip).
• Tips (optional).

• Original Passport.
• Original Student Card (if you book as a student).
• A travel insurance card is essential.
• Sleeping bag.
• Walking sticks.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants) or poncho. Plastic ponchos can be purchased for about $ 2 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breathe at night if you want to take them.
• Warm clothes include jackets, fleeces, gloves, scarf, and knit / tour beanies. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Camera, films, and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions).
• Hat or cap to protect you from sun, rain, and cold.
• Sunblock.
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported.
• Toilet paper.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• Your own first aid kit with special medicines you may need, paracetamol, second skin blisters, etc.
• Small towel.
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you think swimming in the hot springs)
• Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
• Eager and adventurous spirit to enjoy your hike.

We also offer a special service only for you or your group; you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure; we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.

Our Inca Quarry plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days private service includes additional items such as:

• Extra Emergency Horse to ride (1-2 day – only for any emergency).
• Extra Porter (to carry your personal stuff 7kg/person) for the Short Inca Trail
• Hotel 3 Stars (At Aguas Calientes Town).
• North Face 4 season tents.
• Entrance to climb Huaynapicchu Mountain.
• Vistadome Train (First Class train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo).
• Private Van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Bus Round Trip (Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes).
• Lunch in Machupicchu or Aguas Calientes.
• Sleeping Bag.
• 02 Waking Poles per Person.
• 1 Duffel Bag to carry all your sleeping bags, self-inflating pad as well as your clothes.
• Tour Guide to explore Machupicchu and Huaynapicchu all day. And of course, we pay a little more to our Staff and Guide.

We offer 3 kinds of service, each with different price ranges and you can book in any of these services according to your convenience, we just need you to be a minimum of 02 people to organize your trip on the date that suits you, all our services are 100 % guaranteed.

We are a direct TOUR OPERATOR that never passes clients to other agencies as most agencies do it here in Cusco to save operating costs with poor quality.

We will make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.

Can I be picked up from the Sacred Valley?
Yes, let us know in advance to organize your pick-up time.