Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

The Cachicata trek or Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days is a formidable and picturesque hiking trail in the proximity of the Sacred Valley. This fascinating alternative hike, called Cachicata Trek, offers you a mind-boggling view of the mountain scenery. It’s a perfect blend of little known Inca sites with tall mountains. Travellers will be getting a firsthand look at the Peruvian Mountains’ rural lifestyle. The Inca Quarry trail is one of the most epic Alternative treks to Machu Picchu, named by National Geographic Magazine.

Besides the stunning mountain scenery, flora, and fauna, the Cachicata Trek enables you an excellent introduction to Inca history while you walk on Inca Quarry Trail. You will also visit the Sungate and other exciting sites like Perolniyoc ruin, part of the Inca Trail to Ollantaytambo and Cachicata. The Inca Quarry Trek allows you to explore where the Inca builders carved the stones before transporting them to Ollantaytambo fortress.

The Soqma Trail is within the abilities of most reasonably fit people. The hike is 32 kilometres long in total, and its highest point is at 4,450m/14600ft above sea level. During this fantastic trek, horses will carry your gear and all the camping equipment. In this Cachicata Trek, you will have two great nights camping, and one night you will stay at the hotel in Aguas Calientes.

You can even combine this trek with the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 5 Days,

Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu 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 will be prepared by our master chef.

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 continue our Cachicata trek having an early breakfast and then walk down for one hour to arrive to Cachicata, the Inca Quarry, the reason for the name Cachicata trek; where we will be able to walk around and observe all the stone works did by the Inca builders before to transport down to Ollantaytambo. Our guide will show us the remains of the unfinished stonework left by the Incas because of the invasion of the Spanish conquerors.
We will descend from the Cachiqata quarry for 3 hours until we arrive at Ollantaytambo (2,840 m / 9,315 ft.), our lunch place.
We will take a train to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where we will spend the night at the hotel. In the evening, you will have free time to explore this charming town, and you will get ready for the Machu Picchu visit the following day.

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

To best appreciated Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 5:40 a.m. We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu.
We’ll then pass through the gates into the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you’ll begin your guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide.

Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, and other vital locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views of the agricultural terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges. After the guided tour, you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu as you please, perhaps walking to some less visited parts such as the Inca Bridge.

Once we’ve finished our tour of Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you’ll finish the entirety of your incredible Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu.

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 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 (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 3 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.
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Horseman and horses. (they will carry our duffel bag of 7 kilos, including your sleeping bag, matt, and clothes.).
• Tourist Expeditions Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes(round trip).
• 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 4.
• Pillows.
• Not detailed meals.
• 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).
• Waking 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 Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days private service, includes additional items such as:

• Extra Horse to ride (only for any emergency).
• 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 bit 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.