Inca Quarry Trek is the perfect alternative trek for those who like to explore much less crowded routes off the beaten path. This ancient Inca trail was built by the Incas 500 years ago, and it is still being used today by the local people.
The Inca Quarry Trek takes hikers to beautiful and secluded waterfalls, traditional Andean communities, and the Inca Empire’s largest quarry. You will learn about life in these isolated villages, Inca culture, and enjoy the different landscapes, from the Sacred Valley to the high Andean mountains, and spend an unforgettable day exploring Machu Picchu – one of the most incredible locations on the planet. Student Discount: Day 1: Cusco – Racca – Soqma Waterfalls – Korimarca.After being collected from your hotel in Cusco at 7:00 am, drive to Racca’s village to start the Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu. The hike takes 6 hours, visiting Ñaupa Iglesia (2967m / 9734 ft), Soqma Village, Perolniyoc waterfalls, and Rayanpata Inca Site. We camp at Korimarca village (3611 m / 11847 ft). Day 2: Korimarca – Inti Punku – Choquetacarpo.- Wake up with a cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent, have breakfast, and begin the 4-hour ascent to Charkahuaylla pass (4450m/14599ft). After lunch, visit the Intipunku Inca Site (Sungate) and enjoy the snow-capped mountains amazing views. Camp at Choquetacarpo (3600m/11811ft). Day 3: Choquetacarpo – Inca Quarry – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.- After enjoying a delicious breakfast, descend for 3 hours to Cachiccata Inca Quarry, considered one of the largest Inca quarries from Cusco. Lunch is a particular Pachamanca barbecue. Then, continue to Ollantaytambo and take the train to Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in a hotel. Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco.- On the final day, wake up early and take the first buses up to Machu Picchu. The guided tour starts with a short visit to Sungate or Inca Bridge. Then, explore the stone Inca temples and grand palaces. You will have time to explore by yourself, then take the Vistadome panoramic train back to Cusco. Arrival around 7:30 pm. Huayna Picchu – tickets cost an additional $75 per person. To book this mountain, you need to book far in advance; climbing takes 2 hours round trip.
TreXperience team will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 am and drive for 2 hours to the community of Racca, located in the Sacred Valley (You must have breakfast in your hotel for this tour). The Quarry Trail trek starts by visiting the ancient Inca shrine of Ñaupa Iglesia (2967m / 9734 ft). This is, by far, one of the most mysterious Inca sites in the whole region. Then, continue hiking for 2 hours to the community of Soqma (3188 m / 10459 ft), where lunch will be prepared by your trekking chef using fresh local products. After lunch, explore the village, interact with the local villagers, and understand their humble lifestyles and cultures. The second part of our trek is a 2 to 3-hour hike uphill to Perolniyoc waterfall – one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Cusco with a drop of 328 feet into the rock. The views from this location of the Soqma Valley, Maras Plateau, and snow-capped mountains are spectacular. The campsite is near the archeological in Korimarca village (3611 m / 11847 ft) Wake up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea. Today is the most challenging and yet the most beautiful day of this TreXperience! After breakfast, it’s a 4-hour uphill hike to Charkahuaylla pass (4450 m/14599 ft). At the summit, you can take a well-earned break and enjoy the fantastic views of the Urubamba mountain range’s snow-capped peaks and the mystical Sacred Valley of the Incas. At the same time, your tour guide performs a traditional offering ceremony to the mountain Apus (mountain spirits). Afterward, continue the Quarry trek in the mountains to the Andean lake of Marcacocha (4000 m /13100 ft). This is a perfect place to break for lunch. Later in the afternoon, Apu Buena Negra (4370 m / 14300 ft) started climbing to the trek’s second and last mountain. Upon reaching the summit, your efforts will be rewarded with one of the region’s most spectacular views. Then, continue downhill for two more hours to Intipunku (Sun Gate), a beautiful doorway that overlooks the majestic Veronica mountain (5,893 m / 19,334 ft). Our campsite is just a few minutes further at Choquetacarpo (3600m/11811ft). Choquetacarpo campsite is a perfect place to enjoy the sunrise with a cup of coffee. After breakfast, hike for 3 hours to the Cachiccata Quarry: the Inca Empire’s biggest quarry. Here your tour guide will teach you all about the incredible techniques of the ancient Inca stone-masons as well as about their lives and customs. You’ll be amazed by the enormous rocks that the Incas would transport and carve without the help of modern technology. This quarry was abandoned together with Machu Picchu and many other Inca sites during the Spanish invasion. As we follow the ancient Inca route used to transfer the rocks to Ollantaytambo, we’ll stop for Pachamanca Barbecue lunch and interact with local villagers at the Cachiccata community. Here our private bus will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo to explore these ancient streets and the water channel that has been in use since Inca times. After dinner, take the 7:00 pm train to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a hotel. On our final day, get up early and prepare for the highlight of your tour. After breakfast in the hotel, take the first bus to Machu Picchu. Arriving as the sky brightens, the tour starts with a short hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge, with incredible views of the city along the way. On a clear day, you can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu. Then, explore the temples, palaces, and streets. After the guided tour, take some time to explore your own or climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked as far as possible). Once you finish exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, enjoy lunch ( Not Included), and in the afternoon, take the Vistadome Panoramic train back to Cusco. Drop off at your hotel around 7:30 pm.
Overview
Highlights of the Inca Quarry Trail
Price per person 640.USD
To book the Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu, you need to make an initial payment of 200.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.
All travelers under 17 will have a $35. If you are 25 years old or under at the time of traveling, you can get the 35$ discount with your student ID. Please advise by email to give you a code for the discount.
Day by day summary of the Inca Quarry Trek
Included on the Inca Quarry Trail
Not Included on the Inca Quarry Trek
Optional hikes after Machu Picchu tour:
Full Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – RACCA – SOQMA – KORIMARCA
DAY 2: KORIMARCA – INTI PUNKU – CHOQUETACARPO
DAY 3: CHOQUETACARPO – CACHICCATA QUARRY – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU (LOST CITY OF THE INCAS)
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