Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
In case you want to explore and enjoy the beautiful landscapes, the Inca Quarry Trail is a new alternative trek to the Classic Inca Trail, where you will not find hikers, this circuit is one of the most memorable to discover the great landscape richness and culture of Peru, since in its circuit you will be able to learn more deeply about the mysticism and customs of the men of the Andes, and take a train trip to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu.
You can also find a new Puerta del Sol in all the Andes. Sun Gate or called Inti Punku, are structures built to honor the sun, usually at such an angle that they frame a distant mountain and welcome the first rays of the winter solstice. You can also see Inca mummies inside their tombs. Another great attraction of this route of the Inca quarry is the Perolniyoc waterfall, where you can take a dip, at the top you will appreciate the Inca ruins of Perolniyoc.
Trip Highlights
- The route of the Inca quarry, is very little visited, if you are looking for walks outside the common ones, this is the indicated one, you will enjoy the solitude and the beautiful sunsets, surrounded by mountains and snow-capped peaks such as Veronica.
- Visit one of the most famous quarries where the Incas obtained their lithic materials of great proportions, it is still possible to see many stones already worked ready to be carrried.
- 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 the mountain of Veronica from the Inti Punku (Sun Gate). This route offers you beautiful archeological 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 Cusqueña and Peruvian cuisine, everything is prepared by our experienced chefs.
Inclusions of this tour
CUSCO – PEROLNIYOQ WATERFALLS – SOQMA VILLAGE
We pick up you from your hotel at 4:00 am, we then drive through the Sacred Valley 1 hour and 40 minutes to arrive to the village of Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft). Which is the beginning point of Cachicata trek, the horsemen will be waiting for us at this village ready for this adventure trek. To start the Inca Quarry trek from Soqma, we’ll gently make our way up following one of the side valleys, walking 1 hour and 30 minutes of hiking, 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 hike for one more hour uphill to reach the archaeological site of Perolniyoc, located above the waterfall, after explore the ruins with our guide, we will walk for one hour to arrive to our lunch spot and camp ; we spend the night at Rayan campsite (3,700 meters/12,136 ft).
Camping Tent
RAYAN – SUN GATE – CHOQUETACARPO
After breakfast we will set off from the camp, 3 hours of slow hike will lead us to the highest pass of Cachicata trek called Puka kasa pass (4,450 m /14,600 ft), for many people this is the hardest section because 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 mountain there will be a magical feeling of surviving one the highest passes on this mountain range.
Then we walk downhill for 25 minutes to our lunch place. In the afternoon, we will hike for two more hours ondulating trail with some ascents and descents. The last 25 minutes of this segment lead us uphill to the highest pass of the trek, Kuychi K’asa (4,457 m/ 14,619 ft). Then the trek goes downhill for 2 hours to the famous site the called Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, where we 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 30 minutes downhill from Inti Punku (3,600m/ 11,808 ft).
Camping Tent
OLLANTAYTAMBO – TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES
We will continue our Cachicata trek having an early breakfast and then walk down for one hour to arrive to Cachicata, the Inca Quarry (3,525 m/ 11,562 ft), 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 stone work left by the Incas, because the invasion of the Spanish conquerors.
From the Cachiqata quarry we will descend for 3 hours until we arrive to Ollantaytambo (2,840 m / 9,315 ft.) our lunch place. In the afternoon we will have train connection to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night at the hotel. In the evening we will have dinner in one of the restaurants in the town.
Hotel Retama Machu Picchu
TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU - RETURN TO CUSCO
You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a very early bus (5:30am). The tour guide will teach you about all the history of this mysterious and mystical place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal palace, Main Temple, Three Windows Temple and Sun Dial. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own. In the afternoon you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to the train station you will be transferred by car to Cusco.
Best season to travel
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and November, when the weather is dry and bright, with more frequent rainfall occurring between November and April.
Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Price $ USD 720 PP or Reserve now with $ USD 200 PPChoose your preferred departure date to proceed
A unique adventure in Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
What to Bring for this tour
Essential Trip Information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip InformationInca Trail Tours
Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu 1 Day
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Sacred Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days
Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu 5 Days
Why Inca Trail Expeditions
We make sure you get a true taste of your destination. We want to create experiences that give you a deeper perspective
Our friendly reservations team have first-hand experience of our holidays and will help you at every stage of your booking. They are available seven days a week to answer your questions.
Inca Trail Expeditions is a 100% local Tour Operator , with more than 18 years of experience.
Discover the most impressive landscapes of the Andes, travel to the Amazon rainforest, enjoy authentic cultural experiences with the best guides in Peru.
Explore the best Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu in small Groups.
Our much-loved National Escorts, whose knowledge and dedication have won us the best reputation in the industry, will make your holiday with us truly extraordinary.