Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
$770
per person
The Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu (also known by the names Cachiqata, Soqma and Chaski Trek) is a unique trek that remains off the beaten path. It is a great trek for those who want an immersive experience for learning Inca history and getting a first hand look at life in the high Andes. The trek was recently included in the top six Alternative treks to Machu Picchu by National Geographic.
In addition to all the amazing scenery, flora, and fauna, you will visit the Perolniyoc Inca site, several small communities in the region and the Cachiqata quarry. The Cachiqata quarry is where the stones were carved to build Ollantaytambo. You can still see rocks that were cut by the stone masons in the Inca times.
After three days of hiking you will make your way to Aguas Calientes by train. On the fourth day you will visit the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu. Our standard package includes the premium services of the Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, lodging in a very nice hotel in Aguas Calientes on night 3 and dinner at the best restaurant in Aguas Calientes. Your ticket to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain after your Machu Picchu Tour is also included.
- Day 1 – Cusco – Soqma – Rayan
- Day 2 – Rayan – Inti Punku – Choquetacarpo
- Day 3 – Choquetacarpo – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
- Day 4 – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
You will have a thorough briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu. Your guide will meet you at our office in Cusco and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.
What is Included?
- Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soqma
- Four-person tent for every 2 people.
- Inflatable Mattress
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Toilet tent
- Chef
- Muleteers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc.)
- Horse to transport 8 kg of your personal gear
- Duffle bag for your personal gear
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners
- Hot water for washing.
- Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
- Vistadome train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
- Ticket for Huayna Picchu mountain
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
What is not included?
- Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us
- Day 1 Breakfast
- Day 4 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)
We recommend that you bring?
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, tops, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, thermal underwear, light long pants, gloves, poncho, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sun block, factor 35+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses and sun hat
- Camera with spare batteries – batteries run down faster at high altitudes
- Binoculars
- Book to read (you will have some time at every camp to read your favorite book)
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Insect repellent
Optional
Rentals
- Hiking poles – US $20.00 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – US $25.00
- Private Tent – US $30.00
Upgrades
- Vistadome train – USD 50
- Hiram Bingham train– USD 380
- Belmond sanctuary lodge (5-star hotel) – USD 490 Per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel (5-star hotel) – USD 245 Per person
- Tierra viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – USD 50 Per person
- Private Tent – US$30.00
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Reviews
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Departure/Return Location
Lima, Perú -
Included
Professional licensed guide fluent in English -
Not Included
private van to trailhead at km 82
From our gallery
Tour Plan
1
Day 1: Cusco – Soqma – Rayan
We pick you up from your hotel early on the first morning and drive for around 2 hours to Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft), the starting point of our trek. Our vans are extremely comfortable and we provide blankets for those who would prefer to catch a little more rest during the drive.
After meeting your porters and horsemen, and making a final equipment check, the hike begins with a moderate 2 hour walk to the Perolniyoc waterfall. If the weather is warm enough you may want to make the short climb down to the base of the falls to cool off, or maybe just stay on the trail and take your first photos.
A half hour further on we arrive at the Perolniyoc Inca ruins, perched on a cliff-top with spectacular views of the surrounding valley. All of our guides are experts in Inca history and so they will provide you with a quick history lesson as you soak in the views. We will also take lunch here and for the first time you will sample the sumptuous cooking from our kitchen team.
After lunch we make a steep climb for around an hour to our campsite at Rayan (3,700 meters /12,139 ft).
Clear nights in the Andes are a wonder in themselves, and as we settle down to a full 3 course dinner you can watch the sky fill with constellations and the most amazing display of shooting stars before retiring to your tent for a well-earned night’s sleep.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Lowest Elevation: 3,205 m/10,512 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 3,700 m /12,139 ft.
- Distance to walk: 8 km/4,9 miles
- Approximate walking time: 4 to 5 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
- Area: Dry Mountain
2
Day 2: Rayan – Kuychiccasa Pass – Ancascocha
There’s no need to set an alarm on an ATP trek, as our team will wake you gently in the morning with a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee and hot water to wash with. Once everyone is up, we will have breakfast together and get ourselves fueled for the day ahead.
You will need that fuel as we start with a steep 3 hour ascent to the Kuychiccasa pass (4,450 m /14,599 ft). On the way we will pass rustic Fincas, see wild Alpacas or maybe even a passing Condor, and always with the snow-capped peaks of the Nevadas in the background.
There is no race to reach the top though, and we will take a break together to enjoy the 360 degree views of the Chancachuco and Sacred valleys. Then, it’s just a 1 hour easy hike to our lunch stop at the Chancachuco Valley (4,312 m / 14,147 ft).
After lunch we make a short climb with beautiful views of Mt. Veronica (5,822 m/ 19,100 ft) before an easy 3 hour walk downhill to the community of Ancascocha (3,700 m/12,139 ft). Our campsite for the night is in a small but gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Highest Elevation: 3,700 m/12,139 ft.
- Campsite elevation: 4,450 m/14,599 ft.
- Distance to walk: 14 km/8,6 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 – 10 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Area: Dry Mountain
3
Day 3: Ancascocha – Huaynay Pass – Quesqa Valley – Paucarcancha
Once again, Day 3 starts with a climb, but this time just for 1 hour. Your reward? Stunning views of the nearby glacier, well preserved Inca remains, and the sparkling blue Ancascocha Lake.
Taking a deep breath we make a strenuous 2 hour climb to the highest point of the trek, the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m/15,255 ft). Along this section you will see an original cobblestone paved Inca Trail. After all that effort, we will take our time to enjoy the incredible views from the summit, before making an easy 45 minute walk to our lunch stop at the small Inca site of Incaracay.
The afternoon’s hiking is much easier as we descend to the community of Quesqa Valley and on to the Inca site of Paucarcancha (3,133 m/10,278 ft). At this lower elevation, the vegetation is lush and green, and we will have the chance to see a view of the Classic Inca Trail in the distance as well as the remote communities of the Quesqa valley.
On arrival at Paucarcancha your guide will provide a guided tour of the site, before settling into our campsite for the evening and yet another excellent dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Highest Elevation: 4,650 m/15,255 ft.
- Campsite elevation: 3,133 m/10,278 ft.
- Distance to walk: 15 km/ 9,3 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Area: Dry Mountain
4
Day 4: Paucarcancha – Kilometer 82 – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
The last day of hiking is the easiest of all as it is a 6 hour hike downhill on a section of the Classic Inca Trail to Km 82 (the official start of the Classic Trail). Lunch will be served at Km82.
After lunch we drive you to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,160 ft) to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m/6,692 ft). The train journey provides a totally different perspective of the mountains you’ve just been hiking in, and many more photo opportunities.
Arriving in Aguas Calientes you will check-in to your nice hotel room where you can rest before dinner. Or, if you still have some energy, the natural hot springs in town are also a great place to relax. Showered and refreshed we will take dinner together at an excellent restaurant with an extensive menu (drinks not included). It’s likely to be an early night though, as our trip to Machu Picchu normally starts before sunrise!
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Lodging: Hotel
- Highest Elevation: 3,133 m/10,278 ft.
- Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/6,692 ft.
- Distance to walk: 12 km/ 7 ½ miles
- Estimated walking time: 6 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
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