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Cusco · Peru
Inca Quarry Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days
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From $944.45 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
The Inca Quarry Trek takes hikers to beautiful and secluded waterfalls, to traditional Andean communities, and to the largest quarry in the Inca Empire. You’ll 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.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Visit the Perrolniyoq waterfall, the most beautiful in Cusco
- Explore the largest Inca Quarry and spectacular Inca Ruins
- Visit the Sungate in Ollantaytambo
- Participate in a Pachamanca underground hotstone barbecue.
- Panoramic train on the way back to Cusco
- Visit our Social projects in Cachiccata
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Cusco
Cusco - Racca - Soqma - K'orimarca We 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).
Continued
Cusco
Hiking. The Quarry Trail trek starts 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.
Continued
Cusco
Hiking. 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. Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Continued
Cusco
The Campsite is near the archeological in Korimarca village (3611 m /11847 ft) Campsite Altitude: 3611 m /11847 ft Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner.
Day 2
Cusco
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 tour.
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Cusco
Hiking. Korimarca - Inti Punku - Choquetacarpo 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 amazing views of the snow-capped peaks of the Urubamba mountain range and the mystical Sacred Valley of the Incas while your tour guide performs a traditional offering ceremony to the mountain Apus (mountain spirits). Afterward, continue the Quarry trek in the highlands to the Andean lake of Marcacocha (4000 m /13100 ft). This is a perfect place to break for lunch.
Continued
Cusco
Hiking at Inti Punku. Later in the afternoon, start climbing to the second and last mountain of the trek; Apu Buena Negra (4370 m / 14300 ft). Upon reaching the summit, your efforts will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in the region. then, continue downhill for 2 more hours to Intipunku (Sun Gate); a beautiful doorway that overlooks the majestic Veronica mountain (5,893 m / 19,334 ft). Highest altitude: 4450 m / 14599 ft Distance: 15 km / 9.5 miles
Continued
Cusco
Our campsite is just a few minutes further at Choquetacarpo (3600m/11811ft). Campsite Altitude: 3600 m / 11811 ft Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner.
Day 3
Cusco
Choquetacarpo campsite is a perfect place to enjoy the sunrise with a cup of coffee.
Continued
Cusco
Hiking. Choquetacarpo - Cachiccata Quarry - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes After breakfast, hike for 3 hours to the Cachiccata Quarry: the biggest quarry in the Inca Empire. 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.
Continued
Cusco
Hiking at Ollantaytambo. As we follow the ancient Inca route that was used to transfer the rocks to Ollantaytambo we’ll stop for Pachamanca Barbecue lunch and interact with local villagers at the Cachiccata community. Distance: 7 km / 4.5 miles.
Continued
Cusco
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.
Continued
Cusco
After dinner, take the 7:00 pm train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel. Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner.
Day 4
Cusco
Machu Picchu (Lost City of the Inca) On our final day, get up early and prepare for the highlight of your tour. After breakfast in the hotel, tale the first buses to Machu Picchu.
Continued
Cusco
Hiking at 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.
Continued
Cusco
Hiking at Huayna Picchu. After the guided tour, take some time to explore on your own or climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible).
Continued
Cusco
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.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Airport transfers on request (Complimentary) Pre-departure safety briefing held at our office Pickup and drop off from the door of your hotel in Cusco or Sacred Valley Private exclusive transportation with AC Entrance tickets to Quarry Trail and Machu Picchu Bus tickets to Machu Picchu (Round trip) Professional English-speaking Tour Guide Second tour guide for groups 9+ Comfortable camping equipment (Tents, Porta-potty, tables, chairs) Sleeping foam mattress, pillows, hot water bags, extra blankets Duffle bags where you can put up to 7 kilos of personal stuff Horses to carry food and equipment Emergency horse in case you struggle Trekking chef, porters, horsemen Pachamanca barbecue in Cachiccata First aid kit, Oxygen bottle, satellite phones Eureka 4-men tents for each 2 trekkers All taxes and booking fees included
Not Included
First breakfast when starting the tour Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes Sleeping bag, air mattress, trekking poles (can be hired from us) Huayna Picchu Mountain hike (optional) Machu Picchu mountain hike (optional and different from Machu Picchu citadel) Gratuities (optional) Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
What to Bring
Passport Number Rain gear Sun protection Warm layers (fleece / long-sleeved tops) Personal medication Camera, extra batteries Head torch Extra snacks, power bars, chocolate Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips (small change is useful for paying to use the villagers' toilets on the first day)
Meeting & Pickup
We will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 am in Cusco.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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