
The Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days is a unique and less-traveled route, perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. This breathtaking trek takes you through remote Andean landscapes, ancient Inca quarries, and stunning archaeological sites, offering an intimate connection with history and nature. This alternative trail provides an immersive experience, seamlessly blending culture, adventure, and breathtaking scenery on the way to Machu Picchu.
Booking your Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days in advance is essential. This remarkable alternative to the classic Inca Trail offers a deep cultural experience while avoiding the crowds, making it an exceptional choice for explorers.
Moderate
4 Days
We depart from Cusco early in the morning and drive 1 hour and 45 minutes to Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft). This is the starting point of our Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu, where we meet the porters who will join us for the hike. We begin the trek with a 1.5-hour hike to the viewpoint of Perolniyoc Waterfall. This is a perfect opportunity to take photos and have a snack. The waterfall you’ll see at this spot is stunning! We then continue walking for another 35 minutes until we visit the Inca site of the same name, where we’ll have a brief tour. This will be our lunch site. After a satisfying lunch, we ascend for 45 minutes to our campsite in Rayan (3,700 meters / 12,136 feet).
After an early breakfast, we begin a 3-hour ascent to the first pass of the trek, known as Puccaqasa (4,370 m / 14,333 ft). At the top of the pass, there are incredible views of the Sacred Valley. This is a perfect spot for taking photos! We then descend for 25 minutes to our lunch site. After lunch, we hike for 2 hours with alternating ascents and descents. The final 20 minutes of this segment will take us uphill to the highest pass of the trek, Kuychicassa (4,457 m / 14,619 ft). From here, we hike downhill for 2.5 hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku (which means Sun Gate), where there is a spectacular view of Mount Veronica (5,682 m / 18,637 ft) and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our campsite is a 30-minute downhill walk from Inti Punku at Choquetacarpo (3,600 m / 11,808 ft).
We’ll have an early breakfast and then hike downhill for one hour to the Cachiqata quarry (3,525 m / 11,562 ft), where we’ll observe the site where stones were cut for Ollantaytambo. We’ll have a tour and discuss how remnants of interrupted stone-cutting during the conquest period can still be seen. From the quarry, we descend for 3 hours until we reach Ollantaytambo (2,840 m / 9,315 ft). We’ll have lunch in Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon, we’ll take a train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your hotel room. The natural hot springs in town are a great way to spend the afternoon if there’s time available before dinner. Dinner will be at a restaurant.
You’ll have breakfast at your hotel before taking an early bus (5:30 am) along the winding road to Machu Picchu to witness the magnificent sunrise. Once there, you’ll be given a 2-hour guided walking tour of the site. If you have chosen to climb Huayna Picchu mountain (the price for this is not included in your Inca Quarry Trek price, but if you wish to climb, you must book in advance), you will begin the hike at 10 am. If you’re not climbing the mountain, you’ll have free time to explore the site, walk to the Sun Gate, or hike to the Inca Bridge before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you’ll board the train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you’ll travel by tourist transportation to Cusco and be dropped off at your hotel. The arrival time in Cusco depends on your train ticket time.
EXCELLENT Based on 20 reviews Trek478479339132024-12-04Verified Excellent service and Herber was amazing We took an express and tailor made tour from Cuzco with Herber. He was absolutely amazing! The experience overall was a 100/10. He was super attentive, kind and we had an amazing time. Don’t hesitate to book any tour with them! elisa o2024-12-01Verified The best guide for a Guatemalan group 🙌🏻👏🏻 He is an amazing guide!! Always attentive with a super positive attitude. He explains in detail each place 💯 we had a good time as a group and all happy with his service. pilar L2024-06-06Verified Unforgetable experience "I was lucky to have the incredible tour guide Herber during my trip to Peru. His deep historical and cultural knowledge, combined with his kindness and enthusiasm, made each tour an unforgettable experience. I recommend Herber to anyone who wants to discover the best kept secrets in the city. Thank you, Herber, for making my trip an unforgettable adventure!" Sergio b2024-05-16Verified Great with him An exceptional guide and an excellent person, the trip under his guidance multiplied interest and fun. I would without a doubt recommend working with him. Fantastic treatment and information. Out of 10 everything. patricia g2024-05-15Verified Cusco travel, don't hesitate. Peru is a country that you love in every aspect, salkantay, mountain colors, Cusco, Amazon... But what makes all this really incredible is the human team of Cusco travel, cooks, muleteers, drivers, headed by the guide HERVER, excellent professional and better person, I would choose you a thousand times more. José Carlos G2024-05-15Verified Learning and adventure You have it all in Peru and with Herber it becomes super enjoyable and interesting. A guide of 10. A true connector with Pachamama. Thank you Shaman. Ana M2024-05-15Verified Mountain, culture and gastronomy Without a doubt highly recommended.Very good professional... highly qualified in Inca history... and in terms of mountains ⛰️🏔️ culture and gastronomy...The tours were organized in detail and their kitchen equipment was a 10.I have fallen in love with this country thanks to him. I will be back. Juan Diego S2024-05-13Verified Great supplier and person We have made a full pack with Cuzco travel for 14 days.Including culture, Trekking, MachuPicchu and jungle in Puerto MaldonadoReally, in my case we will continue working together and we will make everything grow in a respectful way and enjoying more travelers. Borja G2023-10-02Verified Pedro An unforgettable experience!!! Accompanied by our beloved guide and now friend Herber. A close and endearing person with a lot of knowledge. Where we have been protected and accompanied by him and his team like a big family, Nothing has been missing on this trip. An experience that has marked a before and after for me. I would definitely repeat it with this great team. Thank you Herber for your kindness, attention and good sense of humor. Laura B2023-09-13Verified Great tour with wonderful views and awesome guide Had such a good time on this tour, the views are amazing, the food is good and I found the walk up to the top very manageable, even with the altitude. What really made it a great tour though was Marco, our guide, who was so knowledgeable, kind and funny - our driver was also lovely. Would definitely recommend to anyone considering rainbow mountain!