The Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days (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 Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 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 Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu package includes a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, lodging in a nice hotel in Aguas Calientes on night 3, and dinner at a great local restaurant in Aguas Calientes. Your private Machu Picchu Tour is also included.
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ITINERARY
Pre-trek briefing (required): We provide a full pre-trek briefing at our office or at your hotel in Cusco. This gives you the chance to ask questions about the trek itinerary. Briefings are scheduled for the day before your trek starts.
Please take this into consideration when booking your travel plans to Cusco, to ensure you arrive in time for the briefing.
Day 1: Cusco – Soqma – Rayan
We leave 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 hike to Machu Picchu and where we meet the horsemen that will join us during the hike.
We begin the hike with a 1 ¾ hour walk to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and a snack. The waterfall that you will see at this location is breathtaking!
We will then hike a further 35 minutes until we visit the Inca site of the same name, where we will have a brief tour. This will be our lunch site.
After a refueling lunch, we will ascend 45 minutes until our camp at Rayan (3,700 meters/12,136 ft).
- Meals: Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Minimum altitude: 3,205 m/ 10,512 ft
- Maximum altitude: 3,700 m/ 12,136 ft
- Distance to walk: 8 km/5 miles
- Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Area: Dry Mountain
Day 2: Rayan – Inti Punku – Choquetacarpo
After an early breakfast, we ascend 3 hours 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 place to take pictures!
We then head downhill for 25 minutes to our lunch location. After lunch, we hike 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 trek downhill for 2 ½ hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku, (meaning 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 campsites is 30 minutes downhill from Inti Punku at Choquetacarpo (3,600 m/ 11,808 ft).
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Minimum altitude: 3,600 m/ 11,808 ft
- Maximum altitude: 4,457 m/ 14,619 ft
- Distance to walk: 13 km/ 8 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8-9 hours
- Difficulty: moderate
Day 3: Choquetacarpo – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
We will have an early breakfast and then walk one hour downhill to the Cachiqata quarry (3,525 m/ 11,562 ft), where we observe the location where stones were cut for Ollantaytambo. We will have a tour and talk about how you can still see remains of stone work that was interrupted by the Spanish conquest.
From the quarry we descend for 3 hours until we reach Ollantaytambo (2,840 m / 9,315 ft). We will have lunch in Ollantaytambo.
In the afternoon we travel by train to Aguas Calientes. When we arrive you will check in to your hotel room.
The natural hot springs in town are an unbeatable way to spend a late afternoon/early evening if time is available before dinner. Dinner will be at a local restaurant in town.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodations: Hotel
- Minimum altitude: 2,840 m / 9,315 ft
- Maximum altitude: 3,525 m/ 11,562 ft
- Distance to walk: 11 km/ 7 miles
- Approximate walking time: 4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a bus along the winding road to Machu Picchu, the Inca city that was lost to the jungle but rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham.
Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop the citadel is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba River.
Once there you will be given at 2-hour walking tour of the site.
If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (the Huayna Picchu cost is not included in your Inca Quarry Trek price), you will begin the hike at 10 a.m.
If you are not climbing the mountain you will have some time to be at the site, before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to either Ollantaytambo or to Poroy.
From Ollantaytambo or Poroy, you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Maximum altitude: 2,040 m/6,691 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,440 m/8,052 ft
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.
- 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.
- Expedition train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Return Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to either Ollantaytambo or to Poroy
- One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
NOT included
- Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us
- Day 1 Breakfast
- Day 4 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Ticket for Huayna Picchu mountain (this ticket can be purchased for an extra USD $75 per person)
- Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
What to 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
PRICES & ADD-ONS
Group: USD $690 per person
Private: USD $750 per person
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is two people; one person may book a group trek if Action Peru Treks is able to join that person with additional groups.
Discounts
- Under 18 years Discount: USD $20
- Under 7 years Discount: USD $35
Rentals
- Hiking Poles – USD $25 (pair)
- Sleeping Bag – USD $30 per person
- Private Tent – USD $40 per person
Upgrades
- Return Vistadome Train – USD 60 per person
- Hiram Bingham Train– USD 400 per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (5-star hotel) – USD $255 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Inkaterra El Pueblo Machu Picchu Hotel (5-star hotel) – USD $255 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- El Mapi Hotel by Inkaterra (4-star hotel) – USD $115 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – USD $50 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Private Tent – USD $40 per person
Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu 2024 FAQs.
What is the Inca Quarry Hike to Machu Picchu?
Follow the steps of the ancient Inca civilization on the Quarry Trail which is gaining recognition for its lesser-known ruins and off-the-beaten path cultural interactions.
Hike through the Sacred Valley along the far-less-travelled Quarry Trail, a trail etched by the Incas and in local use today.
Visit ancient ruins and unravel some of the mysteries of how stone was excavated to build the structures still standing in the nearby town of Ollantaytambo. Pass over mountain peaks and witness spectacular Andean scenery.
How far in advance should I reserve my permit for the Inca Quarry hike?
Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, where there is a limit of 500 hikers per day and so permits can be sold out up to six months in advance, there are no limits for the Quarry trek.
This makes it an excellent alternative if you’d been hoping to hike the Inca Trail but have found that there isn’t any space.
The only restriction you’ll face is on the availability of entry tickets to Machu Picchu, so it’s still worth booking at least a few weeks in advance, particularly if you’re travelling between May and September.
Is a permit required to trek the Quarry hike to Machu Picchu?
No permits are currently required to hike the Quarry hike. However, you will need a ticket to enter Machu Picchu at the end of the trek. Also, if you plan on hiking any of the three mountain trails within Machu Picchu, you will also need to buy these tickets in advance too.
Again, be mindful, that tickets for Huayna Picchu sell out months in advance, as there is a limit of just 200 people per day. So, you may need to be a little more organized than usual if you plan to hike this trek.
Does the Quarry hike include your Machu Picchu entrance ticket?
Yep, the cost of entry is included in the trip price and it’s the responsibility of Action Peru Treks to take care of all that and provide you with the ticket on the day you’re entering the site.
Is there a waiting list for sold out Machu Picchu permits?
No, there is no waiting list for permits. Permits are only available for purchase through the Peruvian government.
Once a permit is purchased for one person, the permit cannot be refundable or transferred to another individual.
Is it possible to enter Machu Picchu with a different name?
No, you need to carry your valid passport to enter the city.
What is the terrain like? And how difficult is the Quarry hike?
The difficulty of the Quarry hike is “Challenging”.
The Quarry trek is around 32 km (20 miles) long. For travelers interested, you must be physically capable for a trek like this.
Altitude effects aside, it is multiple days of 6+ hours of hiking through rough terrain and often up or down hill. But anyone who exercises regularly will manage just fine! It is exhausting but it’s certainly not unbearable.
All guides carry oxygen canisters, so if you start to feel altitude sickness you can rest and get some much-needed O2. If you’re an avid hiker or used to the altitude you won’t have a problem.
For everyone else, make sure you feel confident in your hiking abilities and you’ll do amazing.
Which campsites do you use along the trek?
Campsites may change depending on booking time and availability, weather conditions or on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by our trekking team.
We generally camp in less trafficked areas so that trekkers can enjoy the natural beauty of the trek and minimize environmental impacts. Our regular campsite is Rayan and Choquetacarpo.
What do I need to carry on the Inca Quarry hike to Machu Picchu?
We recommend that travelers carry the items that they will need each day while hiking such as water, snacks, camera and film.
Our horses will carry 8 kg of each of your personal gear including the camping equipment during the trek.
We will give you a duffel bag for those belongings at the time of your pre trek briefing.
We generally ask trekkers to bring only the necessary items that they will need for the trail and leave any unneeded luggage at the hotel in Cusco or at our office.
Where do I store my luggage during the Inca Quarry to Machu Picchu?
Your Cusco hotel will store your luggage for free while you will be on the trek. We can also store your extra luggage at our office in Cusco.
How big are the groups Inca Quarry hike to Machu Picchu?
Our groups are usually small. Average is 3 to 5 people and maximum 16 people plus the trekking team.
When Is the Best Time to Hike the Quarry hike?
The end of the rainy season (April) and the beginning of the dry season (May) are generally considered the best times to hike the Quarry trek.
The surrounding landscape is still green and lush from months of downpour and the chances of being caught out in the rain are significantly lower.
Is the Quarry hike to Machu Picchu always open?
It’s possible to hike the Quarry trek all year round, but for the best conditions (and to get those iconic views at Machu Picchu on the final day), try to avoid the rainy season, which is between November and March.
Are there toilets and showers at the campsites?
We provide you with a pop-up tent and eco-friendly portable toilet that is clean and sanitary.
Shower is not available during the hike portion and your first opportunity to take a hot shower would be at the hotel once you arrive in Aguas Calientes in the afternoon of the day 3.
Altitude and acclimatization
We recommend travelers spend a few days in Cusco before doing the trek to help adjust to the high altitude.
It’s better to acclimatize in Cusco, not the Sacred Valley, because the higher elevation of the city at 11,120 ft (3,400 m) is more akin to those at the start of the Quarry trek.
Altitude sickness is caused by a rapid change in elevation without the necessary time for acclimatization.
Mild symptoms are common and include lingering headache, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Every person responds differently to the change in altitude and unfortunately there is no way to prevent it or predict how seriously it may affect you.
What is the food like on the Quarry trek?
A cook accompanies each group on the trek and prepares breakfast, three course lunches and dinners. The meals are quite exquisite considering that all of the ingredients and cooking supplies are carried from Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
Each trekker is also provided with snacks to take with them on the trek.
Vegetarian and vegan meals are also available upon request.
Other special dietary requests can usually be accommodated as well with sufficient notice.
Is drinking water supplied?
Yes, our trekking team will provide drinking water every morning and at each meal (except for the first day until the lunch spot). Each evening, water is collected from nearby streams, boiled, and left to cool overnight.
A reusable water bottle or hydration pack works well for this. We recommend that travelers bring their own refillable bottles to limit plastic waste along the Trail.
What equipment is supplied by us along the trek?
We supply the sleeping tents (4 person tents for two travelers), dining tents, tables, chairs, toilet tents, cooking equipment, water purifiers, sleeping pads, and other camping equipment.
Our outfitter purchases the highest quality equipment in Peru and older equipment is evaluated and replaced on a regular basis.
What are the guides like?
Our team are among the very best and most experienced guides anywhere.
They are from the surrounding Cusco and the Sacred Valley areas and speak fluent English, in addition to Spanish and the Inca indigenous language of Quechua. Most have 8-10 years of experience leading hikes to Machu Picchu and all have training in the history, spirituality, culture, and ecology of the area.
How can I prepare for the Quarry hike?
The more training you do beforehand, the more you will enjoy your trek.
We recommend 30 minutes of cardio activities 3-4 times a week in the 2-3 months leading up to your departure.
Take every opportunity to walk up and down stairs or hills for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness.
Are there any ATMs?
There are no ATMs along the Quarry trail. You should bring enough money with you from Cusco for tipping and lunch in Aguas Calientes.
There are also some ATMs in Aguas Calientes if you need to withdraw additional cash.
What if I have a medical emergency while hiking the Quarry hike?
Guides carry a first aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts/scrapes, etc.).
They receive Red Cross First Aid and other emergency training every year. Our guides lead over 1000 travelers along the trek each year and we have rarely had a traveler unable to complete the hike.
In these rare instances when someone has not felt well enough to finish the hike, the client has been escorted back to Cusco and generally felt well enough to re-join the group in Machu Picchu via train a few days later. Cusco city has the nearest modern medical facilities so travelers with a serious medical emergency would need to be evacuated there.
Guides and porters have pre-established evacuation strategies in place should this need occur.
Is there internet access on the Quarry hike?
Nope, and this is one of the best things about it.
Instead, you and your group will spend evening conversing over metal cups of hot tea or coffee, playing card games, or lazing in nature together.
Your last chance to use the internet or have a reliable phone signal will be in Huarocondo (the nearest town to the start of the hike), and your first opportunity will be at Ollantaytambo before taking the train down to Aguas Calientes town.
How much money should you bring on the Quarry trek?
The vast majority of costs will be covered in the up-front price of your trip, but there are a few costs along the way for which you’ll need to bring cash:
- Snacks and drinks from stallholders
- Toilet entry fees (usually 2 soles at Machu Picchu)
- Tips for porters and guides
- Lunch on day 5 at Aguas Calientes.
It’s sensible to take this money in the form of smaller notes and coins.
We’d say at least 300 soles per person for the trek-specific section.
Will I get altitude sickness on the Quarry trek?
Many of the most popular places in Peru, such as Cusco and Huaraz, are at high altitude; this means that for anyone planning a trip to Peru understanding altitude sickness (and how to avoid it) is incredibly important.
In fact, not approaching altitude correctly is one of the biggest mistakes of travelers in South America.
The best way to minimize the likelihood and impact of altitude sickness is factoring in enough time into your Peru itinerary to acclimatize to the conditions.
This means that it is incredibly foolish to arrive in Cusco, which is at 3,399m (11,152 feet) above sea-level, and leave the next day to do a strenuous hike or even start the Quarry trek. Your body needs the time to adjust to the altitude!
A good rule of thumb is to give yourself and your body two easy days at altitude to acclimatize to the change, and to keep yourself well hydrated throughout.
What about medication?
Obviously, medical attention and facilities along the trek are pretty much non-existent so you need to bring any of your own required medication with you and keep it on your own person or in the daypack.
What climates can I expect on the Quarry trek?
Variance in latitude, elevation and local winds all factor into the wide range of climates experienced in the central Sierra Mountain region.
Average temperatures in the Sierra vary little between seasons, but there is dramatic daily variance.
While the average daily temperature may only vary a few degrees Celsius between January and July, the diurnal (daily) temperature range is often huge.
You can expect daytime temperatures in the highlands to be in the range of 10-25°C (50-77 °F), falling as low as -10 °C (14°F) at night especially at the first camp site.
How much time can I spend at the Machu Picchu sanctuary?
There are three time slots in which patrons can enter Machu Picchu for a maximum of four hours and must follow one of three predetermined routes. Admission is not allowed after 4pm. Additionally, all visitors must always be accompanied by a guide.
The early morning is one of the best times to savor the views and atmosphere of Machu Picchu.
The mystical morning light over the enigmatic site is spectacular. Try and catch the sunrise at the sanctuary, you won’t regret the early wakeup call!
