Cachicata's proximity to Machu Picchu makes trekking around it an attractive alternative to the oversubscribed Inca Trail. Cachicata is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, in this trek will appreciate the Huarocondor terraces, the water fall, incas ruins, beautiful landscapes, panoramic views, monuments, andean terraces, Intipunku (Sun gate), Inca trail original, Inca quarry.
During the Inca Quarry trek you will enjoy the nature of the Andean highlands. Continue the hike will arrive to Inca Ollantaytambo archeological village and ruins, where you will take the train to Machu Picchu. Spend a night in Agua Calientes town
The last day you will visit the "Lost City of the Incas" - Machu Picchu. Explore the Inca Citadel. Guided tour and in the afternoon you will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, there private transportation to Cusco.
Our driver will drop off in your hotel. Come this new Inca Path and Inca Quarry trek!!
The Inca emperor Pachacuti conquered and razed Ollantaytambo; the town and the nearby region were incorporated into his personal estate. The emperor rebuilt the town with sumptuous constructions and undertook extensive works of terracing and irrigation in the Urubamba Valley; Cachicata was the stone quarries used for the building of Ollantaytambo and it's huge and magnificent carvings, ruins monoliths and stone structures. These stones were often transported mysteriously to other local areas for the building of special ceremonial places in the mountains and valleys.
Day 01: Cusco - Huarocondo - Pachar - Corimarca (L, D)
Day 02: Corimarca - Queñacancha (B, L, D)
Day 03: Queñacancha - Cachicata - Aguas Calientes (B, L, D)
Day 04: Machu Picchu - Cusco (B)
Crew: A Inca Trail Machu representative in Cusco and professional guide in Cachicata Trek and Machu Picchu
Accommodation: Camping (2 nights), Hotel (01 night)
Meals: 03 Breakfasts, 03 Lunches, 03 Dinners and 02 afternoon tea
Transportation: Private transport, van, train
Interesting Information
We drive from Cusco to Pachar located in the Sacred Valley, arrive Huaroncondor to trailhead, here we will meet with muleteer and horses and we will prepare the camping equipment, then we climb up the stairs and visit to Huarocondor terraces. continue the trek to Raphcca, 2,900 m.a.s.l (9,514ft.) From here we hike up the valley, along the route we appreciate inka terraces, water channels, Quechua comunities and endemic flora and fauna. We follow an steep trail that eventually bring us to a tall waterfall where we can pause to refresh our body and mind. Walking further, we visit the little known Inka site of Corimarca, our first campsite.
Estimated trekking time: 4 - 5 hours
Trekking distance: 8 Km
Max. elevation: 3, 700 m
Min. elevation: 3, 000 m
Difficulty: Moderate
We climb across open meadows, reaching a zone of high altitude shrubland known as Puna, approaching the pass of Chancachuco 4,400 m.a.s.l (14,435ft). This part of the trek offers panoramic views of the highest peaks in Cusco region. Our route continues across a high plateau, we pass mountain lakes where we may see andean and wetland birds, descending to our second campsite at Qeuñacancha, 4080 m.a.s.l (13,385ft).
Estimated trekking time: 5-7 hours
Trekking distance: 12 Km
Max. elevation: 4, 400 m
Min. elevation: 4, 050 m
Difficulty: Challenging
We hike downhill following the trail until we join the Inka water channel which comes from Maracocha lake, from here we reach the temple call Intiwatana, which is located on the edge of the mountain called Apu Alambre, in front of the Veronica snow peak. Then we continue downhill to Choquetacarpo an archaeological site, which was most likely the residence of architects who managed the Inca quarries and performed ceremonies at Intipunku, after lunch we wend our way downward, exploring different sectors of one of the biggest Inka quarries, where massive carved blocks of pink rhyolite lie scattered in disarray. The quarried stones, testimony to a great building project that was never finished and were destined for the Inka site of Ollantaytambo. There we will rest and have lunch. In the afternoon we will take the train to Aguas Calientes. This is a spectacular journey that starts in the Quechua highlands and slowly descends to lush tropical vegetation as we near Aguas Calientes. Total journey time about 2 hours. We'll spend the night in a hostal in Aguas Calientes where you'll no doubt enjoy the opportunity to soak under the hot showers!! Early night.
Estimated trekking time: 4 - 6 hours
Trekking distance: 11 Km
Max. elevation: 4, 050 m
Min. elevation: 2, 840 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Wake up very early and we will climb by foot to Machu Picchu. I'm sure you'll agree that, although it's tough getting up, it's well worth the effort to see the "Lost City of the Incas" at its quietest in the early morning light. You'll have plenty of opportunity to take photos and have some peaceful time alone to enjoy the sun rising from behind the mountains. Guided tour of Machu Picchu and then you can explore this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement by yourself. In the night we take the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer you to your hotel.
Meals budget: Allow USD 20 - 30 for meals not included
Single room: Please note that if you have booked the "Single Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single tent for all night stops.
Local flights: All local flights are not included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted.
