Inca Quarry Trek to Inca Trail is new Inca Path and the best alternative hike to Machu Picchu. This hike involves 2 day hike on the Cachicata Trek and 2 Day short Inca Trail. The Inca Quarry is located on the Sacred Valley of the Incas. During two day hike, you will enjoy the nature of the Andean highlands, the water fall, Incas ruins, Inca Mummies original, Andean Terraces, Intipunku (Sun gate) and stone quarries. two night camping.
On the third day you will arrive to Ollantaytambo archeological village and take you by train to the starting point of this 2 day Inca Trail - Chachabamba, also called Km 104 (2,350 m). There, your Tour Guide gives you a briefing about the following Machu Picchu trek and after that, you cross the checking point of the Inca Trail. Continuing the hike through a mixture of cacti vegetation and a cloud forest towards another Incan significant site - Wiñaywayna, then you will walk down to Aguas Calientes town and spend a night in the hotel. The last day you will visit the 'Lost City of the Incas' - Machu Picchu. Discover the lost Inca route to Machu Picchu and explore the beautiful landscapes and enigmatic sites, there are available along the year. Exception: one-month closing period of all Inca Trail routes in February.
Day 01: Cusco - Huarocondo - Pachar - Corimarca
Day 02: Corimarca - Inca Quarry Trail - Cachiccata - Ollantaytambo
Day 03: Ollantaytambo - Km 104 (Short Inca Trail) - Aguas Calientes
Day 04: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Crew: A Inca Trail Machu Representative in Cusco, a professional bilingual Tour Guide, a Cook, a Muleteer on the Inca Quarry Trek
Accomodation: Campsites (2 nights), Hotel (1 night).
Meals: 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner, 2x afternoon tea.
Transportation: Transportation by private van, 2x train.
Camping equipment: You can view our camping equipment. Please click here
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 Qeuñacancha, 4080 m.a.s.l (13,385ft).
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. Spend a night in a camping of the Ollantaytambo..
Estimated trekking time: 7 hours
Trekking distance: 15 Km
Max. elevation: 4, 400 m
Min. elevation: 2, 795 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Wake up early and start to walk to the train station. There, you get on a train and continue until Km 104. This small ancient checkpoint is where you will find that Classic view that Inca Trail hikers emerge upon.The walk along the way yields some interesting and slightly different angles as well. Some minor ancient outbuildings alongthe path occasionally host grazing llamas. Intipunko is als the gateway to the Inca Trail. A two hour hike beyond the Intipunko along the Inca Trail brings you the Machu Picchu citadel. Then continue the hike to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend a night in the hotel.
Estimated trekking time: 5 hours
Trekking distance: 10 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.
Single room: Please note that if you have booked the "Single Room" option for this tour, you receive your own single tent and a single room in Aguas Calientes.
Local flights: No local flights are included in the trek´s price!
