Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days
Activity Level : Moderate.
Overview
The Inca Quarry trail to Machu Picchu is a unique 4-day experience over isolated areas of the Andes. It brings a mix of Inca sites, massive altitude trekking, stunning valleys and a quitter path to the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
What to Expect
- Approximately 26 km (16 mi) divided in 3 days in the wilderness.
- Gradual ascension to 4450 m (14600 ft)
- Varied stops: waterfalls, archaeological, stunning views.
- Scenic Train Rides.
- Machu Picchu Guided visit.
Main Challenges
- High elevation.
- Steep ascents and descents: portions like Puccaqasa Pass will test endurance.
- Changing weather: cold nights, high sun radiation during the day and risk of rain.
- Uneven off the beaten path trails.
Highlights
- The Kachiqata Quarry: exploring the site that contributed to important Inca constructions.
- Views from high Andean passes like Puccaqasa and Quychicassa.
- The Archaeological sites: including the Perolniyoc.
- A luxury stay midway: staying at the Veronica View Hotel.
- The finale: sunrise at Machu Picchu plus a guided tour of the citadel
Who Is This Trek For?
Made for adventure enthusiasts, who want to immerse in the Andes and the history that it beholds. This 4-day adventure has a mix of altitude trekking, moderate difficulty, Inca sites, stunning views and many other highlights.
It is the perfect option for those looking for a unique path into Machu Picchu, with a touch of luxury and comfort.
Looking for something less adventurous, check our Machu Picchu Tours.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco – Socma – Rayan – Puccaqasa
Set your alarms for an early start, as you are about to join the Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu!
Cusco to Socma
After an early start of the day, with your pick up at 5:00 am, we will drive for 2 hours to our trailhead. It will be located in Socma, where we will enjoy our gourmet breakfast.
Perolniyoc.
To begin our trail, the guide will lead us to the Perolniyoc Waterfall. A natural wonder that sets the perfect opportunity for a photo break. Following this stop we will continue for about 1.5 hours to the Perolniyoc Archeological Site, our first historical stop of the trek.
After learning about the history and purpose of the site, we will continue to Rayan. There, we will enjoy our lunch and relax after a morning filled with uphills and breathtaking views.
Puccaqasa Pass: 4400 m (14436 ft).
To continue with our trek, the next 2.5 hours will take us over the most demanding segment of the day. We will climb all the way to 4400 m (14436 ft) above sea level at Puccaqasa Pass. From here we will enjoy a 360 ° view of the landscape.
To conclude the day, the trail will take us for half hour through the Andean Puna to our campsite. There, our team will welcome you with hot beverages and appetizers, before you settle in your tents. To wrap up, they will serve a delicious dinner.
Statistics of the First Day:
- Main Stops: Perolniyoc Waterfall, Perolniyoc Archeological Site, Puccaqasa Pass.
- Lowest Altitude: 2900 m (9514 ft): Socma.
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.
- Highest Altitude: 4400 m (14436 ft): Puccaqasa Pass.
- Distance Covered: Approximately 8 km (5 mi).
Day 2 Puccaqasa – Quychicassa – Inti Punku – Veronica View Hotel
On your second morning, our team will wake you up with a hot beverage served to your tent. This warm start to the day, will set the tone for another adventurous day in the trails.
Quychicassa Pass.
The first segment of the day will take us along the Andean Puna, over rolling hills, for 2 hours. We will get to Quychicassa Pass, the highest point of the day. After a quick photo break, we will descent for 1 hour over some steep switchbacks to the Inti Punku. This Sun Gate offers a framed view of Veronica, a massive snowcapped mountain.
Inti Punku & Stay in the Veronica View Hotel.
At the Inti Punku, we will enjoy our gourmet lunch in combination with an impressive view. After recharging with a deserved meal, we will continue the descent. The following segment is going to turn steeper for the first hour, to then turn mellower for the final 2 hours before arriving to the Veronica View Hotel, our accommodation for the night.
At Veronica View we will be served with a world-class dinner. Plus, the hotel has a spa with swimming pool and sauna to relax after 2 demanding days in the backcountry. We encourage you to make the most of the spa facilities
Statistics of the Second Day:
- Main Stops: Quychicassa Pass & Inti Punku (Sun Gate).
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate.
- Lowest Altitude: 3400 m (11155 ft): Veronica View Hotel.
- Highest Altitude: 4450 m (14599 ft): Quychicassa Pass.
- Distance Covered: 12 km (7.5 mi).
Day 3 Andens del inca Hotel– Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Free morning in Ollantaytambo.
This day will begin with a serene morning to be enjoyed at your own pace. You could use this time to use the facilities at the hotel or wander around the town of Ollantaytambo.
Train to Aguas Calientes.
Around noon we will enjoy another gourmet lunch at the hotel, followed by a short car drive to the train station in Ollantaytambo. There, we will board the 1:27 pm train to Aguas Calientes. This train ride is a scenic experience following the Urubamba River to the cloud forest.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel to then explore the town. This tiny town is also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo and is the last stop before visiting the Citadel. We will wrap up this day with a dinner at a local restaurant.
Statistics of the Third Day:
- Main Attractions: Views of Veronica Mountain, spa and gardens at the hotel, Vistadome train ride, exploration of Aguas Calientes.
- Level of Difficulty: Easy, this day is dedicated to relax and explore the culture.
Day 4 Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Machu Picchu exploration.
Finally! our time to explore Machu Picchu has arrived.
This day we will start early, again, to get on time to the Citadel to enjoy the sunrise. Our guide will take us on a 2-hour guided tour around Machu Picchu, sharing with us all his knowledge about the buildings, plazas, temples and different rooms.
After, if you booked ahead, there will be time to hike to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain. This will be on your own, but if you want a guide for this extra, you can book it as an add-on.
After our exploration if the Hidden Inca City, we will go back to Aguas Calientes. There, you will have time for lunch (not included), souvenir shopping, visiting the local Hot Springs or just rest.
Back to Cusco.
Our way back to Cusco will start with the 2:55pm or 3:20pm train to Ollantaytambo. This train ride takes us along the Urubamba canyon, where we will have the chance to spot Wiñay Wayna high in the slopes.
Once at Ollantaytambo, our driver will be waiting for us, ready to drive us back. We will drop you at your hotel around 7pm, wrapping up an adventure of a lifetime.
Fourth Day of the Lares Trek:
- Level of difficulty: Easy: focused on exploration & sightseeing
- Lowest altitude: 2040 m (6690 ft): Aguas Calientes
- Highest altitude: 2430 m (7972 ft): Machu Picchu
Included
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Tents for camping nights.
- Hotel stay in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals and Drinks
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Guided Tours
- Professional bilingual guide(s).
- Entrance Fees
- Camping Equipment
- Additional Activities
- First Aid and Safety
Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Meals in Cities
- Personal Trekking Gear:
- Sleeping bags $15.
- Trekking poles $10.
- Hiking boots and other personal clothing.
- Additional Activities and Entrance Fees:
- Extra hikes such as Huayna Picchu (69$) or Machu Picchu Mountain (69$), which require separate entrance tickets.
- Entrance fees to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes ($4).
- Transportation:
- Any transportation not specified in the itinerary.
- Tips for guides, cooks, and porters.
- Visa Fees.
Prices
Packing list
- Clothing
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho.
- Warm jacket (down or similar for cold nights).
- Hiking pants and casual pants for evenings.
- Moisture-wicking T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts.
- Thermal underwear.
- Sun hat and woolen hat for cold nights.
- Gloves, especially for the higher, colder altitudes.
- Footwear
- Sturdy hiking boots (waterproof and broken-in).
- Comfortable shoes or sandals for camp.
- Backpack and Daypack
- Backpack (if not using porter service).
- Lightweight daypack for personal items.
- Hydration and Snacks: minimum 2 liters.
- Health and Personal Items
- Personal medication.
- High SPF sunscreen, lip balm with SPF.
- Insect repellent.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Toilet paper and small shovel (if needed for nature calls).
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap).
- Accessories
- Trekking poles (optional but recommended).
- Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries.
- Camera with extra batteries and memory card.
- Portable power bank.
- Lightweight, quick-dry towel.
- Documents.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose our tour services
Small groups
Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Philosophy & values
We are experts in the field of making dreams come true! With a unique experience in all of Cusco, wherever you want to go, we can take you there
Locally based guides
At Hotel Andenes del Inca, we have experienced tour guides. And they are all locals, which means they know the area you are exploring like the back of their hand.
