Travel Information & Frequently Asked Questions
Planning your adventure on the Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu? Below you’ll find essential travel information and answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Where does the Inca Quarry Trek start and finish?
- Start: Cusco (hotel pickup)
- End: Cusco (hotel drop-off after Machu Picchu visit)
What is the best time of year to hike the Inca Quarry Trek?
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Dry season (April – October): Best conditions, clear skies, but more tourists.
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Wet season (November – March): Fewer people, greener landscapes, but rain is common.
Is the trek suitable for families?
Yes! The Inca Quarry Trek is less crowded than the Classic Inca Trail, making it a great option for families, couples, and small groups seeking a more exclusive experience. Children over 10 with hiking experience can usually participate.
Do I need permits for the Inca Quarry Trek?
Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, the Inca Quarry Trek does not require limited permits, but you still need to book in advance for Machu Picchu entrance and train tickets.
Is it for me?
The Inca Quarry Trek is for you if…
- You want a less crowded alternative to the Classic Inca Trail.
- You enjoy authentic cultural encounters with small Andean communities.
- You’re curious about archaeological sites that most tourists never visit.
- You want to walk through stunning scenery (waterfalls, glaciers, Sacred Valley views).
- You’re looking for a balanced challenge: adventurous, but not as physically demanding as the Salkantay Trek.
- You’d like a trek that’s been recognized by National Geographic as one of the best alternative treks to Machu Picchu.
Plastic-Free Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu
Sustainable & Responsible Trekking in Peru
At Tunqui Expeditions, we are proud to offer the Plastic-Free Inca Quarry Trek, a unique experience that combines adventure, history, and sustainability. Our goal is to protect the Andes and ensure that every traveler contributes positively to the environment.
By joining this trek, you’ll explore Perolniyoc waterfalls, Racaypata ruins, the Cachicata Quarry, and Machu Picchu while helping us preserve the Sacred Valley for future generations.
During this 4-day Inca Quarry Trek itinerary, we avoid the use of single-use plastics by providing:
- Reusable water bottles refilled daily with boiled water.
- Eco-friendly containers for meals instead of plastic packaging.
- Biodegradable bags for waste management on the trail.
- Support from local communities who share our commitment to protecting the Andes.
👉 Travel consciously. Hike responsibly. With Tunqui Expeditions, your adventure to Machu Picchu becomes a journey that respects both people and the planet.
This eco-conscious alternative to the Inca Trail is more than just trekking from Cusco to Machu Picchu—it is an opportunity to travel responsibly, honor Pachamama (Mother Earth), and experience the Andes in the most authentic and respectful way.
How many days do I need to acclimatise in Cusco before the Lares trek?
The Inca Quarry Trek reaches altitudes of 4,400–4,500 m (14,436–14,764 ft), so proper acclimatization in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,152 ft) is essential.
Recommended Acclimatization Time
- Minimum: 2 full days in Cusco before starting the trek
- Ideal: 2–3 days if you’ve never been at high altitude before, or if you’re coming directly from sea level
Why it matters
- Helps your body adjust to lower oxygen levels
- Reduces risk of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, fatigue)
- Lets you enjoy the trek instead of struggling with symptoms
Here are some suggestions for activities to do around Cusco before starting your adventure trek:
- 🏞️ Sacred Highlands Hike To Pisac: US$ 210.00 → Special offer: US$ 180.00
- 🏛️ Cusco Ruins Hike: US$ 210.00 → Special offer: US$ 180.00
- 🎒 Authentic Andean Experience: US$ 180.00 → Special offer: US$ 150.00
- 🥾 Chinchero to Urquillos Inca Trail Adventure: US$ 210.00 → Special offer: US$ 180.00
- 🦙 Scenic Day Hike with Llamas: US$ 210.00 → Special offer: US$ 180.00
Briefing or information meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held at our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 17:00 the night before the tour starts. These meetings last between 30 and 45 minutes. If you can’t make it, you will need to arrange another time by email, phone or in person at the Tunqui Expeditions office.
Trek balance payment (in Cusco)
If you have an outstanding balance, you must pay it 2 days before your trek. Otherwise your reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, we would appreciate it if you could pay the balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw money from several ATM’s along the Avenida Sol, which offer both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles.
Alternatively, you can pay by credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank drafts or traveller’s cheques as payment for the balance.
Duffle bag or canvas bag
You’ll be given a duffel bag or canvas bag during your briefing. Our team of porters will carry it with you throughout the trek and hand it to you at each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
A maximum of 6 kg / 13.2 lb is allowed for each duffel, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes and other personal items.
Can I store my luggage in your office?
Of course you can! During the trip your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can arrange this with us on the day of the briefing or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment you don’t need on the trek can be safely stored at your hotel. Almost all hotels offer this service. Don’t leave anything of value with your luggage; put it in the hotel safe and get a detailed receipt (in the unlikely event of theft, many insurance companies require a copy of the receipt detailing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards in a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Collecting guests
Please note:
- All pick-ups are within the city of Cusco, but we recommend that you book a hotel in the historic centre for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pick up time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions the pick up time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city with many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets that are inaccessible by car or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Returning to Cusco from Machu Picchu
Returning from Machu Picchu requires some logistics, but don’t worry. It is all included in your tour!
- In Machu Picchu, you’ll board a bus that will take you 25 minutes to the small town of Aguas Calientes. Buses are boarded in order of arrival.
- In Aguas Calientes you’ll take the train to Ollantaytambo. Your guide will give you the train tickets, which will show you the boarding time.
- Make sure you’re on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Once you arrive at the train station, our representative, wearing Tunqui Expeditions clothing, will be waiting to take you to Cusco or directly to your hotel. The journey from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1:30 hours.
- Once in Cusco, depending on the location of your hotel, we’ll transfer you to a smaller company car (Hyundai H1) to get you to your hotel faster.
Note: Your tour includes a one way bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu, so you can choose to use it from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu or from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. If you want a return bus ticket, you’ll have to pay an additional US$ 12.00.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, therefore physical conditions and ages may vary. By agreeing to join a group tour, you accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, everyone will be able to move at their own pace.
There may be occasions when a group wishes to make changes to the tour, but it is up to the guide to decide, in consultation with all participants, whether such changes are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some of our tours. Roads may be blocked and railway lines may be occupied. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if this means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Tours may be cancelled in these circumstances. In the event of a change or cancellation, our Operations Department will liaise with you. Your safety is our number one priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost items
Please be careful where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything with you when you leave your transport, accommodation or restaurant. You are responsible for your belongings while you’re on the tour.
With this information, you are ready to plan and enjoy the Inca Quarry Trek with Tunqui Expeditions — a unique alternative route to Machu Picchu.
