If you are looking to get away from the crowds and enjoy an out-of-the-ordinary hike to Machu Picchu, then the Inca Quarry Trail is an excellent alternative. For years, this fantastic destination has been kept off the list of traditional tourist routes. However, that doesn’t mean it is any less exciting.
This tour is perfect for those looking to delve deeper into the history of the Incas and see firsthand what life in the Andes is like for locals living in remote regions. Along the way, we will get close to small communities and witness their day-to-day life. On this route, we will also see some unique archaeological sites that very few people, even locals, get to appreciate.
The Inca Quarry was recently included by National Geographic among the six best Alternative Routes to Machu Picchu, which makes it an excellent hike to choose.
Escape from the crowds and routine with our exclusive Inca Quarry Trail, designed especially for history lovers who want to witness real life in the rural Andes. Whether you are traveling alone or in a group, this tour is ideal for you where we guarantee an incredible and amazing adventure.
The Inca Quarry Trail, also known as the Cachicata Trail or Chaski Trail, is one of the most recently opened routes and is considered one of the least frequented treks to Machu Picchu. In addition, this incredible trail will take you past high waterfalls, Inca constructions, unforgettable views of the Andes and beautiful jungle landscapes.
Along the way, amidst the lively flora and fauna, you will stop at the archaeological site of Racaypata and pass through several communities near the Cachiqata Quarry, the site where the Incas took the stones to build Ollantaytambo. At the quarry, you will appreciate some of the rocks that were cut by the Incas and observe their fine skills.
After three days of trekking contemplating nature and the life of the locals in the rural regions of Cusco, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes. Later, you will enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
On the fourth and last day, you will visit the magnificent and magical Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. In this sacred place, you will learn all its history thanks to our expert guide. In the afternoon, you will go by train to Ollantaytambo and then, in our private transportation, you will return to Cusco taking with you the best memories of this great trip.
HIGHLIGHT
ITINERARY SUMMARY
DAY 01: CUSCO – SOQMA – PEROLNIYOC – RACAYPATA – RAYAN
Today your adventure begins and you will head to the Perolniyoc waterfall, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Refresh yourself in its waters before visiting the archaeological site of Racaypata. In the evening, you will rest in Rayan and observe the clear Andean night sky.
DAY 02: RAYAN – PUCCAQASA – ABRA KUICHIQASA – PUERTA DEL SOL – CHOQUETACARPO
You will head to the first stop of the trek, Puccaqasa, then to the place where you will enjoy lunch. Afterwards, you will reach the highest point of the trek, Abra Kuichiqasa. You will continue to the Puerta del Sol, where you will enjoy spectacular views before arriving at our campsite for dinner and rest.
DAY 03: CHOQUETACARPO – CACHIQATA – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
In the morning, you will enjoy a guided tour and visit the Cachiqata Quarries. Then, you will have lunch in Ollantaytambo before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. Finally, you will enjoy dinner at an exclusive restaurant before returning to your hotel.
DAY 04: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
Today you will enjoy the magical and mystical Machu Picchu on a guided tour of approximately two hours. Later, you will return to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch before taking the train to Ollantaytambo, from where our private transportation will be waiting for you to return to Cusco.
Highlight of the day: Refresh yourself at the Perolniyoc waterfalls and visit the archaeological site of Racaypata.
Refreshing waterfalls and Inca history
Today the adventure begins, we will pick you up from your accommodation in the morning and drive you for an hour and a half to the starting point of our trek. Our private transportation from Tunqui Expeditions is very comfortable and we will provide you with blankets in case you wish to sleep a little longer during the trip.
After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the starting point, we will meet with the team to meet the cooks and muleteers. We will then begin our hike with a three to four hour stretch to the beautiful Perolniyoc waterfall. On the way, we will pass through the small village of Soqma surrounded by corn, potato and quinoa fields. After we have enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the valley, you will have the opportunity to cool off at the waterfall.
After having regained energy, we will continue to the archaeological site of Racaypata, a construction that was built on a cliff and has spectacular views of the surrounding valley. All our guides are experts in the history of the Incas, so their explanations are of high quality. In this place, we will have lunch and taste the exquisite food prepared by our team in the middle of the mountains.
In the afternoon, we will ascend for another hour until we reach our camp at Rayan (3,700 m / 12,139 ft). From this point, we will rest for the rest of the day and explore the area before a tasty dinner. While waiting for the meal, we will take the opportunity to observe the clear night sky. Here, we will be able to appreciate constellations and shooting stars, and finally, we will spend the night in our comfortable campsites.
Highlight of the day: Contemplate the incredible views from the Sun Gate.
Stunning views and breathtaking scenery
After an energizing breakfast, we will ascend for three hours to the first destination of the trek, Puccaqasa (4,400 m / 14,436 ft). From here, we will contemplate the most incredible views of the Sacred Valley, and of course, it is the perfect place to take some spectacular photos.
Then, we will descend for about 25 minutes to our lunch spot to enjoy a well-deserved meal. Take the opportunity to recharge your energy with the delicious lunch prepared by our chef before continuing with a two-hour hike up and down. In the last 20 minutes of this section, we will head to the highest point of the entire hike, abra Kuychiqasa (4,500 m / 14,764 ft). From this height, we will be able to contemplate wonderful landscapes and observe snow-capped glaciers.
Next, we will descend to the archaeological site of Inti Punku or Puerta del Sol (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). We will learn a little about the site while enjoying spectacular views of the La Veronica Glacier (5,682 m / 18,642 ft) and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which you will probably visit at some point while in Cusco.
Finally, we will descend for 30 minutes to our camp in the Choquetacarpo sector (3,600 m / 11,811 ft). We will be able to rest and enjoy another tasty meal before going to rest.
Highlight of the day: Explore the incredible Cachicata Quarry and witness the fantastic craftsmanship of the Incas.
Visit the Quarry and learn about the amazing Inca history.
As every morning, we will welcome you with a hearty breakfast to start the tour. Then, we will begin the one-hour descent to the Cachicata Quarries (3,520 m / 11,549 ft), where the stones were quarried to build Ollantaytambo. Inside the site, we will enjoy a guided tour to learn more about the site and observe the carved stone blocks whose removal was interrupted by the arrival of the Spaniards. It is fascinating to see the perfect cuts that the Incas were able to create with simple materials.
Afterwards, we will descend from the Cantera for three hours to reach the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft.), where we will enjoy lunch. Once we have finished, we will head to the train station to board the Expedition service to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft.). During the ride, we will closely observe the beautiful scenery of the Sacred Valley as we travel along the Urubamba River. We recommend you bring your camera to take amazing pictures.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will check into a hotel and take a short break, then enjoy a fantastic dinner. If there is still some energy left over, we can explore the small town or head to the hot springs, which are the perfect place to relax tired muscles after three days of hiking. In the evening, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the best restaurants, after which we will rest early because the next day we will get up before dawn to be one of the first to appreciate Machu Picchu.
Highlight of the day: Explore and tour one of the new seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.
The magical and mystical Machu Picchu awaits you
The big day has arrived! Be sure to get up very early to avoid the crowds at Machu Picchu. We will board a bus in Aguas Calientes at 5:30 a.m. until we arrive at the sanctuary at 6:00 a.m. Once inside, we will watch the brilliant morning sunrise over the incredible citadel. We will contemplate the breathtaking views before enjoying a guided tour of approximately two hours with our expert guide.
We will visit all the essential sites of this majestic place, including its terraces, enclosures, temples and alleys. We will also stop at the observatories to appreciate the grandeur and true magnitude of this incredible work of engineering. If you booked your tickets in advance, it will be the perfect time for you to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain.
Shortly after noon, it will be time to return to Aguas Calientes. Here, you will have time for lunch at a restaurant of your choice before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transportation from Tunqui Expeditions will take us back to Cusco.
Along the way, you will rest and reflect on our fantastic adventure. We are sure that your heart will be filled with the magic of the Incas for weeks, months and even years to come.
At Tunqui Expeditions we specify the included and non-included services for all the itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please check the details to make sure you do not miss anything. Some items may be different for certain programmes, so please read carefully before booking with us.
WHAT IS INCLUIDED?
Permits & Tickets
The Machu Picchu Circuit 2 ticket offers the most complete tour of the citadel and is the most popular. For this reason we recommend that you book well in advance to ensure your entry. (Circuit 2)
High Quality Service & Safety
You’ll meet your guide and group at our office for a pre trek briefing. There you’ll receive your duffle bags, which will be carried by our horses. The meeting is at 17:00 the evening before the trek.
Our official guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploration and pride in sharing our culture and history. On every experience they will keep you safe and comfortable, so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
All equipment is carried by our team of porters.
On the trek you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
All Tunqui Expeditions guides have received specialised first aid training. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit for basic emergencies (altitude sickness, traveller’s diarrhoea, cuts, abrasions, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the trail as quickly as possible and get you to a clinic for treatment.
We believe that attention to detail is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a cover to protect your rucksack on the road and a rain poncho.
We have a telephone service available 24 hours a day for easy communication with Tunqui Expeditions prior to your trek.
Your comfort is our first priority. Although our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains, calling a doctor, hospital or friend can make you feel more secure. For this reason, every Tunqui Expeditions guide carries a satellite phone to call anywhere in the world from anywhere on the mountain.
Accommodation
Tunqui Expeditions use the best tents to ensure your safety and comfort (e.g. Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Ware tents).
You will spend the last night of the trek in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes, including luggage storage, while you visit Machu Picchu.
*Accommodation is in double, twin and triple rooms.
Meals
Our chef prepares the most amazing dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan or special menus are available at no extra cost), so please let us know on your booking form if you have any special allergies or restrictions and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks and snacks.
We’ll provide you with boiled, filtered and chilled water throughout the trek, from your first lunch to your last breakfast. You will need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle (we recommend a capacity of 2 litres).
Every morning at the campsite you’ll be woken with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you are warm from the inside out before you start your day.
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot water, etc. After a long day of trekking, you don’t have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up and enjoy a bite to eat!
Before you start your trek, your guide will provide you with a cloth bag containing local fruit, biscuits, chocolate, caramels, etc. We’ll refill it every morning so you can enjoy your snacks on the trail.
We’ll provide you with a cloth bag for your snacks – perfect for storing wrappers and keeping the environment clean. Feel free to use it throughout the walk!
Transportation
On days 1 and 2, cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
Muleteers and Porters (Tunquis)
During the Salkantay Trek, our muleteers and porters (tunquis) will carry all our camping equipment, from personal tents, clothes and sleeping bags to extra tents for eating and cooking, food, water, tables, chairs and a gas stove. We will include the personal service of a porter to carry your duffel bag and personal belongings.
They will be responsible for transporting all camping equipment and food, setting up and taking down each camp, and assisting the cook with food preparation. By law they can only carry a maximum of 20 kg, a rule we take very seriously.
Extras
We believe that it is the attention to detail that sets us apart from other tour operators. As we wrote above, each walker receives
Taxes and Fees
All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in our price. There are no hidden charges.
The Tunqui Difference
The following list is less tangible, but equally important and part of everything we do and include at Tunqui Expeditions.
He started in the industry as a porter and understands your needs better than anyone. We are committed and promise a better life for every member of Team Tunqui.
This includes better wages that they can live on so they don’t have to beg for tips to make ends meet. This is our job. We provide them with all the equipment they need, including warm down jackets, proper walking boots, rucksacks, hats, headlamps, sleeping bags and mats, and tents for them to sleep in.
We also help their families by supporting their village schools, bringing doctors and dentists to the families and planting trees in their valleys. We are committed to our social projects and the more than 300 porters on our team appreciate this.
While our porters trek to Machu Picchu dozens of times a year, they never enter our famous citadel. We make four trips a year to take our team inside and spend two days touring the important ruins, allowing them to touch and see the history of their ancestors.
Although the numbers are not yet equal, we look forward to the day when we have 50/50 men and women working in the mountains as part of the Tunqui Expeditions team.
We use local products that are biodegradable and organic wherever possible.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
You can hire one from us if you don’t have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable, protecting you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-shaped and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after each use and have a maximum use of 30 trips.
Walking sticks (with rubber tips) can be very useful on rough terrain and for ascending and descending. You can hire a set from us if you’d like.
You can climb the famous mountain that you always see in photos behind the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It’s a 45 minute climb and the descent can be scary if you’re afraid of heights. You can do this after your guided tour of Machu Picchu. Permission must be obtained at least two to three months in advance due to high demand. Bear in mind that there may be changes to protect your safety, especially due to weather conditions.
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains surrounding the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers less steep, wider and visually less frightening trails than Huayna Picchu, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket, which we can arrange for you if we have time in advance.
Tipping is the norm on any trip to Machu Picchu. Although we pay our entire team well, a little extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they put in. Typically, group members collect their tips to share with the drivers and cooks.
Landslides, bad weather, changes in itinerary due to safety concerns, illness, pandemics, changes in government policy, political instability, strikes, acts of God, etc.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and worry free as possible. In this section you’ll find the answers to all your questions about travelling with Tunqui Expeditions in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions you may have about our services.
Is it for me?
The Classic Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail trek and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers who can handle higher altitudes and longer distances.
Plastic-Classic Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu
Join us on this journey toward a plastic-free Classic Inca Quarry Trek , where the beauty of the landscape is matched only by our commitment to environmental stewardship. Together we will pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible adventure through the heart of history.
How many days do I need to acclimatise in Cusco before the Classic Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu?
It’s very important to be well acclimatised to the altitude before embarking on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the start of the trek to help you acclimatise and avoid any problems with altitude sickness during the trek.
You may have been in another area of Peru at high altitude before arriving in Cusco. If this is the case, we still recommend that you spend a full day in Cusco to rest, recover from the journey and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before starting the trek.
Here are some suggestions for activities to do around Cusco before starting your adventure trek:
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:
Returning to Cusco from Machu Picchu
Returning from Machu Picchu requires some logistics, but don’t worry. It is all included in your tour!
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.
BASICS
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
The muleteers and porters will carry up to 7kg of your personal belongings. This should include your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you are bring/renting one). In our case these two items weigh 3.5kg.
RECOMMENDED
“Classic Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days” is available any day of the week, from March to January. We do not operate this itinerary in February due to the rainy season and route maintenance. In addition, during this month, our Tunqui Expeditions team – guides, cooks, porters and muleteers – receive training and plan the year to ensure that you, our travelers, enjoy the trekking experience with us to the fullest.
Cost
Group Price: US$ 580.00 per person.
Required Pre-payment : US$ 200.00 per person.
Balance (Cusco): US$ 380.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after briefing).
This small group tour is guaranteed to operate with just 2 people.
Please note that PayPal charges a 5% fee, which we ask the client to cover as it is due to the use of their service. This tax is only for online deposits so you will pay the rest in cash (on the day of the briefing in Cusco) without charge.
Extensions and Offers
There are several extensions that can be included in your Peru Adventure.
Additional Equipment
There are additional items that you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
Add-ons and Upgrades
Complementary services and upgrades that you can include in this trip:
Price guarantee
Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. So, before you book, please make sure you have read all our important information about the tour.
Student Discount
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years of age or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of your passport at the time of booking. It must be current and not expire within the dates of travel. Please send it to info@tunquiexpeditions.com.
