4-Day Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu
4 days
About this activity
Day 1: Cusco - Rafca - Socma - Perolniyoc - Rayanniyoc
You will be picked up at around 6am and drive towards the town of Rafca (2800 meters). The drive will continue 30 more minutes until reaching the village of Socma which is the starting point of the trek. After a short break and packing everything, you will begin hiking towards the Inca site of Perolniyoc (3200m). Once there, you'll have lunch and visit the beautiful waterfall and the archaeological ruins lying at the top of the valley. You'll hike for 30 more minutes until you arrive at Rayan-Niyoc (3,600m).
Day 2: Rayanniyoc - Inti Punku - Choquetacarpo
After a hearty breakfast, you will start your trek to the first high pass located at 4,400 meters above sea level and offering breathtaking mountain views. After walking about 4 hours, you will reach this point. You will stop at a camp for lunch and then continue hiking to reach a second high pass at an altitude of 4,500 meters (the highest point of the trek). Take in the spectacular views of the valley and then head down for about 3 hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku (meaning Sun Gate). You will arrive at Choquetacarpo (3600m), your second camp of the trek.
Day 3: Choquetacarpo - Cachicata Inca Quarry - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
After breakfast at the camp, you'll descend to the Inca Quarry of Cachicata (3820m). This quarry was used by the Incas for the construction of Ollantaytambo and there are various points of interest including several large buildings, quarried stones left that are half finished and abandoned throughout the site, chullpas (burial houses) and a cave with Inca mummies. After exploring this site, you'll head down the mountain for about 3 hours until the town of Ollantaytambo. This is the ending point of this challenging and fascinating trek. From there, you'll take the train to Aguas Calientes, check in at the hotel and enjoy some well-deserved rest.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Early in the morning, you will take the bus to Machu Picchu and enter the site as it opens. Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour and learn about the Incas and the history of this citadel. Then, you have free time to walk around the site, take some pictures, and/or do the optional hike up to Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes where you will board the train to Ollantaytambo. Then, you'll board a bus back to Cusco where you will be dropped off at Plaza San Francisco.
See map of adventure by clicking on 'View Additional Info'.
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You will be picked up at around 6am and drive towards the town of Rafca (2800 meters). The drive will continue 30 more minutes until reaching the village of Socma which is the starting point of the trek. After a short break and packing everything, you will begin hiking towards the Inca site of Perolniyoc (3200m). Once there, you'll have lunch and visit the beautiful waterfall and the archaeological ruins lying at the top of the valley. You'll hike for 30 more minutes until you arrive at Rayan-Niyoc (3,600m).
Day 2: Rayanniyoc - Inti Punku - Choquetacarpo
After a hearty breakfast, you will start your trek to the first high pass located at 4,400 meters above sea level and offering breathtaking mountain views. After walking about 4 hours, you will reach this point. You will stop at a camp for lunch and then continue hiking to reach a second high pass at an altitude of 4,500 meters (the highest point of the trek). Take in the spectacular views of the valley and then head down for about 3 hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku (meaning Sun Gate). You will arrive at Choquetacarpo (3600m), your second camp of the trek.
Day 3: Choquetacarpo - Cachicata Inca Quarry - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
After breakfast at the camp, you'll descend to the Inca Quarry of Cachicata (3820m). This quarry was used by the Incas for the construction of Ollantaytambo and there are various points of interest including several large buildings, quarried stones left that are half finished and abandoned throughout the site, chullpas (burial houses) and a cave with Inca mummies. After exploring this site, you'll head down the mountain for about 3 hours until the town of Ollantaytambo. This is the ending point of this challenging and fascinating trek. From there, you'll take the train to Aguas Calientes, check in at the hotel and enjoy some well-deserved rest.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Early in the morning, you will take the bus to Machu Picchu and enter the site as it opens. Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour and learn about the Incas and the history of this citadel. Then, you have free time to walk around the site, take some pictures, and/or do the optional hike up to Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes where you will board the train to Ollantaytambo. Then, you'll board a bus back to Cusco where you will be dropped off at Plaza San Francisco.
See map of adventure by clicking on 'View Additional Info'.
Included
- Pre-departure briefing
- Cuzco Accommodation Pickup
- Van Transfer from Cuzco to Huarocondo/Socma
- Round Trip Train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
- Round Trip Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Bus Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
- Camping Accommodation during trek (including basic sleeping mattress & tent for 2 people)
- 1-night 3* Hotel Accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Professional English Speaking Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour
- Meals: 3B/3L/3D
- Cook: In charge of meal preparation
- Horsemen and Horses to carry tents, food, cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 5 kilos for each trekker. (This includes 2.5 kilos for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 2.5 kilos of personal items.
- Equipment: Tents (2 people will share a tent), Basic sleeping pad, Shared camping equipment, Dinner tent, Kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings
- First aid kit & Emergency Oxygen Bottle
- Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 4
Not included
- Breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 4
- Sleeping Bag (Available for rent in Cuzco)
- Trekking Poles (Available for rent in Cuzco)
- Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
- Optional Huayna Picchu Trek (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance
- Optional Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 1 week in advance
- Tips (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.) Guide: 40-60 soles per trekker Horsemen: 60-80 soles for each horseman from the whole group Cook: 150-200 soles for the cook from the whole group
- Cuzco Accommodation Drop-off
- Personal Expenses
- Travel Insurance
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
55%
Sport
30%
Aquatic
30%
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