Looking for an exciting yet a less crowded trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco? Consider Cachicata Trek, also known as Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu.
Unlike most treks from Cusco, Cachicata is an off the beaten track trek and is gaining popularity. This trek offers a deeper orientation to the Incan civilization.
The trek takes you across an impressive variety of landscapes and ecological areas. It goes over a high pass with all the principle white peaks of Cusco in view. You will be climbing to a pristine cascade and will be camping near archaeological Inca complex.
The campsite is along a less trodden path heading to the Chancachucu Pass. On the last day of the trek, you will be passing through an Inca water channel. Then you will descend through dazzling panoramic views of the Camicancha Valley and Urubamba.
From here, Incas worshipped the Apus (Gods) called Intipunku. They gathered workers from Inca quarries and performed ceremonies to thank their natural entities.
Ollantaytambo, was once the royal estate of the Incan emperor, Pachacuti. It possess some of the most impressive stonework. The prime quarries of Ollantaytambo were here.
On this four days trek, you will be tracing the foot steps of Incas. The trek goes through the path that Incas took, while transporting these stones. You will also be able to see some astonishing stone blocks namely “cut stones” or “tired stones”. These stones were abandoned in the Inca quarry.
At Treks in Cusco, all our guides are locals. They are certified tourism professionals with an extensive knowledge on history. We don’t just offer an experience we also nurture it.
Please note that this is a high altitude trek. We highly recommend you to spend at-least 2 days in Cusco and acclimatise well to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0600 AM
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. Then we will be travelling to the community of Huarocondo. Here, we will be visiting a beautiful colonial church. Then we will be descending to the community of Socma. Here we will start our full day hike to the archaeological site of Perolniyoc.
It is located in the Sacred Valley of Incas, above a waterfall. From there we will trek up to the small community of the same name. We will be camping there.
In the morning we will hike up to the first pass. It is at 4,500 meters/14,764 feet. From here, we will be descending to Mama Cona Lagoon. We will hike through another beautiful mountain pass. There is an ancient Incan canal here that still transports water to the quarry.
The canal is 17 km/10.5 miles long and is considered one of the most important engineering achievements in the region. We will also be able to admire the Urubamba and Vilcabamba mountain ranges.
We will be camping near the canal. This is the zone of high altitude, so you will need to carry your thermal wear.
We start our trek by following a little creek. We will be crossing an ancient Inca bridge. This will take us to the Inca Canyon. Next, we will hike to the high plateau of Intiwatana archaeological complex and Sun Gate. Here an altar was built facing Veronica Mountain. From here, we will enjoy a spectacular view of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River.
Continuing our trek, we will make our way to Incas ruins of Cachicata. There, we can see how the Incas cut and transported the huge stones. The stones were used to build the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. Her we will be exploring different sectors of the Quarry.
Descending into the Sacred Valley, you will be able to admire the Inca cemetery and what was once the town for the residence of architects. We will be camping for the night in Cachicata town.
Early in the morning we will go to Ollantaytambo train station. From here we will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. It serves as gateway to Machu Picchu. From Aguas Calientes, town we will be taking a bus up for the tour of Machu Picchu citadel.
Our local guide will be giving you a guided tour for two hours. After the tour, you will ave some free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. If you have booked a hike to Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu mountain, our guide will be directing you to the respective trail head.
Alternatively, you can hike to Sun Gate or Inti Punku. This is the point through which those on Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu enter the citadel.
Later in the afternoon, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here you will have some free time to grab lunch (not included) if desired. Then we will be boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you at the train station and will transfer you to Cusco.
Exceptional tour service. Learnt a lot about Incas history on our way to Machu Picchu. The guide service was nice too.
