Inca Quarry Trek 4 days

The Inca Quarry 4 days trek to Machu Picchu Peru. Make your way to Machu Picchu on this newly discovered and less crowded route. This 4-day trek will offer you amazing scenery with waterfalls and Inca ruins as well as the chance to pass by a beautiful remote Sun Gate and explore the most importnat incan stone factory named Incan quarries of Cachiqata.

The Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu is gaining recognition for its lesser-known ruins and off-the-beaten path cultural interactions - see the famous original Sun Gate (Inti Punku)

OVERVIEW:

Inca Quarry Trail hike 4 days might be less well-known than the Inca Trail, a real Off The Beaten Track to Machu Picchu! but one of the biggest bonuses of this is you’ll have less other travellers to compete with for the most stunning Andean photographs, spectacular mountainside campsites, views of ice-draped summits and andean glaciers like Veronica glacier at every turn and incredible landscapes along the way. You’ll also visit three significant archaeological sites that are unique to this trail and get the opportunity to learn about how the ancient Incans quarried for stone. After three days of hiking you will make your way to Aguas Calientes by train. On the fourth day you will enjoy the sunrise and explore the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco - Rafqa - Socma - Perolniyoc - Rayanniyoc (L/D)
We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive approximately 30min to Choquequilla, a small ceremonial place where Incas used to venerate the moon. A short drive from here takes us to Rafq’a, the starting point of our trek and where we meet the horsemen that will join us during the hike. After an approx. 1hr walk we reach the small community of Socma. A further 60min walk takes to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and a snack. From here we continue on to our campsite, at 3700 meters above sea level. All going well, we should reach our campsite by lunch time. After lunch we set off to explore the Q’orimarca archaeological site, which used to serve as a religious place during the times of the Incas.
Day 2: Rayanniyoc - Inti Punku - Choquetacarpo (B/L/D)
This is the most challenging but most rewarding day of the hike. A 3hr walk takes us to the top of the first pass, known as Puccaqasa (approx 4370 meters). After enjoying the views of the valley below we walk down for 30min to our lunch spot. Rested and full of energy again we take on a 2hr hike to the highest pass of the trek: Kuychicassa (4450 meters). From here we head down for 2hr to a site the Incas called Inti Punku, (meaning Sun Gate) with imposing views over the valley bellow and the Veronica mountain raising over the horizon. Our campsites is a stone throw away at Choquetacarpo (3600m)
Day 3: Choquetacarpo - Cachicata Inca Quarry - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)
Day three is all downhill hiking. The first stop is at the Cachiqata quarry, where we witness the work the Incas could not complete due to the Spanish conquest. Approximately at midday we finally arrive to the town of Kachiqata - the end of this challenging and fascinating trek. From here we visit Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon we travel by train to Aguas Calientes where we meet with our fellow travelers who opted to take the “Train Option” of this trip. The natural hot springs in town are an unbeatable way to spend a late afternoon/early evening. Tonight we overnight at a simple but comfortable hotel.
Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco (B)
Today we take a very early bus (5:30am depending on weather conditions) along the winding road to Machu Picchu (approx. 30 minutes). In Machu Picchu we join the travelers who opted to hike the Classic Inca Trail option of this trip before taking on a guided walk of Machu Picchu. In the afternoon we travel back to Aguas Calientes by bus, before boarding a train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo we travel by minivan to Cuzco. Depending on train schedule, expect to arrive to Cuzco anytime.

HIGHLIGHTS

INCLUDED

EXPLORE ADVENTURES DIFFERENCE

THE EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU® DIFFERENCE - DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE
Explore Adventures Peru® has been setting the standard for Trekking Peruvian Andes since 2010. As one of the few specialist companies organizing high quality expeditions, we are recognized as one of the best operators on the Peruvian Andes. Come see why we are the premier Andes outfitter. When you travel with us, you gain access to people and places. You’re enriched by the knowledge of our experts and guides, and by local experts we meet along the way. And you give back. Simply by taking a trip with Explore Adventures Peru, you support the work of our explorers and indigenous Quechuas villages.

WE HAVE A 99.8% CLIENT SATISFACTION RATE!
Undoubtedly, the most honest and accurate feedback comes from our clients themselves. With the goal of constantly improving our service, a post-Hiking survey is taken from each client in order to assess our staff, equipment, and food.

LOCAL GUIDES
KNOWLEDGE: LET OUR EXPERTS GUIDE YOU
• Professional, experienced, licensed local Quechuan guides
• Our guides are formed by expert Photographers, Explorers, History teachers, Archaeologists
• Honest, hardworking, team oriented support staff
• Over 600 times hikes on Inca Trail success experiences and client satisfaction

QUALITY EQUIPMENT
HIGH QUALITY EQUIPMENT & SERVICE.
• Rugged, four season North face, Mountain Hardwear, Doite, Vango tents
• Super warm North face, Mountain Equipment, Mountain Hardwear -30F sleeping bags
• Spacious mess tents and private toilets
• Outdoor utensils in stainless steel

FANTASTIC MEALS
• Delicious meals made from fresh, local ingredients
• Clean water treated with Water Guard
• we customize our menus depending on the preferences of the group,
• we never use freeze-dried backpacking meals
• Hearty, delicious meals that will optimally fuel and inspire you during your trip!
• We also regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher, non-gluten and other specialty diets

FOCUSED ON SAFETY
WE HAVE MANY LAYERS OF SAFETY BUILT INTO OUR OPERATIONS TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS ON INCA TRAIL AND BEYOND .
• We have established protocols for handling emergencies on the mountain, including rescue and evacuation
• Certified Wilderness First Responders
• Certified of the oficial firemen of Peru
• Daily pulse and oxygen saturation monitoring
• We provide evacuation by helicopter Andes Corp. For hikers seriously injured or sick.
• Emergency oxygen, portable stretchers and medical kits
• Emergency horse available in all our Alternatives treks

RESPONSIBLE TREKKING
GIVE BACK: WHEN YOU TRAVEL WITH US, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE
• Environmentally and socially responsible company
• Member of Inca Trail Porters Welfare
• Member of Leave No Trace
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
• Empowering Peruvian women

EXPLORE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
Instead of local buses, which other companies use to reduce their costs,
we always provide private transportation. This service allows our clients
flexibility and privacy.

HAPPY CUSTOMERS
• "Great experience!"
• "Very well planned & organized"
• "Excellent service all around"
• "A solid company"
• "Highly recommended!"
• "Genuine, authentic, and flexible with deep local knowledge!"
• "Absolutely Amazing!"