INCA QUARRY TREK TO MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS ITINERARY

Day 1. Cusco – Soqma

We will pick you up at your hotel around 06:00 am. We proceed to drive nearly 1 hour and a half to Warocondo. During the bus ride, you can observe the white snowcapped mountains of Salkantay and Veronica: the Holy Gods of the Incas.   Also, you will glimpse the spectacular views of the upper part and lower valleys with colorful landscapes.

After one hour and half of driving, we will make the first stop in Warocondo town, on where you can purchase last-minute supplies such as water, this town is very well known for the LECHONES (roasted pork), it is regarded the best on Cusco. Then we keep driving along with the quinoa plantation and arrive in the town Soqma where our hike starts.

After trekking for about one hour you will observe a wonderful waterfall called Perolniyoc. Also, your guide will show you some medicinal plants that the local farmers use along the way. You can pick some plants and make your own tea like locals. Then we will go uphill until to get Q´anabamba and Willkarakayfrom which your professional guide will explain to you, From here you will continue to the campsite which will take you for couple of hours, once you get campsite you have lunch.  After lunch you will have some time to take a nap, then your guide will take you to visit the local family where you will learn about their traditions, culture, etc.

QUICK FACTS:

• Distance covered:  11 km (6.8 miles).
• Time: 4 to 6 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 3000m (9,743 feet).
• Highest elevation:  3700m (12,149 feet).
• Level of difficulty:  Moderate.
• Inca ruins: Today you will see the ruins of Q´anabamba and Willkarakayfrom afar and stop to visit the ruins of Patallaqta.

Day 2. Rayan – Highest Pass – Cachicata (Inca Stone Quarry)

Early wake-up call with a cup of coca tea in your tent by one of our porters. After a delicious breakfast, we leave the campsite towards the first pass called Pukaqasa (4380m t- 14,370 ft) which will take us for about 3 and a half hours, after we reach the pass we will descend down for 30 minutes where we meet our chef for lunch. We begin with our hike again for another 2 more hours of gradual uphill to the next pass named Kuychicasa (4450m – 14,600ft).  It is the longest day of the trek to Machu Picchu but the most regarding, because of the spectacular views of snowcapped mountains. The last 2 hours all descend to the campsite, on the way we will visit a small Inca ruins called Intipunku meaning sun gate, arriving at camp Cachicata (3600m – 11,811ft)  around 5 pm.

QUICK FACTS:

• Distance covered: 11 km (6.8 miles).
• Time:  4 to 6 hours.
• Lowest elevation:  3600m (11,811 feet).
• Highest elevation: 4450m (14,600 feet).
• Level of difficulty:  Demanding.
• Inca ruins: Seen in the distance.

Day 3. Cachicata – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Today we will explore the Stone quarry of Cachicata, it is an extensive site that served as a stone quarry for the construction of Ollantaytambo, where you will be able to see all the work of the Incas, there are large rocks left half-finished and abandoned in the entire area,  Inca mummies, burial houses or called Chullpas are seen here too.  After a guided tour you start the descend down for about 3 hours to Ollantaytambo following the original Inca ramp that Incas built for transporting the stones to Ollantaytambo. Arrive at the town for the last lunch with our chef. You will have some time in this town to explore or visit the local bar? Where the local ladies serve Chicha meaning corn beer considered sacred by the Incas.  In the afternoon you will catch the train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night.

QUICK FACTS:

• Distance covered: 15 km (9,3 miles).
• Time:  8 to 10 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 2700m  (8,8 feet).
• Highest elevation: 3600m (11,811 feet).
• Level of difficulty:  Modérate.
• Inca ruins:  Today you will explore the ruins of Sayaqmarcas as well as Wiñayhuayna.

Day 4: Machu Picchu Tour

Day four is the most magical day: Machu Picchu. We will wake up early to take the first bus up to Machu Picchu and see the sunrise over the ruins.

Your guide will spend around 2 hours explaining the highlights of Machu Picchu.   Afterward, you will have time to explore by yourself the ruins and hike Huaynapicchu if you have booked this option. (This is a separate entrance ticket that costs $15 per person). Finally, you will return to Aguas Calientes and take a train back to Ollantaytambo, and then bus back to Cusco.   Once in Cusco, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

QUICK FACTS:

• Distance covered: 6km (3.7 miles).
• Time: 5 to 7 hours: 2-hour trek and 3-hour tour in Machu Picchu.
• Lowest elevation:  2400m (7,874 feet).
• Highest elevation:  2700m (8,858 feet).
• Level of difficulty:  Moderate.
• Inca ruins: Machu Picchu.

INCLUSIONS

Included

• English speaking guide, plus an assistant guide for big groups.
• Professional cook and an assistant cook for a big group and horseman for the mules and horses.
• Mules which carry group gear and large duffels provided by the company, for personal belongings.
• All food on the trek, which incorporates traditional Peruvian cuisine as well as modern fusion cuisine and specific dietary needs.
• Boiled water and snacks.
• Large Dining tent, table, stools, all cutlery, and kitchen tent.
• Tents to overnight, and Thermarest. Two-person tents are provided for a single person and three-person tents for double people to provide plenty of space for personal gear.
• Additional horses for riding can be provided for an additional cost.
• First aid kit, including oxygen.
• A pre-trek briefing.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Round trip Train ticket Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes-ollantaytamo.
• Private van from your hotel in Cusco to Soqma(the starting point of hiking).
• Private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Not Included

• The first breakfast as well as lunch on the 5th day in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal trekking gear including, backpacks, trekking poles, sleeping bags. However, they may be rented from the company.
• Gratuity for guides, cooks, and horseman.
• Personal riding horse. Additional horses may be rented according to the needs of the individual and group.

WHAT TO BRING FOR INCA QUARRY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 

• Original Passport and Original Green ISIC international student cards if you are students.
• Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals.
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks).
• Waterproof clothing (poncho).
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts).
• Sunhat and sunglasses.
• Sun cream and insect repellent.
• Water bottles such as Nalgene.
• Basic medications.
• Walking sticks.
• Swimsuit and towel.
• Personal items.
• Personal snacks.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR INCA QUARRY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 

If you have reserved the service of Inca Quarry trek to Machu Picchu with your old Passport and then you have renewed it and obtained another, you most likely will have a different passport number. Please let us know so we can update this information. This modification has to be made prior to your trip to Peru (at least 10 days before your trip). As soon as you have your new passport please inform AB Expeditions of this change. Otherwise, this update or modification will have an additional fee of USD 12.00 and it will create a big inconvenience to update it at the last minute.

If you do not bring your passport, you won’t be allowed in the trail. Also, if you bring your new passport and failed to inform us and this information was not updated, you won’t be allowed in the Inca Trail or Machu Picchu.

Those passengers who booked their trip using the discounted price for  Student Holders must bring their original and valid student card (not a copy and not expired). This document must be shown at the Inca Trail Control Gate. Unfortunately, if you do not bring your card, you will be denied entry to the Inca Trail as the permits won’t be valid without your card.

It is very important that our passengers inform us before their trip of any medical restriction, food restriction, allergies, special diets, current medication, health issues, or anything that we need to consider to make your trip enjoyable and without concerns.

If you have medical restrictions for some or all the activities detailed in your booking please contact your doctor and inquire about the risks of doing said activities.