Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Overview
The Cachicata trek is one of the newest trekking routes on offer in the Cusco region. Based in the area around Ollantaytambo the Cachicata trek takes you past high waterfalls, Inca archaeological sites and beautiful scenery.
The Cachicata trek is relatively easy compared to some of the others so it is a great option for less experienced trekkers. Another great thing about the trek is that hardly anyone does it so if you're looking to get away from the crowds then this is the trek for you!
The Cachicata trek is relatively easy compared to some of the others so it is a great option for less experienced trekkers. Another great thing about the trek is that hardly anyone does it so if you're looking to get away from the crowds then this is the trek for you!
Inclusions
- 3x Breakfast
- 3x Dinner
- 3x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 3 nights
- Pre-trek briefing.
- Transfer by private transport to Huarocondo - the initial point of the trek.
- Accommodation: Campsites (2 nights) and a Hostel in Machu Picchu (1 night).
- Afternoon hot beverages x 2.
- Professional bilingual Tour Guide.
- Professional Cook.
- Horseman.
- Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 5 kg of each passenger's stuff.
- Camping equipment: Personal double tents (4 person tent which allows for greater comfort).
- Inflatable mattress (Term-A-Rest).
- A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C).
- A blanket per person.
- A pillow.
- Day-pack rain cover.
- Duffel bag for your personal belongings (5 kg).
- Rain plastic ponchos.
- Water every day (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
- Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas
- A round trip by tourist train (Expedition Service) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
- Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Entry/Admission - Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Socma - Rayan
Stop At: Cusco Region, Cusco Region
We start out with an easy first day. Leaving from Cusco early we drive to the Sacred Valley heading for the village of Socma which is a short distance from Ollantaytambo. Just before we arrive to Socma we'll have a stop to take photos of some stone-age petroglyphs.
Today's trek takes us up the valley behind Socma as we make our way to a small Inca site and beautiful waterfall that lie at the top of the valley. Walking past fields cultivated with potatoes, corn and quinua we will have the opportunity to see a variety of birds and native plants and to learn about the customs of the Andean people. Your guide will teach you a little Qhechua (the language of the Incas) so that you can communicate with the people you meet on the trek.
After a relaxing morning's walk we'll finally arrive to our destination, the Inca site of Perolniyoc. After a guided tour of the site we'll carry on a short distance to our campsite at Rayan (3650m / 11975 ft.) where we'll stop for the day. In the afternoon we will visit one of the local families and you can practice the Qhechua you learnt in the morning (much to everyone's amusement).
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Campamento.
Day 2: Rayan - Cachicata
Stop At: Perolniyoq Waterfall, Apv- Tipon-n11, Ollantaytambo Peru
Today is the longest day of the trek. Setting out from our campsite we'll carry on up the valley making our way to the first pass on the trek. This area is still cultivated by the local people despite the high altitudes and we will see local people caring for their fields. One of the few plants that seems to thrive at this altitude is a type of mint, (muna) and the scent infuses the air throughout the morning.
In total it's about a 4 hour walk to the pass (4440m / 14567ft.) where we'll stop to take in the panorama and catch our breath before carrying on for about another 20 minutes to stop for lunch. After lunch the walking gets easier; having reached the top of the mountain the terrain levels out and we walk across the high plateau through a strange landscape of what appear to be burial mounds but are actually glacial morraine (piles of rock deposited by glaciers during the Ice Age).
Our goal for today is the Inca quarry of Cachicata. Working our way down from the high plateau we'll arrive to Cachicata (3820m / 12532ft.) by late afternoon, passing by an Inca ruin which people refer to as the Sun Gate along the way.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Campamento.
Day 3: Cachicata - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Stop At: Ollantaytambo, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
Today is dedicated to exploring Cachicata. Despite it's proximity to Ollantaytambo and the wide variety of interesting features, hardly anyone actually comes up here. Cachicata is an extensive site, it was the quarry used by the Inca for the construction of Ollantaytambo and there are various points of interest including several large buildings, quarried stones left half finished and abandoned throughout the site, chullpas (burial houses) and a cave with Inca mummies still in place.
After a guided tour of the site we'll continue our way down the mountain following the original platform used for transporting the stones to Ollantaytambo and arrive to the town by early afternoon. From Ollantaytambo we'll take the train to Aguas Calientes.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Noche en Renato's House o Machupicchu Dream Hostel.
Day 4: Machu Picchu - Cusco
Stop At: Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Peru
Waking up early we'll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We'll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain.
In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Cusco - Socma - Rayan
Stop At: Cusco Region, Cusco Region
We start out with an easy first day. Leaving from Cusco early we drive to the Sacred Valley heading for the village of Socma which is a short distance from Ollantaytambo. Just before we arrive to Socma we'll have a stop to take photos of some stone-age petroglyphs.
Today's trek takes us up the valley behind Socma as we make our way to a small Inca site and beautiful waterfall that lie at the top of the valley. Walking past fields cultivated with potatoes, corn and quinua we will have the opportunity to see a variety of birds and native plants and to learn about the customs of the Andean people. Your guide will teach you a little Qhechua (the language of the Incas) so that you can communicate with the people you meet on the trek.
After a relaxing morning's walk we'll finally arrive to our destination, the Inca site of Perolniyoc. After a guided tour of the site we'll carry on a short distance to our campsite at Rayan (3650m / 11975 ft.) where we'll stop for the day. In the afternoon we will visit one of the local families and you can practice the Qhechua you learnt in the morning (much to everyone's amusement).
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Campamento.
Day 2: Rayan - Cachicata
Stop At: Perolniyoq Waterfall, Apv- Tipon-n11, Ollantaytambo Peru
Today is the longest day of the trek. Setting out from our campsite we'll carry on up the valley making our way to the first pass on the trek. This area is still cultivated by the local people despite the high altitudes and we will see local people caring for their fields. One of the few plants that seems to thrive at this altitude is a type of mint, (muna) and the scent infuses the air throughout the morning.
In total it's about a 4 hour walk to the pass (4440m / 14567ft.) where we'll stop to take in the panorama and catch our breath before carrying on for about another 20 minutes to stop for lunch. After lunch the walking gets easier; having reached the top of the mountain the terrain levels out and we walk across the high plateau through a strange landscape of what appear to be burial mounds but are actually glacial morraine (piles of rock deposited by glaciers during the Ice Age).
Our goal for today is the Inca quarry of Cachicata. Working our way down from the high plateau we'll arrive to Cachicata (3820m / 12532ft.) by late afternoon, passing by an Inca ruin which people refer to as the Sun Gate along the way.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Campamento.
Day 3: Cachicata - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Stop At: Ollantaytambo, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
Today is dedicated to exploring Cachicata. Despite it's proximity to Ollantaytambo and the wide variety of interesting features, hardly anyone actually comes up here. Cachicata is an extensive site, it was the quarry used by the Inca for the construction of Ollantaytambo and there are various points of interest including several large buildings, quarried stones left half finished and abandoned throughout the site, chullpas (burial houses) and a cave with Inca mummies still in place.
After a guided tour of the site we'll continue our way down the mountain following the original platform used for transporting the stones to Ollantaytambo and arrive to the town by early afternoon. From Ollantaytambo we'll take the train to Aguas Calientes.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Noche en Renato's House o Machupicchu Dream Hostel.
Day 4: Machu Picchu - Cusco
Stop At: Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Peru
Waking up early we'll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We'll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain.
In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Meeting point
Traveler pickup is offered
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please note that if you want the "Single Room" option for this tour, you must contact the local tour operator to receive your own single tent and a single room in Aguas Calientes. Additional fees may apply.
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
- Minimum age is 18 years.
- Important: Tickets to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain must be purchased in advance. Please contact with us upon booking if you'd like to purchase tickets.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Face masks provided for travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
Exclusions
- Breakfast on day 1 and lunch on the last day.
- International and domestic flights nor airport departure taxes.
- Travel insurance.
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain ($75) or Machu Picchu Mountain ($75).
- A shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu ($12 - one way, $24 - a round trip).
- Gratuities to local staff (it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory).
- Other extras not mentioned
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
tristang654
December 2021
Absolutely amazing once in a lifetime experience! The guides and all the porters are amazing people. I am beyond happy to have had this experience! Plus the food is amazing like a 5 star restaurant in the woods! Thank you to our amazing guides Adnar and Efrey!
Absolutely amazing once in a lifetime experience! The guides and all the porters are amazing people. I am beyond happy to have had this experience! Plus the food is amazing like a 5 star restaurant in the woods! Thank you to our amazing guides Adnar and Efrey!K59KCliamg
December 2021
Adner and efrain were amazing guides. Efrain really helped me when I was struggling. He went above and beyond what I could ask for. Adner is very knowledgeable and taught me a lot about the inka people. I would highly recommend this company. The porters they used were top notch. The food they coo...
Adner and efrain were amazing guides. Efrain really helped me when I was struggling. He went above and beyond what I could ask for. Adner is very knowledgeable and taught me a lot about the inka people. I would highly recommend this company. The porters they used were top notch. The food they cooked us out in the middle of know where was better than food I got in Lima and Cusco.Fahad A
January 2022
It is hard to know where to begin, the adventure with this tierras vivas truly suprassed all expectations. We went with Tierras Vivas on a recommendation from our friends and are so grateful for it! From start to finish our tour guide Efrain made our adventure magical. Efrain spent time sharing ...
It is hard to know where to begin, the adventure with this tierras vivas truly suprassed all expectations. We went with Tierras Vivas on a recommendation from our friends and are so grateful for it! From start to finish our tour guide Efrain made our adventure magical. Efrain spent time sharing his in-depth knowledge of the inca trail, which allowed us to truly appreciate the spectacle of Machupicchu once we got there. Efrain was part of a team (who also became our "family") for the 4 days who all worked so hard to make the adventure so fun, safe, and comfortable. Special mention to the chef and sous-chef who provided delicious food every day on camp! We are so truly grateful to Efrain, the family and to Tierras Vivasbshah999
January 2022
It was amazing experience. We were the only family of 4 in the group. Tour Guide Efrain & entire team were very friendly and kind including porters. Being vegetarian, they served excellent food.. Efrain is very knowledgeable - we got to know amazing Inca civilization & history.. I would recommen...
It was amazing experience. We were the only family of 4 in the group. Tour Guide Efrain & entire team were very friendly and kind including porters. Being vegetarian, they served excellent food.. Efrain is very knowledgeable - we got to know amazing Inca civilization & history.. I would recommend highly. They far exceeded than what we were expecting.A4773BLajm
December 2021
Best hike of life. As a guide that has done alot of adventure activities I can confirm these guys are PROS. Service was outstanding from start to finish and our guides Adner and Efre are EXCELLENT and very knowledgeable. It's hard to decide what better the views or the food!!! 10/10 on all front...
Best hike of life. As a guide that has done alot of adventure activities I can confirm these guys are PROS. Service was outstanding from start to finish and our guides Adner and Efre are EXCELLENT and very knowledgeable. It's hard to decide what better the views or the food!!! 10/10 on all fronts. The porters are fun and friendly and aside from walking you won't life a fingerings!!! If your not going with these guys your are missing out!! GRACIAS TIERRA VIVAS !!!!!566annabelw
November 2021
Had a fantastic trip with Tierras Vivas, following a friend’s recommendation which very much delivered. Tierras Vivas were extremely accommodating and tailored the hike to suit us (we had 3 days and they helped us fit in the full 4 day trail). The views, varied terrain, and Inca sights were spect...
Had a fantastic trip with Tierras Vivas, following a friend’s recommendation which very much delivered. Tierras Vivas were extremely accommodating and tailored the hike to suit us (we had 3 days and they helped us fit in the full 4 day trail). The views, varied terrain, and Inca sights were spectacular and well worth the effort, with so much to see that’s only accessible on foot, and even better away from the crowds. Thank you to Efra our guide who was attentive, knowledgeable and positive, and to Andrés our chef who kept us well fuelled (including impressively whipping up a birthday cake on a stove in a tent!) and to the porters who made it happen! Would highly recommend.