Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail is popular and permits are quickly sold out, so we advise you to book six months in advance. Permits are exhausted 4-6 months in advance, when this happens, we offer the alternative road that is not subject to permit restrictions. This four-day trek will take you through remote villages, passing impressive mountains and intact Inca ruins. It reaches altitudes of 4,400 m and is a less traveled route. At the end of the walk we will transfer you to Aguas Calientes and then take the bus to Machu Picchu. The Cachiccata Trek is a great alternative to the famous Inca Trail hike. The Cachiccata Trail was built by the Incas and used for hundreds of years to access local communities. This trail is not as well known as the classic Inca Trail, so many fewer crowds and a more serene trekking experience are expected in Peru. This hiking adventure not only visits Peru's cultural past, also explores modern Inca communities and customs. The trail takes us through isolated waterfalls, ancient terraces and exotic fauna, while offering fantastic views of the Sacred Valley and the snowy mountains of Peru. Visit with local families and explore an active quarry. Each step brings a new look to the Inca culture.This place was dedicated to the carving and extraction of stones that were used for the construction of Ollantaytambo and many surrounding areas. This place is nine kilometers from the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and has three groups of quarries: Molle Pucro, Sirkusirkuyoc (it was the largest of the three), shows evidence of having been in full operation when the Spaniards entered this area. And finally Kantirayoq or Cacchicata, where another type of extraction of minerals and precious stones was practiced. The visitor will be able to observe the great work done when moving the giant stones to build the Ollantaytambo enclosures. We can find the "Tired Stones" that were left during the trip to Ollantaytambo and in some parts of the town.
Day 01: Cusco - Huarocondo - Pachar - Corimarca (L, D)
Day 02: Corimarca - Inca Quarry Trail - Ollantaytambo (B, L, D)
Day 03: Ollantaytambo - Km 104 (Inca Trail) - Aguas Calientes (B, L, D)
Day 04: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco (B)
The Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the new hiking trails offered in the Cusco region. Based in the area around Ollantaytambo, the Cachicata hike takes you through high waterfalls, Inca ruins and beautiful scenery. The highlight of this trip is the visit to the Inca site of Cachicata, the quarry that supplies the stones used in the construction of Ollantaytambo. With mummies, chullpas and well preserved Inca buildings, this is one of the most interesting sites in the Cusco region.
Extra info:
The trip from the city of Cusco to the Inca city of Ollantaytambo is 1 hour with approximately 30 minutes by private transportation, but if you want to travel in the public transportation units the approximate time is 2 hours.
To start our tour, We drive from Cusco to Pachar located in the Sacred Valley. Then we will arrive in Huaroncondor to the trailhead, here we will meet with porters and horses and we will prepare the camping equipment. Then we climb up the stairs and visit to Huarocondo terraces. Continue the trek to Raphcca, at 2,900 m. From here we hike up the valley, along the route we appreciate the Inca terraces, water channels, Quechua communities and endemic flora and fauna. We follow a steep trail that eventually bring us to a waterfall where we can pause to refresh our bodies. Walking further, we visit the little known Inca site of Corimarca, our first campsite.
This second day we will approach the pass of Chancachuco at 4,400 m.a.s.l.Here we will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique panoramic view of the highest peaks in Cusco region.Then we will pass mountains where we will see wetland and colorful birds, to descent to Qeuñacancha at 4080 m.a.s.l; We will hike downhill following the trail until we join the Inka water channel which comes from Maracocha lake, from here we reach the temple call Intiwatana, which is located on the edge of the mountain called Apu Alambre, in front of the Veronica snow peak. Then we continue downhill to Choquetacarpo an archaeological site, which was most likely the residence of architects who managed the Inca quarries and performed ceremonies at Intipunku. The quarried stones are testimony of the great building project that was never finished and were destined for the Inka site of Ollantaytambo. This day we will spend a night in a Hotel in Ollantaytambo. Here we enjoy toilets, hot showers and a warmer climate.
After an energizing breakfast, we will explore different sectors of the Inca quarries and the natural rock existing in this area. The rocks of the zone were destined for the construction of the fortress of Ollantaytambo, Later we will realize our descent to the town of Ollantaytambo, in this place we will take the bus to km 104 to start the Inca Trail. After 2-3 hours, we will reach the archaeological site of Chachabamba where we will have a delicious lunch and a rest. Then you will have a guided tour of the site follows. Afterwards, you continue through a mixture of cacti vegetation and a cloud forest towards another Incan significant site the famous Wiñay Wayna. Later on, you can admire the sunset above Machu Picchu when we get to the Sun´s Gate (Inti Punku) before entering the Inca citadel , arriving we will settle in a lodging where we will spend the night.
Very early after breakfast at the Hotel, we will board the bus from Aguas Calientes to the citadel of Machu Picchu, upon arriving at the citadel we can appreciate the enigmatic beauty and the incomparable sample of Architectural and Hydraulic perfection of one of the 7 wonders of the modern world , we will have a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, where we can appreciate the Main Square, the Circular Tower, Intihuatana, The Royal Rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemetery, Then you will be given free time to take a walk around the citadel . You will have the whole morning in Machu Picchu to take photos and enjoy this mystical place. Then we will descend by bus to the Aguas Calientes Town, to have a peaceful lunch and then return by train to Ollantaytambo where our tourist transport awaits us to the city of Cusco, and later transfer to your hotel.
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
TOILETRIES:
| Days | 4 |
| From | $ 600.00 per person |
| Code | PIQTP |
Activity level |
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