- Inka Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N -
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Cuzco - Rayanniyoc
We will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco around 6:15 am, and drive towards the village of Socma at 3,000 m.a.s.l. (9,842 ft.), where we will start up to meet the muleteer that will join us during the hike carrying approx. 7 kg of our equipment.
After a short break of re-packing our gear, we will begin trekking up towards the Inca site of Perolniyoc at 3,200 m.a.s.l. (10,498 ft), reaching it after about 2.5 hours. Once there, we will have lunch, and visit the beautiful waterfall and the archaeological site at the top of the valley.
Afterward, we will go on for another 30 minutes until we arrive at Rayan-Niyoc located at 3,600 m.a.s.l. (11,811 ft). Here we will get settled in, have dinner, and camp for the night.
Meals included: Lunch and dinner.
Day 2 - Rayanniyoc - Choquetacarpo
Wake up early for breakfast before a challenging trek to reach the mountain pass, located at 4,400 m. a. s. l. (14435 ft.) with breathtaking vistas of the mountains and crop fields along the way.
After walking for about 4 hours, we will reach the mountain pass, stopping to take in the panorama and catch our breath. We will continue to a camp for lunch at an altitude of about 4,300 m.a.s.l. (14,107 ft.) before we continue hiking to reach a second high pass at 4,500 m.a.s.l. (14,763 ft.), the trek’s highest point. After a break to enjoy the spectacular views of the snow peak mountains, we will head down for about 3 hours to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), which also offers dramatic views over the valley and the Apu Veronica mountain rising over the horizon.
Soon after, we will arrive at Choquetacarpo (3600 m.a.s.l. or 11811 ft.), our second camp of the trek, to get settled in, have dinner, and camp for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 3 - Choquetacarpo -Aguas Calientes
Today we will have breakfast at the camp and then continue our descent to the Inca Quarry of Cachicata located at 3,820 m.a.s.l. (12,532 ft). Cachicata was the quarry used by the Incas 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 exploring the site, we’ll continue our way down the mountain for about 3 hours until the town of Ollantaytambo. From there, we will take a train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our guide at the train station and head to our hotel for a briefing about our next stop: Machu Picchu.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4 - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
We will start our day early to have breakfast and board a bus up to the Machu Picchu archeological site first time in the morning. You will go on a 2-hour tour with your guide, during which you’ll learn about the Incas and the history of Machu Picchu. Enjoy some free time after the tour to walk around the site, and take some pictures.
Once your visit to Machu Picchu finishes, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, board the train to Ollantaytambo, and finally take a bus transfer back to Cuzco.
Meals included: Breakfast
What is included?
- Breakfast on day 1, and lunch on day 4.
- Sleeping bag.
- Trekking poles.
- Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own.
- Optional Huayna Picchu trek (200 soles) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
- Optional Machu Picchu mountain hike (200 soles) must be booked at least 1 week in advance.
- Cuzco accommodation drop-off.
- Foam sleeping mat.
- Horsemen and horses to carry tents, food, cooking, and camping equipment plus a total of 5 kilos for each trekker. (this includes 2.5 kilos for your sleeping bag; mattress plus 2.5 kilos of personal items.
- Equipment tents (for two people sharing), basic sleeping pad, kitchen tent, tables, and chairs.
- First aid kit & emergency oxygen bottle.
What is not included?
- Entrance to Humantay lake charged by the local government of Mollepata = 20 soles.
- Sleeping Bags – If you do not have one you can rent from us for $10 USD for the whole trek.
- The entrance fee and transportation to the hot springs of Santa Teresa (20 to 25 soles).
- Travel insurance.
- Extra expenses.
- Tips.
We suggest you pack:
- A backpack to carry water, some snacks, a camera, sunscreen, valuable things, a jacket, rain gear, etc. We recommend bringing a backpack of 25 – 30 liters, but if you like to can bring a daypack or any size of the backpack as long as you feel comfortable with it.
- Sleeping bag at least minus 5 cº. If you don’t have one, you can rent one from us.
- Trekking Poles – If you do NOT have one, you can rent a pair of trekking poles from us.
- Passport.
- Wool hat or beanie.
- Sun hat.
- Scarf and gloves if you have them.
- 3 – 4 T-shirts, if you have long sleeves, better.
- Layers (sweater, fleece).
- 2 pair of long pants if you have leggings bring them.
- Hiking shoes.
- 2 – 3 pairs of socks.
- Rain gear (Pants, jacket, if you do not have you can buy a rain poncho) is crucial, especially for the rainy season.
- A small headlamp if you have one.
- A small towel.
- Sunglasses.
- Toothbrush and other personal toiletries.
- Toilet paper.
- Sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.
- Sandals / Flip flops.
- Waterbottle.
- Swimwear.
- Thermal Clothing.
- Some snacks such as chocolate, cereal bars, candies, nuts, energy bars, etc.
- Extra Cash in Soles.
