INCA QUARRY TREK

DAY 1: CUSCO – RACCA – SOQMA – KORIMARCA

The team will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 am and drive you for 2 hours to the community of Racca, located in the Sacred Valley (You must have breakfast at your hotel for this tour). The Quarry Trail hike begins with a visit to the ancient Inca sanctuary of Ñaupa Iglesia (2967 m / 9734 ft). This is by far one of the most mysterious Inca sites in the entire region. Then, continue hiking for 2 hours to the community of Soqma (3188 m / 10459 ft), where your trekking chef will prepare lunch with fresh local produce. After lunch, explore the village, interact with the local villagers, and understand their humble lifestyles and cultures. The second part of our hike is a 2- to 3-hour uphill trek to Perolniyoc Waterfall, one of Cusco's most beautiful waterfalls, tumbling 328 feet into the rock face. The views from this location of the Soqma Valley, the Maras Plateau, and the snow-capped mountains are spectacular. The campsite is near the archaeological site in the village of Korimarca (3,611 m / 11,847 ft).

DAY 2: KORIMARCA – INTI PUNKU – CHOQUETACARPO – CACHICCATA QUARRY

Get up early with a cup of coffee or hot coca tea. Today is the most challenging, yet most beautiful day! After breakfast, you will embark on a 4-hour uphill hike to the Charkahuaylla Pass (4,450 m / 14,599 ft). At the summit, you can take a well-deserved rest and enjoy the fantastic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Urubamba mountain range and the mystical Sacred Valley of the Incas. At the same time, your tour guide will perform a traditional offering ceremony to the mountain Apus (mountain spirits). You will then continue the trek from the quarry in the mountains to the Andean lake of Marcacocha (4,000 m / 13,100 ft). This is a perfect place for lunch. Later, Apu Buena Negra (4,370 m / 14,300 ft) begins the climb to the second and final mountain of the hike. Upon reaching the summit, your efforts will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in the region. Then, continue downhill for another two hours to Intipunku (Sun Gate), a beautiful gateway overlooking the majestic Veronica Mountain (5,893 m / 19,334 ft). Our campsite is just a few minutes further in Choquetacarpo (3600m / 11811ft). We hike for 3 hours to the Cachiccata Quarry: the largest quarry in the Inca Empire. Here, your tour guide will teach you all about the incredible techniques of the ancient Inca stonemasons, as well as their lives and customs. You'll be amazed by the enormous boulders that the Incas transported and carved without the aid of modern technology. This quarry was abandoned, along with Machu Picchu and many other Inca sites, during the Spanish invasion. As we follow the ancient Inca route used to transfer the rocks to Ollantaytambo, we'll stop for lunch and interact with local villagers in the community of Cachiccata.

DAY 3: CUSCO - KM 104 - WIÑAY WAYNA - AGUAS CALIENTES

Early in the morning at 4:00 am, we will pick up all passengers. We'll head to Ollantaytambo, where we'll take the train to 104 km (1 hour 20 minutes). When we reach 104 km, we'll begin the hike, climbing for about 3.5 hours to Wiñayhuayna. As we ascend, you'll be able to take photographs of beautiful landscapes and views of the sacred Wilkanota River. At the Wiñayhuayna archaeological site, your guide will explain the purpose of this site. After enjoying a delicious box lunch, we'll continue along the classic Inca Trail to reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From this location, we'll have beautiful and unforgettable views of the Machu Picchu Citadel. Then, after enjoying the views, we descend along the trail for about an hour to Machu Picchu and enjoy the next part of the trek. From Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes, we take the bus (30 minutes) and will take you to the hotel. In the evening, you'll have a delicious dinner with your tour guide, who will explain the second day's activities.
- Meals: Lunch, dinner.
- Accommodation: Hotel Aguas Calientes.
- Maximum altitude: 2,850 meters.
- Minimum altitude: 2,200 meters.
- Daytime temperature: 17°C - 25°C.
- Nighttime temperature: 13°C - 14°C.

Day 4: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICHU - CUSCO

In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will ascend to Machu Picchu by bus. In Machu Picchu, you will have a two-hour private introductory tour. During this time, you will learn about incredible construction types, the engineering and terracing, the most important sites at the Machu Picchu archaeological site, and how they were used. You will then have free time to explore Machu Picchu, take photographs, and explore further on your own. If you booked the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain climb, you will enjoy a dramatically different view of the Machu Picchu citadel. When your visit concludes, you will return to Aguas Calientes by bus. There is much to discover in the town: shops, crafts, and art. Enjoy the hot springs, buy souvenirs, and try new foods. Later, we will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. (1.5 hours) When you arrive in Ollantaytambo, you will meet with our driver for the return trip by car to your hotel in Cusco (1.5 hours).
- Meals: Breakfast.
- Maximum altitude: 2,850 meters.
- Minimum altitude: 2,200 meters.
- Daytime temperature: 17°C - 25°C.
- Nighttime temperature: 13°C - 14°C.