Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu Multi Day Tour

4 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 5 more

This tour offers a rare opportunity to experience Machu Picchu through the Inca Quarry Trek, a culturally immersive route that reveals how the Inca Empire built its legendary stone cities. Unlike standard trekking routes, this journey follows ancient quarry paths where massive stones were carved and transported, giving travelers a deeper understanding of Inca engineering and history.

What truly sets this experience apart is the close interaction with local Andean communities, allowing you to witness living traditions, daily life, and ancestral knowledge still preserved today. Combined with little-visited archaeological sites and a comfortable train journey to Machu Picchu, this tour delivers a perfect balance of culture, exploration, and convenience, ideal for travelers seeking a meaningful and authentic way to reach one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

What's Included

Pre-departure briefing
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Experienced Mountain Guide
Inflatable mattress and portable travel toilet.
Lunch (Optional[3])
Lunch
Dinner (Optional[3])
Dinner
One-way bus tickets (Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu).
Breakfast (Optional[4])
Breakfast
Entrance to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 for 5-month bookings; if unavailable, Circuit 3, then Circuit 1)
All private transport and transfers during the tour
Hygiene products (small towel and soap).
Personal duffel bag (up to 5 kg / 11 lb) for your travel gear.
Water, Tea Time, and daily snacks on the trail
Personal Belongings Transport
Transfer from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.
Private Camping Facilities and Equipment (tents, tables, chairs, cooking utensils).
Expert chef, porters, and horsemen
Walkie-talkies, satellite phone, oxygen, and first aid kit available at all times.
Pickup and return to your hotel in the historic center of Cusco as part of the itinerary.
Tourist train round-trip ticket (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes).
Backpack cover.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes and dinner in Cusco (Day 4)
Gear: Sleeping Bag and Trekking Poles
Clothing and personal hiking equipment
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Gratuities for the staff (Optional)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

We recommend booking hotels in the center of Cusco.
The pickup time is between 04:00 and 04:30 am (We confirm the exact time the day before)

Itinerary

Duration: 4 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Cusco - Soqma - Perolniyoc - Racaypata - Rayan

    4 stops
  • 1
    Cusco

    We begin the tour by picking you up from your accommodation in Cusco and taking a scenic drive of approximately 1.5 hours to the start of the hike. Upon arrival, we will enjoy breakfast and meet the team that will accompany us during the trek.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Socma Perolniyoc

    The hike begins with a 3-hour walk to the Perolniyoc waterfall, passing through the traditional village of Soqma and its corn, potato, and quinoa fields.

    3 hours Admission ticket free
  • 3

    At the waterfall, you will have time to rest, cool off, and take pictures. Then, we will ascend to the Racaypata archaeological site, located above the waterfall, where you will receive a guided explanation and enjoy panoramic views. Here we will enjoy a lunch prepared by our chefs.

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • 4

    In the afternoon, we continue with a hike of approximately 1 hour to the Rayan camp (3,700 m / 12,139 ft), where we will have dinner and rest under the Andean sky.

    11 hours Admission ticket included
  • Day 2

    Rayan - Puccaqasa - Abra Kuichiqasa - Puerta del Sol - Choquetacarpo

    3 stops
  • 5

    After an energizing breakfast, we begin a 3-hour climb to Puccaqasa 4,400 m / 14,436 ft, the highest point of the day. From the summit, you will enjoy spectacular views and excellent photo opportunities. We then descend for about 25 minutes to the lunch spot, where we will enjoy freshly prepared dishes before continuing the hike. In the afternoon, we continue on a 2-hour trek, with gentle ups and downs, until we reach the Kuychicassa pass (4,500 m / 14,764 ft).

    4 hours Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Inti Punku Sun Gate

    After appreciating the impressive Andean landscapes, we descend to the archaeological site of Inti Punku Gateway of the Sun, where we will receive a brief explanation and enjoy panoramic views of the La Verónica glacier and the Sacred Valley.

    4 hours Admission ticket free
  • 7

    Finally, we walk about 30 minutes to the Choquecarpo camp 3,600 m / 11,811 ft, where we will have dinner and rest.

    10 hours Admission ticket free
  • Day 3

    Choquetacarpo - Cachicata - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

    5 stops
  • 8

    After a hearty breakfast

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 9

    We begin our hike to the quarries of Cachicata 3,520 m / 11,549 ft. Upon arrival, we will take a guided tour, where you will learn about the historical importance of the site and see huge blocks of stone that were partially carved and moved, work that was left unfinished with the arrival of the Spanish.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 10
    Ollantaytambo

    Then, we descend for approximately 3 hours to the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo 2,792 m / 9,160 ft, where we will enjoy lunch.

    3 hours Admission ticket free
  • 11

    Afterward, we will head to the train station to board the Expedition service to Aguas Calientes 6,693 ft, enjoying beautiful views of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River along the way.

    2 hours Admission ticket included
  • 12
    Aguas Calientes

    Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel and rest briefly before dinner. If you still have energy, you can explore the town or visit the hot springs to relax and prepare for the big day ahead.

    12 hours Admission ticket free
  • Day 4

    Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

    5 stops
  • 13
    Aguas Calientes

    Today we visit the highlight of the trip. We get up early to take the bus to Machu Picchu and arrive at the citadel first thing in the morning.

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • 14
    Machu Picchu

    Once inside, we will begin a guided tour with an expert who will take you through the most important areas, where you will discover terraces, temples, enclosures, and ancient Inca trails. After the guided tour, you will have free time to take pictures and explore on your own. If you booked in advance, you can make the optional ascent to Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain.

    2 hours Admission ticket included
  • 15
    Aguas Calientes

    At the end of the tour, we will return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch and to buy souvenirs.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 16
    Ollantaytambo

    In the afternoon, we will board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • Cusco (Pass by)

    His adventure comes to an end when we drop him off at the entrance to his hotel in Cusco

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
Supplied by Salkantay Trekking
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Tags

Hiking Tours
Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Audio Guides
Archaeology Tours
Small Group
Adventure Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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