Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu – Inca Quarry Trek

Your journey on the Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu begins bright and early in Cusco. We will pick you up from your accommodation at around 5:00 AM. From Cusco, you’ll travel to the small town of Huarocondo, known for its traditional bread ovens. There, you can enjoy breakfast and fuel up for the day ahead.

After breakfast, we will drive to Pachar. In Pachar, you’ll start the trek, heading towards the remote community of Corimarca. The path is a moderate uphill climb. It offers stunning views of the Urubamba Mountain range, helping the hours pass quickly.

By noon, you’ll reach Corimarca. Here, you’ll find an ancient Inca checkpoint that’s remarkably well preserved. You’ll have ample time to explore and learn about the site’s historical significance.

After lunch, you’ll settle into the campsite. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and acclimatize to the altitude. The first night on the Inca Quarry Trail is a chance to stargaze and experience the tranquility of the Andes.

Now, let’s look at some statistics for the first day of the Inca Quarry Trail:

• Distance covered: Approximately 8 kilometers or 5 miles
• Highest altitude: The campsite at Corimarca, located at 3,600 meters (11,811 feet)
• Lowest altitude: Pachar, situated at 2,800 meters (9,186 feet)
• Level of difficulty: Moderate, due to the uphill terrain and the altitude
• Duration of the hike: Approximately 5 hours, excluding breaks for meals and exploration.

Rise and shine to a new day on the Inca Quarry Trail. After breakfast at the Corimarca campsite, you’ll commence the second day’s trek at 7:00 AM. You will journey towards Queuñacancha, a site that houses ancient Inca ruins.

The trek is uphill, crossing the challenging Chancachuco pass. It stands as the highest point of the day’s trail, situated at a staggering 4,450 meters (14,600 feet). Here, you’ll be greeted by panoramic vistas of the Veronica Mountain and the Urubamba River. These sights are sure to take your breath away.

Descending from the pass, you’ll encounter a stark change in scenery. The trail leads you through a series of wetlands and pastures, home to llamas and alpacas. This change in landscape indicates your arrival at the Queuñacancha ruins.

You’ll arrive at Queuñacancha by late afternoon. Here, you can explore the archaeological site and learn about its historical significance. Afterward, you’ll settle in at the campsite, rest, and enjoy the tranquility of the Andes.

Let’s summarize the day’s statistics:

• Distance covered: Approximately 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles
• Highest altitude: Chancachuco pass, at 4,450 meters (14,600 feet)
• Lowest altitude: The Corimarca campsite, at 3,600 meters (11,811 feet)
• Level of difficulty: Challenging, due to the steep ascent and high altitude
• Duration of the hike: Roughly 7 hours, including breaks for meals and exploration.

The third day of the Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu begins at sunrise. After breakfast at the Queuñacancha campsite, you set off on the trail around 7:00 AM. The destination for today is the Inca Quarry of Cachicata.

This segment of the trek is a gentle descent, offering relief after the previous day’s challenging journey. As you hike, you’ll pass several small Inca ruins, a testament to the extensive network of the Inca Empire.

By mid-morning, you’ll arrive at the Cachicata Quarry. This archaeological site was a source of stones used in the construction of Ollantaytambo. You’ll see various chullpas (burial towers), abandoned stones, and building remains, offering a glimpse into the Inca’s stone extraction process.

Post exploration, you’ll descend further to the town of Ollantaytambo. Here, you’ll board a train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. This train ride offers captivating views of the Andean landscapes and the Urubamba River.

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes by late afternoon, you check into your accommodation. The evening is at your leisure to explore this charming town, nestled in the cloud forest.

Here are the day’s statistics:

• Distance covered: Approximately 7 kilometers or 4.3 miles on foot, plus a train ride
• Highest altitude: Queuñacancha campsite at 3,600 meters (11,811 feet)
• Lowest altitude: Aguas Calientes at 2,040 meters (6,690 feet)
• Level of difficulty: Moderate, mainly downhill terrain
• Duration of the hike: Roughly 4 hours, excluding the train ride to Aguas Calientes.

The final day of the Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu is a highlight. This is the day you reach the revered Inca citadel. Starting in Aguas Calientes, you wake up early, around 5:00 AM. We will be boarding one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival, you will see the ancient city unfold before you, with the towering Huayna Picchu in the backdrop. The sight is nothing short of mesmerizing, an image that leaves an indelible imprint on your memory.

A guided tour of Machu Picchu follows, giving you insights into the historical and architectural significance of the various sites. This includes the Sun Temple and the Room of the Three Windows. The tour takes about two hours, after which you have some free time to explore further on your own.

After immersing yourself in the grandeur of Machu Picchu, you take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. From there, you board a train to Ollantaytambo. Upon reaching Ollantaytambo, a private transport awaits to take you back to Cusco, marking the end of your memorable journey.

Here are the day’s statistics:

• Distance covered: Approximately 2 kilometers or 1.2 miles on foot, plus bus and train rides
• Highest altitude: Machu Picchu at 2,430 meters (7,972 feet)
• Lowest altitude: Aguas Calientes at 2,040 meters (6,690 feet)
• Level of difficulty: Easy, primarily a day of exploration
• Duration of the hike: Roughly 2 hours, excluding the time for the guided tour and travel back to Cusco.