This trek is famous for being “off the beaten track.” Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu Trek is a personally designed and unique trek taking you to remote and rarely visited Inca ruins. You’ll trek by beautiful waterfalls, view wild panoramic landscapes, ancient Inca aqueducts, and travel back in time to hike the Inca stonemason’s unmatched masterpieces. You will visit the old Inca quarry from where the Incas carved the rocks to build the important Ollantaytambo Inca city, and the impressive gate to Machu Picchu. Take time to explore the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo and hike up to the dusted remnants of the old Inca hillside storehouses. Then enjoy true luxury at the exclusive Veronica View Hotel! On your final day, will be the long awaited tour to explore and experience the magical UNESCO World Heritage site: Machu Picchu! Book your tour now and make unforgettable memories.
Cusco
Group Size 8 person(s)
Group
Adventure
moderate
Daily departures
For the Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, the guide will pick you up at the hotel at 5:00 am to begin our 2 hour drive to the traditional Inca community of Socma. After having a delicious breakfast at the trailhead, we will give our duffel bags to the horsemen. Your team of pack horses will carry all of your camping gear, leaving you with only a small daypack. Continue the journey to the spectacular waterfall of Perolniyoc. The perfect spot for photos and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
After being mesmerized by this phenomenal waterfall, we will continue the hike up to an Inca archeological site, where your guide will give you the full tour. It’s a short walk to our lunch spot at Rayan at 3,700m/ 2,139 ft. After a hearty lunch and a well-deserved rest, we will set out again.
We start with 2 hours uphill to the very first pass called Puccaqasa at 4,400m/14,400ft. Stunning views of the mountains await us at the summit. Be sure to take photos of the beautiful scenery and of the mountain you just conquered! After another hour of hiking we will be arriving to our first campsite. Hot drinks and appetizers will be waiting for you when you arrive. Your tents will already be set up so you can settle in for a rewarding rest before dinner.
After a good rest, day 2 will kick off with a 2 hour journey to the Quychicassa pass at 4,450m/14,599ft. We will enjoy a spectacular view of the wide, glacier-carved valley. Continue for another hour downhill to the Inca site of Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate. Lunch will be served with a spectacular view of the Veronica Mountain!
As our last stretch of the day, we continue the hour downhill hike from Inti Punku to the Veronica View Hotel. There, you can get a well-deserved soak in the heated swimming pool or sauna. There is also the option for treatments at the spa.
We will wake up for breakfast with the fresh air and beautiful views of the Veronica Mountain. Have a relaxing morning recovering from the strenuos hike and enjoy the beautiful setting. We will start the day by having a delicious gourmet breakfast and after we will take a short drive to the train station, where you will board the train at 1:37pm Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. We will be spending another relaxing night there.
***IMPORTANT:
After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are ready to get an early bus at 5:30am up to Machu Picchu just in time to witness the sunrise. It is a truly mystical site and not something you’ll want to miss! After enjoying the sunrise your guide will provide a tour of Machu Picchu, which takes around two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel during your tour.
When you have had your fill of the incredible views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arriving there will be numerous restaurants to choose from (lunch not included). Depending on your train departure time, there may be some time for shopping, or sightseeing.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van. You can expect to arrive at your hotel around 7:00pm.
***IMPORTANT:
| No. OF PEOPLE | PRICE |
| 2 to 8 people | US$ 517 per person |
***This price includes the extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs. We will provide a duffle bag that you can put your things in.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
| 18 to 25 years old: | US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount. |
| Under 18 years old: | US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking. |
| Under 11 years old: | US$40 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking. |
| Group of 5 or more: | US$30. – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time. |
Please read carefully the following information. It will help with your questions about our services and the Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu.
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to the hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading Sam Corporations outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments).
It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm at our office which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor)
Of course! During the Inca Quarry trail to Machu Picchu your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are free.
FIRST, to book your Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, you need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click the link here: BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FOR EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu permit without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$211.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu. You can make you deposit by clicking on PAYPAL.
Yes, but with some restrictions. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
*** If you cancel your Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, the deposit is not refundable at all!
YES! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, other entrances and reservations. The rangers will check your passport when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train. In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter into Machu Picchu or get on the train. They are very strict about this!!
Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! The Government of Peru is enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. You will have many different seasons as you pass through the numerous microclimates and will depend on the location. We highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is water, coca tea and rest; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.
The maximum group size is 8 people. Usually our groups are usually between 2-6 people. Orange Nation Peru specialises in small and private groups. This allows us to provide a more tailored and personalised service.
The evening before you start your Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu, you will be given a small duffel bag to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14lbs. Your team of pack horses will carry the duffle bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware, that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the horses will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 40 litre backpack is sufficient.
The Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu trek is a 39 km hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 4,700m/15,000ft. On the second day of the trek we climb two mountains. The Inca Quarry Trail Trek is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise.
In preparation: try walking 15kms a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
It has been highlighted by all of our guests that they want a private, clean and sanitary toilet!! SAM Corporations Peru toilet facilities have an individual tent and a “camping toilet with a seat.” Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite. At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean.
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, SAM Corporations Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu trek.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.
Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu trek, for sure we will pick you up there !
For sure you may upgrade to Vistadome train which has slightly nicer seats, panoramic windows and ceiling. You will be offered some snacks and a dance show will take place on board. The price is US$57 per person which includes the transfer from Poroy train station to your hotel in Cusco. It is 2 hours by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then another 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco by bus. If you upgrade to Vistadome, all the way back to Poroy (Cusco), the trip lasts 3.5 hours, then 25mins by taxi to your hotel. Usually our clients are back at the hotel by 8pm. If you plan to take the bus to Puno on the same night, that is totally possible.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the Inca Quarry Trail Trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Orange Nation Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people
As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and include an extra pack horse which will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.
We highly recommend a small backpack of 30 to 40 Litres for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
Cusco
Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu
Sam Corporations
Our company is 100% locally owned. We directly contribute to economic development and environmental sustainability in Peru.
The quality of our service is one of our most important values which demands all our effort, determination, and courage to be successful in what we are doing and the services we provide
We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit. Through our training sessions and social projects, we empower women, indigenous communities and children
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you a personalized tour in our small comfortable vans
Interested in visiting only specific destinations? No problem, all our packages can be fully customized to suit your budget and schedule. Contact our travel advisors to plan the most comprehensive trip of a lifetime.
We commit socially and culturally to the community and adapt our business strategies to the preservation of the environment
Quality
Contact our travel advisors to plan the most complete trip of your life.
Simplified ease of communication, text us on WhatsApp, email or call us.
Our guides are local and have vast knowledge in Peruvian culture and history.
100% local company. Development and environmental sustainability
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you an unforgettable experience
Discover an exceptional journey where perfection meets adventure.
