→ Cachicata Quarry + 2-Day Inca Trail Combo to Machupicchu

Want to Avoid the Crowds? Looking for an Alternative to the Classic Inca Trail?

The 5-day trek combines the tour through the Sun Gate "Inti Punku" at Cachicata with the iconic Short Inca Trail. It's the ideal alternative when classic Inca Trail permits are sold out. You'll discover authentic Inca paths, archaeological sites, local communities, and make the legendary arrival to Machu Picchu through another Sun Gate "Inti Punku" - all with fewer travelers and more adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Treks

Cusco – Huarocondo – Perolniyoq Waterfalls – Rayan

Perolniyoc Waterwall on the Cachicata trek

Your expedition begins early in the morning from your hotel in Cusco. We'll transport you to an Andean village (Huarocondo). The first day is a cultural odyssey, starting with a visit to a colonial church that showcases the region's rich history. Hikers will discover ancient petroglyphs telling stories of pre-Columbian civilizations, followed by an exploration of the Inca site of Perolniyoc.

The day's hike will take you through vibrant potato and quinoa fields, offering an intimate look at traditional Andean agricultural practices. An impressive waterfall provides the perfect midday break, while a unique Quechua lesson will deeply connect you with local culture. At the end of the day, you'll camp in Rayan, at 3,650 meters (11,975 feet), surrounded by stunning Andean views.

Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Time: Approximately 7 hours
Distance: 13 kilometers
Maximum Altitude: 3,650 meters / 11,975 feet

Day 2 | Treks

Rayan Pata - Sun Gate

Sun Gate or Inti Punku, between Vilcanota mountain range

The second day presents a more challenging hike that will push your limits and reward you with extraordinary landscapes. You'll ascend to an impressive 4,440 meters (14,567 feet) via the Charkahuaylla pass. At the summit, we'll take a well-deserved break and enjoy beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks and mountains of the Urubamba Mountain Range and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

After a ceremony and offering by your tour guide to the Apus (mountain spirits), we'll continue hiking to Lake Marcacocha (4,000 m / 13,100 feet), the perfect spot for a delicious lunch.

Later, we'll cross the final mountain, Apu Buena Negra (4,370 m / 14,300 feet). After enjoying its incredible views, we'll descend to the anticipated Sun Gate or "Inti Punku", a beautiful Inca architecture that still prevails over the mountains. From here, you can observe one of the most impressive snow-capped mountains, Veronica (5,893 m / 19,334 feet). We'll then walk a few more minutes to our campsite in Choquetacarpo (3,600 m / 11,811 feet).

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Hiking Time: Approximately 8 hours
Distance: 16 kilometers
Maximum Altitude: 4,440 meters

Day 3 | Treks

Cachicata Quarry – Ollantaytambo

After enjoying a cup of tea, a perfect sunrise over the mountains, and a delicious breakfast, we'll hike for 3 hours to the Cachiccata Quarry (3,829 m / 12,719 feet), the largest quarry of the Inca Empire. These quarries tell a fascinating story of how the Incas transported enormous stone blocks across challenging mountainous terrain, allowing us to understand their extraordinary engineering capabilities.

We'll descend via the original Inca stone transport route used by Inca workers, discovering unfinished stones, ancient chullpas (funeral towers), and a mysterious Inca mummy cave. This day combines historical exploration with a panoramic journey to Ollantaytambo, where we'll have dinner and spend the night.

Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Time: Approximately 5 hours
Distance: 9 kilometers

Day 4 | Treks

Short Inca Trail (Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu)

On Day 4, your adventure begins in Ollantaytambo with breakfast at the hotel before boarding the morning train to kilometer 104, the starting point of your Inca Trail experience.

From here, you'll embark on a spectacular 12-kilometer hike through lush cloud forests to the fascinating ruins of Chachabamba. Then, you'll ascend via ancient stone stairs of the original Inca route to the impressive Wiñay Wayna complex. Your journey will culminate with a magical sunset arrival at Machu Picchu through the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where you'll enjoy your first unforgettable panoramic view of the Lost City of the Incas from Machu Picchu's upper platform or Circuit 1.

After immersing yourself in this wonder, you'll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes (included), where you'll spend the night in a comfortable hotel, ready for the full exploration of Machu Picchu the next day.

Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
Distance: 12 kilometers

Day 5 | Treks

Machu Picchu Exploration and Return to Cusco

On our final day, we must wake up very early for the highlight of our trip. After breakfast at the hotel, we'll board one of the buses that will take us back to the Inca City of Machu Picchu. This will be followed by a comprehensive 2-hour guided tour that will reveal the most significant architectural and historical features of the site.

After exploring the citadel, and for the more adventurous, we'll also have time to enjoy some optional activities (not included in the price):

Climb Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and majesty of Machu Picchu from above
Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include visiting the new local museum or bathing in the hot springs

Return to Cusco: You'll descend to Aguas Calientes by bus (included), then board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 4 km / 3.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy

What's Included?

Pre-departure Informative Meeting at 6:30 PM (the night before departure) at our Cusco office. Can't attend? We'll arrange an alternative time.
24/7 Support: Exclusive phone line for pre-trip questions and emergencies.
Entrance tickets to the Cachicata Archaeological Site.
Inca Trail Entrance (KM 104) + Machu Picchu Entrance (Circuit 1 + Circuit 3).
Expert bilingual guides, certified in wilderness first aid + Inca culture specialist.
Machu Picchu Guide: Immersive 2-hour tour of the citadel.
Hotel pickup, comfortable transportation from Cusco to Pachar (start of the route).
Round-trip Expedition train tickets (Ollantaytambo ↔ Aguas Calientes) – schedules confirmed in informative meeting.
03 Consettur buses for return to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (descent, ascent, and descent).
Final Transfer: Transportation from Ollantaytambo Station → Your hotel in Cusco.
Nights 1 and 2: Camping in Socma and Choquecarpo with 4-Season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents (spacious 4-person tents for only 2 passengers).
Night 3: Hotel in Ollantaytambo (with private bathroom, wifi, and breakfast).
Night 4: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (with private bathroom, wifi, and breakfast).
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 box lunch, 4 dinners.
Vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options prepared by the chef at no additional cost.
Purified water: boiled, filtered, and cooled (unlimited refills during meals).
Daily tea time: cookies, popcorn, and hot drinks after each hike.
Coca tea delivered to your tent at dawn.
Top-quality camping equipment: Dining tent, kitchen utensils, chairs, and tables.
Emergency Protocols: First aid kit + emergency oxygen tank.
Hygiene Supplies: Warm water for washing each morning + hand towels before meals.

What's not Included?

Trekking poles are not included but is highly recommend for the hike. You can bring your our or rent from us.
Entrance to additional sites like Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Day 1 breakfast / Day 5 lunch.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control, such as natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to passenger health issues (suffering from an illness or health problems), pandemic, changes in government policies, political instability, strikes, etc.

Additional Services

Trekking poles. ($15.00 USD)
Economical Lunch in Aguas Calientes, also known as "Machu Picchu town". ($15.00 USD)
Lunch at Sanctuary Lodge. ($45.00 USD)
Huayna Picchu entrance, subject to availability and time slots: 7:00 am / 8:00 am / 9:00 am / 10:00 am ($75.00 USD)
Machu Picchu mountain* entrance, subject to availability and time slots: 8:00 am / 9:00 am ($75.00 USD)
Guided tour for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain*. ($75.00 USD per group)
Upgrade to the Vistadome train. ($50.00 USD)
Upgrade to Vistadome Observatory train Return. ($75.00 USD)
We can assist you in booking hotels (standard and luxury) throughout Peru.

What to Bring?

Original Passport
Day Pack
Full rain gear or poncho
Gloves (thin riding and warm gloves)
Trekking pants
Breathable dry fit top-wear
Headlamp
Sunglasses
Hiking socks
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Bathing suit
Comfortable shoes/flip-flops
Cold-weather jacket
Long-sleeve fleece/sweater Wool hat
Hiking boots
Baseball cap, sombrero and bandana
Casual mountains wear for evenings
Photo/video cameras and chargers
Binoculars
Refillable water bottle (hydration bags are recommended)

PRICES

Important information

Why Choose This Trek?

Unique combination of Cachicata Quarry and Inca Trail
Explore the "Sun Gate" (Inti Punku) of both Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu
One of the best and least crowded alternatives to traditional Inca Trail or Salkantay routes
Deep cultural and historical immersion
Diverse landscapes from high-altitude mountains to misty forests
Expert local guides with profound knowledge