Cachicata Quarries Walk 4D/3N

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cusco – Socma – Rayan – Puccaqasa

Your adventure Ollantaytambo Quarry Hike starts early. Our Hello Peru Tours team will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 am and drive you for 2 hours to the community of Socma (You must have breakfast at your hotel for this tour). We start walking towards the spectacular Perolniyoc waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Cusco with a drop of 328 feet into the rock. The views from this location of the Soqma Valley, the Maras Plateau and the snow-capped mountains are spectacular. It’s the perfect opportunity to

pause and take photos against such an impressive backdrop. Another hour and a half of walking takes us to the Archaeological Site of Perolniyoc. Two more hours on the trail and we will arrive for lunch at Rayan (3700m.a.s.l. / 2139ft).

After a delicious and big lunch, we will set off for the biggest challenge of the trek. After enjoying the incredible view, we will continue up the mountain to our campsite for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

• Meals: :Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
• Accommodation: camping
• Elevation: : 3700 m/12,136 ft.
• Walking time: 13 km
• El Tiempo:Approximately 7-8 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Puccaqasa – Quychicassa – Inti Punku – Choquetacarpo

Today is the most challenging day, but the most beautiful. After breakfast, today’s walk will be amazing and picturesque.

This 2-hour hike along the winding valley takes us to the top of the Charkahuaylla pass (4450m.a.s.l. / 14599ft). At the top, 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. Afterwards, we continue the hike in the mountains to the Andean lake of Marcacocha (4000m/13100ft) which is a perfect place for lunch.

We will descend one hour by a steep slope of curves. The next hour is a gentle descent to the site the Incas called Inti Punku, (meaning Sun Gate) with its sweeping views over the valley. Towards the horizon we can see a beautiful entrance that dominates the majestic Veronica Mountain (5,893m.a.s.l. / 19,334 feet). Our campsite is just a few minutes further in Choquetacarpo (3600 m.a.s.l. / 11811ft).

• Meals: :Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
• Accommodation: camping
• Elevation: : 4450 m/14,596 ft.
• Walking time: 16 km
• El Tiempo:Approximately 8-9 hours
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: Cachiccata Quarry – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes Town

Wake up to the spectacular view of Veronica Mountain and the glacier right in front of you. This day will be easier as it will be a short walk. After breakfast, we will walk 3 hours to the Cachiccata Quarry, the largest quarry in the Inca Empire. We will discover an incredible place, we will observe the techniques of the ancient Inca stonemasons, as well as their way of living and customs.

You will be impressed by the huge rocks that the Incas transported and carved without the help 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 carry the rocks to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, upon arrival at the town of Ollantaytambo we will stop for lunch after which, we will make our way to the Ollantaytambo train station. We will take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will have time to check into our hotel and go sightseeing or shopping. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant.

• Meals: :Lunch – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes Town.
• Elevation: : 2,430 m/7,9700 ft.
• El Tiempo:Approximately 5-6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Aguas Calientes Town – Machu Picchu – Cusco

This is the day you were waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel. You will take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu so once there you can witness the sunrise. It is a truly remarkable site and not something you would like to miss! Your guide will give you the full tour, which takes about two hours. You will see all the most important sites of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Three Windows, the quarry and the House of the Inca.

After your tour, if you have booked in advance for the additional hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, will have time to enjoy those views on your own. When you have filled your heart with the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on the train departure time, you may also have time for shopping or sightseeing.

The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, there, your driver will meet you at the exit of the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our vehicle.

• Meals: :Breakfast.
• Difficulty: Easy

Note: Huayna Picchu and the Machu Picchu Mountain are optional walks within the Citadel of Machu Picchu that do not include a guide. The ascent is usually done on your own, of course, after your tour of Machu Picchu.