The Inca Quarry Trek is one of the newest and least crowded trekking routes to Machu Picchu and unique trek taking you to remote Inca ruins; also you will enjoy the wonderful landscape with impressive glacier mountains, privilege to enjoy the famous sacred valley with its ancestral communities, colorful vegetation’s, one of most beautiful waterfalls, ancient Inca aqueducts and also allows you to see the place from where the Inca builders took the giant pink granite stones to build the wonderful city of Ollantaytambo. The quarry trek to Machu Picchu is guaranteed and listed by National Geographic Magazine.
Pick you up from your hotel at 6:00am where ever it’s located, and drive for 2 hours to reach the typical Inca community of Socma (3200m / 10.496ft), the starting point of our trek. There we meet the muleteer that will join us during the hike.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Briefing/ smoothllamaperu Cusco office.
It will be in our office which is located at Street Lizandro Montero Ñ – 4
All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure at 6:00 pm. At this meeting you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek and be able to ask questions. However, if you wish to receive all the information in your hotel, let us know and our guide will kindly approach your hotel for the informative meeting.
We start our adventure picking you up from your hotel at 6:00am where ever it’s located, and drive for 2 hours to reach the typical Inca community of Socma (3200m / 10.496ft), the starting point of our trek. There, we meet the muleteer that will join us during the hike.
We gently start the walk upwards following one of the side valleys, after 1 hour and 40 minutes of hiking we will reach to one of the nicest falls in the northern part of the Sacred Valley, “the hypnotizing Perolniyoc waterfall”, the perfect opportunity to stop, take photos and have a snack. Then we will continue our hike for one more hour uphill to reach the archaeological site of Perolniyoc located above the waterfall, after explore this amazing constructions we continue for 1 more our until our lunch spot and our camp, after lunch, the rest of the afternoon you can explore around the area or take a siesta. We have afternoon tea or coffee at our campsite, Here is our camp to spend the night at Rayan campsite (3700m / 12.136ft)
Inclusions: Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up, Bus Cuzco – socma Inca community (starting point of trek), 1 Night Camping
Meals: 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner, (Plus afternoon tea time)
Trekking: 9 kilometers / 5 – 6 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate
After breakfast we will continue with our journey ascending gradually and slowly for around 3 hours walk takes us to the top of thefirst pass, Puccaqasa pass (4400m/ 14.435ft.), this section is challenging but this is the most rewarding day of the hike, This area is still cultivated by the local people despite the high altitudes, we will see many snow-capped mountains and the Sacred Valley in the other side. We descend down for 30 minutes, just in time for lunch.
Then in the afternoon we walk for 2 more hours, undulating trail with some ascents and descents to the highest pass of the trek: Kuychi K’asa pass (4450m/ 14.596ft.), once we reach the pass there will be a magical feeling of surviving one the highest passes on this mountain range. Then we descend for 2 hours to the site that the Incas called Inti Punku (meaning Sun Gate), from where the view is spectacular of Veronica snowcapped mountain, and the sacred valley of the Incas, 30 minutes downhill is located choquetacarpo camp side (3600m/ 11.810ft), we have afternoon tea or coffee at our campsite, Here is our camp to spend the night.
Inclusions: 1 Night Camping
Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner, (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Trekking: 14 kilometers / 8 – 9 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate / Difficult.
DAY 3: CHOQUETACARPO – KACHIQATA QUARRY
– OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast, is all downhill hiking, descending gradually for 1 hour until our first stop at the Kachiqata Quarry (3450 m/ 11,318 ft.) Our guide will show us all the stone works did by the Inca builders before to transport down to Ollantaytambo, the remains of the unfinished stone work left by the Incas, which they could not complete due to the Spanish Conquest. After we continue descending for 3 more hours and finally we will reach to the original Inca settlement Ollantaytambo (2800 m/ 9.186 ft.), our lunch place, and in the afternoon we travel by train to Aguas Calientes town (2000 m/ 6.561 ft.) where we stay overnight at our hotel.
**In the evening we will have dinner in one of the restaurants in the town.
Inclusions: 1 Night hotel
Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch (in the restaurant) / 1 Dinner (in the restaurant), (Plus snacks)
Trekking: 10 kilometers / 5 – 6 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy
Waking up early, we will take the bus to Machu Picchu arqueological site, New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The tour guide will teach you about all the history of this mysterious and mystical place of Machu Picchu, that will take approximately 2 hours, and then on your own, you can wander around the town squares of the world’s spiritual center of esoteric wisdom.
When you are ready, you will descend to Aguas Calientes town; have a leisurely lunch on your own, and later on board the train to ollantaytabo train station, afterwards in our private vehicle to Cusco.
Inclusions:
Meals: 1 Breakfast
Trekking: 1.5 kilometers / 2 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy
WHAT IS INCLUDED
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Tips for the staff (smoothllamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.), Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
EXTRAS:
PRICE: US$580 per person
Personal porter included!
*** This price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up (including the sleeping bag: 2kgs), we will provide you a duffle bag to put your belongings in.
***We provide large Eureka 4 man tents for each 2 trekkers.
DISCOUNTS:
EXTRAS:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
“Please read carefully the following information; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the trek to Machu Picchu”.
ABOUT THE BRIEFING:
All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure at 6:00 pm. At this meeting you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek and be able to ask questions. However, if you wish to receive all the information in your hotel, let us know and our guide will kindly approach your hotel for the informative meeting.
It will be in our office which is located at Street Lizandro Montero Ñ – 4
WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY LUGGAGE SAFETY?
Of course! During the “Moonstone trek to Machu Picchu” your large luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are for free. Please do not pack anything you will need for your hike.
HOW TO BOOK THE INCA QUARRY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
FIRST, to book your “Inca quarry trek to Machu Picchu”, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
To book your “Inca quarry trek to Machu Picchu”, we need the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Inca Trail permit without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$300.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Inca quarry trek to Machu Picchu. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
WHAT ABOUT THE PAYMENT BALANCE?
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 6% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of smoothllamaperu@gmail.com
WHO QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?
Those passengers who booked their trip using the discounted price for ISIC Student Holders must bring their original and valid CIIU card (not a copy and not expired). This document must be shown at Machupicchu Control Gate. Unfortunately, if you do not bring your card, you will be denied entry to the Trail as the permits won’t be valid without your card.
SCHOOL STUDENT
With the passport or national ID – original ones, from 8 to 17 years old
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ABOVE 18 YEARS OLD
With the original student ID gives from the university in PVC material and it must have the next requirements: university information, personal student information, student picture, and expiration date valid only for one year, it year must coincide with the year that student visit Machu Picchu, the discount until 25 years old.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE?
Unfortunately the answer is “No”. Once the tickets have been bought for the Inca quarry trek the government does not allow any changes, Due to the strict regulations of the Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu, once your reservation is made, you cannot cancel the reserved space that you have.
*** If you cancel your Inca quarry Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!
IS IT NECESRY MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE INCA QUARRY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
Yes for sure! 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 Inca quarry trek to Machu Picchu permit. The rangers will check 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, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number…if so, please send the new passport number as soon as possible.
HOW CAN I AVOID THE ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
For those trekkers that come to Cusco directly from places at sea level; we recommend arriving 2-3 days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are: The Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and stomach pain provoked by slow digestion.
In general if you have regular exercise and spend a couple of days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
WHAT ABOUT THE DUFFEL BAG AND DAILY BACK PACK?
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFLE BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. Your team of porters or mules will carry your 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 duffle bag until the end of each day, as the porters or mules 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 50 liters back pack is sufficient.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE INCA QUARRY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
The Inca quarry trek to Machu Picchu is located in the mountains and in the part of the Andes in Cusco region which make a moderate 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 in 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.
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOME ONE IS UNABLE TO FINISH THE TRAIL?
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health
reasons, smoothllamaperu will assist you to the
nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek
for any respiratory problems. There are no refunds in the unlikely
situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to
Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey to Aguas
Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the
original plan.
WILL THE CAR IS GOING TO DROPP OFF US AT THE HOTEL?
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. 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 trek, we will pick you up there.
WHAT ABOUT TIPPING?
Tips for the staff (smoothllamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.
**** (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.)
ARE YOU PART OF THE SUSTAINABLE WORK?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism, protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and its people.
THINGS YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU
TOILETRIES
