The Cachicata trek or Quarry Trail (also known with the names of Soqma trail or Chaski Trek) a formidable and picturesque hiking trail in the proximity of the Sacred Valley. This fascinating alternative hike called Cachicata Trek, offers you a mind-boggling views of the mountain scenery. Its a perfect blend of little known Inca sites with tall mountains. Travelers will be getting a firsthand look of the rural lifestyle in the Peruvian Mountains. The Inca Quarry trail is by far one of the most epic Alternative treks to Machu Picchu, named by National Geographic Magazine.
Besides the stunning mountain scenery, flora, and fauna, the Cachicata Trek enables you a good introduction to the Inca history, while you walk on Inca Quarry Trail. You will also visit the Sungate and some other interesting sites like: Perolniyoc ruin, part of the Inca Trail to Ollantaytambo and Cachicata the Inca Quarry Trek itself. The Cachiqata Trek allows you to explore the area. Where the Inca builders carved the stones before to transport to Ollantaytambo fortress.
The Soqma Trail is within the abilities of most reasonably fit people. The hike is 32 kilometers long in total and its highest point is at 4,450m/14600ft above sea level. During this fantastic trek, horses will carry your gear and all the camping equipment. In this Cachicata Trek you will have two great nights in camping and one night you will stay at the hotel in Aguas Calientes.
You will begin the Cachicata trek with the pick up of travelers from the hotels in Cusco. We then drive through the Sacred Valley 1 hour and 40 minutes to arrive to the village of Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft). Which is the trail-head for Cachicata trek, the horsemen will be waiting for us at this village ready to join us in this adventure trek.
To start the Cachicata Trek from Soqma, we’ll gently make our way up following a picturesque path along the beautiful stream, after walking for 1 hour, we will stop at the waterfall of Perolniyoc; which is one of the nicest falls in the northern part of the Sacred Valley. We will continue our Cachicata trek ascending for one more hour uphill to reach out the archaeological site of Perolniyoc, located above the waterfall. After to explore the ruins with our guide, we will walk for one hour to arrive to our lunch spot and camp
This first day of this Inca Quarry trek will be part of the acclimatization to the high altitude. So after lunch we can relax and have rest for the next day; we spend the night at Rayan campsite (3,700 meters/12,136 ft).
After breakfast we will set off from the camp, 3 hours of slow hike will lead us to the highest pass of our trek called Puka kasa pass (4,450 m /14,600 ft), for many people this is the hardest section because the altitude but is the most spectacular day, we will see many snow-capped mountains and the Sacred Valley in the other side. Once we reach the mountain there will be a magical feeling of surviving one the highest passes on this mountain range.
We then walk downhill for 25 minutes to our lunch place. In the afternoon, we will hike for two more hours undulating trail with some ascents and descents. The last 25 minutes of this segment lead us uphill to the highest pass of the trek, Kuychi kasa (4,457 m/ 14,619 ft)
We then trek downhill for 2 ½ hours to the popular inca building called Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate. From this point you will have a spectacular view of Veronica Mountain(5,682 m/ 18,637 ft) and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We will spend the night at Choquetacarpo which is a 30 minutes downhill walk from Inti Punku (3,600m/ 11,808 ft).
We will continue our Cachicata trek having an early breakfast and then walk down for one hour to arrive to Cachicata, the Inca Quarry Trek (3,525 m/ 11,562 ft), the reason for the name Cachicata trek; where we will be able to walk around and observe all the stone works did by the Inca builders before to transport down to Ollantaytambo. Our guide will show us the remains of the unfinished stone work left by the Incas, because the invasion of the Spanish conquerors.
From the Cachiqata quarry we will descend for 3 hours until we arrive to Ollantaytambo (2,840 m / 9,315 ft.) our lunch place.
In the afternoon we will have train connection to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night at the hotel (not included). In the evening you will have free time to explore this charming town, and you will get ready for Machu Picchu visiting in the next morning.
After breakfast we will take the bus which will bring us to the biggest energetic center of the Incas, “Machu Picchu”. As part of our itinerary the same professional tour guide from the Cachicata trek; will teach you about all the history of this mysterious and mystical place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal palace, Main Temple, Three Windows Temple and Sun Dial. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own or take the following options.
Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to the train station you will be transferred by car to your hotel in Cusco.
Note: if you want to hike up to Huayna Picchu. We kindly suggest you to book it way in advance. Because the spaces are limited for any additional information contact us.
The Inca Quarry trek or better known as Cachicata trek is an alternative trail to the classic Inca Trail hike. The Cachicata trail goes in the proximity of the Sacred Valley close by Ollantaytambo. In comparison with some other alternative trails, Inca Quarry trek is slightly shorter and easier. Recommended for those who like the authentic little villages, Inca history and nature.
The Inca Quarry trail is available any time and it does not require trek permits from the government office. This trail does not arrive directly to Machu Picchu, but is a great option if you plan hiking Huayna Picchu or Montana. The Cachicata trek is not crowded and is shorter in distance than the other alternative hikes. So if you are not an expert hiker you can still do this trek.
Inca Trail needs to be book at least 4 or 5 months in advance. Usually is very busy with limited number of hikers per day. It requires trek permits from the government office and it’s the only trail, which goes straight to Machu Picchu. You need to be relatively fit to participate hiking the classic Inca trail hike.
The Inca Quarry trail starts at 3200 m / 10 510 ft. and the highest point you get is 4460 m / 14615 ft. So the difficulty of Cachicata trek is from moderate to difficult. We suggest travelers to get acclimate to the altitude, before to go hiking this beautiful trail. For many hikers the second day is the hardest part of this Inca Quarry trek. Which if you have any difficulties you can finish riding a horse, especially the up-hill section.
Lares trek and Cachicata trek are quite similar in terms of native people in the villages. But Lares trek has glacier lakes, Alpaca farm, deep valleys, hot-springs and lovely crystal streams. Also some impressive farming places of the locals, where they grow mainly potatoes plantations.
Inca Quarry trek is quiet, with small villages and small Inca sites, which serves for a good introduction to the history of the Incas. On this trek you hike close to Ollantaytambo and watch the Sacred Valley below you. Also you visit the amazing Inca Quarry Trek itself.
