Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu - 4D/3N

We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and drive to the village of Socma in the Sacred Valley, where we meet our horsemen and begin the trek at Rafq'a. We hike up a gentle incline for a few hours until we reach the spectacular Perolniyoc waterfall, which drops 100 meters down a sheer cliff. After a rest and photos, we climb further up to explore the dramatic cliffside ruins of Racaypata. We then continue to our first campsite located in a beautiful, quiet meadow. • Trekking Distance: 8 km / 5 miles • Estimated Time: 5-6 hours • Starting Altitude: 3,205m / 10,515ft • Campsite Altitude: 3,700m / 12,139ft

Today is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. After a hearty breakfast, we begin our ascent to the highest point of our journey, the Kuychiq'asa Pass (4,450m). From the summit, you are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Sacred Valley and the towering Urubamba mountain range. We then descend into the remote Chancachuco valley, hiking past high-altitude lakes and grazing alpacas, until we reach our second campsite. This area is completely devoid of tourists, offering a true sense of Andean wilderness. • Trekking Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles • Estimated Time: 7-8 hours • Highest Altitude: 4,450m / 14,599ft • Campsite Altitude: 4,350m / 14,271ft

We start the day by following an original Incan aqueduct down into the valley. We hike to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) of Ollantaytambo, perched high on a ridge with a majestic view of the Veronica glacier. From here, we descend to the fascinating Cachicata Incan quarries. Your guide will explain how the Incas carved massive blocks of pink rhyolite intended for the fortress of Ollantaytambo, many of which remain abandoned along the trail. We finally arrive in the living Incan town of Ollantaytambo, where we catch the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes for dinner and a hotel stay. • Trekking Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles • Estimated Time: 7-8 hours • Highest Altitude: 4,350m / 14,271ft • Aguas Calientes Altitude: 2,040m / 6,692ft

We wake up very early and take one of the first buses up to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a comprehensive 2-hour guided tour of the iconic citadel, learning about its history, architecture, and spiritual significance. Afterward, you have free time to explore the ruins on your own, take photos, or hike the optional Huayna Picchu mountain. In the afternoon, you will head down to Aguas Calientes to take the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Cusco. • Trekking Distance: Exploration of Machu Picchu • Estimated Time: 2-3 hours guided tour • Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,400m / 7,874ft