{"id":14443,"date":"2016-01-28T16:48:32","date_gmt":"2016-01-28T05:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=14443&preview_id=14443"},"modified":"2025-04-15T03:12:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T17:12:22","slug":"peru-quarry-trail-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/peru-quarry-trail-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Quarry Trail FAQ: The ‘other’ route to Machu Picchu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Okay, so you want to make the trek to Machu Picchu<\/a>. Nice one. But did you know there is more than one way to do that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s the Inca Trail, the classic route, which is justifiably famous and everything, but there\u2019s also the Quarry Trail<\/a>. Heard of it? That\u2019s okay, not many people have. It\u2019s actually one of the most beautiful walks in South America, at least among those in the know, but it doesn\u2019t get a fraction of the crowds on the Inca Trail. It doesn’t lead right to the Sun Gate, but you can still reach Machu Picchu via a short bus and train ride. Win.<\/p>\n

Interested? Here\u2019s all you need to know:<\/p>\n

How long does it take?<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a four-day trek, about the same amount of time as the Inca Trail, but the final morning is just a transfer from Kachiqata to Aguas Calientes. You’ll only be walking for around three days.<\/p>\n

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Image c\/o Rafael Lopez, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

And we still see Machu Picchu?<\/h3>\n

You sure do. The only difference is you\u2019ll make the very last leg from Kachiqata to Ollantaytambo by bus, then a train to Aguas Calientes. If all goes according to plan, you should still get there around sunrise.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE HIKING THE QUARRY TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the scenery like?<\/h3>\n

Same same, but different. You\u2019re still trekking through the best of the Andes<\/a>, so expect soaring green peaks, granite boulders, isolated villages like Socma and archaeological sites like the famous Q’orimarca\u00a0ruins. Many trekkers who\u2019ve done both say The Quarry trail actually beats the Inca for pure scenery: you\u2019ve got high passes like Puccaqasa (4,370m), views of the Nevado Veronica mountain and stunning valleys falling away on all sides.<\/p>\n

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The Sun Gate at Inti Punku. Image c\/o McKay Savage, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

When should I go?<\/h3>\n

If you want to beat most of the crowds (not that the Quarry Trail ever gets really busy), pick a shoulder season. May or October are good months. Peak time is the same as the Inca Trail, June, July and August. The weather here will be great, but you will be fighting for photo space at Machu Picchu. The difference is, you will have had the Andes to yourself for the last few days.<\/p>\n

\"cuzco_weather-chart<\/a><\/p>\n

Is it crowded?<\/h3>\n

75,000 people a year trek the Inca, but the Quarry Trail doesn\u2019t even come close. You\u2019ll get all that beautiful Andean scenery more or less to yourself (apart from the odd Quechan village or friendly llama).<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID’S NEWSLETTER FOR MORE TRAVEL TIPS, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS AND MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The vital stats<\/h3>\n

The overall distance of the Quarry Trail is about 31km (the Inca Trail is 43km) and the maximum altitude is 4,450m above sea level (the Inca Trail\u2019s highest point is Dead Woman\u2019s Pass at 4,215m). We\u2019ll give you time in Cusco<\/a> to acclimatize before the trek, but altitude sickness can be a problem for some. Our porters and guides are well-trained and know what symptoms to look for. If you do feel the effects, they\u2019ll get you off the mountains pronto.<\/p>\n

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Image c\/o Diego Barra, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Horses, not porters<\/h3>\n

On the Inca Trail, porters carry your main luggage. On the quarry trail, it\u2019s carried by horses. This has the added benefit of walking through the Andes with freaking horses alongside you<\/em>. Not to be sniffed at. Of course you\u2019ll still have trained guides to help you along and set up camp each night.<\/p>\n

CHECK OUT ALL OF INTREPID’S TRIPS THAT VISIT MAGICAL MACHU PICCHU<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The route<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll set off from Raf\u2019q, where you\u2019ll meet the horsemen and guides who\u2019ll be your best buddies for the next four days. Set off on the trail, and you\u2019ll soon hit the little town of Socma, then it\u2019s on to the stunning Perolniyoc cascade lookout. A good spot for a selfie and a snack. After a rest, push on to the campsite, which sits about 3,700m above sea level.<\/p>\n

The second day of the Quarry Trail is probably the toughest. You\u2019ll climb to the pass of Puccagasa (4370m) for some of the best views in the Andes, then hike for about two hours to the highest point on the trek: the mammoth Kuychicassa pass (4450m). After that it\u2019s downhill for a while (phew), two hours of easy walking down to a site the Incas called Inti Punku (which means the Sun Gate, although it\u2019s not THE Sun Gate). You can see the Veronica mountain shooting into the sky from here. It\u2019s magic. Camp out near Choquetacarpo, about 3,600m above sea level.<\/p>\n

\"quarry-trail---shubhika-bharathwaj\"<\/a>

The ruins at Inti Punku. Image c\/o Shubhika Bharathwaj, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

On the third day it\u2019s mostly downhill (yay!). You\u2019ll walk past Kachiqata quarry (hence the Quarry Trail). This is a rock quarry that the Incas never completed during the Spanish conquest. By midday you\u2019ll be at Kachiqata town, where you\u2019ll take a train to Aquas Calientes (with a dip in the hot springs on arrival). The next morning it\u2019s a short bus ride and all the glory of Machu Picchu.<\/p>\n

LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO MACHU PICCHU? CONSIDER TAKING THE TRAIN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

How fit do I need to be?<\/h3>\n

Anyone trekking for three solid days over 3,500m above sea level needs a reasonable level of fitness. Altitude sickness is a real risk, but we\u2019ll try to acclimatize you with some time in Cusco before the trip. Most people complete the Quarry Trail without any problems. Drink lots of water as you go, pace yourself and wear polarized sunglasses and appropriate boots.<\/p>\n

\"quarry-trail---diego-barra-3\"<\/a>

Walking to Socma. Image c\/o Diego Barra, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0What do I pack?<\/h3>\n