An up-and-coming star of the Andes, the Quarry Trail is gaining recognition for its lesser-known ruins and off-the-beaten path cultural interactions.
Hike through the Sacred Valley along a trail etched by the Incas and in local use today. Visit ancient ruins and unravel some of the mysteries of how stone was excavated to build the structures still standing in the nearby town of Ollantaytambo. Pass over mountain peaks and witness spectacular Andean scenery. The bonus of all this is, the Inca Quarry Trail requires no permit to book.
At a glance
5
2.5 Days
May - September
Our Quarry Trail tours
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Explore Tailor-Made tripsHighlights of the Quarry Trail
When hiking the Inca Quarry Trail you can expect to see jaw-dropping mountain views, but this unexpected little stop on the first day brings you to the opening of a pristine waterfall, carrying fresh water down from the mountain. The perfect place for a breather.
Channel your inner mountain goat while tackling Kuychicassa on the second day. At 4,450 metres (14,599 feet), this is the highest pass on the trek. Going up is one thing, but you won’t believe what you’ve scaled once you reach the bottom.
In Quechuan, Inti Punku means 'Sun Gate', and the Incas built structures like these throughout the Andes to honour the sun god. While the Quarry Trail doesn’t go to the famous Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu, this intriguing archaeological complex overlooks Ollantaytambo and the valley below – a fantastic reward on the challenging second day.
In this ancient town you get a real sense of how the Inca civilisation once thrived. Home to two impressive ruins and sitting in the beautiful Sacred Valley, this is where the Inca Quarry Trail ends as you walk along the cobblestone path to the main square.
Why choose Intrepid
All our guides are certified local tour guides and trained in-house on Intrepid Safety Policies. Each trekking guide also receives exclusive Intrepid training, provided by mountain rescue experts in the field.
All our guides and trek leaders have been trained by medical specialists in handling altitude illness and are proficient in first aid. Our team carries oxygen cylinders on all treks for emergency use.
Our team members live and work in the Andean region, which means revenue from all our treks benefit the local economy.
We take care of the details, so you can focus more on enjoying the journey. Our tours include all meals, with essential camping equipment and the option to hire additional hiking equipment if needed.
We are proud to have the tick of approval from the Rainforest Alliance indicating that we meet and operate at the highest standards in environmental, social and economic sustainability.
We strive to use travel as a force for good. That’s why we choose to give back to the communities we visit, carbon offset all our trips and take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We’ve been officially certified as the world’s largest travel B Corp, which means when you choose Intrepid Travel, you can rest assured you’re travelling to improve the planet.
Meet our team
"I am passionate about empowering local Indigenous communities, especially women, and am also a committed defender of Mother Earth, known in the Andes as Pachamama. I have also worked tirelessly with local communities and governments to help improve the sustainability of treks in the Cusco region".
“It will be a pleasure to share our traditions and beliefs, take you to the most amazing sites and, most importantly, interact with the locals! Get ready for a behind-the-scenes tour where we’ll visit hole-in-the-wall restaurants and find the best picarones (Andean doughnuts). I’ll be waiting for you here, in my beloved Peru."
"I like working for Intrepid because their social and environmental philosophy isn’t just a slogan to sell more trips, they really do care about it. I have changed my life in so many aspects due to all the learning coming from Intrepid, from recycling to accepting myself, and being proud for who I am."
"I started working with Intrepid in 2014 and now I'm 61 years old. I'm very happy to be working with Intrepid because each porter's treatment is better than other tour operators in Peru. Because of this job (which includes fair pay), I can provide a better education for my children".
"I come from Huilloc Community in Ollantaytambo town in the Sacred Valley (Cusco), and I started working as a porter on the Inca Trail in 2021. I love walking the Inca Trail and I'm very happy to be working for Intrepid as my income enables me to provide a better education for my 7 children".
"I'm from the Community of Kalla Rayan (Calca town) in the Sacred Valley, and I'm 53 years old. I've worked as a porter for Intrepid since 2009, mainly because I love it and we have very good working conditions. Thanks to my job, I've saved money to spend on my wife and better education for my children".
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Life on the trail
The Inca Quarry Trail itself doesn’t have any permanent facilities, but never fear, we travel well-prepared. Sleep on foam sleeping mats in modern two-person dome tents, set up by our friendly porters who will carry your heavier packs with the assistance of horses. Hot meals are cooked by our chefs each night to load you up with carbohydrates for the next day’s long walk. There aren’t any showers, but a bowl of warm water each day does the trick. Check out the gallery below for a preview of what life on the trail looks like.