Quarry Trail tours & trekking trips

While Peru is a year-round destination, most people trek the Quarry Trail during the winter/dry season from May to October. June through August generally offers the best weather with clear skies and plenty of sun, but be prepared for bigger crowds at major sites like Machu Picchu. Treks in the summer/wet season from November to April aren’t off the cards, but you should be prepared for unpredictable weather – though the upside is extra vibrant scenery, thanks to the rain.

No, one of the great things about this trek is that it sees only a fraction of hikers compared to the Inca Trail, so there’s no permit requirements and you don't need to book months in advance. 

While there are no permit requirements for the Quarry Trail, we recommend booking at least a few months in advance – especially if you’re visiting in the peak months from June to August – as our Peru trips are popular.

The Quarry Trail takes you up and down through varying altitudes each day, with the highest pass – Kuychicassa at 4450 m above sea level – on day two. This altitude is 235 m higher than the highest point of the Inca Trail. 

The Quarry Trail is rated as a moderate trek and is within the abilities of most reasonably fit people. That said, it’s best to come prepared. You’ll cover 26 km over three days, with long, often steep climbs and descents. Each day's journey includes about 7 hours of walking, with regular stops for snacks and lunch. 

The Quarry Trail is a 3 day/2 night loop trek that covers 26 km. The scenery is just as spectacular, but instead of finishing at the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu, you’ll end in Ollantaytambo where you'll stay the night in a hotel before taking the train the following morning to Aguas Calientes – the gateway town to Machu Picchu.

While the Quarry Trail is shorter than the 43 km Inca Trail, it does reach a higher altitude of 4450 m. It's also less crowded than the Inca Trail and doesn't require a permit.

Yes. After finishing the trek in Ollaytaytambo, you'll take a 90-minute train to Aguas Calientes – the gateway town to Machu Picchu – where you'll spend the night in a hotel (hello, proper bed and shower!). From here, it’s a 30-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, or you can do the 1.5-hour hike to the top if you’re not quite ready to pack away your hiking boots.

The Quarry Trail itself does not lead to Machu Picchu. If you want to hike directly to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate, the Inca Trail is the only way to do it. 

Tours are led by a local guide and usually last for 1.5 to 2 hours. All visitors must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site to relieve crowding. Circuit-based tickets are available on a first come, first served basis, and while we'll try our best to get everyone in your group travelling on the same route, it's not always possible and you may end up on different circuits. 

After the tour, all visitors must exit the site – exploring on your own is currently not allowed. 

During the dry/winter season from May to October, daytime temperatures sit in the mid 20s°C, while nights can get cold – sometimes dropping as low as -5°C, so bring warm clothing. In the summer/wet season from November to April, nights are milder, usually ranging from 4°C to 7°C. 

Most people start to feel the effects of altitude at over 2000 m ft regardless of age, gender or fitness level. While our guides are first aid-trained and carry oxygen tanks for emergencies, it’s very important to make yourself aware of the cause and effects of travelling at altitude, monitor your health and seek assistance accordingly. Take it easy, drink plenty of water and let your guide know if you feel unwell. 

We recommend seeing your doctor if you have any health concerns before the trip. Particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking any medication.

While you’re trekking, the bulk of your luggage will be stored at your hotel in Cusco. The evening before you leave Cusco, you'll receive a small duffle bag to carry your clothes for the next four days (5 kg maximum). Our porters will carry these bags for you, together with camping gear and food supplies. 

Keep in mind that you won't have access to your stuff until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. Bring a day bag for any essentials – water bottle, rain jacket, hat, camera, etc. 

We provide twin-share tents and sleeping mats, and your porters will set these up for you for when you arrive at camp – all you need to do is roll out your sleeping bag. There’ll also be a communal dining tent to eat your meals and chill out. 

We’ll provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and plenty of snacks to keep your energy up. Our chefs try to include as many local dishes as possible to give you a taste of the Andean highlands. 

Breakfasts are carb heavy – think porridge, pancakes or toast, fruits and tea/coffee. Lunch may be a comforting soup or trout with rice, followed by something hearty like chicken stew for dinner – and then dessert, of course. You’ll be amazed by the meals our chefs can whip up at a high-altitude camp! 

They can cater to all dietary requirements – just let us know when booking.  

Your trekking crew will provide a daily supply of boiled water. You should carry at least two litres of water every day while trekking. Depending on whether you have a hydration bladder in your bag or not, we recommend bringing two (one litre) bottles that can be refilled along the way. 

You’ll find a complete list of what to pack under ‘Packing’ in the Essential Trip Information.

Yes, we recommend hiking poles as they’ll give you some extra support on those steep climbs and descents. If you’re bringing poles from home, make sure they have rubber stoppers as metal spikes can damage the trail. If not, you can hire poles locally for the four days. 

You can find information about tipping amounts in your Essential Trip Information under the ‘Money matters’ section.

We recommend carrying cash in small bills to tip your trekking crew on the last day. This makes splitting the tip easier, as tips will be divided into envelopes – one per porter, assistant guide and guide.

There are no toilet blocks on the Quarry Trail. At each camp, our porters will set up a 1 sqm tent with a small portable chemical toilet in it – and most importantly, they’ll carry it down the mountain after the trek. 

You’ll need a torch for nighttime, and bring some toilet paper and a small bottle of hand sanitiser for if nature calls when you’re on the trail.

Yes, just let us know when booking if you'd prefer to take the train to Machu Picchu instead. The train option includes two nights in Cusco, the scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, and a day exploring Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco. 

These changes are free of charge if made at the time of booking. Changes within 60 days of departure may incur additional fees. 

It's largely dependent on your specific needs and what support will be available to you. Get in touch and we’ll let you know what adjustments or alternatives might be possible.