The Quarry Trail & Machu Picchu

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

Number of ruins

5

Average duration

2.5 Days

Peak time to trek

May - September

Our Quarry Trail tours

Highlights of the Quarry Trail

Perolniyoc Cascade in Peru
Cool off in the mist of Perolniyoc Cascade

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.

Kuychicassa on The Quarry Trail.
Reach new heights at Kuychicassa

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.

Inti Punku in Peru
Survey the stunning valley from Inti Punku

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.

Locals in Ollantaytambo
Peer into the Inca past in Ollantaytambo

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

Trek experts

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.

Safety first

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.

Local matters

Our team members live and work in the Andean region, which means revenue from all our treks benefit the local economy.

Full inclusions

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.

Rainforest Alliance tick of approval

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.

Sustainable travel

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

Woman standing in front of the ruins of Machu Pichu
Maritza, operations manager

"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".

Man standing in front of the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru
Paul, leader

“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."

Man smiling into the camera with camping gear in the background
Fernando, general manager

"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."

A local porter giving a thumbs up to the camera along the Inca Trail in Peru
Ascencio, porter

"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". 

Local woman with a backpack on along the Inca Trail in Peru
Valentina, porter

"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". 

A smiling man standing in front of the Intrepid logo at an office in Peru
Teofilo, porter

"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". 

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 1007 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Inca Trail Express

Kyla · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 21 Nov 2024

Inca Trail Express

Sean · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 15 Nov 2024

Inca Trail Express

Sarah · Traveled November 2024
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Inca Trail Express

Chris · Traveled November 2024
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Karlie · Traveled November 2024
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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. 


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