Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
Also known as the Chaski Trail — the quiet route past an Inca stone quarry, no permit required.
The Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days — also known as the Chaski Trail (“chaski” meaning athletic runner in Quechua) — follows a lesser-known route through the Sacred Valley to the Cachicata Inca Quarry, where the Incas extracted and shaped stones weighing up to 140 tons for the construction of Ollantaytambo. Along the way, the trail crosses Kuychicassa Pass (4,450 m / 14,596 ft) and visits Inti Punku, the Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo, with sweeping views of Mount Veronica and the Sacred Valley.
Kondor Path Tours runs this itinerary directly through its licensed Cusco office — no resale markup, no third parties. No government permit is required for this route, unlike the Classic Inca Trail.
Looking for a longer, related route with a different signature site? See our Moonstone Trek 5 Days, which starts at the Temple of the Moon rather than Cachicata.
| 🥾 Duration | 4 days / 3 nights (camping) |
| 📏 Distance | ~33 km total across the trekking days |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | 4,450 m / 14,590 ft — Kuychicassa Pass |
| 🏛️ Signature site | Cachicata Inca Quarry |
| 🎫 Permits | Not required |
| 💪 Difficulty | Demanding |
| 📅 Season | March to December |
| 👥 Group size | 1–10 hikers (scalable) |
| 🔞 Minimum age | 12+ years |
| 💲 Price | Scalable from $482 USD per person (groups of 1–10) |
The Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu turns 4 days into a genuinely unforgettable trip – Perolniyoc Waterfall and Inca ruins, visited on Day 1 – Cross Kuychicassa Pass (4,450 m), with views over the Sacred Valley around Ollantaytambo – Visit Inti Punku, the Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo — not to be confused with the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu – Explore the Cachicata Inca Quarry, where stones weighing 30 to 140 tons were extracted and moved over 10 km. The Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu — genuine Andean history, start to finish.
The Inca Quarry Trek, also called the Chaski Trail, follows a route once used by Inca runners and stone haulers moving quarried rock from Cachicata to Ollantaytambo. Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, no permit is required, and the trail remains genuinely quiet.
| Feature | Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days | Moonstone Trek 5 Days |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Socma | Quillarumiyoc |
| Signature site | Cachicata Inca Quarry | Temple of the Moon |
| Highest pass | Kuychicassa, 4,450 m | Accoccasa, 4,625 m |
| Duration | 4 days | 5 days |
| Best for | Travelers focused on Inca stone-quarrying history, shorter itinerary | Travelers wanting the longer route and the moon temple highlight |
Also known as the Chaski Trail, this 4-day trek follows the path once used by Inca stone haulers moving quarried rock from Cachicata to Ollantaytambo — visiting the Perolniyoc Waterfall, crossing Kuychicassa Pass, and exploring the Cachicata quarry itself, where massive “tired stones” still sit abandoned along the route. Like the Moonstone Trek, no permit is required, keeping the trail genuinely uncrowded.
The trek’s highest point, Kuychicassa Pass (4,450 m), is crossed on Day 2, after a first day spent at more moderate elevation near the Perolniyoc Waterfall and Rayan — giving the body a chance to adjust before the harder climb. From there, Day 3 descends through the Cachicata quarry site toward Ollantaytambo, a significant drop in elevation, so the train to Aguas Calientes and the Machu Picchu visit on Day 4 unfold at a comfortably lower altitude.
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Cusco at 06:00 AM for the drive via Huarocondo and Pachar to the trailhead at Socma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft), where the pack horses are waiting. After about 35 minutes of walking, the trail reaches the Perolniyoc Waterfall, a scenic spot to pause before continuing to the Perolniyoc-Socma archaeological site, with panoramic views over the Pomatales and Moray valleys.
The day ends at the campsite at Rayan (3,700 m), set on a spacious Inca terrace with mountain views on every side.
Day 1 stats
1L, 1D
Demanding
8km (5 miles)
4 Hrs.
Socma: 3,205m (10,512 ft)
Rayan: 3,650m (11,910 ft)
None
The most demanding and rewarding day of the trek. The trail climbs first over Puccaqasa Pass (4,370 m / 14,333 ft), then to Kuychicassa Pass (4,450 m / 14,596 ft) — the highest point of the trek — with views over the Sacred Valley around Ollantaytambo.
From the pass, a short, undulating descent leads to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo — distinct from the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu — with panoramic views toward the snow-capped Mount Veronica (Waqa Willka) and the entire Sacred Valley range. From here, the trail passes near the Cachicata quarries before descending to camp near Chancachuco, beside the Maracocha lagoon.
Day 2 stats
1B, 1L, 1D.
Intense
14km (9 miles)
9 Hrs.
Rayan: 3,650m (11,910 ft)
Chochetacarpo: 3,600m (11,811 ft)
Kuychicassa Pass: 4,450m (14,596 ft)
The day begins with a coca tea before the final stretch toward Ollantaytambo, descending through the three Cachicata Inca quarries. Along the way, your guide explains how Inca stonemasons moved blocks weighing 30 to 140 tons over 10 kilometers to build Ollantaytambo — including several massive “tired stones” that never reached their final destination, still visible along the trail today.
After lunch at a restaurant near the Ollantaytambo train station, board the evening train (PeruRail, departure via Ollantaytambo) to Aguas Calientes.
Day 3 stats
Overnight in Aguas Calientes (hotel not included — book independently).
1B, 1L.
Moderate
11km (7 miles)
4 Hrs.
Chochetacarpo: 3,600m (11,811 ft)
Ollantaytambo: 2,851m (9,353 ft)
None
Machu Picchu entry is scheduled around 08:00, followed by a 2-hour guided tour exploring the citadel’s most significant sectors. In the afternoon, board the return train (PeruRail Expedition 74p, departure 14:55) from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo, followed by private vehicle transport to Cusco.
Day 4 stats
Breakfast
Easy
A light walk
2-hour guided tour
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Looking for something different in duration or pace? Compare it with our Moonstone Trek 5 Days.
| Upgrade | Detail | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| PeruRail Vistadome | Round-trip | +$85 per person |
| Hiram Bingham luxury train | Return journey only | +$498 |
| Huayna Picchu entrance | Add-on climb | +$75 |
| Machu Picchu Mountain entrance | Add-on climb | +$75 |
| Machu Picchu re-entry | Second entrance same day | +$75 |
| Personal tent | For solo travelers wanting privacy (2 nights) | +$35 |
Discounts: college students and children ages 3-17 receive $20 off the Machu Picchu entrance fee — valid ID or passport required.
Also known as the Chaski Trail, a 4-day route through the Sacred Valley following the path once used by Inca stone haulers moving quarried rock from Cachicata to Ollantaytambo — no permit required, ending with a guided Machu Picchu tour.
“Chaski” means athletic runner in Quechua — a reference to the Inca messenger and relay runners who used trails like this one throughout the empire.
An archaeological site where Inca stonemasons extracted and shaped stones weighing 30 to 140 tons, moving them over 10 km to build Ollantaytambo. Several massive “tired stones” that never reached their destination are still visible along the trail.
Both are quiet, permit-free alternatives to the Inca Trail starting from different points in the same general region.
This trek begins at Socma and centers on the Cachicata quarry; the Moonstone Trek begins at Quillarumiyoc and centers on the Temple of the Moon.
Kuychicassa Pass, at 4,450 m (14,596 ft), crossed on Day 2.
The Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo — a separate landmark from the more famous Inti Punku above Machu Picchu — offering panoramic views of Mount Veronica and the Sacred Valley.
No. No government permit is needed here — unlike the classic Inca Trail.
Rated Demanding overall. Day 2, crossing two passes, is the toughest day; Days 1 and 3 are more moderate, and Day 4 is an easy guided walk at Machu Picchu.
Yes — two nights of camping, followed by a hotel night in Aguas Calientes (not included) before Machu Picchu.
The recommended minimum age is 12 years old.
March through December.
Yes, it’s available as a $75 per-person upgrade — Book in advance, as permits are limited daily.
Inca Quarry trek
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 1 533.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 966.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 766.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 651.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 609.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 580.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 550.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 519.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 502.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 482.00 USD |
Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days
Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days
Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days
