Moonstone Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu
A quiet, permit-free route past the Temple of the Moon and the Cachicata Inca quarry.
The Moonstone Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu takes its name from Quillarumiyoc — “the Moonstone” in Quechua — an ancient ceremonial site carved with a crescent moon symbol dedicated to Quilla, the Inca moon goddess. From there, the route climbs through remote highland terrain, crossing Accoccasa Pass (4,625 m / 15,170 ft) with views of Mount Veronica, before descending toward the Sacred Valley and connecting with the train to Machu Picchu.
Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, no government permit is required for this route, and it remains genuinely quiet — most days, you won’t encounter another trekking group.
Kondor Path Tours, a direct and licensed operator based in Cusco, runs this trek itself — no middlemen, no outsourcing. This trek operates March through December.
| 🥾 Duration | 5 days / 4 nights (camping) |
| 📏 Distance | 40 km total across the trekking days |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | 4,625 m / 15,170 ft — Accoccasa Pass |
| 🏛️ Signature site | Quillarumiyoc, the Temple of the Moon |
| 🎫 Permits | Not required |
| 💪 Difficulty | Demanding |
| 📅 Season | March to December |
| 👥 Group size | 1–10 hikers |
| 🔞 Minimum age | 12+ years |
| 💲 Price | Scalable from $546 USD per person (groups of 1–10) |
Few trips compare to the Moonstone Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu – Quillarumiyoc, the Temple of the Moon — a huaca carved with a crescent moon symbol dedicated to Quilla – Cross Accoccasa Pass (4,625 m) with views of Mount Veronica (5,882 m) and surrounding glaciers – Pass an Inca quarry site believed to have supplied stone for regional Inca construction – No permit required — a flexible alternative to the crowded Classic Inca Trail. These are the moments that make the Moonstone Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu worth it.
The Moonstone Trek is a genuinely remote, off-the-beaten-path route through the Andes near Cusco — named for Quillarumiyoc, an ancient huaca carved with a lunar symbol dedicated to Quilla, the Inca moon goddess. Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, this route requires no advance permit, and its relative obscurity means you’ll share the trail with very few other travelers.
| Feature | Moonstone Trek 5 Days | Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Quillarumiyoc | Socma |
| Signature site | Temple of the Moon | Cachicata Inca Quarry |
| Highest pass | Accoccasa, 4,625 m | Kuychicassa, 4,450 m |
| Duration | 5 days | 4 days |
| Best for | Travelers wanting the longer, more gradual version with the moon temple highlight | Travelers wanting a slightly shorter route focused on Inca stone-quarrying history |
Both are quiet, permit-free alternatives to the Inca Trail from the same general region — the choice comes down to which historical site and pacing appeals more.
This 5-day trek follows a genuinely quiet route through the Sacred Valley’s back country — starting at Quillarumiyoc (the Temple of the Moon) and crossing Accoccasa Pass before winding down toward the Cachicata Inca quarry and Ollantaytambo. No permit is required, and most days on this trail see barely another trekking group, making it one of the least-crowded ways to reach Machu Picchu on foot.
The trek’s altitude builds over its first two days, from Quillarumiyoc toward Accoccasa Pass (4,625 m) on Day 2 — the trip’s highest point — after a first day already spent adjusting in the surrounding highlands. From there, the route descends steadily through Chancachuco and the Cachicata quarry site toward Ollantaytambo, dropping substantially in elevation before the train to Aguas Calientes, so the approach to Machu Picchu takes place at far gentler altitude than the trek’s peak.
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Cusco at 05:00 AM for the drive northwest to Quillarumiyoc — the Temple of the Moon, and the site that gives this trek its name. Here, an ancient huaca carved with a crescent moon symbol, dedicated to Quilla, the Inca moon goddess, marks the start of the journey.
From Quillarumiyoc, the trek continues to Molinuyoc, then climbs toward Wata and Chillipahua, the first campsite — a gentle introduction to the altitude and terrain ahead.
Day 1 stats
1L, 1D
Moderate
9km (5 miles)
7 Hrs.
Molinuyoc: 3,317m (10,879 ft)
None
Chilli Pahua: 3,752m (12,306 ft)
The day’s climb takes you to the highest point of the entire trek: Accoccasa Pass (4,625 m / 15,170 ft), with views of Mount Veronica (5,882 m) and the surrounding glaciers. It’s a long, demanding day — one trekkers often describe as the toughest of the trip — before descending to camp at Chancachuco (3,820 m).
Day 2 stats
1B, 1L, 1D.
Challenging
12km (7.4 miles)
9 Hrs.
Chilli Pahua: 3,752m (12,306 ft)
Chancachuco: 3,820m (12,532 ft)
Accoccasa Pass: 4,625m (15,170 ft)
The trail continues through a small, scenic canyon leading toward the Silque Valley, passing an Inca quarry site and Inti Pinku (3,900 m) — a viewpoint with sweeping views over the surrounding valleys.
Day 3 stats
1B, 1BL, 1D.
Intense
9km (5 miles)
7 Hrs.
Chancachuco: 3,820m (12,532 ft)
Choquetacarpo: 3,600m (11,811 ft)
Inti Pinku: 3,900m (12,795 ft)
A gentler day with spectacular views of Nevado Wakaywillka and the Sacred Valley, descending toward Ollantaytambo, where you board the evening train to Aguas Calientes.
Day 4 stats
Overnight in Aguas Calientes (hotel not included — book independently).
1B, 1L.
Moderate
9km (5 miles)
4 Hrs
Choquetacarpo: 3,600m (11,811 ft)
Ollantaytambo: 2,851m (9,353 ft)
None
A guided visit to Machu Picchu in the morning, followed by the return train to Ollantaytambo and private transport to Cusco.
Day 5 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 Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days.
| Upgrade | Detail | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| PeruRail Vistadome | 3 tiers available | +$85 / +$95 / +$125 per person |
| Hiram Bingham luxury train | Return journey only | +$498 |
| Huayna Picchu entrance | Add-on climb | +$75 |
| Sleeping bag rental | If not bringing your own | +$25 |
| Single tent | For solo travelers wanting privacy | +$75 |
Student discount: college students receive $20 off the Machu Picchu entrance fee (unified with the rest of the catalog) — valid ID required.
A 5-day trek named for Quillarumiyoc, the “Moonstone” — an ancient Inca huaca carved with a lunar symbol. The route crosses Accoccasa Pass and remote Andean terrain before connecting to Machu Picchu by train.
40 km total across five days, including the final day dedicated to Machu Picchu.
No. Unlike the Inca Trail, the Moonstone Trek does not require a government permit.
Accoccasa Pass, at 4,625 m (15,170 ft), crossed on Day 2 — the most demanding day of the trek.
An ancient ceremonial site (“huaca”) near Cusco, carved with a crescent moon symbol dedicated to Quilla, the Inca moon goddess. It gives this trek its name and is visited on Day 1.
Rated Demanding overall. Day 2, crossing Accoccasa Pass, is the toughest day; Days 1 and 4 are more moderate, and Day 5 is an easy guided walk at Machu Picchu.
Yes — four nights of camping, followed by a hotel night in Aguas Calientes (not included) before Machu Picchu.
March through December.
Both are quiet, permit-free alternatives to the Inca Trail from the same general region, but they start at different points and visit different signature sites. The Moonstone Trek begins at Quillarumiyoc (Temple of
the Moon) and crosses Accoccasa Pass; the Inca Quarry Trek begins at Socma and focuses on the Cachicata stone quarry.
The recommended minimum age is 12 years old.
Comfortable hiking shoes, lightweight clothing layers, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a rain jacket, a daypack, a refillable water bottle, snacks, and a sleeping bag (or arrange a rental) — plus warm clothing for cooler temperatures at higher altitudes.
Moonstone Trek 5 Days
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 1 961.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 1 175.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 896.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 795.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 704.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 680.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 629.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 591.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 571.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 546.00 USD |
Moonstone Trek 5 Days – Alternative to Inca Trail
Moonstone Trek 5 Days
Moonstone Trek 5 Days
