Name: Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu (4 Days)
Brand: Machu Picchu Peru Cusco
SKU: 1

+51 982 052 038 info@machupicchuperucusco.com

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Tour Details

Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu is a lesser known alternative trek from Cusco. It takes you through the remains of the largest stone quarry of Incas and through some untouched wilderness up in the Andes.

Pachacutec, the renowned Inca Emperor who built the iconic sites – Machu Picchu and Choquequirao did a massive development of the Inca empire. Ollantaytambo, their former administrative capital was one of the sites which was developed extensively.

The Incas were known for their stone works, they built many impressive sights here, most of which can be seen even today. The stones were transported from Inca Quarry in Cachicata, one of the important sites on this trek.

On this four days trek from Cusco, you will be getting a detailed tour of Cachicata with our local expert. Here you will find the finely carved pink granite stones scattered in a dismay. Which is a testament to the massive construction work in Ollantaytambo which was never completed due to Spanish invasion.

Throughout the trek, you will be retracing the footsteps of Incas through the same path on which they transported stones.

The highest point of Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu is at 4500 metres above sea level. We highly recommend you to spend at least 3 days in Cusco to acclimate before the trek to avoid altitude sickness.

Why Machu Picchu Peru Cusco?

Machu Picchu Peru Cusco is a local tour operator based in Cusco. Travelling with us means adventure, fun and security. We maintain high safety standards. Our guides are trained on first aid and use of Oxygen cans.

We believe that choosing the right travel company is important to determine your experience in Cusco. We aim to offer a seamless experience that would make your trip unforgettable. Check our reviews in TripAdvisor.

Departure & Return Location

Cusco Hotel Transfer

Departure Time

06:00 AM

Price Includes

Pre-trek briefing
Pickup from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private car.
Round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
Round trip bus transfer from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Entrance to Machu Picchu.
Return private transport to Cusco at the end of the trip.
English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also to store your ruck-sacks
Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Therma-rest).
Toilet tent.
Toilet paper, pack-in & pack out.
One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment.
Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
Chef and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food).
Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals

Price Excludes

Breakfast on the first morning.
Lunch and Dinner on the last day.
Sleeping bags – If you haven’t got a sleeping bag or you don’t want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
Any Private Expenses

Recommended To Carry

A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature.
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping. * This is a particularly cold trek, you should make sure you have a lot of very warm clothes.
Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
Sun block
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
Small towel or sarong
Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
Cash – sufficient for snacks and souvenirs.
Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.

Itinerary

Day 1Cusco - Socma - Perolniyoc

We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you through the Sacred Valley of Incas to Socma. It is a remote Andean village where we will begin the four days Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu.

We will begin the trek with an uphill hike through many high altitude farms and waterfalls. The trek offers enchanting views of the Andean highlands at every turn. One of the highlights of the first day of Cachicata Trek is Perolniyoc Community.

It is an out-worldly place home to a picturesque waterfall. As we will be spending the night camping here, you can spend some time under the refreshing waters of Perolniyoc falls.

Day 2Perolniyoc - Queñacancha

Early in the morning, we will be serving you a nutritious breakfast. We will then hike up to the highest point of Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu. It is Chancachuco Pass at 4400 metres above sea level.

As the pass nestles high up, it offers a panoramic view of Ausangate Peak. The peak is sacred to the Andean community. Along the way to the pass, we will be passing through many farmlands. Here you will be able to spot many Alpacas and Llamas.

After spending some time in the pass, we will be descending to the Queñacacha community. We will be camping here for the night.

Day 3Queñacancha - Cachicata

You will be waking up to a captivating view of Andean highlands. After breakfast, we will be hiking down the hill to the Inca Canal. The canal originates from Maracucha Lake. From here we will be hiking to a high plateau which houses the sun gate – Intihuatana.

From here, we will be entering the zone where the Inca stone quarry – Cachicata is located. We will start by visiting the residence of the architects who worked at the quarry. We will be stopping for lunch here. Then we will be hiking down the hill and will be visiting different sectors of Cachicata Inca stone quarry.

Our local expert will be giving you a guided tour of each site which will help you understand the prominence of each site to Incas. Once you have had your fill of these interesting sites, we will be descending to Cachicata village. We will be camping here for the night.

Day 4Cachicata - Machu Picchu - Cusco

At day break, we will be taking the train to Aguas Calientes train station from Ollantaytambo. We will then take the 20 minutes bus ride up the hill to Machu Picchu citadel. Here our local expert will be giving you a two hours guided tour of the citadel. You will be visiting sites like the main square, ceremonial site, remains of Inca temples and more.

After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked in advance, you can hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. Alternatively, you can visit the Sun Gate (Intipunku). It is the point of entrance for those on Inca Trail.

From the sun gate you will get a panoramic view of Machu Picchu citadel. It is a two hours walk back and forth to Sun Gate from Machu Picchu citadel.

After the tour, you will be taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes from Machu Picchu. Here you will be boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will be meeting you at the train station and will be transferring you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Photos

1 Review

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Wilson

Couple Traveller

It was a fantastic experience. We are grateful to the whole Machu Picchu Peru Cusco team and Karen for organising the tour so efficiently. It was way beyond our expectations.

March 3, 2020

Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu (4 Days)

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