Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu
Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco is a history oriented and one of the newest trekking routes to reach Machu Picchu. This four days trek will take you through the the site which was once the biggest quarry of Incas. As one of the lesser known and new trek, this is not crowded. Hence, it is the best option to beat the crowded trails as-well get an overall insight to the life of Incas.
Ollantaytambo has been an important site since Incan civilization. Pachacuti, the renowned emperor of Inca had his royal estate here. Apart from being one of the important towns in the Sacred Valley of Incas, Ollantaytambo is the only place that has still preserved its Incan architecture. Ollantaytambo demonstrates some of the most beautiful stone work. Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu, will take you to the roots of these beautiful constructions.
Cachicata was the main quarry from where Incas transported stones to Ollantaytambo. Infact, the quarry of Cachicata still has some stones that Incas abandoned while they left Ollantaytambo during the Spanish invasion. You will be able to see some beautifully cut stones, namely tired stones still left in the quarry.
During the Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu you will be trailing the footsteps of Incas which will give you a deeper understanding to the life and culture of Incas.
-
Destination
-
Departure
Pick up from your Hotel -
Departure Time
5:00 AM. -
Return Time
Approximately 6:00 PM. -
Dress Code
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk -
Included
AccommodationEntrancesFirst aid kit and emergency oxigenMealsPick up from your HotelProfessional GuideTransportation -
Not Included
Walking Stick
Day 1: Cusco – Socma – Perolniyoc.
Quite early in the morning we will be leaving Cusco to Socma. Socma, is small village and a part of the Sacred Valley of Incas. It is also the highest point of the trek. On the first day of Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu, most of our hike will be up the hill. Traversing through picturesque Andean farms we will be reaching a beautiful waterfall. We will be stopping here for sometime to get immersed in the beauty of the nature. Further, we will be hiking to a small village that is located a little higher altitude than the waterfall called Perolniyoc. Perolniyoc, is a beautiful community that offers beautiful views. We will be setting up our tent here and will be camping here for the night.
- Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.
- Type of accommodation: Camping.
Day 2: Perolniyoc – Qeuñacancha.
After relishing on a nutritious breakfast, we will start our hike up to the first pass of the Cahicata Trek to Machu Picchu, Chancachuco pass which nestles at 4400 metres. It is from this pass, you will get a breathtaking view of Cusco’s highest peak, “Apu” Ausangate. Along the way, you will also be passing through many Andean farm lands where you will be able to see Andean camelids, Alpacas and Llamas. We will then descend from here to Qeuñacancha community where we will be camping on the second night.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
- Type of accommodation: Camping.
Day 3: Qeuñacancha – Cachicata – Ollantaytambo – Aguascalientes.
In our opinion this is the most interesting day of the trek. After breakfast, we will be doing a downhill hike until we will be reaching a water canal that originates from Maracocha lake. From here, we will be hiking a little more to a temple named Intiwana. Intiwana is an Incan temple located right in front of the snow capped peaks of Veronica Mountain, right on the edge of Apu Alambre mountain. From here, we will be hiking further down to an archeological site called Choquetacarpo.
Choquetacarpo is where the architects who worked at the quarry lived. We will be stopping for lunch here. After lunch, we will be continuing our downhill trek stopping at different sectors of the quarry. You will be able to see some massive craved stone blocks scattered around. These blocks were crafted to built a massive building in Ollantaytambo, which sadly never fulfilled. We will go to Ollantaytambo Train station. Here you will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes town. we will be accommodating you in a Hotel
Day 4: Aguascalientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
At 05:30 in the morning, we will be taking a 25 minutes ride up to the main entrance of Machu Picchu citadel in a tourist bus. We will try to be among the first set of groups to enter to witness the sun rising over the walls of this lost city of Incas. Machu Picchu is situated on a forested mountain peak amid spectacular scenery.
During the guided tour of the site, our guide will talk about historical and cultural aspects of this lost city. There will also be time, for those who opt to do so, to climb Huayna Picchu mountain, overlooking Machu Picchu and providing unmatched views of the entire Inca city (this option must be booked in advance). In the afternoon we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from where we will head back to Cusco by road in our private transport.
Tour Location
Make Your Own Memories
- 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). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and
- also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes).
- Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
- Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
- 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.
- Tipping is completely optional. We take good care of our staff.
- 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.
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. You can buy them in Cusco for USD 1.
- 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.
- Walking sticks or poles.
- We can hire the following to you – please contact your Travel Consultant / or our booking forms for the current rates.
- Sleeping Bag suitable for – 15deg.
- If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please e-mail us.
- Once you have chosen your tour, please read the Booking Terms & Conditions, as your booking is subject to these terms.
- Then fill out and submit the Reservation Form that you will find in the Booking Online section of this website.
- In case your reservation is confirmed, a money deposit will be requested to secure your reservation.
- Once we confirm the deposit reception, your booking is confirmed. A Service Confirmation Form will be sent to you including all the details of your program.
- In case you have any doubts, queries or require additional information, do not hesitate to contact us.
- Sleeping bag $5 per day.
- Inflatable Mattress $5 per day.
- Walking stick $2 per day.
Optional Extras
- Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -15deg. $5.00 per trip day.
- Walking stick lightweight aluminium $2.00 per day, per stick.
- Inflatable Mattress $5 per day.
- Aguas Calientes Extra Day & Upgrade.
PRICE $USD PER PERSON
Private Group| Person | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-6 | 7-8 | 9-12 | Per Person USD | |
| $ USD | 690 | 640 | 590 | 540 | 490 | 440 | X |
|---|