Inca Quarry plus Short Inca Trail 5 Days, is the best option for those who want to get off the ‘beaten track’ and walk at least on the last stretch of the Classic Inca trail. Our own unique route is incredibly beautiful, with majestic ice glaciers, blue glacial lakes, waterfalls. On the original Inca trail hike just like in ancient times, explore the ancient Inca religious cities along the way and enter through the Sun Gate directly to Machu Picchu Citadel.
Departure & Return Location:
Hotel Cusco.
Departure Time:
Pick up from your hotel (4:00 am – 4:30 am).
Inca Quarry plus Short Inca Trail 5 Days highlights:
A non-refundable deposit (varies depending on tour) is payable from the Client to Huaynas Expeditions when reserving any Product. If the reservation is made 7 days or fewer before departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. Depending on the original booking method, the client should send the non-refundable deposit to Huaynas Expeditions or the authorized Agent through whom they made their reservation.
A pre-tour briefing is given to you, ideally two days before the start of the trek. This is comprehensive information on the tour schedule, required gear, altitude, weather, etc. Questions and concerns will be clarified so that you fully comprehend the tour schedule.
It is strongly suggested to be progressively acclimatized; thus, you should arrive in Cusco 2 days previous to trek departure. Altitude sickness causes you a headache, stomache, hands tingling, etc. There is certain medicine you may take to avoid altitude sickness, for instance acetazalomide; moreover, it is helpful to have coca tea; and hot liquids to not become dehydrated. You must descend as the ultimate emergency if you develop serious altitude sickness.
If your hotel is located in the Historical Center of Cusco, Huaynas Expeditions will pick you up there. Although your guide will schedule the pickup time during the briefing, please be aware that the pickup time could change by up to 20 minutes due to traffic.
Cusco is an ancient city, and there are lots of winding cobblestone streets there. It may be challenging to move luggage to some hotels and Airbnbs because they are situated on car-free streets or long, including inclines. Booking lodging with adequate access is something we strongly advise.
You’ll be given a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. Our horses will transport them, and the horsemen will hand them to you as you arrive at each camp. They are 60 x 24 x 22 centimetres (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
Each duffel bag can only contain a maximum of 7 kilogrammes (15.4 lb), which includes the weight of your clothing, sleeping bag, and other personal belongings.
Strikes and demonstrations are frequent in Peru, which may stop some of our tours. Roads can be stopped, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will attempt to keep your vacation as initially planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these conditions, trips may potentially be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, our operations department will manage everything with you. Your safety is our priority, and our decisions will be taken to protect it.
Because group trips are made up of various persons, physical states and ages may differ. You acknowledge that some persons may be faster or slower than you if you choose to participate in a group trip. As a result, everyone on the road may proceed at their own speed.
It is conceivable that a group may want to change the itinerary; however, after discussing with all participants, the guide will determine if such changes are allowed.
We highly advise you to buy comprehensive travel insurance before departing. A comprehensive travel insurance coverage that covers everything from high-altitude treks to unforeseen trip adjustments is a must-have travel gear. Please remember that your standard medical insurance plan will not cover some possibilities in your own country. We suggest searching for a plan that covers the following coverage:
While we try to be understanding when situations arise, the fact is that Trip Changes and Trip Cancellation incur penalties.
To book the below things in your name, we require a photo of your passport’s bio page (Peruvian Government Requirement). Please keep in mind that each traveler must be aware of the re-entry laws for their place of residence/citizenship. Some nations require a passport valid for 6 months beyond the travel date. Please confirm that your passport is current and meets your country’s and residency standards. We can purchase your flights with an expired passport, but we will require a copy of the current passport as soon as you receive it in order to update your tickets.
Most countries are permitted to obtain a visa at the point of arrival. Only a few nations require visas to be obtained in advance. Please remember that each tourist is responsible for determining whether or not a visa is required before admission. Please remember that tourist visas are usually valid for 90 days or less and require proof of return travel.
Please be aware of where you leave your belongings, and remember to take everything with you once you leave our transportation, tents, or restaurants. You are solely responsible for your items throughout the trip.
Our objective is to provide great treks, tours, and adventure experiences while adhering to environmental, sustainable, ethical, and socially conscious travel practices. We make every effort throughout our excursions to avoid negative affects and enhance benefits to the local people and natural ecosystems we visit. We pay fair, livable rates to ensure that we employ and retain the best guides and support workers. We follow worldwide sustainable tourism criteria and have continuous community projects and charity activities that benefit four or more local Andean villages.
We take pleasure in offering five-star service before, during, and after your vacation. Huaynas Expeditions is committed to providing exceptional customer service and adventure experiences.
When walking over tough mountain terrain at high altitudes in unpredictable weather, it is critical to have the best equipment possible. We supply Mountain Hardwear 4-season tents (3 seasons for Inca Trail because of warmer weather), extra thick mattress mats, dry bags for your overnight gear, and other amenities to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek.
Any hike or tour can be tailored to your travel, fitness, financial, and time constraints. Do you need a journey or tour for a business or work event, a charity organization, or any significant occasion? Get in touch; we can handle everything!
As it should be, our journeys leave nothing but smiles and footprints.
We care about the environment, which is why we reduce, reuse, and recycle. Our equipment is reusable (no paper or plastic plates/cups/utensils), we buy locally and avoid paper/plastic packaging, and we recycle anything we can. This is not the norm in Peru, but we intend to make it so one day soon!
All of our staff are enthusiastic about their jobs. Who wouldn’t want to work in an office surrounded by gorgeous mountains and endless vistas? We are happy to provide our guides and employees with the highest rates in the industry.
We will pick you up very early from your hotel in Cusco and leave by van for 2 hours until you reach the village of Socma (3000m / 9,842ft.), the starting point of our trek, where we meet the horsemen and horses.
We start our expeditions to Perolniyoc Inca ruins. Along the way, we will have an incredible cascade, where we have time to take pictures and rest. Then we will hike up 30 minutes more to get to the archaeological site of Perolniyoc, which is in the upper part of the valley. After exploring and receiving information about the ruins from your guide, we continue for another 30 minutes to the lunch spot, known as Rayanniyoc (3.600m / 11,811ft.). After lunch, we will keep ascending for an hour towards the first camp.
We will wake up very early and have breakfast before a challenging trek. This second day is the most challenging but, at the same time, a rewarding day.
The first 3 hours are uphill to the top of the first pass, known as Puccaqasa (4,370m / 14,337ft.). Where we will have an impressive view of undulating valleys below; after hiking 1 hour more, we will arrive at the place of lunch, stopping to rest and catch our breath.
After a nutritious lunch, we will continue our hike for 2 hours until we reach the highest point of the trek: Kuychicassa (4450m / 14599ft), with breathtaking views of the valley below.
Subsequently, we descend for another 2 hours at the Incas site called Inti Punku (Sun Gate), with imposing views over the valley below and the Veronica Mountain raising over the horizon. Our campsite is Choquetacarpo (3600m / 11811ft). We set up our tent and overnight there.
After a delicious breakfast, we continue on our way towards the quarry of Cachicata (3,820m / 12,532ft.). Where we can witness the work of the Incas, it was the quarry used by the Incas for the construction of Ollantaytambo, including several large buildings, quarry stones left half-finished and abandoned throughout the site, chullpas (burial houses), and a cave with Inca mummies still in place. After exploring this site, we will continue descending for 3 hours to the small village of Ollantaytambo, the endpoint of this challenging and fascinating hike.
We will have lunch in Ollantaytambo. Where we stay this third night, after a deserved relaxation at the hotel, we’ll go for an exploration of the authentic Incan streets in the same town. At night, we’ll have our dinner at the tourist restaurants.
We will pick you up from your Ollantaytambo hotel early in the morning. Then we will walk to the train station at Ollantaytambo and take the tourist train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes about 1 hour and half to km 104 is an unscheduled train stop so you will probably feel a twinge of satisfaction that the train is stopping especially for you – and by knowing you are about to see things that no one else will get to! At Km 104, we will get off the train and cross the Inca Trail checkpoint, where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft).
These ruins were one of the last shelters the Incas used before reaching Machu Picchu. This site was also used as a religious and administrative center and featured several buildings. Then, we will gradually ascend for about 2-3 hours climbing Inca stone steps while our guide points out different flora and fauna along the route.
We will then pass a tall waterfall before arriving at the archaeological site called Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the ruins and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of Wiñay Wayna and the Urubamba river valley. This extensive site sits on a mountainside and features experimental terraces that the Incas used to grow different crops. We will visit an important temple with seven windows dedicated to the rainbow and observe the fantastic engineering of water channels that still function today.
Once we finish our tour here, we will continue our hike for about 1 ½ hours on the part of the Inca Trail, which is relatively flat, with slight ascents and descents along the way. At about 2:00 pm, we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft), Intipunku in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu, and from there, we will head down to the photo point then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, you will check in to your hotel- dinner.
After breakfast, we will board the first bus, which will take us to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. As part of our itinerary, the same professional tour guide from your Inca Quarry Trek & Short Inca Trail 5 Days will explain all the history of this mysterious and beautiful place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal Palace, Principal Temple, Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable and inspiring experience. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own.
If you have booked the Huayna Picchu hike, you’ll need to coordinate with our guide regarding your scheduled time to take this additional hike. For people not hiking Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (Book in advance), there are other optional activities you can do on your own:
Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.
Hike to the Inca Bridge: The Inca Bridge offers a dose of adventure for your next Machu Picchu visit. However, in this case, the adventure is a little less strenuous but a lot more death-defying, not for people with vertigo.
When you are finished with your time exploring the extraordinary city of Machu Picchu, you will return to Aguas Calientes by bus and board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where our private van will be waiting to transport you back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.
We also offer a special service only for you or your group, you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure, we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.
Our Inca Quarry plus Short Inca Trail 5 Days private service, includes additional items such as:
Our prices for the Inca Quarry plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days are reasonable and are in different packages with the prices that are handled in the city of Cusco, and discounts will apply automatically for groups of over 5 people when booking this tour together at the same time.
We are a local tour operator that never shares service with any other company in Cusco, most agencies in Cusco share their service to save operating costs with poor quality. We guarantee to make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.
Our booking process is simple and you can secure your trip with only a 40% deposit and pay the rest at the destination.
Adult: | USD 820 |
Student: | USD 800 |
Child: | USD 790 |
Infant: | Free |
Adult: | USD 860 |
Student: | USD 840 |
Child: | USD 830 |
Infant: | Free |
Adult: | USD 1140 |
Student: | USD 1120 |
Child: | USD 1110 |
Infant: | Free |
Adult: | USD 910 |
Student: | USD 890 |
Child: | USD 880 |
Infant: | Free |
Adult: | USD 1760 |
Student: | Not available |
Child: | Not available |
Infant: | Not available |
Adult: | USD 1980 |
Student: | Not available |
Child: | Not available |
Infant: | Not available |
*Remember that age is considered at the time of completion of the trip.
We want your vacation to Peru to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. This section contains answers to any inquiries regarding going with Huaynas Expeditions. Please read the following information; it will assist you if you have any queries regarding our services.
We have the best and easy booking system; learn here how to book any tour with Huaynas Expeditions.
You’ll pay your remaining balance once you arrive in Cusco and in cash in US dollars or soles (Peruvian currency) to the change of the day. If you prefer payment through PayPal, you’ll be charged an additional 6% due to bank commissions. It is better to pay us with cash because there is no transaction fee.
Of course! During the tour to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored in our office or at your hotel. Both of them are free.
Usually, it is not accepted since the permits, and the train tickets are not allowed to change the date or transfer to another name.
But if you need it, we’ll need to buy new permits and train tickets and the cost you’ll pay for it.
Yes! You must bring your original passport, which must be the same one you sent us at the booking time. Your passport will be checked at Machu Picchu checkpoint and when you board the train.
Updating passport numbers: If you are renewing your passport, go ahead and email us a copy of your old passport to book your Machu Picchu ticket. If you no longer have your old passport, any government issue ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Once you receive your new passport, please email us a copy of your new passport ASAP to change the information about your permits and train tickets.
Yes, you can book your hotel. It will decrease the price of $30 per person. If you decide to book your own hotel, don’t forget to tell us where you plan to stay so our guide will take you there safely.
We receive reservations at least 1 week in advance. However, seats are limited and are always subject to availability. Both the permits for Machu Picchu and the train ticket and permits for the mountains of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu are in high demand, sometimes selling out months in advance. For this reason, we recommend that you make your reservation as far in advance recommendable 2 or 3 months in advance.
The Expedition and Vistadome categories offer comfortable leather seats and include a snack and hot or cold drink per person. The first and main difference between both categories is that the Vistadome train has windows on the roof of the cars, which allows a panoramic view of the outside. The second difference is that the Vistadome train offers entertainment services on board, such as typical dances and parades.
If you want to get the student discount, the following requirements must be met:
The university card must meet the following requirements:
If you meet the requirements above, you will get the following discount:
All students have to send a copy of their passport and student card at the time of booking to get the student discount.
Tipping is not required, but it is appreciated if you are satisfied with the services. Even though it might not be familiar in your country, the people who will look after you during the tour place a lot of importance on it. Many Huaynas Expeditions’ destinations encourage top-notch service and are a foundational aspect of the travel and tourism sector. It’s up to you how much to tip based on how well you thought out the tour and how long it lasted. Remember that leaving a tip is optional and should only be done if you receive first-class service.
Yes, Huaynas Expeditions is a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator; for that, we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and appreciate the local places and their people.
Our guides make us so happy! Their English is excellent, and they are extremely professional. They have a great deal of knowledge and love for the history and heritage of the Incas. Constant professional and personal growth is a priority for our tour guides. They conduct research to make sure that the Inca and Andean cultural theories you are given are accurate and widely accepted. Our team members are smart, athletic, and fun-loving. All of them have academic backgrounds in archaeology, tourism, botany, history, or anthropology.
You should have at least 48 hours or more in Cusco. It’s recommended to enjoy these days in the city of Cusco and in the Sacred Valley.
When making plans for a long-awaited dream journey, choosing the right travel agency or tour operator is the most crucial option you will make. Initially, some businesses might appear more affordable. But if you dig a bit further, you’ll discover why booking with Huaynas Expeditions ensures that your trip will be as remarkable as it can be.
All our Tours & Treks are provided only by Huaynas Expeditions staff and professional guides. That means Huaynas Expeditions will never pass you on to another company or 3rd Party.
Our staff comprises tourism industry veterans eager to share their expertise and serve the passenger. They are prepared to show you the best of Cusco and Peru with their extensive knowledge.
We are a travel agency committed to providing the best tourism services and are eager to help you explore the numerous natural and archaeological treasures found in every region of the nation.
Find excursions and activities that astonish you, then reserve them. You’ll be overjoyed when the tour is over and eager to tell your friends about your fantastic trip to Peru. Choose us for your ideal vacation.