Inca Quarry Trail (Day Trip)

Inca Quarry Trail is a lesser known but a rewarding one day trek in Cusco. This off the beaten track trek takes you to the largest stone quarry of Incas. 

During the rule of Pachacutec, Inca empire was developed extensively. Incas witnessed the rise of new royal complexes like Machu Picchu and Choquequirao. Ollantaytambo was an administrative centre of Incas and Pachacutec was keen on developing the village. The Incas built forts, houses and many other notable buildings here. 

Ollantaytambo is home to some of the impressive stone work in the whole of Sacred Valley. This one day Inca Quarry Trek takes you right to the source of these impressive constructions, the stone quarry of Cachicata. 

We will be retracing the footsteps of Incas. Majority of Inca Quarry Trail takes place on the path the Incas took to transfer the stones from Cachicata quarry to Ollantaytambo. Infact, you will be visiting both, the upper and lower quarry. In these quarries, you will be able to see some pieces of finely carved pink granite stones called as cut stones scattered in a dismay. These stone pieces are a testament to a massive stonework project in Ollantaytambo that never took place. 

Additionally, you will also be able to hike up to the Sungate (Intipunku). It offers a pristine view of the snow capped peaks of the Urubamba mountain range.