Cachiccata Trek – The Ancient Inca Quarry Trail

The Cachiccata Inca Quarry Trail in Ollantaytambo

If you’re looking to learn more about the Inca Empire and learn more about their incredible engineering feats, then a must-see is the Inca Quarry Trail in Ollantaytambo. This 30-kilometer trail takes you through Peru’s most breathtaking scenery. It allows you to gain insight into how the Incas built such impressive structures with the primitive tools available at the time and how they transported the enormous boulders.

Location

The Inca Quarry Trail is located in the district of Ollantaytambo (Cusco-Peru) and is a great hike for those looking to experience some of the best views in the area. The trailhead is located just 20 minutes outside of the town, near the Viallage of Pachar.

History

The Cachiccata trek is one of the newest hiking trails to Machu Picchu. The trail is named after the Inca quarry site of Cachiccata, which is located along  in a mountain top in the Village of Caciccata enar the Distric of Ollanatyatambo.

The Cachiccata Inca Quarry is a site that was used by the Incas to mine stone for their buildings and monuments. The quarry is located at 5 kilometers from Ollantaytambo on a mountainside and contains a number of large stones that were cut by the Incas. Is possible also to find the original route (Inca Trail) used by the Inca to transport the giants boulders from one mountain to the hill where is Located the fortress of Ollantaytambo.

One of the most interesting features of this trekl is the large blocks of rocks that the incas were transporting to Ollantaytambo and suddenly they abandonned all along the trail, this rocks are now called the Tired Stones.

The Cachiccata Trail is about 30 kilometers long, initailly used by locals to trade with nearby villages, this trek will connect several villages including Socma, Chancachuco, Cachiccata. Whe child I used to hike this trail with father. Every year, around Aporil, may, we would take maize form the Sacred valley up to the highlands and trade with organic potato and sheep.

Todayt Cachiccata trek is a popular tour and everyyear we have hundreds of travelers you will hike to Machu Picchu.

What to expect

When hiking the Cachiccata Inca Quarry Trail, expect to be amazed by ancient Inca sites, beutiful waterfalls, the incredible views of the Sacred Valley, and you will learn so much about the life of the Incas. The trail is a moderate hike, with some parts being more challenging than others. However, the scenery and history make it well worth the effort.

Places we visit

During the Cachiccata trek, you will be able to enjoy the local culture, visit historical places, and enjoy amazing views of the Sacred Valley.

  • Ñaupa Iglesia

The Ñaupa Iglesia is an ancient shrine located in the town of Pachar, district of Ollantaytambo, Peru. To get to Ñaupa Iglesia, you need to travel by car from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to the village of Pachar. The Trailhead is located next to teh railway and the river just 10 minutes drive from pachar on the route to Huarocondo. You will need to climb for about 15 minutes the stairs until you arrivae to the shrine.

  • Socma Village

Socma is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, about 2 hours from Cusco. It is a very small village with a population of only about 300 people. The houses are made out of adobe and have thatched roofs. The main source of income for the villagers is agriculture, they grow potatoes, corn, and other vegetables. They also raise chickens and guinea pigs (Cuy).

  • Perolniyoq Waterfalls

The Perolniyoq Waterfalls are located in the village of Socma at 3450 meters, just one 1 drive from Ollantaytambo district. The Waterfalls are made up of two main falls with a total of about 80 meters high.

The best time to visit the Perolniyoq Waterfalls is during the rainy season, when the waterfalls are at their most spectacular. However, even during the dry season, the falls are still impressive and well worth a visit

  • Racaypata Inca Ruins

The Racaypata Inca Ruins are a series of ancient Inca ruins located in the town of Ollantaytambo, Peru. The ruins are situated on a hillside on top of the Perolniyoc Waterfalls.

This amazing site was inhabited by the Cugmas, a small tribe and later were conquered by the Incas who built houses, temples, storehouses, and irrigation systems.

  • Chancachuco Lake

Perched high in the Andes, Chancachuco Lake is a serene body of water that has been a source water for fresh watwer in the lower lands.

  • Intipunku

The Intipunku, or “Sun Gate,” is a misterious gate that faces the Veronica Mountain. Intipunku was an important ceremonial site for the Inca and was used for religious rituals and festivals. The site was also used as a checkpoint for travelers entering the city.

  • Choquetacarpo Inca site

The Choquetacarpo Inca site is located in the upper of the Inca Quarry and consist is several buildings problably where imprtant nobles or priests lived.

  • The Sacred Valley View

Nestled in the heart of the Andes Mountains, the Sacred Valley offers sweeping vistas of mountains, valleys, and rivers. From Intipunku, or the “Sun Gate,” visitors can see the entire valley laid out before them.

  • The High Mountain Passes

Dyring the Quarry Trail trek you will be able to conquer 2 high mountain passes over 4500 meters. The first is teh Charcahuaylla pass and the second in the Buena Negra Pass before descending into the Sacred Valley.

  • The Inca Quarry of Cachiccata

The Inca quarry of Cachiccata is located just outside of the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The quarry is a large, open-air site that was used by the Incas to extract stone for their construction projects. The quarry is situated on a steep hillside and features a series of trails, terraces, burial sites and farming terraces built by the Incas.

The quarry was likely chosen for its proximity to Ollantaytambo, which was an important center of power for the Incas. The stone extracted from Cachiccata was used to build many of the buildings and monuments in Ollantaytambo, including the Temple of the Sun. The Inca quarry at Cachiccata is a great example of how the Incas used their natural resources to construct their empire.

  • The route of the stone

We call the route of the stone to the ancient trail built by the Incas to transport the rock form one mountain to another mountain. Is oossibkle to see and hike along the route down the mountain, where the Incas transporter the boulder carefully down the mountain, croos teh Urubamba River and take up the hill until Ollantaytambo fortress.

  • The tired stones in Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo was under constructions when the spanish arrived to conquer the Inca Empire. Some of the boulders of about 50 tons where on tghe way to Ollantaytambo, but there were suddenly abandoned due to teh invasion and now we can see this enomous rocks all along the way and we call then the tired stones.

  • The Pakaritampu Piramide

Ollantaytambo’s farming terraces have a pyramide froim when looking dwon form the Quarry of Cachiccata. According the Inca legend, the first Incas were born form the window of the Pakaritampu Pyramide.

  • Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a small town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, located about an hour and a half from Cusco by car or 2 hours by train. The town is best known for its well-preserved Inca ruins, which include an impressive fortified hilltop complex and an extensive network of aqueducts.

  • Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan site in Peru that is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The site is located in the Andes Mountains, and consists of a series of stone buildings that were built by the Incans. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and is now one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

How to Prepare for the Inca Quarry Trail

Below is a basic outline for how to prepare for the Inca Quarry Trail:

  • Start by gradually increasing your mileage and pace on your hike. If you’re currently running 3 miles, aim to add an extra mile each week until you’re up to 6 miles. 2. Incorporate some hill training into your runs. This will help build strength and endurance for the hilly sections of the trail. 3. Make sure to add in some cross-training activities like biking, swimming, or elliptical workouts. This will help improve your overall fitness level and prevent injuries. 4. As your training progresses, start incorporating some speed work and tempo runs into your schedule. This will help you build up leg turnover and stamina for the long days on the trail. 5. Finally, make sure to taper off your mileage and intensity a week or two before the hike so that you’re well rested and don’t run the risk of overtraining.

Tips for Hiking the Inca Quarry Trail

The Inca Quarry Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Ollantaytambo. The trail takes you through an ancient Inca quarry, which was used to extract stone for the construction of the nearby city of Ollantaytambo. The trail is fairly challenging, with a few steep sections, but the views are well worth it. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your hike:

1. Start early. The Inca Quarry Trail can be crowded, so starting early will help you avoid the worst of the crowds.

2. Take plenty of water and snacks. There is no water available on the trail, so you will need to bring your own.

3. Wear appropriate footwear. The trail can be slippery in places, so make sure you have good hiking boots or shoes with good traction.

4. Watch your step. There are some loose rocks on the trail, so take care when walking around them.

5. Enjoy the views! The Inca Quarry Trail offers some stunning views of Ollantaytambo and the surrounding area. Make sure you take some time to enjoy them!