Our adventure along the Inca Trail to Intipunku and the Cachiccata Inca Quarry begins with the pick-up of our passengers from their hotels in the city of Cusco at approximately 5:00 a.m. Our journey will head northeast from the city of Cusco until we reach the district of Ollantaytambo. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. Here, we will make our first stop, allowing time to have breakfast and use the restrooms.

Once breakfast is finished and we are properly prepared for our adventure, we will begin the hike toward the majestic Intipunku. The route includes a bridge with ancient foundations that will allow us to cross to the other side of the valley. We will then follow an extensive and exposed ancient trail, with continuous views of the town of Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Please keep in mind that the trail begins with a rolling section, followed by a gradual ascent.

We will have rest stops along the way, which will also allow us to enjoy the beautiful scenery and, of course, to take some photographs.
After hiking approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) over an average of 3 hours, we will arrive at the Cachiccata Pink Granite Quarry, a place with an important historical legacy and great relevance to the construction of the majestic Temple of the Sun in Ollantaytambo. Here, we can still observe some stones that have already been carved and possibly others that were in the process of being transported to Ollantaytambo. Our guide will provide you with all the necessary information about the site.

The Cachiccata Quarry can also be our designated place to have our meal, as it is a peaceful and scenic location.

The trail continues toward Intipunku, “Sun Gate.” We will hike another 2.5 kilometers (1.6 mi), this time on a continuous ascent until reaching the summit. The effort will be rewarded with the impressive views from this beautiful gateway. If the weather is clear, the majestic Veronica Glacier will be right in front of us. It will be an unforgettable moment of appreciation for nature, as well as a feeling of personal satisfaction for having reached this remote and inhospitable place.

Once our visit to Intipunku, “Sun Gate,” is over, we will return along the same route we initially followed. This time, the return hike will take less time due to the descent.

Our arrival in Ollantaytambo is estimated between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., but this will basically depend on our hiking pace and the time we spent at Intipunku. We will then take our transportation back to the city of Cusco, marking the end of our service for the day.