Inca Trail Alternate Route
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Taking the Inca Trail through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu seems to be on everyone’s bucket list these days. The problem is that not everyone can go on the Inca Trail (even if you plan it months in advance) as there are only 200 tourist permits given out a day for the trail. If you get turned away like my niece and I did, don’t panic; there are alternatives to the Inca Trail that are just as impressive and oftentimes more challenging!
In fact, they even have a Sun Gate! The Incas built Sun Gates all over the Andes. Sun Gates, called Inti Punku, are structures built to honor the sun, usually at such an angle that they frame a distant mountain and welcome the first rays of the winter solstice.
This article is part of the Niece Project
As a woman who never wanted kids, I wanted to form bonds with my 6 nieces. After all, they would be my lifelines as I age. I decided to stop getting them gifts for their birthdays or holidays or even graduation. I didn’t want to bring more meaningless stuff into their world, but instead I wanted them to see the world. I wanted to awake their wanderlust and thirst to experience new cultures and ways of doing things. So the answer was easy…I would give them the gift of travel.
I told each of them that once they turned 16 years old I would take them anywhere in the world they wanted to go. Originally my thought was that it would give them something that I never had – a passport and a chance to travel internationally. However once I announced this mission and it settled in, I realized that it was giving them more than that – it gave them the chance to make their own decision. It got them thinking about the world and considering their own desires.
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Need an alternative to the Inca Trail? Try the Quarry Trail
My niece and I decided to do the Inca Trail alternative, the Quarry Trail, offered by Intrepid Travel instead. The Quarry Trail was near the Inca Trail, as both departed from the little town of Ollantaytambo. The Quarry Trail takes you through a few ruins, but it also has some things that are different than the beloved Inca Trail, such as hiking through townships; it’s slightly shorter and slightly higher in altitude (14,700 ft). And the best part – it was not crowded!
In fact, we never saw any other hikers during our three days of hiking the Quarry Trail. In addition, the trail could be traversed by horse; therefore, it left a smaller footprint as it took fewer porters, and the supplies and camping gear were carried by horseback. However, you still had a beautiful camp setting with loads of delicious food. Overall, this Intrepid Travel hike was a well-supported trip that provided a great alternative to the Inca Trail.
Quarry Trail facts
Distance: 16 miles
Duration: 2 nights camping, three days hiking
Altitude: 2 passes, the highest being 14,600 ft. (This is serious altitude – it’s not a walk in the park)
Organization: You are assigned a complete crew of horsemen and porters who put up the camp and maintain it, chefs, and one to two guides. Camping gear is furnished, and food is included.
Day One
The starting point of our trek was Rafq’a, where we met the horsemen and porters. After an approx. After a 1-hour walk, we arrived at the small community of Socma. We rested there by the schoolhouse and had a snack, trying to catch our breath after our first hour hiking up in altitude. A further 60min walk took us to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. From there, we continued on to the campsite, at 12,139 feet above sea level.
Day Two
A 3-hour walk takes us to the top of the first pass, Puccaqasa (approx 14,340 feet). The snow-capped peaks were gorgeous as we rose over the pass – well worth the slow effort of getting up there! The views of the valley below are spectacular – the whole day I felt small among giant mountains and wide open spaces. We walked down for 30 min to our lunch spot and then continued on to Kuychicassa (14,600 feet).
From there, we went down steep scree-filled switchbacks for two hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku (Sun Gate), with stunning views over the valley below and the Veronica mountain rising over the horizon. We camped that night near Choquetacarpo (11800 ft).
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Day Three
Day three is all downhill hiking, with a stop at the Kachiqata quarry (from where the trek gets its name), where we learned about the masonry of the Incas. The Incas worked the rocks up here and then dragged the rocks down into town across the river. Some of the boulders were huge – the size of cars!
The Incas were so industrious and ingenious. We finished in Ollantaytambo again. From there, we had a quick snack in town and rode the train to Aguas Calientes Town that afternoon. Aguas Calientes is the gateway to Machu Picchu, which we tackled the next morning by bus.
How to visit Machu Picchu and hike the Quarry Trail
We did this hike as part of a bigger Intrepid Inca Trail and Amazon Trip. Read about the full Inca Trail and Amazon itinerary, and learn more about the alternative Quarry Trail
What you miss by not taking the Inca Trail
The Quarry Trail is a nice alternative to the Inca Trail – yes, I’ve done both. The main thing you miss by doing the Quarry Trail is hiking through the rainforest, as the Quarry Trail doesn’t go through different microclimates. In addition, you don’t enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.
But both trails are challenging and have gorgeous views and an Inca history. With the Quarry Trail, you arrive at Machu Picchu by bus, but then you can easily hike up to the Sun Gate once inside Machu Picchu if you want that famous Sun Gate experience. However, if you are someone who has a driving desire to cross the Inca Trail off your bucket list, then just plan early so you get one of those 200 permits! They go fast!
There are plenty of other alternatives to the Inca Trail, so don’t despair if the permits are gone. The Andes are vast and offer many challenges!
Don’t forget the hiking gear
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Altitude tips
Altitude can be a challenge for visitors to Denver. The city sits at 5,280 feet (hence the “Mile High City”), which is a significant change for most people stepping off the plane.
Common symptoms of mild to moderate altitude sickness include:
The good news is that there are steps you can take to ease the adjustment and minimize side effects:
Give your body a little time, stay hydrated, and you’ll be better prepared to enjoy everything Denver has to offer.
Thinking of doing some family travels yourself?
Read all of the Niece Project Peru articles
Disclosure: I was a guest of Intrepid Travel as part of the Niece Project; however, all opinions expressed here are my own.
The Alternate Route Looks Like the Way to Hike the Inca Trail Sherry – Great Post (As Always)
This tour is one heck of a consolation prize! Thanks for showing there’s more in the Peruvian Andes than just the Inca Trail … can’t wait to try this alternative!
The same thing happened to me when I went to Peru. There was no space left on the Inca trail so I did the Salkantay trek instead. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything, especially since it was much cheaper than doing the Inca trail!
Amazing views! That’s awesome you had the route basically to yourselves! There’s definitely more than one trail to check out!
I was just looking at photos from hiking in Bolivia and thinking how much I miss these gorgeous landscapes.
I think I like that trail. Glad you did it. the photos look beautiful.
Nothing about the caves at the Quarry??/ Did you not stop to see the Inca skeletons or the Inca wheel?
No! We didn’t see any caves on the hike…or skeletons! Sounds like we might have missed out!
Loved your post!Amazing photos! Very informative!
I am gonna do this next month.
Do you recommend any special clothing during the night?
Our tour company, Intrepid Travel, provided nice, warm sleeping bags – so that was a big help. However I would recommend a long underwear layer if you tend to get cold. You’ll want to mainly pack layers so you can adjust as needed and as you go up on altitude. Have a great trip!
Hey Sherry!
Thanks for the info.
Were there any single tents for solo travelers?
I have contacted Intrepid regarding the same.
Thanks again!
I think they offer single tents – however you have to probably pay a bit more…which sucks…but it’s a solo fact of life.
Hallo,
I would like to do the quarry trail with a group. Which agency can you recommend and how much will it cost approximately?
Thanks for your answer in advance.
Cheers Micha
Hi Micha! As I mentioned in the article I went with an international company – Intrepid Travel. Here is the info on the trip I did and I would recommend it – http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/3128954/type/dlg/sid/IntrepidPeru/http://www.intrepidtravel.com/us/inca-quarry-trail
I don’t know of other companies doing it so I can only recommend what I know.
Thanks!
Intrepid Travel did a great job for us and no regrets in trekking the Querry Trail instead of the Inca Trail. We also saw no one else during our 4 day trek.
That’s great to hear! So glad you enjoyed the trek as an alternative!
I’m doing this trip with Intrepid in late May. So glad I found your blog! Any other thoughts to share on this particular trip? Things you did in Lima or Cusco that you’d recommend? Thanks!
It was a super hike! And challenging too! Bring a walking stick and layers as it’s cold in altitude! In Lima my niece and I volunteered and built houses, but other than that we mainly did the normal touristy stuff. You’ll love it!
Hi! What time of year did you do the Quarry Trail into MP? I really wanted the Inca Trail, but I did not plan ahead. We would be going March 10 – 17th. Any thoughts on doing the Quarry Trail at that time of year are super appreciated!
I did it in the summer in July. I’m sure it would be a little colder at night and camping at altitude in March – however it should be no different than the weather you would get on the Inca Trail at that time. I believe March gets a little more rain – but as I said – you’d have that to deal with on the Inca Trail too at that time of year! The Quarry trail is a great alternative, I’ve done both and both are equally good. What I loved about the quarry trail is that there was no one on it! It was a completely different feeling than the Inca Trail which feels like a super highway at times! I was really happy with Intrepid and out guides (the info on them should be in the post)! I hope you do it and let me know if there’s anything else I can help with.
Do we need to bring our own sleeping bags or does Intrepid provide these and what extra cost?
I don’t fully remember – however I believe they furnished everything for camping including sleeping bag. Else we rented them as I know we didn’t bring our own. I hope you do the trip – it’s fabulous!