Inca history is written in stone, but how they got that stone is a mystery you can explore on foot. While most people rush to Machu Picchu, there’s a little-known trail in the Sacred Valley that leads straight to the quarries that supplied Ollantaytambo.
This full-day hike to the Cachicata quarry is perfect for travelers who enjoy history, places off the usual circuit and panoramic views.
1. Cachicata: where the Ollantaytambo fortress was born
Right across from the Ollantaytambo fortress lies the Inca quarry of Cachicata.
- The evidence. This is where the huge pink granite blocks that form the Temple of the Sun and the walls of Ollantaytambo were extracted and cut.
- The transport mystery. The most fascinating part is seeing the giant, half-cut blocks abandoned along the way. Archaeologists believe they were left behind during the Spanish Conquest or because they couldn’t be moved across the Urubamba River.
- The bonus. The hike follows the old Inca route the builders used to haul the stone. Along the way you’ll see chullpas (funerary towers) and an impressive network of Inca irrigation canals.
2. The reward: the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) of Ollantaytambo
The Cachicata hike ends at the local Inti Punku (Sun Gate).
- Not the Machu Picchu one. It isn’t the famous Sun Gate on the Inca Trail, but it offers an unmatched view of the valley, the Ollantaytambo fortress and the snow-capped Verónica peak.
- The view. It’s considered one of the best panoramic views in the entire Sacred Valley.
3. Logistics: a day of effort and lots of history
It’s a full-day hike with moderate to high physical effort, but unlike Rainbow Mountain, it doesn’t reach such extreme altitude.
- Duration. The full hike takes 6 to 8 hours, depending on the route and your pace.
- Starting point. The tour first takes you to the town of Ollantaytambo, where the walk through the valley begins.
A journey into lesser-known history
If you want an adventure that combines exercise, Inca history and landscapes that don’t appear on the standard tour, the Cachicata quarry is the right choice.
Want to do the Cachicata hike?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. We run the Cachicata quarry hike with a visit to Ollantaytambo and can combine it with other tours in the Sacred Valley.