Kachiqhata hike

Visit the 'tired stones' of the Kachiqhata Quarry on a 5.5 mile hike from Ollantaytambo.

Having arrived at Ollantaytambo via road from Cusco, you will begin the 5.5 mile hike from Ollantaytambo to Kachiqhata Quarry. Gigantic stones of pink granite were partially shaped in the quarry, slid down the hill and then dragged across the river and over the fields. Once across the field, the stones were dragged up a 1,200 ft ramp to the Sun Temple site. As you walk through some wonderful Andean scenery you will see clear evidence of sudden abandonment, with partially cut stones lying in the fields, on the roads and on the ramp. These remains are known to the local people as 'piedras cansadas' - weary stones - as they were too tired to go any further.