Things To Do at Machu Picchu

Here in the Andes, every year travellers just like you wonder about the different things to do at Machu Picchu and how to witness the mystical essence of the most popular citadel in South America.

One of the things you will discover is that ancient Machu Picchu still provides the setting for the economic and cultural revival of the Incas’ descendants. So, before wondering about what to do in Machu Picchu, take a moment just to think about the construction of the site and try to imagine how such an archeological complex played an important role in Andean culture, then get ready to be enchanted by its magical, mystical, and religious character.

Read on to find some valuable information to enjoy the most of the tour during your Peru travel experience.

How to Visit Machu Picchu

Visiting Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the fulfillment of a childhood dream for many! But these days, it’s highly regulated by the government, with a lot of rules about when and how you can tour the ruins. (For more details on planning your trip to Machu Picchu, check out our complete Machu Picchu travel guide).

Four Ways to Visit Machu Picchu

If you want to experience the greatness of the famous Inca citadel, you have to choose one of the four types of entrance tickets* that are available:

• Machu Picchu Ruins only: Tour the ruins for a maximum of 4 hours
• Machu Picchu Ruins + Huayna Picchu Mountain: Climb Huayna Picchu and tour the ruins, in a maximum of 6 hours.
• Machu Picchu Ruins + Machu Picchu Mountain: Hike Machu Picchu Mountain, exit the site and then re-enter for your tour of the ruins. Maximum of 8 hours.
• Machu Picchu Ruins + Huchuy Picchu Mountain: Hike the Huchuy Picchu Trail and tour the ruins in a maximum of 4 hours at the site.

Don’t know what ticket to choose? In this post, we cover detailed information to help you decide which ticket is the best. Just bear in mind that the kind of experience you will have depends on the type of ticket you purchase.

*Recently, there have been occasional, temporary closures of some of the routes. We advise you to check the official website and our updates for the latest information.

The 5 Circuits for Touring the Ruins

Years ago, Machu Picchu was essentially open, and you were free to explore the ruins with your guide in whatever order you liked, or just take time out to stare across the canyon into the surrounding mountains. This is not the case anymore.

Now, there are four defined circuits that visitors must follow. (A fifth circuit is coming soon). These paths take you through different sectors of the site, stopping at different attractions. As they are a circuit, all  routes start and end at the Machu Picchu entrance, and once you reach the end, you must exit the site. Unless you have a Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain ticket, you cannot re-enter the site once you leave.

Why are there five circuits at Machu Picchu? This is to protect and preserve the site and also to reduce the risk of contagion by COVID-19. As a visitor, you will follow one of the  paths based on the ticket you purchase (each ticket is tied to the circuit you must do).

These are the 5 Circuits:

Circuit 1

This route lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes and takes you to the upper and lower area of the Citadel. When you reach the platforms and terraces in the highest part of the area, you will find the best photo opportunity for the classic postcard of Machu Picchu.

Some of the attractions you can see on this circuit include

• Main Gate
• Sun Temple (open 1pm to 4pm)
• Inca House
• Water Fountains
• Sacred Plaza
• Water Mirrors
• Temple of the Condor (open 10am to 1pm)

Circuit 2

Circuit 2 is the most complete tour of Machu Picchu. It will take you approximately 3 to 4 hours to walk around the upper and lower part of this route. This is the circuit that most Apus Peru tours of Machu Picchu follow, unless you’re doing one of the hikes.

 

Circuit 3

Recently, there have been some adjustments to Circuit 3 which will benefit all trekkers who are coming from the Inca Trail.

Upon arrival, visitors will access the Guardian house for a better view of Machu Picchu. Additionally, there is a bigger area for taking pictures. (It is important to note that this is not an explanation area.)

To visit the citadel, visitors must head down to the control point (agricultural area). There will be two options to access the Machu Picchu ruins:

1- Using the lower path of access.

2- Going through the Qolqas using the middle path.

After visiting the House of the Inca, visitors can follow the long circuit, reaching the Sacred stone and following the Circuit until the end of the route. The Alternative route will go to the three Gates and offer an amazing view of the Intihuatana.

These new adjustments definitely will enrich the experience of all adventurers at the Machu Picchu ruins!  

Circuit 4

If you add Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu to your visit, you will follow Circuit 4. Circuit 4 includes the urban area and the Inca constructions. It will take you about 1 hour and 30 minutes to follow the route in one direction (there is no way of re-entering the site once you exit).

Some of the attractions you can see on this circuit include:

• Temple of the Condor (open 10am to 1pm)
• Temple of the Sun (open 1pm to 4pm)
• The Water Mirrors
• Temple of the 3 windows
• House of the Inka
• Sacred Plaza
• Water fountains
• The Sacred Rock

Circuit 5

In order to avoid crowds when visiting the Inca citadel and to preserve the archaeological heritage of the area, the Ministry of culture is constantly implementing adjustments to the Circuits. As a matter of fact, an opening for a new Circuit for hikers doing the Inca Trail is coming but it is uncertain when will be available for bookings. For more details, please follow our posts, and we will keep you updated. For now, this is what this new circuit 5 will look like.

Machu Picchu Tickets & Entrance Times

Whether you take the train or do a Machu Picchu trek, you will have to book ahead. Entry to Machu Picchu is highly controlled, and tickets have been known to sell out in advance for certain entry times. In particular, if you plan to book one of the hikes at Machu Picchu, only a small number of tickets are available each day:

• 200 each for Huchuy Picchu and Huayna Picchu, and,
• 400 for Machu Picchu Mountain.

If you know you want to do one of these hikes, you should tell us at the time of booking.

Since 2019, entry to Machu Picchu has been by the hour – meaning, you have to decide what time to enter Machu Picchu at the moment you purchase your ticket. The entry times for the standard Machu Picchu ruins tour or the Huchuy Picchu ticket are distributed in 9 intake periods, starting at 6am and ending at 2pm. The site closes at 5pm.

Entry times for tickets which include one of the Machu Picchu hikes vary. For instance, there are only 3 intake periods per day for Huayna Picchu and 2 groups for Machu Picchu Mountain.

Some independent travellers prefer to do the booking process by themselves, but doing this is a little bit risky due to timing; it can be tricky to coordinate your ticket entrance times with the time of the trains. If you want to avoid all that stress, we recommend booking though an agency. Our friendly and experienced staff is more than ready to assist you, so contact us to book your Machu Picchu experience.

Schedule of Machu Picchu Attractions

Astute readers will have noticed entry times listed beside some of the attractions noted above. Here are those times again:

• Temple of the Condor: 10am to 1pm
• Temple of the Sun: 1pm to 4pm
• Intihuatana Pyramid: 7am to 10am

You can visit these attractions on all the circuits EXCEPT Circuit 4, which does not include Intihuatana. However, depending on what entry time your ticket has, you may not be able to visit all three of these sites, no matter which circuit you do.

Visiting the Incan Citadel: Things to do in Machu Picchu

In the Citadel of Machu Picchu, you will identify two main areas: the urban area which includes temples, monuments, funerary chambers and housing sub-areas, and the agricultural area which covers a variety of terraces. But wait, there are more things to see in Machu Picchu! You will observe a drain channel that lies between these two areas and apparently it was built to deal with the heavy rains of the Andean region.

Regarding the Machu Picchu attractions, is important to pay close attention to small details. In the centre of the ancient city, you will see a vast plaza. On the left of this plaza, find the solar observatory which you can access through a stairway that starts behind an open building having only three walls. If you head to the front of this building, you will find a small plaza better known as the main temple.

Here is an overview of what you can see at Machu Picchu, places to visit on your tour.

Discover the Intihuatana

What you are going to find here is one of those places to visit in Machu Picchu with a sacred story behind it. Two interesting aspects of Intihuatana to keep in mind: First, its location on the top of a ceremonial hill; and second, the carved stone that was used in the construction of the site, also served as an element for rites.

Explore the Temple of the Sun

This temple is a good photo opportunity because is the only circular building in Machu Picchu. But besides that, it is one of the spots with the most ritual meaning at the citadel.

Observe the landscape through the Temple of 3 Windows

What you can do at Machu Picchu is walk to the sacred plaza, and explore this temple, and admire the view through its three windows towards the Main Plaza.

Learn about the purpose of the terraces

There are so many things to do at Machu Picchu even learning about ancient architecture. When you walk the terraces you will notice two types of terraces: the agrarian one used for cultivation purposes, and a second one transformed as a retaining wall to prevent landslides.

The Sun Gate

This path made of steps is one of the most important archeological constructions that connects with the Inca citadel and all Machu Picchu activities. This building is dedicated to the cult of Inti, the sun god. Indeed, at different times of the year, the sun shines directly through this structure.

Watchman’s Hut

This site is part of the agricultural area where Incas used an elaborate drainage system for cultivating maize (corn, aka choclo. Read more about Peruvian corn here!)

Take a break in the Caretaker’s Hut

Close to the main entrance door, you can admire the only renovated building in the citadel. It has a roof, so if your tour is during the rainy season, this is the right spot to listen to the melody of the rain while you connect with a marvelous landscape.

Find the Funerary Stone

This sacred rock, easy to find in the upper agricultural area, represents the surrounding hills, but during the Inca Empire, it had a ritual role.

Temple of the Condor

At this temple, you will have the chance to appreciate how Incan architects used their ability to transform a natural formation into a place with a deep ritual meaning.

Pay a visit to the Royal Tomb

If you wonder what is there to do in Machu Picchu, we recommend not to miss the opportunity to visit the Royal Tomb. There is a kind of mystery related to this site, not just because of its location (under the Temple of the Sun) but also because it is considered that it was the place where the Incas kept their royal mummies!

Admire The Fountains

Machu Picchu has survived through time, natural conditions and massive tourism with the help of natural spring waters that run over little fountains which fill over 16 baths. Using 750 meters of stone channels, the Incas showed their skills in engineering and architecture to keep the water running.

Visit the Palace of the Princess

Also known as the “Ñusta Palace” (palacio de las ñustas), this Machu Picchu attraction is located next to the architectural complex where the Temple of the Sun is found. According to some historians, it served to house the virgin princesses of the Inca empire known as ñustas, or Sun princesses.

Walk the Principal Temple

This temple got its name due to its large size. When you walk the vast area pay close attention to the gorgeously cut stone and the huge foundation blocks. Keep your eyes open for a kite-shaped stone which is believed to represent the Southern-Cross star formation.

Shoot some epic photographs at the House of the High Priest

Next to the Temple of the Sun, you will find this beautiful house where you can get your camera ready for a great picture of the summit of the Putucusi Mountain. Take a look at our blog for more tips on how to take great photos at Machu Picchu.

Appreciate the Sacristy / House of the Ornaments

When you reach this spot, you may think that this is the finest building in Machu Picchu, and you are right about that! During Inca times, this sacristy was a room to store ornaments, just focus your attention on the many niches scattered around the room.

Spot Llamas at the Central Plaza

This is a great opportunity to spot the odd llamas grazing. This large grassy area lays between the residential buildings and the functional buildings. So, once you are there, enjoy it, admire it but be careful not to step on the grass: walking on the grass is not allowed.

Marvel at the Sacred Rock

Historians still are not certain what this sacred rock was used for, but there is one art-related theory that suggests musical and poetry recitals took place right there where you will be standing. Something you will notice is that this fascinating stone takes the shape of Putucusi mountain that you can see behind it.

Discover the Industrial Section

You have seen sacred places, palaces for kings and princesses but what about the average Inca person? Where did they live? Well, it is thought that in this large section of Machu Picchu the everyday Inca citizen practiced their social life.

Visit the Prison Group

All societies had prisoners and Incas were no exception. Following their procedures for law and order, they kept their prisoners above and underground and sometimes in deep holes with cell doors.

Find Intimachay – The Cave of the Sun

If you visit Machu Picchu during December for the summer solstice, you will be the lucky one to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime view of this temple that comes alive with its rear wall radiantly illuminated by the light of the great sun.

Have Lunch at the Tinkuy Restaurant

If you’re in the mood to splurge, this is the place to do it! The Tinkuy restaurant has wonderful food, high-quality service and an amazing location, right at the entrance of Machu Picchu! The unique spot lets you enjoy your meal whilst contemplating the Inca Citadel. It is part of the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel, a luxurious place to relax, rest and recharge after you see the Machu Picchu ruins.

Enjoy a meal at the Tinkuy Restaurant on our 5-day luxury Inca Trail tour (included in the price). Or, if you trek with us and your tour includes a night’s stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, you might consider upgrading your hotel to live the experience at the luxury Sanctuary Lodge Hotel and the Tinkuy Restaurant.

More Things to Do at Machu Picchu: Climb Huayna Picchu & More!

Huayna Picchu

Climb the majestic mountain of Huayna Picchu that sits behind the Machu Picchu ruins and you will see not just the citadel in its fullest, but also the snowcapped peaks of the surrounding Andes.

Huayna Picchu – which means “young peak” in Quechua (machu picchu means “old peak”) – is actually the mountain that you see in those classic shots of Machu Picchu. It’s a challenging climb, and definitely not for the faint of heart! But for those who are up for it, the views make it all worth it. From the peak of the mountain, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Urubamba River below, and on the north, you will observe the Temple of the Moon, which you can visit by taking an optional detour.

Machu Picchu Mountain

One of the greatest Machu Picchu experiences for avid explorers is climbing “Machu Picchu Montaña” where, during Inca times, locals held different types of ceremonies related to their cosmovision.

Machu Picchu Mountain (also sometimes called Cerro Machu Picchu in Spanish) is the mountain above the citadel, in the direction of Inti Punku, the Sun Gate.

If you couldn’t purchase a ticket for Huayna Picchu or simply don’t like heights, the three hour hike to Machu Picchu Montaña is a great option. This summit is located 601m above the citadel of Machu Picchu (at 3051m in altitude). While hiking this mountain, you will find yourself in a quiet place surrounded by nature with lots of fresh air and a panoramic view of the Incan ruins.

Huchuy Picchu Mountain

Recently, local authorities have opened the hiking trail to the summit of this lower mountain that guards the ruins of the citadel and is located next to the popular Huayna Picchu.

The route takes you to the top of Huchuy Picchu mountain (huchuy picchu means “small peak”) and then, at the exit door, begin your tour of the Inca citadel along Circuit 4. Huchuy Picchu is a moderate hike, and it will take you approximately 1 hour, depending on your physical condition. Its altitude reaches 2497m, just 50m higher than the ruins of Machu Picchu – that’s probably why it’s called the “small” peak!

For more details about what to expect, entry times, and how to buy tickets to Huchuy Picchu, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, check out our post on Machu Picchu hikes.

Visiting Machu Picchu: Things to Do in Aguas Calientes

What can you do in Machu Picchu besides touring the Inca citadel itself, or doing one of the hikes? Actually, a lot! The charming town of Aguas Calientes – also known as Machupicchu Pueblo – that is located at the foot of the mountain welcomes you to explore gorgeous sites such as the hot springs, the gardens of Mandor and local shops to purchase some artifacts from Machu Picchu.

Butterfly Sanctuary

The butterfly house is one of the Machu Picchu tourist attractions that seek out the balance between conservation and sustainable development, promoting research, training and education of the species. Here, visitors will be surrounded by the coloured wings of butterflies that invite you to interact with them and their habitat. People visiting this tourist attraction in Machu Picchu will be accompanied by a specialist who provides valuable information about these wonderful species.

Orchid Garden

In ancient Peru, orchids had great relevance to different cultures, including the Chavín culture and the Incas. Ongoing research has meant greater achievements in terms of knowledge and preservation of orchid diversity in all Machu Picchu areas.

This is one of the things to do in Machu Picchu town. Located on the train tracks on the way to the Mandor Waterfall, the Orchid Garden has been run by the Mendoza Mora family for 15 years. The best time of the year to visit is during the rainy season (December and March) when most of the 400 orchids are in bloom. If your tour does not match this time of the year, no worries! You will still be amazed by the beauty and delicacy of the orchids you see.

We go into more detail about Peruvian orchids in our blog; click the link to find out more!

Jardines de Mandor (The Mandor Gardens)

This is a natural habitat that is located at the foot of Huayna Picchu mountain, just 3.5 kilometres from the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes). Here, travellers can appreciate the most varied native flora and fauna, connect with nature, and enjoy a wonderful landscape with waterfalls.

Hot Springs

These thermal-medicinal waters are easily reached by foot, just 15 minutes’ walk from Aguas Calientes. When travelling to Machu Picchu, give time to visit these medicinal waters and try their healing properties! Due to the chemical composition of the water and its temperature, the hot springs are a good option for those who need some healing for bones, joints and skin, or just want a relaxing post-Inca Trail soak!

Visit the Museum

This museum is very easy to find, just a 30-minute walk from Aguas Calientes. If you visit this site before the Inca citadel, you will be better informed about the place you are about to discover. You will also have a different perspective of what the Inca ruins were like in the past. All artifacts and exhibitions are distributed in seven different sequences full of history and nature.

Other Cities Near Machu Picchu to Visit

There are lots of things to do near Machu Picchu. The starting point for any Machu Picchu tour is the multicultural city of Cusco. Plan on spending at least two days exploring the city, though we think a three-day itinerary is even better.

No visit to Cusco and Machu Picchu is complete without a tour through the Sacred Valley, too. Some of the main highlights there include the “living Inca city” of Ollantaytambo, Pisac and Urubamba. We tell you how to plan the best tour through the Sacred Valley here.

For a bit of a taste of everything, we’ve put together what we consider the “must-see” tour of Machu Picchu – a 5-day tour that includes the main highlights and, if you’re up for it, a taste of the Inca Trail, too!

Visiting Machu Picchu in 2022: Pandemic Protocols

In the archaeological complex and its surroundings, local authorities are continuously implementing new procedures to suit the visit to current conditions. Here we summarize some of the most important:

• Machu Picchu is open and operating at full capacity in 2022
• Unfortunately, not all routes or attractions are open. As of January 2022, the Inca drawbridge, and the Sun Gate are temporally closed.
• COVID-19 health and safety protocols are in place, including mask-wearing and maintaining social distance.

For the most up to date information, we recommend to visit Machu Picchu official website and our Peru travel restrictions blog.

More Resources: How to Plan Your Trip to Machu Picchu

A majestic experience like this one requires a bit of planning and organization but, trust us, it is well worth it! You are about to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the New World. So, don’t feel overwhelmed with all information, let’s go step by step.

Grab your favourite drink, and take a moment to check out these useful posts we have prepared for you:

• Ultimate Guide to Visiting Machu Picchu – learn all about Machu Picchu. Everything you need to know, from how to buy tickets to Machu Picchu, the cost of Machu Picchu and more about booking Machu Picchu.
• When to Go – we talk about the climate at Machu Picchu, tell you which is the best month to visit Machu Picchu, and even give you some tips on when is the best time of day to visit, too.
• How to Get There – should you hike or take the train? We go through all the options.
• What to Pack – coming soon! In the meantime, get an idea of what you’ll need in terms of clothes for Machu Picchu in our blog on how to prepare.
• Does Machu Picchu Live Up to the Hype? – we go through 7 reasons why we think it does!
• Alternatives to Machu Picchu – maybe you’ve already been, or maybe you’re just not convinced, but if you want to skip Machu Picchu on your trip to Peru, we offer some equally stunning alternative places to visit instead.
• Altitude Acclimatization – you don’t want to fall victim to altitude sickness at Machu Picchu! Follow the advice in our blog and you’ll do just fine.
• Photography Tips for Machu Picchu Tours – make sure you come home with the best photos of your trip! We tell you how.
• Recommended Reads – to satisfy your wanderlust or get inspired for your upcoming trip, we have a list of our favourite books about Peru, the Inca Trail and, of course, Machu Picchu.

So Many Things To Do at Machu Picchu!

This world heritage site is the most emblematic cultural and natural area of Peru that attracts travellers from every part of the world. You will be surprised at all the different things to do at Machu Picchu, such as learning about the connection between the Andean cosmic world and its marvellous biodiversity.

In addition, when you explore some of the places to go in Machu Picchu – its constructions, ceremonial centres and aqueducts, just to name a few – you will have a diverse interpretation of what the citadel really is. So, take this trip as a reward of feelings and moments that will leave an unforgettable mark on your life. That is the best way to see Machu Picchu.

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Sources

Wust, (2010). Machu Picchu. Song of Stone. Walter H. Wust Ediciones SAC

 

This post was originally published on 3 April, 2017. It was updated on 1 February, 2022.

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