Peru is home to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. The ancient Incan site sits at 7,970 feet above sea level and looks over the Urubamba River. Located on a ridge between the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains, the lost city served as the royal retreat of the Inca for its emperor. It is considered the hidden treasure of Peru. The high elevation has made the city as it is invisible from below. In fact, it was so hidden that it remained unknown to the rest of the world until 1911.
The splendor of the Inca empire is evident on the site. There are more than 150 buildings to explore, from baths to temples. The well-preserved structures are also proof of how skilled at masonry the Incas were. Because of its rich history and culture, the citadel has been designated as a UNESCO Heritage site. UNESCO only allows 2,500 visitors a day, so booking your trip in advance is a must.
While you can spend days admiring the archaeological gem the lost city is, the surrounding areas offer interesting sites worthy of a visit if you have time before or after your expedition. Cusco, the gateway city to the Incan Citadel, is also home to amazing sights and experiences. Check out the best things to do in Machu Picchu and the nearby Cusco.
1. Take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Women walking on The Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Peru | sharptoyou, Shutterstock
For a gratifying and unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu, taking a multi-day trek to the lost city is a must The Inca Trail is the most famous trek in South America. Because of its popularity, there are only 500 permits issued per day to make the trek. The trail is over 42 kilometers long and takes 4 days to complete. Trekking the Inca Trail takes you on a scenic journey through the Andes Mountains with stops at several Incan archeological sites dotting the way.
Inca Trail
Ave Pachacutec 102, Aguas Calientes 08000, Peru
Admission: 345 Peruvian Soles (S/.292 + S/.53 sales tax) which is about US$108
Ph: +51 930 419 815
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Mapacho craft beer peruvian food en Machu Picchu (4.9/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Full House Peruvian Cuisine (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Restaurant Indio Feliz (4.6/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Inca Trail.
The best hotel to stay near Inca Trail based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (9.1/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
2. See the Temple of the Sun
Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu | kccullenPhoto, Shutterstock
Once you get to Machu Picchu and after you get over the surreal feeling of being there, you may be overwhelmed by the sights. It’s best to start with structures that held great significance to the Inca and work your way from there.
Visit the Temple of the Sun, a semi-circular sacred temple built on top of a large rocky mountain. It is said that the Incas used it to give tributes and offerings to the sun. The sun played an important role in the daily Incan life as they believed it to be responsible for the creation of life. In the temple, they worshipped Viracocha, the golden creator god, amongst other gods.
Temple of the Sun
Camino Inca, 08680, Peru
Admission: 10 soles (about $3)
Ph: +51 992 059 069
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• El Antojito Restaurant (4.6/5 stars, Family, $$$)
• Llactapata Restaurant (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Tao Dulce Salado (4.8/5 stars, Cafe, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Temple of the Sun.
The best hotel to stay near Temple of the Sun based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Tierra Viva Cusco Machu Picchu (9/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
3. Gather energy at Intihuatana
Tourist in front of Intihuatana stone | Aleksandar Todorovic, Shutterstock
Many visitors are drawn to the mystique of the lost city. Machu Picchu has many secrets and one of them is that many believe the place is a source of special energies. The Intihuatana Rock, which translates to “the place where the sun is tied”, is said to contain these energies. Said to have been used by the Incas for astronomical and spiritual purposes, travelers from all around the world gather at the rock to channel its energy. Many report feeling a cold tickling sensation before a simmering heat.
If you time your visit on the midday of the equinoxes, usually March 21 and September 21, you can witness an interesting phenomenon on the sacred rock. At this instant, the sun stands directly above the pillar, thus no shadow is created.
Intihuatana
Sendero a Huayna Picchu, 08680, Peru
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Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Julian Restaurant (4.5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• INKA TAMBO restaurant (4.8/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• cala tratoria (4.5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Intihuatana.
The best hotel to stay near Intihuatana based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (9.1/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
4. Admire the Principal Temple
The Principal Temple | PA, Wikimedia Commons
Believed to be one of the main public temples at Machu Picchu, the large Principal Temple is centrally located on the Sacred Plaza. The building is of great importance to the Inca people. On the temple, you can see traces of the careful craftsmanship poured into creating the structure.
Get up close to the stone walls and be amazed at what they were able to accomplish without modern tools. The heavy granite stones making up the walls are cut precisely. The stones are stacked so tight, you can’t even fit a knife in between the cracks. The temple is truly a testament to the ancient Inca’s engineering prowess.
Principal Temple
Camino Inca, 08680, Peru
Admission: $$
Ph: +51 984 752 002
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Chef House (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Camping and Restaurant La Choza Inca Raqay (4.5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Restaurante Green House (4.8/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Principal Temple.
The best hotel to stay near Principal Temple based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (8.8/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
5. Get to the peak of Huayna Picchu
Picture of Huayna Picchu on a sunset | Allard Schmidt (The Netherlands), Wikimedia Commons
To get a sweeping bird’s eye view of Machu Picchu, look no further than the mountain towering behind the famed ancient city. Huayna Picchu, which means “Young Peak” in Quechua, may seem intimidating from a distance. However, it is a relatively easy although steep hike, with the ascent over 360 meters. Some areas will require climbers to use both hands and feet to move forward, but the climb up is worth it.
As with entry to Machu Picchu, ascents to Huayna Picchu is well-regulated. There are two time slots to climb the mountain, each allowing only 200 individuals at a time.
Huayna Picchu
Machupicchu District, Peru
Admission: Foreign 80.00 USD (Adult), 54.00 USD ( Student, child); Andean Community 50.00 USD (Adult), 36.00 USD (Student, child); Peruvians 42.00 USD (Adult) 33.00 USD (Student, child)
Ph: +51-84-223010
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• El Antojito Restaurant (4.6/5 stars, Family, $$$)
• Anka Cafe Restaurant (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Machu Restaurant (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Huayna Picchu.
The best hotel to stay near Huayna Picchu based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Tierra Viva Cusco Machu Picchu (9/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
6. Duck into the Temple of the Moon, known as the Great Cavern
The ruins of the Temple of the Moon at the bottom of Wayna Picchu | Dave Rock, Shutterstock
Tucked within the Huayna Picchu Mountain, is an ancient structure shrouded in mystery. The Temple of the Moon, also known as the Great Cavern, is located at the northern base of Huayna Picchu Mountain. The temple, built and fitted with amazing nomadic precision, was formed by two caves located under large rocks. The mystery of the temple is that no one knows with certainty the purpose for which it exists. There are no historical records or ancient scripts referring to it.
Temple of the Moon
Machupicchu District, Peru
Admission: $45
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Full House Peruvian Cuisine (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Tao Dulce Salado (4.8/5 stars, Cafe, $$)
• Chullpi Restaurant (4.6/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Temple of the Moon.
The best hotel to stay near Temple of the Moon based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Casa del Sol Machupicchu – Boutique Hotel (8.6/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
7. Take a snapshot at the Caretaker’s Hut
The Caretaker’s Hut on Machu Picchu | Xiuli Tan, Shutterstock
On top of a small mound in Machu Picchu is a curious little structure. The small Inca house with three windows has been restored and dubbed the House of the Guardian to the Funerary Rock or the Caretaker’s Hut. It has been featured in some of the most breathtaking postcard views of the citadel as the hut offers an amazing vantage point to take in the glory of Machu Picchu.
It’s forbidden to bring a tripod to the ruins of Machu Picchu. If you want to use a professional camera, permits may be required.
Caretaker’s Hut
Camino Inca, 08680, Peru
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Camping and Restaurant La Choza Inca Raqay (4.5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Cevicheria Fresco Mar (4.5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• 3Pachas (5/5 stars, Pizza, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Caretaker’s Hut.
The best hotel to stay near Caretaker’s Hut based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (9.1/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
8. Climb Montaña Machu Picchu
Montaña Machu Picchu, Cusco,Peru | David Ionut, Shutterstock
If your feet aren’t tired yet, feel free to explore Montaña Machu Picchu, also called Cerro Machu Picchu. Almost twice as tall as Huayna Picchu, it has an ascent of 1,850 feet and takes 3-4 hours to complete a climb. The longer trek means fewer tourists, less regulated entries, and more rewarding experience. The mountain offers a richer, more intimate experience into the Peruvian forest with the lush flora and fauna and exotic wildlife accompanying you throughout the climb.
Montaña Machu Picchu
Eisenbahn Hydroelectric Aguas Calentes, 08680, Peru
Admission: Foreign 80.00 USD (Adult), 54.00 USD ( Student, child); Andean Community 50.00 USD (Adult), 36.00 USD (Student, child); Peruvians 42.00 USD (Adult) 33.00 USD (Student, child)
Ph: +51 974 217 700
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Yakumama Santa teresa (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Llactapata Restaurant (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• INKA SAMANA (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Montaña Machu Picchu.
The best hotel to stay near Montaña Machu Picchu based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Jaya Suite Machupicchu (9.3/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
9. Stop by the La Catedral
Cusco Cathedral | Pedro Szekely, Flickr
The city of Cusco is perfect to explore to get acclimated to the area before heading out to Machu Picchu, or right after exploring the ancient city. The small city has a relaxing vibe and offers so much more than the gateway to Incan ruins. One of the highlights of the city is the Cusco Cathedral. Also known as The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin, the cathedral is a Minor Basilica and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
See the colonial paintings of the grand cathedral as you admire the place of worship of the people of Cusco over generations. The cathedral is open Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Photography and video inside the cathedral are not allowed.
Cusco Cathedral Catedral del Cuzco
Cusco 08002, Peru
Admission: 30 Soles (US$10.50)
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• El Reencuentro Restaurant (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Govinda Lila (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Yaku cocina de altura (4.9/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Cusco Cathedral.
The best hotel to stay near Cusco Cathedral based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco (9.5/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
10. Learn about the Inca at Qurikancha
Museums may be an underwhelming destination when you are surrounded by amazing scenery and ruins. However, what sets the Qurikancha Museum apart is that the building itself used to be part of the Incan Empire. Qurikancha, which translates to “golden place”, used to be the most important Inca sanctuary dedicated to the Sun God. It was said that the sanctuary was covered in pure gold and precious stones. The museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Qurikancha
Santo Domingo s/n, Cusco 08000, Peru
Admission: 15 soles (US $5); university students pay 8 soles (US $3)
Ph: +51 84 249176
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Organika (4.8/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Morena Peruvian Kitchen (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Waykiss Restaurant Cafe (4.9/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Qurikancha.
The best hotel to stay near Qurikancha based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel & Spa (9.6/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
11. Roam around Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman the sacred ruins of the Incas in Cusco | Kenneth Rivera, Shutterstock
You don’t have to travel far from the city of Cusco, formerly the Inca capital, to spy some Inca ruins. A little on the northern outskirts of Cusco lies Saqsaywaman, an Inca fortress and temple complex surrounded by towering walls. The walls that have blended in harmoniously to the natural landscape have stood the test of time. Being the largest structure built by the Incas, it is a symbol of the power of the once-great empire.
The site is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saqsaywaman
Cusco 08002, Peru
Admission: $15
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Ayni Organic (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Sumaq II Cusco (4.8/5 stars, Peruvian, $$)
• Inkazuela (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Saqsaywaman.
The best hotel to stay near Saqsaywaman based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Sonesta Hotel Cusco (9.3/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
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