Summary
5 things you must do in Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, is the dream destination of millions of travelers around the world. However, once in the Inca citadel it is difficult to decide what to do first. There are many attractions that one of the 7 wonders of the world offers us. Here is a list of the 5 things you must do in the ancient citadel of the Incas.
- Take the classic photo in Machupicchu
- Climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu
- Climb the mountain of Machu Picchu
- Explore the Inca bridge of Machu Picchu
- Visit the religious sector of Machu Picchu
- Other constructions to see in Machu Picchu
Postal photo of machu picchu
1. Take the best postcard photo of Machu Picchu
It is essential to get the best photo when visiting Machu Picchu. The classic postcard of the Inca Citadel is obtained by following the marked path from the entrance to the highest part of the Inca citadel. This is the most classic image taken by visitors. However, there are other alternatives such as the photo from Machu Picchu Mountain or from Huayna Picchu. These two are also obligatory destinations in the lost city of the Incas. The best time for a good photo is in the dry season from April to November. In the rainy season, thanks to the fog, you can get a surreal shot.
- What type of ticket or circuit should I buy for the classic photo from the highest point? Circuit 1 or 2 and the combinations of Llacta Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu mountain or Llacta Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge. The highest part of the Inca citadel is a 15-minute walk from the entrance gate of Machu Picchu.
- How much is admission? The entrance only to the citadel of Machupicchu (152 soles for foreign tourists and 64 soles for Peruvian tourists).
Postcard photo of Machu Picchu photo
2. Climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the most desired mountain by visitors who come to Machu Picchu. This is the mountain that is as a backdrop of the Inca citadel. Touring their narrow and steep trails is a privilege of a few. Only 400 people per day are allowed. These are divided into two shifts of 200 visitors each. From the Waynapicchu you can visualize all the landscape splendor of the Inca citadel from the back. It is a postal photo of the Inca citadel from behind. There is the so -called ‘Temple of the Moon’. To get an entry, the ticket must be reserved at least 3 months in advance due to the high demand.
Where is it? Next to the citadel (in the Sacred Rock sector). You reach the door of Huaynapicchu after 20 minutes of walking from the entrance door of the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
How much is admission? With the Machupicchu entrance with Huaynapicchu (200 soles for foreign tourists and 112 soles for Peruvian tourists).
View from the Huaynapicchu Mountain
3. Climb the mountain of Machu Picchu
The Machu Picchu mountain is part of the Salkantay Cums, whose skirt extends the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. Its top is 300 meters higher than the Huayna Picchu. Its paths demand a little more effort than the steep Huaynapicchu path. From the highest point and along its stretch you can get the best views of the entire region and the Inca cobbled road that came from Cusco to the Inca citadel. It is the ideal option if you travel with children since it is not dangerous and is allowed to enter minors. Only 800 people divided into two groups of 400 each are allowed per day. To get a ticket to this site you must book a ticket at least 1 month in advance.
Where is it? Next to the top of the Inca citadel. The Machupicchu mountain door is reached after 20 minutes of walking from the entrance door of the Inca citadel.
How much is admission? With the Machupicchu entrance with mountain (200 soles for foreign tourists and 112 soles for Peruvian tourists).
View from from the Machu Picchu mountain
4. Visit the Intihuatana of Machupicchu
Also known as the solar clock of Machu Picchu, this solar observatory in Inca times was used to determine the equinoxes in the Inca citadel. Its strategic location gives you a 360 degree view of the Machu Picchu region. Its construction is a tribute to the sun due to the equinncios of March 21 and September 22. In order to get to visit the Intihuatana, you need to buy entrance tickets at 6, 7, 8 or 9 am, because this place is only open to the public from 6 to 10 in the morning.
Where is it? In the religious sector of the citadel. It is accessed through a staircase from the Main Square.
How much is admission? With the entrance only to Machu Picchu, called llacta Machu Picchu (152 soles for foreign tourists and 64 soles for Peruvian tourists).
Intihuatana or solar observatory
5. Visit the religious sector of Machu Picchu
The religious sector is another of the most visited places in the Inca citadel. This consists of two enclosures finished in very fine stone. In this sector they stand out, a polygonal wall where 3 trapezoidal windows stand out, showing the perfection with which the Incas assembled the stones. It was in this place that Hiram Bingham found the inscription of Agustín Lizárraga and three other people, dated 1902, nine years before the American “discovered” Machu Picchu for the world. This temple of the three windows also has pillars and windows aligned with the winter solstice at sunrise and the summer solstice at sunset. The other area that attracts attention in this sector is the main altar that has a series of cupboards with a perfect finish, where statues and a main altar were placed to venerate the sacred mountain of Machu Picchu.
Where is it? It is located below the quarry sector.
How much is admission? With the entrance only to the Inca citadel, called llacta Machu Picchu (152 soles for foreign tourists and 64 soles for Peruvian tourists).
The temple of the three windows
Other constructions to see in the lost city of the Incas
The citadel also has other religious and astronomical sectors such as the temple of the sun and the royal mausoleum. This is a sacred complex built with granite blocks and located in the central part of the citadel. The place served as an astronomical observatory and worship center for the Sun God, the highest deity of the Incas.
The temple of the condor is one more example of the perfection of the Incas in the carving of stones. This structure is made on a rocky promontory in which the Incas carved the rock in the shape of a condor. This bird was one of the three sacred animals that the Incas worshipped.
Condor shrine
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