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Things to Do in Machu Pichu, Peru
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Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Machu Pichu, Peru
Things to do in Machu Pichu, Peru include exploring the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu itself, hiking the steep 45-minute trail to Huayna Picchu for stunning panoramic views, and visiting the Temple of the Sun with its precisely carved stone windows that align with solstices. These offer deep insights into Incan civilization.
1. Machu Picchu
Explore a 15th-century Inca city high in the Andes. Experience breathtaking mountain views and ancient stone ruins.
Quick facts: More than 1.5 million people visit this ancient city each year. Its high elevation at about 2,430 meters offers panoramic views that few historical sites can match.
Highlights: Terraces cover 150 hectares, allowing ancient farmers to grow a surprising variety of crops on steep slopes. The site's mysterious Intihuatana stone aligns precisely with the sun during solstices, revealing advanced astronomical knowledge.
2. Huayna Picchu
Climb up for jaw-dropping views only 400 visitors conquer daily. Experience thrilling heights and secret Inca trails few get to explore.
Quick facts: Rising 268 meters above the citadel, this mountain trail features terraces and Inca stonework that few visitors get to explore. The steep, narrow path has handrails made from roots and stone steps that challenge many hikers.
Highlights: The summit offers a rare panoramic view of the Machu Picchu ruins framed by the Urubamba River winding below. A hidden cave near the peak once housed Inca religious ceremonies, still faintly echoing ancient chants.
3. Temple of the Sun
Witness the ancient solar ritual precision. Experience sacred sunlight bathing the altar during the solstice.
Quick facts: Only the sunlight hits the altar inside during the June solstice, revealing precise Inca astronomy skills. Triangular windows align perfectly with the solstice sunrays, marking important agricultural periods.
Highlights: A carved stone inside has nine niches used for sacred rituals connected to sun worship, making it a ceremonial heart of the site. During sunrise at the solstice, the sun’s rays create a magical light show through the temple’s windows, bathing the altar in a golden glow.
4. Inti Punku
Gaze out over Machu Picchu from the ancient royal gateway. Experience stunning mountain views and steep stone steps carved by the Incas.
Quick facts: Featuring a vantage point that overlooks Machu Picchu, this spot was once the main entrance for Inca royalty entering the citadel. Visitors often catch sight of the towering peak Huayna Picchu and sweeping valleys from here.
Highlights: At sunrise, light filters through the stone gate creating dramatic shadows on the staircases carved directly into the Andes rock. Stories say Inca warriors would guard this gate, making it a strategic checkpoint visible for miles around.
5. Temple of the Three Windows
Experience stunning mountain views through ancient stone windows. Feel the sun's dance of light revealing secrets carved thousands of years ago.
Quick facts: Three large trapezoid windows frame sweeping views of the surrounding Andes, each precisely cut from solid stone without mortar. Parts of this site align astronomically, with one window facing the rising sun during the winter solstice.
Highlights: The way sunlight filters through the windows creates a natural spotlight that moves across the stone, revealing faint ancient carvings only visible at certain times of day. The structure's placement offers a dramatic perspective over the Urubamba River valley, making visitors feel suspended between nature and history.
6. Inca Bridge
Walk a daring Inca path carved into cliffs and soak up jaw-dropping views. Experience a thrilling mix of history, daring engineering, and natural beauty.
Quick facts: One of three access points to Machu Picchu, this stone bridge is perched on a sheer cliff, originally built by the Incas as a strategic defense. Its wooden planks were removable to prevent enemy invasions, showcasing advanced engineering and military ingenuity.
Highlights: A narrow path with a sheer drop of about 80 meters offers a thrilling sense of walking on the edge, with breathtaking views that few other trails provide. The Inca's use of natural rock formations to hide and support the bridge adds an unexpected layer of stealthy architecture.
7. Sacred Plaza
Discover an ancient open-air temple complex with stunning stonework and solar alignments. Experience the mystical ambiance created by flowing water and sacred niches.
Quick facts: Over 100 carved stone niches surround the plaza, once used to hold ceremonial offerings. Its trapezoidal doorways and perfectly cut stone blocks reflect advanced Incan engineering techniques.
Highlights: Sunlight filters through the Intiwatana stone in a way that marks solar events during solstices, creating a natural calendar. Ancient stone fountains still channel water throughout the plaza, producing soothing streams that echo the sacred rituals held there.
8. Terraces of Machu Picchu
Explore ancient agricultural ingenuity with 600+ steep stone terraces. Experience breathtaking views and clever water engineering from the Inca civilization.
Quick facts: These terraces stretch along the steep slopes in more than 600 steps, preventing soil erosion and maximizing agricultural output. The temperature variations between terrace levels create microclimates that once allowed Inca farmers to grow diverse crops like potatoes, maize, and quinoa.
Highlights: The stone walls rise up to 3 meters in height, ingeniously designed without mortar to endure seismic activity. Water channels run through the terraces, managing rain runoff and even irrigating fields without modern pumps or technology.
Where to Stay in Machu Pichu, Peru
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Traditional Sweet Dishes
Picarones
Picarones are a traditional Peruvian dessert made from squash and sweet potato dough, fried until golden and served with a syrup called chancaca. They are popular during festivals and reflect a blend of indigenous and Spanish culinary influences.
Mazamorra Morada
Mazamorra Morada is a purple corn pudding infused with fruits and spices like cinnamon and cloves. It is a staple dessert in Peru and symbolizes the rich agricultural diversity of the Andes.
Alfajores
Alfajores are delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche, enjoyed throughout Peru. Their recipe showcases the Spanish colonial heritage and local sweet flavors.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Ceviche
Ceviche is a famous Peruvian dish made with raw fish marinated in lime juice, mixed with chili peppers, onions, and corn. This refreshing dish highlights Peru's coastal culinary traditions even in the Andean region.
Lomo Saltado
Lomo Saltado is a stir-fry dish that combines marinated beef, tomatoes, onions, and French fries, blending Peruvian and Chinese culinary techniques. It is a beloved example of Peru's cultural fusion.
Anticuchos
Anticuchos are skewered and grilled meat, traditionally made from beef heart, marinated with spices. This street food has roots in pre-Columbian times and remains a popular snack.
Traditional Beverages
Chicha Morada
Chicha Morada is a non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn, boiled with pineapple, cinnamon, and cloves. It's both refreshing and packed with antioxidants from the native purple corn.
Pisco Sour
Pisco Sour is Peru's national cocktail, made with pisco brandy, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and bitters. It perfectly balances tart, sweet, and frothy textures, showcasing Peruvian spirits.
Mate de Coca
Mate de Coca is an herbal tea brewed from coca leaves, traditionally consumed in the Andes. It is known for its ability to help with altitude sickness and digestive issues.
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Most popular day trips
Cusco
Historic city, gateway to Machu Picchu with rich Inca culture.
Sacred Valley
Scenic valley with archaeological sites and traditional villages.
Aguas Calientes
Gateway town to Machu Picchu, known for hot springs and markets.
Getting there
Train stations
Cusco to Machu Picchu
From Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, take a taxi to Cusco center then train from Poroy Station to Aguas Calientes.
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