Things to do in Machu Picchu
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Homeland Of The Incas
21 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Learn about Nazca's ancient mummies, Search out Andean condors, Hike the Colca Canyon, Visit the coca museum in Cuzco, Visit a local community in the Sacred Val…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,860 - All things to do
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Wayna Picchu
The most famous of several short walks around Machu Picchu, the climb up the steep mountain of Wayna (also spelled Huayna) Picchu is located at the back of the ruins. At first glance, it appears a difficult climb but, despite the steep ascent, it's not technically that hard. The scramble, which takes anything from 45 to 90 minutes, takes you through a short section of Inca tunnel.
The fabulous views from the top are definitely worth the huffing and puffing, even for trekkers just stumbling in off the Inca Trail. Take care in wet weather as the steps get dangerously slippery. Beyond the central plaza between two open-fronted buildings is a registration booth, where you hav…
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Intipunku
The Inca Trail ends after its final descent from the notch in the horizon called Intipunku (Sun Gate). Looking at the hill behind you as you enter the ruins, you can see both the trail and Intipunku. This hill, called Machu Picchu, or 'old peak', gives the site its name.
It takes about an hour to reach Intipunku and, if you can spare at least a half-day for the round-trip, it may be possible to continue as far as Wiñay Wayna.
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Lima To Cuzco
17 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Spot penguins and boobies on the Ballestas Islands, Puzzle over the mysterious Nazca Lines, Visit the funerary towers at the Chauchilla Cemetery, Spot Andean co…Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,080 -
Peruvian Pathways
13 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Sample life on Lake Titicaca's floating islands, Behold Peru's 'Lost City' of Machu Picchu, Visit Lima and explore Peru's churches and colonial history, Admire …Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,455 -
Majestic Peru
15 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Travel to Peru's wild Ballestas Islands, Survey the mysterious Nazca Lines, Meet the mummies of Chauchilla Cemetery, Taste traditional coca tea in Cuzco, Marvel…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,760 -
Inca Encounter
9 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Stroll through Lima's vibrant Plaza Mayor, Learn the secrets of the Amazon Jungle from a local guide, Admire Cuzco's stunning colonial architecture, Glimpse ter…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,485 -
Lima To La Paz
22 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Spot wildlife on the Ballestas Islands, Uncover the mystery of the enormous Nazca Lines, Admire the beauty and mystery of crumbling Machu Picchu, Complete the i…Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,470 -
La Paz To Cuzco
12 days (ex La Paz)
by Intrepid
Climb through the jumble of twisting streets in La Paz, Discover the remote beauty of the Island of the Sun, Explore the floating Uros reed islands, Set sail on…Not LP reviewed
from USD$895 -
Peru & Ecuador Adventure
36 days (ex Quito)
by Intrepid
Discover a culture clash in Quito, Travel through the Amazon Jungle with a local guide, See Huanchaco's surfing fishermen, Unravel the mysteries of the Nazca li…Not LP reviewed
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Intihuatana
A staircase behind the Sacristy climbs a small hill to the major shrine in Machu Picchu, the Intihuatana . This Quechua word loosely translates as the 'Hitching Post of the Sun' and refers to the carved rock pillar, often mistakenly called a sundial, which stands at the top of the Intihuatana hill. The Inca's astronomers were able to predict the solstices using the angles of this pillar. Thus, they were able to claim control over the return of the lengthening summer days.
Exactly how the pillar was used for these astronomical purposes remains unclear, but its elegant simplicity and high craftwork make it a highlight of the complex. It is recorded that there were several o…
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Amazing South America
61 days (ex Quito)
by Intrepid
Wander Ecuador's colonial streets in Quito, Unravel the mystery of Peru's ancient Nazca Lines, Hike the historic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Bargain at Bolivia'…Not LP reviewed
from USD$6,475 -
Peru Encompassed
21 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Sip on a Pisco sour in Pisco, Scale Huacachina's sand dunes, Be amazed by the Nazca lines, Discover desert mummies at Chauchilla Cemetery, Nibble on guinea pig …Not LP reviewed
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Peru Highlights
21 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Experience traditional Lake Titicaca life at a homestay, Search for condors in Colca Canyon, Sample coca tea in Cuzco, Explore the steamy Amazon Jungle, Trek th…Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,705 -
Homeland Of The Incas
21 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Learn about Nazca's ancient mummies, Search out Andean condors, Hike the Colca Canyon, Visit the coca museum in Cuzco, Visit a local community in the Sacred Val…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,860 -
Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock
To get a visual fix of the whole site and snap the classic postcard photograph, climb the zigzagging staircase on the left immediately after entering the complex, which leads to a hut. Known as the Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock , it is one of a few buildings that has been restored with a thatched roof, making it a good shelter in the case of rain. The Inca Trail enters the city just below this hut.
The carved rock behind the hut may have been used to mummify the nobility, hence the hut's name.
If you continue straight into the ruins instead of climbing to the hut, you pass through extensive terracing to a beautiful series of 16 connected ceremonial baths that c…
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Central Plaza
At the back of the Intihuatana is another staircase. It descends to the Central Plaza, which separates the ceremonial sector of Machu Picchu from the more mundane residential and industrial sectors, which were not as well-constructed. At the lower end of this latter area is the Prison Group, a labyrinthine complex of cells, niches and passageways both under and above the ground.
The centerpiece of the group is the Temple of the Condor, which contains a carving of the head of a condor, with the natural rocks behind it resembling the bird's outstretched wings. Behind the condor is a well-like hole and, at the bottom of this, the door to a tiny underground cell that can only…
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Classic Peru
9 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Meet Peru's locals on a Lake Titicaca homestay, Step back in time in the Sacred Valley, Be awestruck by Ollantaytambo, Witness the glory of ancient Peru in Mach…Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,835 -
Classic Peru & Amazon
- Peru, Lima, Machu Picchu, The Amazon, World
- Tours › Explorer
13 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Be awestruck by Ollantaytambo, Spot Peru's exotic creatures in the Amazon Jungle, Savour traditional ceviche in coastal Lima, Be awestruck by Ollantaytambo, Ste…Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,140 -
Sacred Land Of The Incas
15 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Explore Lima's colonial centre, Go wild in the Amazon, Speak some Quechua in the Sacred Valley, Trek the Inca Trail, Experience the wonder of Machu Picchu, Visi…Not LP reviewed
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Explore Peru & Bolivia
25 days (ex Lima)
by Intrepid
Venture into the Amazon Jungle, Discover colonial Cuzco, Explore the sights of the Sacred Valley, See the sun rise over Machu Picchu, Experience the bustling ma…Not LP reviewed
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Temple of the Sun
Just above and to the left of the ceremonial baths is Machu Picchu's only round building, the Temple of the Sun , a curved and tapering tower that contains some of Machu Picchu's finest stonework. It appears to have been used for astronomical purposes. Inside are an altar and a curiously drilled trapezoidal window that looks onto the site.
The Temple of the Sun is cordoned off to visitors, but you can see into it from above, which is how you'll be approaching it if you take the stairs leading down and to the left from the caretaker's hut.
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Inca Drawbridge
On the other side of the ruins, a scenic but level walk from the Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock takes you right past the top of the terraces and out along a narrow, cliff-clinging trail to the Inca drawbridge. In under a half hour's walk, the trail gives you a good look at cloud-forest vegetation and an entirely different view of Machu Picchu.
You'll have to be content with photographing the bridge from behind a barrier a few hundred meters above it, as someone crossed the bridge a while back and tragically fell to their death.
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Temple of the Moon
To get to the small Temple of the Moon, you take a plunging path down past Wayna Picchu. The trail is easy to follow, but involves steep sections, a ladder and an overhanging cave, where you have to bend over to get by. The spectacular trail drops and climbs steeply before plunging into the cloud forest. Suddenly, you reach a cleared area where the small, very well-made ruins are found. It's just a shame they're marred by graffiti.
The descent takes about an hour, and the ascent back to the main Wayna Picchu trail longer.
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Warmiwañusca
From Llulluchupampa, a good path (taking two to three hours) up the left-hand side of the valley climbs to the pass of Warmiwañusca, also colorfully known as 'Dead Woman's Pass'. At 4198m (13,773ft) above sea level, this is the highest point of the trek, and leaves many a seasoned hiker gasping. From Warmiwañusca, you can see the Río Pacamayo (Sunrise River) far below, as well as the ruin of Runkurakay halfway up the next hill, above the river.
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Phuyupatamarka
Towards the end of the Inca Trail, you'll reach the beautiful, well-restored ruin of Phuyupatamarka (Town Above the Clouds), about 3600m (11,811ft) above sea level, which contains a stunning series of ceremonial baths with water running through them. A ridge here also offers camping - while it's a fabulous spot to watch the sun set, it's also the place where keen trekkers leave at 03:00 in a race to reach the Sun Gate in time for sunrise.
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