If you are planning your trip to the Inca village, you are probably already finding out what are the main attractions you can visit in this important destination. We often see the traditional postcards of Machu Picchu from an aerial angle, with its imposing mountains surrounding the ruins and trails, but little do we imagine what we can find there.
Fortunately, Machu Picchu’s town, also called Aguas Calientes, has a wide variety of activities to suit the needs of all travelers.
Mainly you will be able to find the classic excursions where you can just enjoy a guided tour, but there is much more to do if you wish.
For this reason, we are going to analyze a little more in depth which are the attractions you can visit during your stay in this incredible place.
Main activities to do in Machu Picchu
Going to Machu Picchu is not just a postcard view of the mountains and ruins: there is much more to discover. You will be surprised to know the great variety of activities that are at your disposal, so you can customize the tour according to your needs.
Type of Entrance 1: Machu Picchu Llaqta (Circuit 1,2,3 or 4)
This is the classic tour, which is ideal for those tourists who want to know every corner of the Citadel. The walk through the circuits will allow you to visit the following attractions in the upper and lower sections of the Citadel:
- Temple of the Sun
- Agricultural zone
- Inka House
- Water Mirrors
- Temple of the Condor
- House of the Guardian
- Intihuatana
- Quarry
You will also find endless terraces and ancient platforms that combine with the incredible scenery of the mountains. Although it is a very complete tour, it does not include the hikes to Machu Picchu Mountain, Wayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu.
Click here to learn more about our shared tour.
Type of Entry 2: Wayna Picchu Mountain + Circuit 4
This is a walk through the lower part of the Citadel, which leads to the entrance to the trails of the Wayna Picchu mountain. Generally, the first activity is the guided tour of the Citadel and then the trail to the top of the mountain. The attractions that you will be able to see in this tour will be:
- Wayna Picchu Mountain
- Sacred Rock
- Agricultural zone
- Water Mirrors
- Temple of the Sun
- Temple of the Condor
- Inka House
Click here to learn more about our tour to Wayna Picchu Mountain.
Type of Entry 3: Machu Picchu Mountain + Circuit 1
This type of entrance is exclusive to the lower section of the Citadel (circuit 3), making a low walk through the main attractions of the Inca ruins and then a tour of the imposing Machu Picchu Mountain. The sites that you can visit on this tour are:
- Machu Picchu Mountain
- Temple of the Sun
- Temple of the Condor
- Intihuatana
- Sacred Rock
- Agricultural Zone
- House of the Guardian
- Water Mirrors
Click here to see our tour with an incredible excursion to Machu Picchu Mountain + Walk around the Citadel.
Type of Entry 4: Huchuy Picchu Mountain + Circuit 4
Like the other accesses, the tour will be exclusive to the lower section of the Citadel, but includes an exciting tour of the Huchuy Picchu Mountain. On our tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the ruins and then enjoy a walk along its trails until you reach the top. What you will be able to know in this tour is the following:
- Temple of the Condor
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain
- Sacred Rock
- Agricultural zone
- Water Mirrors
- Temple of the Sun
Everything you need to know about the attractions in Machu Picchu
As previously mentioned, the Citadel is the main attraction of Machu Picchu. All tours include walks through the different circuits that lead to the ancient ruins. It is possible to find all kinds of them: squares, temples, roads, ancient terraces and many more.
The visits to the Citadel are guided, although you can also do it on your own to observe in detail what has interested you, or to take pictures. The important thing is that you can spend time admiring these constructions and the unique landscapes that surround them.
The circuits to Machu Picchu are as follows:
- Circuit 1: If you like hiking, this is the ideal circuit for you. This trail will allow you to know the high and low section of the Citadel, which leads to terraces and terraces constructions. If you are a senior citizen or have mobility problems, we recommend walking this circuit for approximately two hours.
- Circuit 2: It is slightly longer than Circuit 1, which runs through the upper and lower part of the Citadel. This trail passes through the main buildings and provides excellent postcards for photographs.
- Circuit 3: This trail runs exclusively through the lower section of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, the agricultural zone, the Inka House and the Water Mirrors. You can do this tour in about an hour and a half. From this circuit you can also access the Machu Picchu Mountain, which we will mention throughout this article.
- Circuit 4: Finally, circuit 4 leads to the lower section of Machu Picchu, passing by the Sacred Rock, the agricultural area, the Water Mirrors, the Temple of the Sun and the Inka House. From this circuit you can also access the Huchuy Picchu Mountain and Wayna Picchu, which we will describe below.
Additional excursions to the mountains
If you are an adventurer who likes beautiful postcards and adrenaline, then you have the option of additional excursions to the classic walk through the Citadel. These are the three mountains that guard the Inca ruins: Huchuy Picchu, Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain.
As mentioned above, all of them are accessible through the aforementioned circuits, which is why you can add them at the time of booking to make the most of your stay in Machu Picchu. If you are not sure which of the three to choose, let’s analyze each one in more detail:
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain: When you reach its access through Circuit 4, you will find a path that will lead you directly to the top of this mountain. Once you reach this point, you will be able to observe the Citadel 50 meters above it, so you will be able to take many pictures. The path is relatively simple, which does not extend more than one kilometer. For this reason, you can finish it in about an hour.
- Wayna Picchu Mountain: Despite being a short hike, this is one of the best hikes you can find in the world. It is a series of fairly steep and narrow trails, built on the side of the mountain itself. They can be a bit scary for those who suffer from vertigo, but the results are worth it: the views are incredible.
- Machu Picchu Mountain: Its trails are less extreme than Wayna Picchu, but it has no less to offer its visitors. Its stone paths had already been built hundreds of years ago, so you can also be surprised with the paths that the Incas had built on this site. The tour is suitable for all ages, and offers incredible views all the way up.
Other recommendations for enjoying your trip to Machu Picchu
Now that you know what to do on your trip to Machu Picchu, let’s look at some tips to enhance your experience:
- The best time to avoid bad weather conditions is between April and October, although if you prefer to avoid tourists you can also do it in low season with the risk of experiencing rain during your tour. You should keep in mind that in the aforementioned period, Machu Picchu is in its high season and for this reason, you can find more suitable days to get the most out of the tour.
- The two-day tours are the best to not miss any attraction and to cover as many sites as possible before returning. In our catalog of itineraries, you can find many interesting options to plan your trip.
- You should inform yourself beforehand about everything you need to bring on your tour: documentation, cash, insect repellent and appropriate clothing for the excursion.
- The two-day tour includes lodging in Aguas Calientes, so you will have at your disposal all the attractions that you can find in the town during this tour.
- If you have mobility problems or any health problems, remember to consult your doctor beforehand to determine which activities you can do without risk.
Conclusions
In summary, after having analyzed in depth all the attractions that you can find in Machu Picchu, we can affirm that it is a very interesting place to discover. It is worth taking advantage of the tours that include a large number of activities, especially those that cover two days. For more information, do not hesitate to contact an advisor for details on the different tour options.
Finally, if you are thinking about making your next adventure to Machu Picchu… don’t think twice! It is a unique destination that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Invest the necessary time to plan your trip and clear all your doubts before taking the flight.