Machu Picchu is The Lost City of the Incas occupies one of the most dramatic sites of any archaeological find in the world. Perched high up in the Peruvian Andes at the end of the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu features the ruins of stone-walled Inca temples, tombs, and palaces in a jungle setting. Steep mountains form an unforgettable backdrop. Take a few extra hours to discover the top of things to do in Machu Picchu that we listed besides visiting Machu Picchu!
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Things To Do In Machu Picchu
Royal Tomb – Palace of the Princess
Located right next to the Temple of the Sun is the Royal tomb or Palace of the Princess. Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of This place, described the outer wall of the building as the finest wall in all of the Americas.
Like the Sun Temple, there are tall niches for offerings and the base of the building has a sort of cave-like structure which is why Bingham referred to the site as a ‘tomb’ – no bodies have ever been found though.
The Temple of Three Windows
Located in the Royal sector, the Temple of Three Windows is the first of three buildings that make up, what Bingham described as, the ‘Sacred Plaza’. Like other buildings in the royal sector, the Temple of Three Windows is made up of much larger blocks of stone, some weighing in excess of 3 tons!
Because the three windows frame the three-facing mountains perfectly, Bingham believed that the windows represented the three mythological caves from which the Ayar brothers – the three children of the sun – came onto the earth.
Cocalmayp Hot Springs
Forget the overcrowded baths in Aguas Calientes and instead take a day trip to the nearby town of Santa Teresa to bathe in pools of crystal-clear thermal water.
Each of these natural pools is a different temperature, so a visit is ideal for soothing sore muscles, after all, that hiking – plus the location is stunning next to the roaring Vilcanota River. The hot springs are open 24/7 – if you like stargazing, head for a stunning night-time experience; otherwise mornings are best.
How to get there: Catch the Peru Rail train from Aguas Calientes to Hidroelectrica (€28 approx.) and get a shared taxi from three to the hot pools.
Marvel at the Manuel Chavez Ballon Museum
This little-visited gem is a thirty-minute walk from the town of Aguas Calientes and is one of the must-see attractions in Machu Picchu. Learn about the discovery and history of Machu Picchu and see interesting artifacts like the original edition of the 1913 National Geographic magazine that published and announced Hiram Bingham’s discovery of Machu Picchu to the world. There is also a nice botanical garden next to the museum with samples of local plants and trees. Our tip: Stop here before you visit the ruins themselves as you will have a much better understanding of the citadel after a visit to the museum. Read more about the museum here
How to get there: The museum is a 30-minute walk from the pedestrian town of Aguas Calientes. Follow the same road as the buses heading up to Machu Picchu. When you cross the bridge, the museum is on the right-hand side.
Discover Intihuatana
One of the most recognizable locations in Machu Picchu, Intihuatana was used by the Inca people as a sundial to predict solstices.
The terraced type area that holds the pillar is not the only one of its kind as several similar structures have been found at other Inca sites dotted around the country.
The shape of the pillar rock itself actually mimics that of Huayna Picchu that sits directly behind the stone.
Climb Machu Picchu Mountain
Another great option for avid hikers is to climb Machu Picchu Mountain. But first off, you have to know that the permits to climb this mountain must be also purchased along with your entrance to the Machu Picchu Citadel. There are more permits available daily since it’s less popular than Huayna Picchu. They don’t sell out as far in advance. So, you will find yourself looking at the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in all its splendor with hardly anyone else around. Climbing to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain is a bit longer and higher than Huayna Picchu but the views are unbeatable. Furthermore, during the Inca period, ceremonies were held at the top of this incredible Andean mountain. As you have realized, the best things to do in Machu Picchu involve not only natural beauty but also history.