Machu Picchu Travel Guide

Huayna Picchu is a small green mountain overlooking the Incan city of Machu Picchu. Only a small number of people are permitted to the summit of this peak each day. Those who reach the top are rewarded with panoramic views of the historical city and the breathtaking landscapes of the Andean mountains beyond. The Huayna Picchu hike up this often-overlooked mountain in Machu Picchu is a truly unforgettable experience and highly recommended.

The Temple of the Sun Machu Picchu is one of the most famous sites within the ancient city. Dedicated to the sun god, Inti, the temple was used to celebrate important astrological events like the solstices and equinoxes, as well as an observatory and for sacred ceremonies where offerings were made to the god. It is the only circular structure within Machu Picchu and demonstrates a skilled understanding of building techniques that have withheld the tests of time, gravity and climate.

The Machu Picchu Sun Gate, or Inti Punku, is the ancient gate to the city at the head of the Inca Trail. Historically, the Sun Gate would have served as the main entrance to Machu Picchu for those who had journeyed here in pilgrimage along the Inca Trail. Like the Temple of the Sun, the Sun Gate was dedicated to Inti, the sun god and built in a strategic location on the eastern ridge of the city to align with the sun. Well worth a visit, this incredible ruin sits at the point where history and nature meet and the hike up to it should not be missed.

The Inca Trail is an ancient route from the city of Cusco to the hidden city of Machu Picchu through the Andes Mountains. The ancient pathway takes around 4 days to trek, travelling through dense jungle and alpine tundra along a sometimes paved trail with uneven stone steps and the occasional unexpected Incan ruin. The number of people permitted to hike the Inca Trail is strictly limited to preserve this important historical route so booking your Inca Trail hike well in advance is a good idea.