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The 'Classic' view of Machu Picchu |
Entering Machu Picchu
Both the bus and walking trail from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu end at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge and the entrance to the ruins. Once you pass through the entrance, you will walk around a short path and you will begin to see the terraces on the site. You will have two options, continue along the terraces which will spill you out in the ruins, or on the left hand side, you will approach some marked stairs that will lead you to the top of a hill, here is where you will get the classic panoramic view of Machu Picchu. This is one of the most breathtaking views of the site and you are sure to want to spend a little time up here taking in all the scenery and walking along the various terraces. This is the path most people take to enter the ruins. |
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| On this hill, there is the "Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock." This is one of the few buildings at Machu Picchu where the roof has been restored to what historians believe to be their original condition. When you are at the top of the hill looking out over the site, there will be several different terraces you can stand on and it looks as if everything is in front of you. This is not the case, if you climb up and walk back around the terraces; there are marked paths to walk to the Inca Drawbridge and another one to The Sun Gate. These are just a few of the many side paths to explore that you likely won't have time for if you are on a day trip. |
Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock |
Exploring the Ruins
From this vantage point, you will see the steps down that lead to the main gate. You will want to make your way there to begin exploring the ruins. There are no information markers on what you are viewing along the way, so if you haven't hired a guide, you won't know what you are looking at. Our fold-out Machu Picchu Self-Guided Tour Map is an excellent guide on navigating the ruins and understanding the history behind the important areas and buildings in the ruins. There are several different side paths around the site, one of the most popular is a climb up Wanya Picchu (The mountain peak you see in the classic Machu Picchu photo). This is about a 3-4 hour total round trip with spectacular views of the ruins from its peak. There are also some Incan ruins along the way and at the peak. The Temple of the Moon lies about half way up. There is a small registration booth at the beginning of the climb and the line can get quite long later in the morning. The registration booth is open from 7am to 1pm. If you are planning to spend the night in Aguas Calientes, it is better to do this the first thing in the morning of your second day at the ruins to avoid waiting in line. Again, this is something you won't have a chance to do if you are just planning a day trip. |
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Other Machu Picchu Trip Advice
Another popular event at Machu Picchu is watching the sun rise over the site. Be sure to check the bus schedule to see when the first bus leaves Aguas Calientes. The bus schedule will sometimes fluctuate but will usually begin at 6:00 am. Machu Picchu is the busiest around 11:00-3:00 when most of the day trekkers are on site. If you want some breathing room, come early in the morning or later in the afternoon. This is only possible if you choose to do the overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. |
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