Top 10 Things to do in Machu Picchu, Cusco Region

March 6, 2022 Marissa Gamble

It's no wonder Machu Picchu is Peru's most-visited site. Dating to the mid-1400s, it's a marvel of mortar-free limestone architecture perched on a high plateau deep in the Amazonian jungle. Get there via train from Cusco or, if you're not faint-hearted, make the trip on foot via a multi-day hiking trail—you'll travel through deep Andean gullies and enjoy stunning views.
Restaurants in Machu Picchu

1. Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Peru http://www.cultura.gob.pe/es/patrimonio/sitiosdepatrimoniomundial/listapatrimoniomundialperu/santuariomachupicchu
Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19,577 reviews

Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu

Reviewed By JarmilaS428 - Vancouver, Canada

What an amazing place! The nature, view and of course the Inka ruins WOW!!! Peru was on my bucket list and I did it :D Lima, Cusco, train ride to Machu Picchu, Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Uros floating island, Amantani island one night stay with local family, Taquile island, Nazca - Nazca mysterious lines flight tour, Ica - Huacachina oasis, Winery El Catador tasting and buying :D, Paracas, and Ballestas island boat tour. Everything was amazingly excellent; hotels, our tour guide Franco from Peru Best Holidays, train rides, markets, food, Pisco Sour and Peruvian people. I will never forget! <3

2. Huayna Picchu

Carretera Hiram Bingham Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu 08680 Peru +51 918 655 015
Excellent
87%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,238 reviews

Huayna Picchu

The Wayna Picchu mountain, Wayna Pikchu in Quechua, (with an altitude of 2667 meters above sea level) is part of the eastern foothills of the Salcantay massif, in Cusco, Peru. It is part of a large orographic formation known as Batolito de Vilcabamba, in the Central Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes and is known mainly as the backdrop of most photographs

Reviewed By sunnyore - Cerritos, United States

I knew I wanted to do this hike on my trip, but I was a bit scared. The mountain looked huge in photos, and it was even more massive in person. I was already feeling winded at the beginning of circuit 1 just to get to the Classic MP view. But I knew I had to try because who knows when I’ll ever get a chance again. So I lined up for my 7am entrance time and signed in. The beginning wasn’t bad until you get to the base of HP, and then it felt like you were taking neverending stairs. I don’t exercise on a regular basis, so I found the constant uphill hike pretty difficult especially at such a high altitude. But I allowed myself a ton of breaks and slowly made my way to the top. And when you see the view on top, you realized all your effort was worth it. Going down was not as easy as I thought it would be and I’m glad they have staggered entry times since we’re basically going down the same path we came up in. Once again I took a lot of breaks and I believe I signed out around 9:30am. The 10am group have already lined up outside the gates and all I could think was how glad I went in the first group since it was getting really warm. I know the risk with the 7am entry is there might be fog, but weather is so unpredictable and we ended up having a really clear morning so I was thankful for that and the cooler temperature. My suggestion is if you think you might struggle a bit, do the 7am entry time and then you can really go at your own pace like I did. They have park employees hiking the trail as well and the one I interacted with was super nice and even offered to take a bunch of photos for me. It was a hard hike for me, but I’m 100% glad I did it. Just look at the view!

3. Inca Trail

Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,190 reviews

Inca Trail

Reviewed By F7638VCnickg - London, United Kingdom

Inca Bridge and Sun Gate Make sure you have a strong heart and knees You need heart on way up and knees on way down Great trails and you get away from the crowd Magnificent views

4. Mandor

Mandor Valley - Machupicchu Km. 114. 3, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru +51 940 188 155 [email protected] http://www.jardinesdemandor.com
Excellent
52%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 517 reviews

Mandor

Mandor is a family initiative for enviromental protection located 4Km from Machu Picchu village (Aguas Calientes). This property offer well maintained trails where you can walk into biodiverse gardens enjoying, learning and at the same time contributing to the restoration and preservation of the habitat of hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The waterfall at the end of the trail is really powerful and refreshing. Mandor Valley is the best place for outdoor activities and the birdwatching hotspot near Machu Picchu. The property also offers cabins and campsite where you can stay and enjoy the most of this quiet location.

Reviewed By Alicehelena1208

This is an interesting walk to get to from town, following the train line. The actual site is beautiful with a wide range of plants and birds/butterflies all around. The waterfalls are well worth the hike to see.

5. Putucusi Mountain

Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
69%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 256 reviews

Putucusi Mountain

Reviewed By russypooh - Long Beach, United States

Putucusi “Happy Mountain” is one of the hidden mountains that surrounds Machu Picchu because very few people have visited. The roads are steep, however once at the top you can appreciate all the beauty of the landscape and a viewmthat not many people have been able to photograph.

6. Mariposario de Machupicchu

Avenida Hermanos Ayar On the Way to the Museum and the Bridge to Climb to Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru +51 977 543 974 http://www.mariposasdemachupicchu.com/
Excellent
62%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 348 reviews

Mariposario de Machupicchu

Reviewed By Supersue27 - Montross, United States

Highly recommend this conservatory. This donation only facility is trying to reintroduce butterflies that have been depleted mostly due to pollution and is in beautiful setting along the serene river. The amenities include interpretation, a small snack and gift shop and bathrooms. You can grab a snack among the birds, butterflies, mountains and river.

7. Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon

Km. 112 railroad Puente Ruinas By Puente Ruinas at the base of the footpath to the Machu Picchu Citadel, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
32%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 225 reviews

Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon

Reviewed By 738marisz - Sigulda, Latvia

A great place to find answers to various questions about Inca culture religion and social life. Its a little bit to walk from Aquas Calientes.

8. Plaza Manco Capac

Plaza Manco Capac Praca, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
32%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 810 reviews

Plaza Manco Capac

Reviewed By GrahamP113 - Witham, United Kingdom

Really interesting town that is really buzzing. This part of the town typifies surrounded by restaurants and helps soak up the atmosphere

9. Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes)

Signposted from main square, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru http://www.enjoy-machu-picchu.org/es/informacion/aguas-calientes.php
Excellent
24%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
12%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 1,689 reviews

Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes)

Reviewed By 580miguelw - Erlangen, Germany

This small town, middle on the Mountanis / Rain Forest, is almost impossible to reach by car (only by train or walking, because of its difficult acces). It has grown really fast, because of the amount of tourism going to Macchu Picchu, however, it is a nice place to stay. Hot Springs, Craft brewerys (local made beers), and its outdoor posibilities, such: Inka Trek, Salkantay Trek, Andean Train, Choquequirao Trek, Macchu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, Shopping hand-made Market. A jungle remote town with international flair, recommended not only to stay on the way to Macchu Picchu.

10. Mercado de Artesanias

Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
19%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
31%
Poor
6%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 343 reviews

Mercado de Artesanias

Reviewed By Jeck3353 - Denver, United States

Writing this just to warn folks what we saw. This is a great place to get some souvenirs at good prices with a little bargaining. More expensive than what you might be able to get in Cusco but you can barter your way to the same price. Anyways, here is the warning. If you are interested in buying a shirt, tapestry, or anything else, make sure you are buying from the top of the pile! Anything on the bottom of the pile is at risk of being peed on by the resident perros. We witnessed one going around making sure everyone knew his territory and no shop keeper saw what was going on. It was gross and hilarious.

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