Machu Picchu Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Machu Picchu, Peru)

Although the actual site of Machu Picchu is blessed with its very own set in Inca remains, if you have time to explore the outlying area, you will find many more Inca-related tourist attractions, just a matter of minutes away. The most popular of these attractions include the Intipunku (Sun Gate), and the Inca Drawbridge, which is next to Machu Picchu and only a short walk from the Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock.

Wayna Picchu (the 'Young Peak') has long been one of the most visited of all the sights surrounding Machu Picchu and remains something of a tourist attraction in its own right. This tall mountain stands some 360 metres / 1,180 feet above the Lost City of the Incas and tourists can reach the very top by walking along a relatively short, steep trail, taking around an hour or slightly longer each way.

Wayna Picchu / Waynapicchu (Huayna Picchu)

Address: Machu Picchu, Peru, PE
Wayna Picchu is open daily to no more than 400 people and is believed to have been where the high priest once lived, along with the local virgins. Any effort is rewarded by some spectacular views of Machu Picchu and beyond, particularly on a clear, sunny day. However if you are afraid of heights, you probably won't appreciate the steep pathways and trails across the summit.
Open hours: 07:00 until 13:00, pathway closes at 16:00
Admission: charge

Inca Drawbridge

Address: Machu Picchu, Peru, PE
Located to one side of the Machu Picchu ruins, the Inca Drawbridge lies beyond the top of the terraces. The narrow trail rather hugs the sides of the cliffs and a roundtrip lasts around 45 minutes, offering a very different view of the temples and other remaining Inca attractions, together with the surrounding Cloud Forest vegetation. The Inca Drawbridge itself is simple in design and is just constructed from wooden planks, stretched over a vertical drop and built for defence purposes, since when taken away, the pathway become impossible to cross, and those attacking would be left in a very vulnerable and exposed position. Today, the Inca Drawbridge can only be viewed from behind a barrier.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Hiking Alternatives to the Inca Trail

Address: Machu Picchu, Peru, PE
Although nothing could ever really rival the spectacular attractions experienced whilst trekking along the Inca Trail, there are a number of very worthwhile alternatives available, particularly if lack of time or fitness is an issue. Some of these treks run parallel with the Inca Trail and therefore, licenced guides and some trail fees may be a requirement. The most popular treks are:

• The Shorter Inca Trail - starting close to the Aguas Calientes train station and offering a taster of the Inca Trail, leading to Winay Wayna
• The Valley Inca Trail - a less strenuous and easier version of the Inca Trail, although actually a little longer, following the Urubamba River
• The Lares Valley Trek - through the Sacred Valley and various Andean villages, passing river gorges, hot springs and less well-known Inca archaeological sites
• The Salkaantay Trek - starting from the village of Mollepata and climbing to high altitudes of some 4,800 metres / 15,750 feet, with views of the Salkaantay glacier and other natural attractions
• The Inka Jungle Trail - a four-day trail to Mach Picchu from the village of Santa Maria, through Amazon Jungle, with cable car rides across the Urubamba River and awesome views along the way

Open hours: daily
Admission: charges may apply depending upon trail

Intipunku (Sun Gate)

Address: Machu Picchu, Peru, PE
Sited at the very end of the Inca Trail and just after the final descent, the Sun Gate awaits. Better known to many as the Intipunku, the Sun Gate is made from two huge stones, which are precisely positioned so that they align with the sun at the time of the summer and winter solstices. If you are lucky enough to be visiting the Intipunku on these days, you may very well be able to see the beams on sunlight illuminating the Sun Gate, almost appearing like lasers.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for trekking along the Inca Trail