Machu Picchu has new trekking routes to Intipunku and the Great Cavern, also called the Temple of the Moon. Both routes allow you to enjoy the Inca city in a different way, through beautiful landscapes, flora, bird watching and lots of adventure. Both routes also allow you to enjoy a visit to Machu Picchu through one of the three new tourist circuits. Learn more about these new tourist routes in the Wonder of the World.

• The new routes in Machu Picchu
• The route to Intipunku, the Gate of the Sun
• The route to the Great Cavern, the Temple of the Moon
• Schedules and prices: Intipunku
• Schedules and prices: Temple of the Moon
• Intipunku and Temple of the Moon: similarities and differences
• Questions and answers about the new treks in Machu Picchu

Tourists waiting for the sunrise at Intipunku

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the best hike to the Inca citadel
The Inca Trail is considered one of the best trekking routes in the world and definitely the best hike to the Inca citadel. It is the only route that crosses the historic qhapac ñan, routes designed by the Incas to reach Machupicchu. The hike is 39 kilometers on average, which are completed in 4 days and 3 nights of camping. On the route you not only travel along historical roads, but also enjoy a wonderful landscape and appreciate Inca enclosures of great architectural beauty, such as: Llactapata, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna, Sayacmarca and more. The last point before arriving is the Intipunku, the Sun Gate, where the Incas accessed the citadel. From there you have an incredible first view of Machu Picchu and all the Andean geography that surrounds it. The Intipunku can only be visited in two ways: with the Inca Trail or with the Machu Picchu with Intipunku ticket, an excellent way to add adventure to the visit.

The new routes in Machu Picchu

In total there are up to 6 short trekking routes within Machu Picchu. These are: a) the route to Huayna Picchu mountain, b) the route to Machu Picchu mountain, c) the route to Huchuy Picchu mountain, d) the route to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu, e) the route to the Temple of the Moon (the Great Cavern) and f) the route to Intipunku, the Sun Gate.

In addition, there are many long routes that lead to Machu Picchu, of which are: the Inca Trail 4 days, the Salkantay trek 5 days, the Lares trek 4 days, the Inca Jungle 4 days, the Huchuy Qosqo trek 3 days and more. All of them allow arriving to the Inca city through the town of Aguas Calientes, with the exception of the Inca Trail, which is the only trek that takes the network of Inca roads, the qhapac ñan.

The new trekking routes inside Machu Picchu are included in 6 different tickets:

• The Machu Picchu ticket with Huayna Picchu.
• The Machu Picchu ticket with Mountain.
• The Machu Picchu ticket with Huchuy Picchu.
• The Machu Picchu ticket with Inca Bridge.
• The Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon (new route from 2024).
• The Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku (new route from 2024).

Great Cavern (Temple of the Moon) of Machu Picchu

The route to Intipunku, the Gate of the Sun

The Intipunku route is a new adventure option in Machu Picchu. It is a hike of approximately 2 kilometers uphill to the Sun Gate, the access control point to the citadel in Inca times.

The hike is uphill but through wide and safe trails. Therefore, access is suitable for visitors of all ages. Of course, the route is only open during the high tourist season, that is, from June 1 to October 15.

From the top of Intipunku you have a panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the beautiful geography that surrounds it. In addition, you can appreciate Inca stone constructions, such as walls, niches and doors, which were the entrance to the Inca city.

Tourists visiting the sun gate (Intipunku)

The route to the Great Cavern, the Temple of the Moon

The Temple of the Moon is the tourist name for the Great Cavern of Huayna Picchu, a mysterious Inca building built inside a cavern in the lower part of this mountain north of Machu Picchu.

The hiking route to the Temple of the Moon is arduous, approximately 2.5 kilometers from the checkpoint. The route is along the lower slopes of Huayna Picchu, on narrow paths but surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.

Once in the Temple of the Moon, the visitor will enjoy a construction made of thin stone walls, windows and niches where ceremonial objects were placed. For the Incas, the caverns were religious entities that communicated the world of men (the kai pacha) with the celestial world (the hanan pacha).

For safety reasons, this route is suitable only for visitors over 18 years of age. The Temple of the Moon is visited only during the high tourist season, from June 1 to October 15.

Construction at the Temple of the Moon

Schedules and prices: Intipunku

The Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku offers access to the Sun Gate and the Inca citadel through the panoramic Circuit 1. This ticket allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes, although a longer delay in case of delay in the departure of trains can be justified. The ticket is available for tourists of all ages. These are the four admission times:

• Group 1. Admission is from 8:00 a.m. until a time limit of 45 minutes.
• Group 2. Admission is from 9:00 a.m. until a time limit of 45 minutes.
• Group 3. Admission is from 10:00 a.m. until a time limit of 45 minutes.
• Group 4. Admission is from 11:00 a.m. until a time limit of 45 minutes.

The Machu Picchu with Intipunku ticket has discounts for visitors under 18 years of age, university students (undergraduate and under 25 years of age), as well as citizens of the Andean Community of Nations (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia).

The most recommended is to make the purchase online two months in advance. Optionally you can make the purchase in the city of Cusco or in Machu Picchu town where there are some tickets available by buying a day before. This ticket has an availability for two hundred people per day on average.

Schedules and prices: Temple of the Moon

The Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket allows you to hike to the Great Cavern, as well as to the Inca citadel through the royal circuit ‘3’. The ticket has only two visiting hours per day. This ticket allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes, although a longer delay in case of delay in the departure of trains can be justified. The ticket is available for tourists over 18 years old. These are the two entrance times:

• Group 1. Admission is from 6:00 a.m. until a time limit of 45 minutes.
• Group 2. Admission is from 9:00 a.m. until a time limit of 45 minutes.

The Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket has discounts for visitors who are university students (undergraduate and under 25 years old), as well as citizens of the Andean Community of Nations (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia). Children under 18 years of age are not allowed to enter, so this type of discount is not offered.

The most recommended is to make the purchase online two months in advance. Optionally you can purchase in the city of Cusco or in Machu Picchu town where there are some tickets available by buying a day before. The ticket has an approximate availability of two hundred people per day.

Intipunku and Temple of the Moon: similarities and differences

Know, in summary, some similarities and differences of the tickets that allow you to make the new hikes to Intipunku and the Temple of the Moon.

Questions and answers about the new treks in Machu Picchu

• 1) With which ticket can I visit Intipunku?

  The Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku allows you to visit this construction known as the Sun Gate. It can also be visited with the Inca Trail tour.

• 2) With which ticket can I visit the Temple of the Moon?

  The Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket allows you to visit this mysterious building also known as the Great Cavern.

• 3) How many trekking routes are there in Machu Picchu?

  In total there are up to six short trekking routes that can be done during the visit to Machu Picchu. These are: a) the route to Huayna Picchu mountain, b) the route to Machu Picchu mountain, c) the route to Huchuy Picchu mountain, d) the route to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu, e) the route to the Temple of the Moon (the Great Cavern) and f) the route to Intipunku, the Sun Gate.

• 4) What are the new treks in Machu Picchu?

  The routes to Intipunku and the Great Cavern (Temple of the Moon) are two new trekking options to those already known in Machu Picchu.

• 5) What are the visiting hours of the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku?

  This ticket offers 4 visiting hours: at 8 am, 9 am, 10 am and 11 am.

• 6) What are the visiting hours for the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket?

  This ticket offers 2 visiting hours: at 6 am and 9 am.

• 7) Can I visit Intipunku all year round?

  No, this trekking route is only available from June 1 to October 15. It is suitable for people of all ages.

• 8) Can I visit the Temple of the Moon all year round?

  No, this hiking trail is only available from June 1 to October 15. It is suitable for visitors over 18 years old.

• 9) How far in advance should I buy the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku?

  It is recommended to buy the ticket to Intipunku online and 2 months in advance.

• 10) How far in advance should I buy the Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon?

  It is recommended to buy the ticket to the Temple of the Moon online and 2 months in advance.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Gabriela G.

“Hiking along Inca trails“

“I love walking and I loved this route to Intipunku. It was difficult at times, but when you look at the beautiful scenery you forget the fatigue. From the top of Intipunku you can see enchanting landscapes of Machu Picchu. I recommend it with eyes closed.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 3, 2024