The magical place is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, it is one of the tourist destinations that most people dream of visiting and it is one of the places that no one should miss. So, if you are in Peru, for whatever reason, on vacation, work or just passing through, take some time to visit Machu Picchu. There are many things you can do in the wonder besides enjoying its incredible and mysterious structures.

• Feel the energy of Machu Picchu
• Taking photos with llamas
• Take the hike to Huayna Picchu mountain
• Appreciate the flora and fauna of Machu Picchu
• Photograph the face of Machu Picchu
• Getting special photos in Machu Picchu
• Making offerings at the temples of Machu Picchu
• Special experiences in Machu Picchu: frequently asked questions

Children observing the Inca citadel

The special energy in Machu Picchu
The natural environment of Machu Picchu is one of the most mystical and spiritual places on the planet, a place that emanates energy. The energy of Machu Picchu is so great that you can feel small touches (electric shocks) when you touch some of the metal railings. Many people believe that this phenomenon is due to the huge number of people who arrive charged with potential vibes. However, in recent years, scholars of the subject speak of the presence of an “energy vortex” beneath the Inca city. This phenomenon has occurred in places such as Tibet and other places where the energy of the earth can come to the surface.

Feel the energy of Machu Picchu

• You can actually feel the energy of Machu Picchu throughout almost the entire Inca city.
• However, there are places where this energy can be felt more strongly; one of them is the “Intihuatana” (the rock that radiates energy). The energy emanating from this stone is so strong that, until a few years ago, people placed their hands on it to feel it.
• This caused it to be cordoned off and access to this Inca construction is currently restricted.
• Another place where you can feel a lot of energy is at the Sacred Rock. This huge carved rock represents the mountains or ‘Apus’, tutelary gods. It is believed that by bringing your hands close to it, you are filled with the energy of the highest peaks.

Visitors feeling the energy of the Intihuatana

Taking photos with llamas

• In Machu Picchu there are around 30 llamas grazing freely in the agricultural sector, especially in the lower part of the citadel.
• Have fun with llamas. The passivity of these animals and their huge eyes that seem to emulate human feelings, can make you get your best selfie with them.
• Capture an epic postcard with a llama at Machu Picchu, but don’t bother it too much, because it’s true, llamas spit directly in your face if they feel threatened or disturbed.
• The safest way to take a photo with a llama is from a suitable distance. You can get photos with llamas by purchasing any entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.

Tourists having fun with a llama at Machu Picchu

Take the hike to Huayna Picchu mountain

• In Machu Picchu you can take up to six different hiking routes: hikes to the Inca Bridge, Intipunku, the Great Cavern, Huchuy Picchu, Machu Picchu mountain and Huayna Picchu.
• This last mountain offers the most popular hiking route among tourists. Huayna Picchu includes a route with steps and stone paths (about 2 kilometers) with spectacular views.
• Along the hike, visitors will see Inca enclosures, agricultural terraces, paths and viewing points. The route to the summit takes almost 2 hours, depending on the physical condition of the visitor. Only people over 18 years of age are allowed to enter.
• To access this mountain you must book the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket 2 or 3 months in advance. The route is available all year round.
• The hike to the top of Huayna Picchu is considered one of the best short hiking trails in the world.

Going down the stairs of death

Appreciate the flora and fauna of Machu Picchu

• The Inca city is located in the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a natural area protected by the Peruvian State due to the great diversity in landscapes, historical sites, flora and fauna.
• In Machu Picchu there are some very striking species, such as the spectacled bear, the Andean puma, the Andean condor, the taruka or Andean deer, the giant river wolf, the cock-of-the-rock, the royal churrete, the torrent duck, the Andean straw-billed jergón, the Andean frog, the giant hummingbird, llamas, butterflies and more.
• Even in Machu Picchu, with a bit of luck, you can get a photo or even better, a video of a spectacled bear playing around the terraces of Machu Picchu. This is an endangered animal and the Inca city is one of its last refuges.
• There have been cases of many people who have been able to capture this beautiful animal on video, especially in the mountains of Machu Picchu.

Photograph the face of Machu Picchu

• The face of Machu Picchu is formed by the mountains Huayna Pichu and Huchuy Picchu. The summit and slopes of the first summit form the chin, eyes, cheekbones and forehead. Meanwhile, the summit of Huchuy Picchu forms the nose of the Inca.
• To get a photo of the Inca’s face, you must go to the Casa del Guardián area and take a look at the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu. To see the face, you only have to turn the photo to the left and you will see the face of the Inca.
• Likewise, from the Casa del Guardián sector you will get not only the photo of the Inca’s face but also the classic photo of the citadel.
• At certain times of the year, especially in January, February and March, heavy rains can cover the mountains and landscape of Machu Picchu. Then, you won’t be able to get any of the tourist photos.
• The best time of year to get the ideal photo in Machu Picchu is during the dry season months: May, June, July, August, September and October.

Machu Picchu forms a face

Getting special photos in Machu Picchu

• Machu Picchu is one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the world. The most famous postcard is from the Guardian’s House. However, there are special photographs that can be taken at different points of the archaeological site.
• The rainy season in Machu Picchu is amazing (from November to March). The green landscapes are incredible, the prices are incredible, and there are also incredibly few people touring the Inca city.
• However, one of the other incredible things you can do in Machu Picchu if you come at this time is that you can photograph a rainbow over the Inca city.
• Some of the most special photographs are taken at the Inca Bridge, the Great Cavern (also called the Temple of the Moon), Huchuy Picchu, Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, the highest point at 3,082 meters above sea level.
• To get special photos in all these places, you must take hiking routes that average 1 to 3 kilometers.

Enjoy and have fun on your visit to Machu Picchu

Making offerings at the temples of Machu Picchu

• Machu Picchu was a city, but also a religious center with fine stone buildings in honor of its gods, such as the sun, the moon, the mountains and more.
• The most famous religious sites in Machu Picchu are the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern) and the Main Temple.
• The Incas made offerings at the temples of Machu Picchu, such as ceramic objects, agricultural products, chicha (fermented corn), textiles and more.
• Today, many tourists make offerings in some religious sites of Machu Picchu. The Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Rock, the Great Cavern and the Royal Tomb are the sites most preferred by tourists to make offerings, such as: coca leaves and money.
• Some visitors even perform meditation ceremonies on the mountaintops of Machu Picchu.

Special experiences in Machu Picchu: frequently asked questions

• 1) What is the most special photo in Machu Picchu?

  The most special photo in Machu Picchu is the face of the Inca, which is obtained in the Guardian’s House sector.

• 2) What is the most special temple in Machu Picchu?

  In Machu Picchu there are religious temples, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern) and the Main Temple.

• 3) What is the most special hike in Machu Picchu?

  The hike to the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain is the most special hiking route in the Inca city.

• 4) What is the most special mountain in Machu Picchu?

  Huayna Picchu Mountain is one of the most special peaks when visiting the Inca city of Machu Picchu. It offers a memorable hike with beautiful landscapes.

• 5) Does the Intihuatana offer a special energy in Machu Picchu?

  The Intihuatana or sundial offers a special energy in Machu Picchu because, according to tourists, it emanates the energy of the sun. Currently, tourist visits to this Inca site are restricted.

• 6) Does the Sacred Rock offer a special energy in Machu Picchu?

  Yes, this stone monolith was carved by the Incas to worship the mountains or tutelary gods. It is said that the Sacred Rock emanates the energy of the mountains or ‘Apus’. That is why visitors put their hands on it or leave offerings.

• 7) How to get a photo of Machu Picchu’s face?

  You can get the photo of the face of Machu Picchu in the Casa del Guardián sector. You need to get the right angle. The best time of the year to get it is in the dry season, from April to October.

• 8) How to take photos with llamas in Machu Picchu?

  You can get photos with llamas in Machu Picchu in the agricultural sectors such as the Guardian House sector or the lower terraces of the Inca city.

• 9) What is the most special species of fauna in Machu Picchu?

  The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has a great diversity of natural flora and fauna, among which special species stand out such as: the spectacled bear, the Andean puma, the Andean condor, the taruka or Andean deer, the river wolf, the cock-of-the-rock, the royal churrete, the torrent duck, the Andean straw-billed jergón, the Andean frog, the giant hummingbird, llamas and butterflies.

• 10) At which temple can I make offerings in Machu Picchu?

  There are several temples in Machu Picchu where you can leave offerings such as coca leaves or money. The most famous among tourists are the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun or the Temple of the Moon (the Great Cavern).

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Jesús G.

“It definitely deserves the title of wonder of the world“

“I have visited other wonders like Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, and yes, it is beautiful, but I don’t think it is a wonder. Then I visited Machu Picchu with much less expectations, but I definitely have to say that Machu Picchu is one of the wonders of the world. Its impressive constructions and the still inaccessible place where it is built are simply breathtaking, beyond words. The only problem I saw is that you have to wait in line for an hour to get on the buses that go up to the wonder, but an even bigger problem is that you have to wait in the same line to return to Aguas Calientes, and if you don’t time it right, you can miss your return train. I think they should do something to solve this, especially because of the location.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, November 22, 2024