The Temple of the Moon is one of the new tourist options in Machu Picchu. It is also called the Great Cavern because its Inca walls were made inside a cave, considered by the Incas a sacred space. The ticket that allows you to visit this Inca construction located on the Huayna Picchu mountain is the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon’, which also offers the visit to the Inca city through circuit 3.

• The Temple of the Moon, the Great Cavern of Huayna Picchu
• Visiting hours to the Temple of the Moon
• How long is the visiting time for the ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon’ ticket?
• Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket price
• Which of the schedules to the Temple of the Moon to choose?
• Differences and similarities of schedules at the Temple of the Moon
• Questions and answers about the visit to the Temple of the Moon

Temple of the Moon of Machu Picchu

Caves for the Incas
The real name of the Temple of the Moon is Great Cavern. This name is due to the fact that this Inca temple is located inside a natural cave at the base of the famous Huayna Picchu mountain. The name Temple of the Moon is a commercial term that Machu Picchu tour guides created to give popularity to this mysterious but little known stone structure. The Incas believed that the caves were important sites that communicated the earthly world (the kai pacha) with the underworld (the uku pacha). The Kai Pacha was the world of men, of living beings where the empire of the Incas reigned. The Uku Pacha was the subway world of the dead but also of mother earth, the giver of life. Because of this, the Temple of the Moon has stone formations made for worship, such as a ceremonial table, niches (where gold or silver objects were placed). For this reason, not only in the Temple of the Moon, but in several caves throughout the empire, the Incas built shrines. In Machu Picchu, another clear example is the Temple of the Sun or the Royal Tomb.

The Temple of the Moon, the Great Cavern of Huayna Picchu

The Temple of the Moon is one of the least known Inca stone enclosures because it is located far from the Inca citadel, at the base of the Huayna Picchu mountain.

It can only be reached on foot, on a route of approximately 2.5 kilometers. Due to this difficulty to get there, the Temple of the Moon is visited by few people, who can be almost alone with this stone structure.

The real name of the Temple of the Moon is Gran Caverna (Great Cavern) because it is located inside a natural cave. The Incas believed that caves were important enclosures that communicated the world of the living with the world of the dead. For this reason they built altars, ceremonial tables, niches and everything made with a perfect carving that demonstrate the importance of the place.

The Temple of the Moon was a shrine to the world of the dead, where llama sacrifices could be made. Even today some visitors come there to leave an offering of coca leaves asking for prosperity for the future.

This Inca temple can be visited with the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon’, which allows the visit to the Inca citadel through circuit 3. The walk from the entrance gate to Huayna Picchu (the Great Cavern is located inside the mountain) to the Temple of the Moon takes 2 hours on average (4 hours each way).

This is one of the most mysterious but little explored constructions in Machu Picchu. Previously, access to this route was forbidden due to the steepness of the roads during the rainy season. However, today the route is open to tourists.

For visitor safety measures, the ticket is only valid for tourists over 18 years of age and only during the high tourist season, from June 1 to October 15.

The Temple of the Moon is a building dedicated to fertility

Visiting hours to the Temple of the Moon

These are the schedules of the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon’:

• Group 1: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6:00 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. (route available for all ages but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15). Entrance to the Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern) until 8:00 am.
• Group 2: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. (route available for all ages but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15). Entrance to the Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern) until 11:00 am.

Side view of the Temple of the Moon

How long is the visiting time for the ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon’ ticket?

The ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon’ ticket allows for the following approximate visiting times:

• Visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu – The visit to Machu Picchu is with circuit 3, also called circuit of the royalty. This circuit allows you to visit Inca constructions of the lower part, such as: the royal tomb, the house of the Inca, the temple of the sun, three gates, the temple of the condor, the sacred fountains and the agricultural sector where you get a beautiful panoramic photo. The ticket allows 1 hour 30 minutes of visit at the most.
• Visit to the Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern) – The visit to the Temple of the Moon takes 4 hours on average. The ticket allows up to 4 hours to complete the idea and return walk. However, the visitor can stay longer if he/she fails to complete the hike in this time. After retiring, you can complete the route through Machu Picchu.

Upper construction of the Temple of the Moon

Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket price

These are the prices of the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon’:

Which of the schedules to the Temple of the Moon to choose?

• Why choose Group 1?

  The first schedule allows the entrance to Machu Picchu from six in the morning, when the Inca city opens its doors. This schedule is ideal for people who spent the night in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu village). The withdrawal from Machu Picchu will be from noon, which provides the option of returning to Cusco on a train at 3, 4 or 5 pm.

• Why choose Group 2?

  The second schedule allows the entrance to Machu Picchu from 9 am, when the landscape is clear of clouds. This schedule can be used by tourists who leave very early that same day from the city of Cusco (on a 5 am or 6 am train). The withdrawal of Machu Picchu will be approximately from 3 pm. This makes the return to Cusco by train at 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm or later. Another option is to spend one night in Aguas Calientes to return to make the visit to Machu Picchu with another ticket the next day.

Interior of the Great Cavern (Temple of the Moon)

Differences and similarities of schedules at the Temple of the Moon

Questions and answers about the visit to the Temple of the Moon

• 1) What are the schedules for the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket?

  There are only two visiting hours. Group 1 enters Machu Picchu from 6 am. Group 2 enters Machu Picchu from 9 am. The entrance to the Temple of the Moon is until 8 am (group 1) and until 11 am (group 2).

• 2) How much time do I have to visit the archaeological site with the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket?

  This ticket allows you to visit Machu Picchu for an average of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

• 3) How much time do I have to hike to the Great Cavern with the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket?

  This ticket allows you to hike to and from the Temple of the Moon for approximately 4 hours.

• 4) Why should I choose schedule 1 of the ticket to the Temple of the Moon?

  This schedule (entrance to Machu Picchu at 6 am) allows a visit starting from the town of Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu village.

• 5) Why should I choose schedule 2 of the ticket to the Temple of the Moon?

  This schedule (entrance to Machu Picchu at 9 am) allows a visit leaving very early from the city of Cusco and returning the same day on a train from 5 pm or 6 pm.

• 6) How many visiting hours does the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket offer?

  This ticket offers up to two visiting hours: Group 1 enters Machu Picchu at 6 am. Group 2 enters Machu Picchu from 9 am.

• 7) How much time in advance should I buy the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket?

  It is recommended to buy the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket online two or three months in advance. This way you can ensure availability, since the ticket has availability for approximately 200 visitors per day.

• 8) Is the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket for people of any age?

  No, the entrance to the Temple of the Moon of Machu Picchu is only for visitors over 18 years old.

• 9) What time of the year can I visit the Temple of the Moon?

  Access to the Temple of the Moon in Machu Picchu is only permitted during the high tourist season, from June 1 to October 15.

• 10) How long does the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket allow for?

  The Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket allows a time limit of 45 minutes.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Mariano B.

“Route not for everyone“

“A very special place is the Temple of the Moon, far from Machu Picchu, but with an energy that surrounds you. Of course, the route is not easy, there are challenging stretches with beautiful but frightening landscapes, but it is still 100% worth it, I recommend it.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, June 28, 2024