5 THINGS TO DO IN MACHU PICCHU

Machu Picchu is one of the best tourist attractions of Peru, and only some of the visitors and travelers to the country fail to make their journey towards the hilltop ruins of the “Lost City of the Incas”. Almost all of you are aware of the enigmatic ruins resting at the very top of the mountain amid the floating clouds. However, not all the people are familiar with all the highlights and amazing sights within the complex when people come to Machu Picchu tours from Lima, Peru.

The following are some of the things to do when you make Machu Picchu tours from Lima, Peru or other parts of the world.

1. Hike up to Machu Picchu:
   If you are staying in some nearby place like Aguas Calientes, you would be required to wake up quite early and wait in a queue to catch the bus towards Machu Picchu, especially if you wish to obtain tickets for Huayna Picchu. However, if you wake up feeling particularly energetic or want to avoid the crowds, then there is another option available to you. You can hike up to Machu Picchu, enjoying all the beautiful sceneries along the way.
2. Witness the sunrise from the top:
   Another good reason to hike up to the top of Machu Picchu is the chance to catch a glimpse of the sunrise, although that is also possible if you ride the earliest bus. In addition to the sunrise, you would also be able to explore the ruins and sites before tour groups arrive and make the place crowded.
3. Visit the Temple of the Sun:
   One of the most prominent buildings in Machu Picchu is the Torreon, and moreover, it is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry to be discovered.  This Temple of the Sun is known to have been used for astronomical observations in the past.
4. Find the Intihuatana:
   There is another interesting site to witness in Machu Picchu and that is Intihuatana, which is basically a carved stone of religious significance that was believed to be used as an astronomical device by the Inca. This Quechua word, that is, Intihuatana is roughly translated into English as “hitching post of the sun”, which reflects the Incan belief that this particular stone is the reason that the sun was kept in its rightful place as it travelled across the solar system.
5. Visit the Temple of the Moon and the great tavern:
   If you are lucky and manage to get a pass to climb Huayna Picchu, you would also have the option to take a longer route around the back of the rock which takes you down to the frequently visited Temple of the Moon and the Great Tavern. Although the hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, down to the temple and the cavern, and then back up would require quite a few hours of your time, it would surely be worth it.

Besides visiting and taking part in the above-mentioned activities, there are many more things to indulge in while you are visiting Machu Picchu.