So you’ve finally made it to majestic Machu Picchu. Whether you’ve hiked the whole way along the Inca Trail or ridden the train from Ollantaytambo, the anticipation has likely been building for hours or days. But what should you do now that you’ve finally made it? 

There are a host of hidden spots and ancient pathways to explore at Machu Picchu and the surrounding Urubamba Valley. Here are a few to get you started.

1. Temple of the Sun




Thought to be an ancient observatory or calendar, the Temple of the Sun at the very top of Machu Picchu offers some of the most impressive stonework the ruins have to offer. Visitors who look closely enough can discover some of the niches embedded in the stone where the ancient Incans made offerings to the gods.

2. The Watchman’s Hut



For a spectacular view of the entire city and valley below, visiting the Watchman’s Hut is a must. On clear days you can be treated to an unforgettable panorama; others, the valley might be shrouded in mist but no less majestic. Standing there above it all, one can easily imagine being transported centuries into the past when the valley was full of life.

3. The Inca Bridge



Once used as a secret entryway for the army guarding Machu Picchu, the Inca Bridge is carved into a cliff on the west exit out of the citadel grounds. The bridge is actually a stone pathway with a 20-foot drop meant at the time it was built to discourage unwanted visitors from entering the premises.

4. The Fountains



Fed from a natural spring funneled through more than 750 meters of stone-carved channels, the Fountains are truly a sight to behold. Filling more than 16 baths throughout the ruins, it’s thought that at one time they were used for purification rites and ancient rituals, although no one knows for certain.

5. Huayna Picchu



A familiar view seen in posters, textbooks, and pictures throughout the world, the Huayna Picchu is the place to get a spectacular birds-eye-view of the ruins and surrounding Urubamba Valley. To reach the lookout point you’ll have to climb the mountain, located behind the ancient ruins. It’s fairly easy going for most visitors, although beforehand you’ll need to purchase a climbing permit to do so.

Book your Machu Picchu tour package today!

For those who’ve dreamt of visiting Machu Picchu, why wait? we offers tour packages for every type of traveler. Our 3-Day Tour to Machu Picchu Express leaves from Cusco, Peru and arrives at Aguas Calientes, offering a scenic train ride unlike any other. More adventurous travelers will  appreciate our 9-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu + Lake Titicaca Tour, which travels along the Inca Trail to provide a glimpse of the origins of the first Incas at
Lake Titicaca.