Machu Picchu: 6 activities to complement the visit

Machu Picchu is visited every day by about 5 thousand people. The Inca city offers one of the most beautiful landscapes of world tourism. In addition, more than 150 stone constructions that keep a lot of history. And, as if that were not enough, the opportunity to hike to its mountains or to mysterious Inca buildings. However, once the visit to the archaeological site is over, there are other very interesting activities to do. Activities such as the route to the Mandor waterfalls, the visit to the site museum or the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes stand out. Learn more about the options!

Visit to the Machu Picchu site museum

The Machu Picchu Site Museum is called Manuel Chavez Ballon as a tribute to one of the first researchers from Cusco who dedicated part of his life to the scientific exploration of the archaeological site. The museum is located at kilometer 112 of the Hiram Bingham Highway, near the Ruins Bridge. After crossing the bridge, take a detour. From the town of Aguas Calientes to the museum it is a 30 minute walk on average.

The museum has infographics, panels, sculptures and archaeological pieces returned by Yale University, the same ones that were taken to the United States by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. The sequences of the room are: a) Machu Picchu, the city in the mist, b) In the time machine, c) Spreading history: a day in the continuity of Machu Picchu, d) Intertwining the Amazon and the Andes, e) Between findings and evidence, f) Ways of feeling Machu Picchu and g) Ecology, flora and fauna of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

• How much does the visit cost? – 22 soles for adults, 11 soles for university students and 8 soles for school children (8 to 17 years old).
• More information – Entrance to the Machu Picchu site museum is free from 12 pm to 4 pm simply by showing the Machu Picchu entrance ticket.

Tour of the sculptures of Machu Picchu village

The stone sculptures of Aguas Calientes are artistic carvings located in various parts of Machu Picchu village, a place located just 10 kilometers from the archaeological site. A total of 37 sculptures of various figures or allusions to Andean and Inca cultures have been counted. They emphasize figures like the Mama Cocha, the Munay Sonqo, Ecstasy of Cusi Qoyllur, the Pachamama, the Ukuku, the Capaq Colla, the Puma, the Condor and more.

The visit through the sculptures is also called: “Machu Picchu Stone Chronicles Circuit’. The vast majority were created in 2017 through a contest for the anniversary of Aguas Calientes. Dozens of artists from Cusco and abroad participated in this contest. Most are in the streets of the town so the visit is free. A few are in the thermal baths of the place.

• How much does the visit cost? – The tour of the sculptures of Machu Picchu Town is free for all visitors. The sculptures are on the public road.
• More information – Some of the sculptures of Machu Picchu village are located inside the thermal baths. The entrance fee to the thermal baths is 20 soles for foreigners and 10 soles for Peruvians.

Hike to the gardens of Mandor

Machu Picchu is located in the high jungle of Cusco, a tropical region where there is a great diversity of species of flora and fauna. A part of this diversity can be appreciated in the gardens of Mandor, an ecological space where it highlights its waterfalls of 30 meters high. The Mandor gardens are about 5 kilometers walk from the town of Aguas Calientes, through the rail of the train that connects Machu Picchu town with the Hydroelectric station.

The walk to the gardens of Mandor is characterized by the species of plants and trees that are there. Highlights include more than 50 species of orchids, the emblematic flower of Machu Picchu. There are also species such as cedar, hummingbirds, butterflies and more. If you are lucky you can also see birds like the cock of the rock or mammals like the spectacled bear. At the top, visitors can refresh themselves in a beautiful waterfall.

• How much does the visit cost? – The entrance ticket to the Mandor gardens costs 10 soles for foreign tourists and 5 soles for Peruvian tourists.
• More information – The entrance to the gardens of Mandor is in the middle of the road network of the trains that go from Aguas Calientes to Hidroeléctrica or vice versa. On the road there is a sign indicating the entrance. On the opposite side is the ticket office.

Relaxation time at the hot springs of Aguas Calientes

The town of Aguas Calientes owes its name to its hot springs located in the highest part of town. The hot springs are 500 meters uphill from the town square, through Pachacutec Avenue. There are 8 pools of water, small and medium size, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC. to 42ºC. The water source is of volcanic origin, coming from rocks of high temperatures.

The visit to the hot springs is recommended after the tour of Machu Picchu, especially its difficult mountains. The hot waters allow to improve muscular and rheumatic pains. In addition, it allows a moment of relaxation and the release of toxins. The place has dressing rooms, bathrooms, showers and bar. In addition, taking a detour you can walk to a beautiful waterfall. The thermal baths are open daily from 5 am to 8 pm.

• How much does the visit cost? – 20 soles for foreign tourists, 10 soles for Peruvian tourists and 5 soles for tourists from Cusco.
• More information – The entrance ticket to the Aguas Calientes hot springs also allows you to see some of the most beautiful stone sculptures in the area.

Visit to the butterfly farm of Machu Picchu village

In the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, 365 species of butterflies have been recorded, one of the most diverse areas of Peru. Butterflies can be seen in Machu Picchu, in the gardens of Mandor, in the town of Aguas Calientes, but mainly in the butterfly house of Machu Picchu. This is located in the middle of the Hiram Bingham road that connects Aguas Calientes with the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (before reaching the Ruins Bridge).

The butterfly house has areas where the life process of butterflies is explained: from their eggs, their larval stage, their cocoon formation, hatching and flight. The butterfly farm is a project that began in 2006 and has rare species such as the Battus Madyes Monteban. Tourists can have the experience of interacting with the butterflies and even release them from captivity.

• How much does the visit cost? – The entrance fee to the Aguas Calientes butterfly farm is 10 soles per visitor.
• More information – In the gardens of Mandor you can also see several species of butterflies, one of the most diverse in the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Hike to the Hydroelectric Station

The hike along the route Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes or vice versa is one of the most adventurous experiences in Machu Picchu. It is a 10 kilometer route along the train tracks that connect these two destinations. The Hidroeléctrica station provides electricity to a large part of the Cusco region. Buses arrive there from the city of Cusco on the 6-hour route to Machu Picchu.

The hike from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes or vice versa is easy because the roads are flat. It offers beautiful views of the Vilcanota River and the green mountains that are the anteroom to Machu Picchu. Everywhere you can see birds, butterflies and, with luck, species such as the anteater or the Andean deer. Along the route there are snacks and drinks for sale. This route is traveled by visitors who make the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. It is one of the favorite experiences for backpackers.

• How much does the visit cost? – The hike from Machu Picchu to the Hydroelectric Station or vice versa is free for everyone.
• More information – On the road from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes there is a detour that leads to the Ruinas Bridge. This detour should be taken to avoid two tunnels near the town. The detour has signs so it is recommended to be attentive to the end of the route.

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, November 2, 2024