The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Machu Picchu, Cusco Region

February 8, 2022 Yuk Petri

It's no wonder Machu Picchu is Peru's most-visited site. Dating to the mid-1400s, it's a marvel of mortar-free limestone architecture perched on a high plateau deep in the Amazonian jungle. Get there via train from Cusco or, if you're not faint-hearted, make the trip on foot via a multi-day hiking trail—you'll travel through deep Andean gullies and enjoy stunning views.
Restaurants in Machu Picchu

1. Winay Wayna

Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 345 reviews

Winay Wayna

Reviewed By Annerbananers - Cambridge, United States

This was easily my favorite Inka site out of the 4-5 sites that we visited during the 4-day Inca Trail hike. Not half as crowded as Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains and waterfalls are simply stunning. Not sure if you can get to this place easily on your own. I was glad I did it with Alpaca Expeditions. The site closes at 5:45pm in March (and I would guess all off-season) so if you were planning on seeing the sunset here you should probably check that the sunset happens before 5:45 on the day you’re going.

2. Huayna Picchu

Carretera Hiram Bingham Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu 08680 Peru +51 918 655 015
Excellent
87%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,238 reviews

Huayna Picchu

The Wayna Picchu mountain, Wayna Pikchu in Quechua, (with an altitude of 2667 meters above sea level) is part of the eastern foothills of the Salcantay massif, in Cusco, Peru. It is part of a large orographic formation known as Batolito de Vilcabamba, in the Central Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes and is known mainly as the backdrop of most photographs

Reviewed By sunnyore - Cerritos, United States

I knew I wanted to do this hike on my trip, but I was a bit scared. The mountain looked huge in photos, and it was even more massive in person. I was already feeling winded at the beginning of circuit 1 just to get to the Classic MP view. But I knew I had to try because who knows when I’ll ever get a chance again. So I lined up for my 7am entrance time and signed in. The beginning wasn’t bad until you get to the base of HP, and then it felt like you were taking neverending stairs. I don’t exercise on a regular basis, so I found the constant uphill hike pretty difficult especially at such a high altitude. But I allowed myself a ton of breaks and slowly made my way to the top. And when you see the view on top, you realized all your effort was worth it. Going down was not as easy as I thought it would be and I’m glad they have staggered entry times since we’re basically going down the same path we came up in. Once again I took a lot of breaks and I believe I signed out around 9:30am. The 10am group have already lined up outside the gates and all I could think was how glad I went in the first group since it was getting really warm. I know the risk with the 7am entry is there might be fog, but weather is so unpredictable and we ended up having a really clear morning so I was thankful for that and the cooler temperature. My suggestion is if you think you might struggle a bit, do the 7am entry time and then you can really go at your own pace like I did. They have park employees hiking the trail as well and the one I interacted with was super nice and even offered to take a bunch of photos for me. It was a hard hike for me, but I’m 100% glad I did it. Just look at the view!

3. SPA Rocas Sagradas

Avenida Hermanos Ayar 309 Machupicchu, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu 08681 Peru +51 973 184 063 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/SPA-Rocas-Sagradas-255244551845473/
Excellent
95%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 42 reviews

SPA Rocas Sagradas

Contamos Con Experiencia En Realizar Diferentes Masajes, Siendo Nuestra Especialidad Con Masajes Con Piedras Calientes Y Masajes Relajantes, Atendemos Con Mucho Esmero, Principalmente Con Masajes De Piernas A Turistas Que Realizan Caminatas Continuas.

4. Temple of the Sun

Machu Picchu Peru +51 992 059 069 http://www.sungate.com.pe
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 971 reviews

Temple of the Sun

Built in the form of a circular tower on a massive slab of granite, this sacred edifice contains the famous Intiwatana, or sun dial, which the Incas used to "tie down" the sun at the winter solstice each year.

Reviewed By GoGo2SlowGo - Denton, United States

The Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu swas a sacred temple built by the Inca for ceremonies to pay tribute and give offerings to the sun. Only priests and other high ranking Incas were likely only permitted access into the Temple of the Sun, one of the most sacred temples in all of Machu Picchu. The site was adapted to natural environment.The construction is semi-circular and built atop an enormous granite rock. There is a tower with a trapezoidal window. In this sacred temple, it’s believed that Incas worshiped their Sun God, Inti and it may have served as a royal tomb. This is definitely worth your visit at Machu Picchu

5. Temple of the Three Windows

Machu Picchu Peru +51 992 059 069 http://www.sungate.com.pe
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 662 reviews

Temple of the Three Windows

Located west of the main square, this sacred temple is known for its huge walls and three trapezoidal-shaped windows through which the sun's rays would pass illuminating the "Sacred Plaza" beyond.

Reviewed By deborahk3 - Maidstone, United Kingdom

The Temple of the Three Windows is located on the Sacred Plaza in the main Urban section. The long main wall features three large windows, facing east. This allows the rising sun to shine through, illuminating the sacred plaza. When visiting, take some time to appreciate the wonder of this structure.

6. Intihuatana Stone

on the left bank of the Urubamba river, Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 444 reviews

Intihuatana Stone

Reviewed By Cavydad - Camarillo, United States

Get a knowledgeable guide! It is just so easy to get lost in the stonework and miss the context and details of Machu Picchu. Easy to walk by, but our guide stopped us to explain each and every nook and cranny of Machu Picchu. Consider this is a once in a lifetime experience.

7. Intipuncu

Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,132 reviews

Intipuncu

Reviewed By Am_et_Mat - Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Forget the time slot for the Huayna Picchu or the Machu Picchu mountains and go to the Sun Gate aka Intipuncu. The path is easy, the views are just amazing and you can start visiting Machu Picchu by doing it. Ok, you may find the path crowded ... Machu Picchu is popular so take your time, take some breaks, hydrate & most of it enjoy the place!!

8. Mandor

Mandor Valley - Machupicchu Km. 114. 3, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru +51 940 188 155 [email protected] http://www.jardinesdemandor.com
Excellent
52%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 517 reviews

Mandor

Mandor is a family initiative for enviromental protection located 4Km from Machu Picchu village (Aguas Calientes). This property offer well maintained trails where you can walk into biodiverse gardens enjoying, learning and at the same time contributing to the restoration and preservation of the habitat of hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The waterfall at the end of the trail is really powerful and refreshing. Mandor Valley is the best place for outdoor activities and the birdwatching hotspot near Machu Picchu. The property also offers cabins and campsite where you can stay and enjoy the most of this quiet location.

Reviewed By Alicehelena1208

This is an interesting walk to get to from town, following the train line. The actual site is beautiful with a wide range of plants and birds/butterflies all around. The waterfalls are well worth the hike to see.

9. Putucusi Mountain

Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru
Excellent
69%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 256 reviews

Putucusi Mountain

Reviewed By russypooh - Long Beach, United States

Putucusi “Happy Mountain” is one of the hidden mountains that surrounds Machu Picchu because very few people have visited. The roads are steep, however once at the top you can appreciate all the beauty of the landscape and a viewmthat not many people have been able to photograph.

10. Wonderful Hands Spa

Av. Pachacuteq No 701 Second Floor, Machupicchu Pueblo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru +51 985 754 500 [email protected] http://www.cuscoplaces.com/spa-wonderfulhands/
Excellent
68%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 151 reviews

Wonderful Hands Spa

Reviewed By Moymoytravel - Glenwood, United States

This place is tricky to find, and is in a unique building, but make no mistake, it was wonderful. I've had a few massages in Machu Picchu Pueblo and this was superb, professional and relaxing. There are a few better out there in the world, but if you're in Machu Picchu Pueblo, look for this place, inexpensive and you won't be disappointed.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.