Things to do in Aguas Calientes

Machu Picchu boasts 140 structures, including temples, sanctuaries, parks, and residences, as well as over 100 stairways, numerous fountains, and a comprehensive water system. Abandoned during the Spanish invasion and the fall of the Inca Empire in the 16th century, Machu Picchu was discovered by Yale University professor Hiram Bingham in 1911. The ruins consist of two main areas: an urban area and an agricultural area, separated by a stone wall. Beyond the wall lie terraced agricultural areas, divided into high and low terraces depending on the terrain. The urban area is divided into three zones: the sacred area, the area for priests and nobles, and the southern area for commoners.

If we simply evaluate the sacred stone, it is just a big stone. But in Machu Picchu, this stone is given a sacred name, and it is also a must-see when going to Machu Picchu, attracting people to stop and take pictures.

Huayna Picchu is located opposite Machu Picchu. It takes some time to get to Huayna Picchu, but the scenery along the way is very good, and it is worth visiting. It is also super beautiful to appreciate Machu Picchu from this angle.

The Temple of the Condor is also located at a relatively high place. The scale of the entire building of the Temple of the Condor can still be clearly seen, and through the Temple of the Condor, you can also see the beautiful architectural complex of Machu Picchu.

The 13-degree angle is consistent with the angle here, which is vaguely mysterious! Let's explore it. This stone embodies the wisdom of the Incas and deeply reflects their worship of the sun.

It's spectacular, and the style is different from others.

The Temple of the Three Windows is one of the attractions in Machu Picchu. In ancient times, it was used to worship the sun god, and this place may have been a place for religious ceremonies. The huge stones are neatly stacked, as if they were strictly measured. Many places in Machu Picchu are hard to imagine and full of mystery.

Forget the village just below Matchu Picchu as the place is over crowded. Ollantaytambo is the number one place to stay. cute atmosphere, the ancient ruins make for a great day. worth the extra time if you have it.

On the way from Cusco Airport to Ollantaytambo, we stopped by after visiting the Maras salt mines. It's a massive, concentric archaeological site. While photos often show it with a greenish tint, it was earthy brown due to the dry season. I planned to visit other archaeological sites around Cusco on a later date, so I bought a combined pass for 130 soles and went in. Behind the ruins, we could see the snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains, some reaching over 5000 meters, creating a vast and breathtaking landscape.

Laguna Humantay is a high mountain lake at an altitude of 4,200 meters. It is not far from Machu Picchu. There is an Inca Trail where you can hike there. The scenery along the way is beautiful, but it rains occasionally and the road is very muddy. The slope up the mountain is steep. If you can't climb it, you can choose to ride a horse. I climbed by myself and the altitude reaction was okay. I felt a little dizzy at the top, but the road down the mountain was very slippery. I almost fell several times and sat down twice, getting covered in mud, but it is still worth going ✌️