Temple of the Moon at Machu Picchu

We were the first group to enter Manchu Picchu as the sun rose, and it just got better from there. This was a few years ago, when I was working as tour guide for a company and we had a local guide with us.

Just a magical place hidden away from the hustle that is Machu Picchu. It was well worth the hike. My girlfriend and I spent the entire morning there. Only on our trek back did we encounter another couple on their way there. If you are thinking about going .....GO! You won't be disappointed.

I had never even heard of the temple of the moon until my third visit to MP. At the Huayna Picchu summit, we noticed a sign that pointed to it and stated it was an alternate route back. (I feel like there's a map of this as well near the main entrance of the hike, but I guess we didn't pay much attention to it...) We decided to do it to get away from the crowds and do a loop back.

Well, it's absolutely gorgeous and totally well worth the extra hike, as you indeed can find the serene, non-touristy feel of the place that most travelers are looking for.

However, make sure you've got plenty of water and perhaps a snack, and that youre giving yourself enough time, if you decide to take the long way back. I went with my fiance at the time, aged 27 and 29, both in very good physical shape, and... let's just say, it wasn't the easiest hike ever. And we hike A LOT. Going down into the grand Canyon or up the Old Rag were probably easier. (Though our perception of the hike's difficulty was affected by the fact that we were psychologically ill-prepared.)

We were a bit stressed out because we had no idea how long it was, had not brought any food, had only 32 oz of water left between us by the time we started the descent, had a pretty late start... and by the time we made it to the temple we had literally come across only one other lone hiker and the sun's rays were getting pretty slanty. I think something about the modest sign for the temple at the summit convinced us that it would be a short detour... but it isn't.

The hike takes you down from the summit and around the back of the mountain, while most visitors turnaround at the summit and return the same way they went up. It loops around pretty far downhill, where you find the temple. The temple itself is not too impressive but still mighty interesting if you enjoy ruins. Much of the trail is authentic Incan stonework as well. The scenery going down and around is breathtaking. A river wraps around the mountain, so you get a really nice, deep view pretty much the entire time. The temple is at a lower altitude than the trail which connects Huayna Picchu to Machu Picchu, so you do have to hike back up on your way out - and this is where we got worried! But, one again, simply incredible views, including angles of Machu Picchu most people have never seen.

So, in conclusion:
1. If you're able, this is a MUST if you're going up Huayna Picchu (which is a must if you're going to MP).
2. But don't be like us, and be prepared. Figure out how long it is and what privisions you'll want. Also, note that you quite possibly will not find help out there or anyway along the path, so make sure you know what you're doing.

But definitely do it. It was by and large the single most inspiring and beautiful hike of my life.

Worth it if you wanna be away from tourists. If you're first you will enjoy the site for yourself which is an amazing experience. I wouldn't recommend if it was more crowded

A must see for those taking on Huayna Picchu. Didn't seem like much when I first got off the trail... then I passed by the cave with the amazing stone work. An amazing site to see.

It's beautiful and creative and what God created the world to be A better place to be.

It takes a little (or more than little) effort to arrive, but it completely worth it!

Well im now 100% Positive, this is yet another civilisation who thot I was an actual god...

If you haven't been to The Moon Temple, you haven't been to Machu Picchu!

This temple belongs to Lord Enti and it is a spiritual place.

Nice

Amazing.

Very beautiful.

Neat

Machu Picchu ist wunderbar. Und es wird dann unvergesslich, wenn du, den Gipfel des Huayna Picchu erreichst. Aus dieser Perspektive wirst du von der Aussicht auf die Natur, die Inkastadt und den Duft der Anden und des Amazonas-Dschungels begeistert sein. Es braucht viel Energie bis da oben... aber du bekommst es zurück. Glaube mir (...und
ich bin bald 60 und nicht sportlich). Ich lade dich ein, ein neues Ziel zu erreichen: Huayna Picchu te espera.

Es un buen lugar precioso diría yo el paisaje es bello por todas partes puedes conectar con la naturaleza se siente algo mágico y la cultura de verdad asombra mucho las construcciones en este lugar eso sí prepararse un poquito para subir los guías amablemente te dirán que llevar

Du kannst objektiv berichten... die Farbe des Waldes, die Höhe der Berge, den Nebel, die Sonne, die Temperatur, die Art der Inka-Architektur ... oder einfach die Sensation: das Gefühl, in einer anderen Welt zu sein und die Düfte der Götter und Göttinnen zu atmen

El Templo de la Luna en Machu Picchu es un lugar fascinante y misterioso que me dejó maravillado. Durante mi visita, quedé impresionado por la belleza y la energía que emana de este antiguo lugar sagrado. Las cuevas talladas en la roca y los altares ceremoniales me transportaron a tiempos pasados, y pude imaginar las antiguas ceremonias y rituales que se llevaban a cabo allí.

La ubicación del Templo de la Luna es simplemente espectacular. Desde allí, pude disfrutar de vistas panorámicas increíbles de las majestuosas montañas que rodean Machu Picchu y de la exuberante vegetación que lo rodea. La conexión con la naturaleza es palpable en cada rincón de este sitio arqueológico.

Una gran caminata de aproximadamente de una hora y un poco más, con muchas gradas de piedra en medio de la selva de Machupicchu sin ninguna señal para llegar, pero vale la pena el esfuerzo sin saber cuanto más te queda de caminata y ver solo mucha vegetación, el sonido de la selva es único y al llegar es gratificante. Muy pocas personas se atreven a realizar este camino , hay un desvio llegando a la cima de Huaynapicchu a la izquierda, y al regreso en la gran caverna hay otro camino para llegar nevamente a Huaynapicchu.

Es un buen lugar hermoso, el paisaje es bello por donde lo mires, además puedes conectar con la naturaleza se siente algo mágico. Asombre las construcciones en este lugar, eso sí prepararse un poquito para subir, pero los guías amablemente te dirán que llevar.