Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu and Temple of the Moon

At the furthest end of the Machu Picchu ruins is a wooden hut with a sign in book for hikers going up to Huayna Picchu and the Temple of the Moon. This steep and strenuous hike takes between one and two hours and must be started before 1:00 pm. The final 20 m / 65 ft of this hike is steep open rock crossed by using a rope and ladder.

From the top of Huayna Picchu there are excellent views down over Machu Picchu and the entire area. Terracing runs along one side of the upper portion of the mountain. The temple of the Moon lies beyond the summit down a trail. The temple is actually a natural cave with Inca stonework.

Another, lower cave contains more rudimentary stonework, and higher up a doorway and open room lead to another trail which descends from Huayna Picchu. This alternate route is much steeper and involves climbing down a fixed wooden ladder. Visiting the Temple of the Moon will require at least an additional hour.