The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the main attractions that travelers and adventurers seek to enjoy when they arrive in Peru. And with good reason, because the wonder of the world houses some of the most surprising constructions and structures to appreciate. Among them, you have places like the Intihuatana, The Temple of the 3 Windows, The Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Moon. Among all these, the latter is considered the hidden gem of Machu Picchu and one of its most surprising attractions. To be able to tour and explore the Temple of the Moon, it is necessary to reserve the corresponding entrance to Huayna Picchu. Today, together with the travel experts of Cusco Peru Travel, we want to tell you all about this incredible site.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TEMPLE OF THE MOON
The Temple of the Moon is one of the most amazing structures that house the Wonder of the World, and one of the best attractions to enjoy on a Machu Picchu vacation. Also called “The Great Cavern”, the Temple of the Moon is a complex of beautifully carved caves, one of these caves bears the name of Quilla, which in the still alive Quechua language means Moon. The entire Temple is made up of some caves, different terraces, and beautiful stone structures to appreciate. One of the caves has precisely crafted structures and walls and is located under a huge rock. Another of the caves has niches and a building with more rudimentary characteristics and is connected to the other cave through a trapezoidal door. If you like to enjoy this attraction on a Machu Picchu trek, you must book your entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain in advance.
The Temple of the Moon is located about 400 meters below the top of the well-known mountain of Huayna Picchu, to be specific at about 2,720 meters above sea level. The entire Temple of the Moon is located inside a natural cave, adding a certain mystical aesthetic. The temple boasts some of the best stonework in the entire archaeological complex. It is a good idea to visit the site with one of our luxury Peru tours, where you can count on professional and certified guides that will give you a good idea about the place.
To get to the Temple of the Moon, it is highly recommended that you book in advance your entrance to Machu Picchu along with the entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain. Keep in mind that the route to Huayna Picchu mountain can increase the Machu Picchu trip cost. You can climb from the left side of Huayna Picchu Mountain, in a series of staircases. The hike can be a bit difficult, but when you reach the top, the view is quite rewarding. It takes about 1 hour to reach the top, and you will be able to appreciate one of the best views of the Inca citadel.
The purpose of the Temple of the Moon remains a mystery to this day. No historical records of any kind have been found linking this place to anything. But nonetheless, some academic theories give some clues about the purpose of La Caverna. Considering that caves and springs were thought to be entrances for the gods, the Temple of the Moon is believed to be a place of worship. A place where you could worship, pray, and offer sacrifices to the different gods of the mountain. The name was given to it by Hiram Bingham at the time of the discovery of the Inca citadel. As for the meaning and why of his name, it is believed that it was given by sheer arbitrariness. The best thing you can do is visit this wonderful site on your own to draw your conclusions. If you want to know more about this magical place, you can check all our Machu Picchu information, where you can see in-depth what our tours consist of.
Note that access to the Temple of the Moon is via a series of stone and wood stairs. The Huayna Picchu hiking route may not be easy, it can be very scary for some people, so it is advisable to be in good physical condition. Despite this, it is considered a great Machu Picchu tour due to the great views it provides of the archaeological complex.
“THE WORLD IS A BOOK, AND THOSE WHO DO NOT TRAVEL READ ONLY ONE PAGE”
We hope together with Cusco Peru Travel to have informed you a little about this magical place. Words and photos are not enough to give you an idea of how incredible this temple is. The best thing is that you can start planning your trip and see it with your own eyes.
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