Things to do in Ollantaytambo

Inti Punku Sun Gate

Catarata Perolniyoc

Twelve Angled Stone

Twelve Angled Stone is located on Hatunrumiyoc Street in the old town of Cusco and is a section of Inca-era stone wall standing along the street. The base of this wall was originally part of an Inca palace. Although it has been covered by colonial-era buildings above, the Inca masonry from hundreds of years ago remains in its original state. The entire wall is built from massive stones of varying shapes and sizes, stacked like a jigsaw puzzle. No mortar or other binding materials were used between the stones, yet the joints are so tight that it is difficult to insert even a piece of paper, a testament to the craftsmanship of the Inca stonemasons. One stone on the wall that draws visitors to stop is the Twelve Angled Stone. This massive stone, weighing several tons, has twelve angles and fits seamlessly with the surrounding stones. It is a masterpiece of Inca polygonal masonry, and many tourists make a special trip to take photos when visiting Cusco. This seemingly random, yet meticulously calculated construction method allows the wall to shift slightly during vibrations without collapsing. Having withstood several major earthquakes in Cusco, this ancient wall remains intact, with a level of stability that even surpasses the brick and stone structures built on top of it later.

Huayna Picchu

The towering peak behind the city ruins in the classic Machu Picchu postcard shot. While it may look intimidatingly steep in photos, you'll find it's not a vertical climb once you're on the trail. If you aren't particularly afraid of heights or are a fan of climbing, don't miss the hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. Standing on the giant granite rocks at the summit to look down over Machu Picchu is an experience you'll never forget.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Machu Picchu

Sacred Rock at Machu Picchu

Sacred Rock at Machu Picchu is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu and is a mysterious and important monolith. The Sacred Rock at Machu Picchu is approx. 3m high with a unique shape, serving as a physical symbol of the Inca civilization's worship of Mother Earth. The natural grooves on the rock's surface were regarded by the ancients as divine patterns, and the surrounding area is scattered with remnants of ceremonial platforms and irrigation canals. It can be reached by car from Ollantaytambo in approx. 40 minutes. The Sacred Rock at Machu Picchu is believed to be a place where the ancient Incas performed rituals and observed celestial phenomena. Visitors can feel the mysterious atmosphere of the Inca civilization here and enjoy the magnificent view of the surrounding Andes. Due to its cultural and historical value, please remain quiet and respectful when visiting the Sacred Rock at Machu Picchu. The recommended time to visit the Sacred Rock at Machu Picchu is early morning or late evening, when there are fewer tourists, allowing for a better experience of the Sacred Rock at Machu Picchu's mysterious aura. It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring enough water and sun protection.

Pumamarca Ruins

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Cusco

Inka Museum

Inka Museum is located in the old town of Cusco, just a few minutes' walk from the Plaza de Armas. The building itself is a highlight—the colonial-era Admiral's House. This courtyard is said to have been the residence of the Inca ruler Huáscar, with Inca-era stone walls layered beneath the mansion. The courtyard is surrounded by semicircular arcades, and the facade features stone-carved coats of arms, making the building itself a tangible lesson in the overlapping of two eras. The museum displays tens of thousands of artifacts chronologically, ranging from pre-Inca cultures such as Chavín, Nazca, and Wari, all the way to the rise of the Inca Empire and the arrival of the colonial era. Among the collection, the sets of keros—painted wooden cups used by the Inca for corn beer during rituals and feasts—are particularly worth a close look, as their patterns remain clear to this day. In addition, there are well-preserved textiles, gold and silver artifacts, and pottery. In the reconstructed Inca tomb, mummies are displayed alongside burial offerings, directly showcasing Inca burial customs and concepts of life and death. The skull specimens with trepanation marks, the three-dimensional models presenting the different ecological zones of Cusco at various altitudes, and the drawings by chronicler Guaman Poma depicting Inca history are also worth slowing down to appreciate.

Inca Rail

Intihuatana, Urubamba

One of the greater mysteries at Machu Picchu is a massive stone carving called the Intihuatana, Urubamba. Some archaeoastronomers speculate that this exquisite, quadrilateral stone carving on a raised platform in the plaza is a sundial, while others say it was used for some form of astronomical observation. Although there is no consensus on its purpose, almost all archaeologists agree that the Intihuatana, Urubamba is one of the most sacred structures within Machu Picchu. How do you identify the Intihuatana, Urubamba? If you see a group of tourists from afar surrounding a large stone, reaching out their hands without touching it to feel the energy released by the stone, that is the Intihuatana, Urubamba. This Intihuatana, Urubamba has three very peculiar features. First, there is a corner next to the Intihuatana, Urubamba; this protruding corner points due north. You might want to bring a compass to verify the exquisite calculations of the Incas in the mid-15th century. The second peculiar feature is the upright stone on top of the Intihuatana, Urubamba. The cross-section of the stone has four corners that look somewhat irregular, and these four corners point exactly to the cardinal directions. The corner pointing due north aligns perfectly with a peak called Huayna Picchu, and the opposite direction, due south, also aligns with a peak. Similarly, the due west direction also aligns with a peak, but there is no peak to the east. Why? Because the sun needs to shine in. The Incas built this "City in the Sky" at such a high altitude to welcome the rising sun from the east, so how could there be a mountain blocking it? This is another peculiar feature, which is enough to show that the Incas were very wise.

Punku Punku