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USD 135

USD 135

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Private guided tour in the Great Cavern

5 hrs
Circuit 3
Spanish or English
6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Private

Summary

Machu Picchu is visited by around 1.5 million people every year. This number of visitors makes the Inca citadel one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people are looking to get the great photo at Machu Picchu, but also to take part in some of the most famous hikes in its mountains.

There are three mountains surrounding Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. This last summit is one of the most famous for its ascending paths along stone steps. In addition, deep within this mountain, there is a mysterious construction called the Great Cavern.

The hiking route through the Great Cavern is one of the toughest challenges when visiting Machu Picchu. This little-known building is located at the bottom of Huayna Picchu, on a difficult path of ascents and descents, but surrounded by lush nature. From the entrance point to Huayna Picchu to the Great Cavern is approximately 2.5 kilometers.

The Great Cavern is also known as the Temple of the Moon. It is a stone structure carved inside a cave. These dark formations were considered sacred by the Incas who believed that they connected the earthly world of men (the kai pacha) with the underworld or territory of the dead (the uku pacha).

The hiking route to the Great Cavern is suitable for tourists over 18 years old. It includes narrow sections and borders on frightening chasms. However, no one has lost their life there. On the contrary, for many it is a difficult route but full of nature, beautiful landscapes and a mysterious building little explored by visitors. The route is available only from June 1 to October 15.

The company of a professional tour guide ensures a safe, entertaining and very informative route to the Great Cavern. The guides have extensive knowledge of the route and the best spots to get photos. In addition, they offer a lot of security in case of any emergency. Although a guided tour of the Great Cavern is not mandatory, the company of a professional guide will always be the safest option.

Itinerary:

The private tour guide service in the Great Cavern offers a briefing or informative talk service if the tourist stays in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu town) one night before.
If the visitor arrives at Machu Picchu from Cusco on the same day, then an advisor or tour guide will wait for him at the exit door of the train station at the time scheduled in advance.
Then the tourist will have to walk a few steps to take one of the Consettur tourist buses to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu. This trip takes only 30 minutes.
At the entrance to Machu Picchu, visitors must show their ticket and take Circuit 3 of the archaeological site. This circuit is called ‘royalty’ because it includes a visit to important Inca temples and enclosures intended for the elite. During the circuit, tourists can visit: the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Three Doors, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural area (where you can get a postcard photo of Machu Picchu).
The visitor will complete circuit 3 on their own. Upon visiting the Sacred Rock, just a few steps away, they will find the entrance to Huayna Picchu. This checkpoint also allows access to the Huchuy Picchu mountain and the Great Cavern. There, the private tour guide will be waiting for you to begin the arduous hiking route to the Temple of the Moon.
The hiking route to the Great Cavern is difficult but surrounded by beautiful landscapes, as well as the typical flora and fauna of Machu Picchu: trees, flowers, birds and butterflies. The hike is approximately 2.5 kilometers. It includes ascending, descending and narrow paths, always surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
The professional tour guide will provide you with information and safety at all times. He will help you navigate the most difficult sections and get the best photos of the place. At the Temple of the Moon, the visitor will find himself almost alone with this magnificent construction of fine stone carvings and mysterious niches and windows.
The return route is the same as the outward journey. In total, the hiking route takes 5 hours on average. The tour guide will accompany you on the return route and on the route through the exit gate of Machu Picchu: buildings such as the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Springs and the agricultural area.
At the Machu Picchu exit gate, the tour guide will help you board the Consettur bus (not included in the service) back to Machu Picchu town. The guide will provide you with all the necessary information for your return to Cusco.

Included

  • Briefing (the briefing if you are staying at a hotel in Aguas Calientes the night before).
  • Private tour guide service at the Temple of the Moon of Huayna Picchu (average 5-hour tour).

Not included

  • Tourist train to Machu Picchu.
  • Tourist bus
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
  • Lunch or breakfast in Aguas Calientes.
  • Sanitary services.
  • Snacks or phone calls.
  • Tips.

Guided tour route map

Machu Picchu is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Every year it is awarded as one of the best destinations in South America and the world. It is located in the Cusco region, the capital of the Inca empire in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Machu Picchu is located about 2,430 meters above sea level, in a simply beautiful Andean and tropical geography.

Mapa Guiado Gran Caverna

Does the visit to the Temple of the Moon include the route to the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain? – Although the Temple of the Moon, also called the Great Cavern, is located on the Huayna Picchu mountain, the tours are on different paths. The summit of Huayna Picchu is at the highest part of the mountain, at 2,693 meters above sea level, while the Great Cavern is at the bottom, deep in the mountain at an altitude of 2,050 meters above sea level. That is, the route to the Great Cavern does not include the visit to the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain. And, vice versa, the visit to Huayna Picchu does not include the tour to the Temple of the Moon. Both are incredible routes, full of beautiful landscapes and abundant nature. Both hikes are allowed only to people over 18 years old. Access to Huayna Picchu is available every day of the year. Meanwhile, the route to the Temple of the Moon is only available from June 1 to October 15.

How to book?

Are you interested in the private tour guide service in the Great Cave of Machu Picchu? Follow these steps to make the reservation.

Availability

Check the availability calendar for the ‘Machu Picchu with Great Cavern’ ticket and verify that there are tickets available on the date you wish to visit:

Changes and Cancellations

Changes to the private tour guide service:

Cancellations of the private tour guide service:

Questions and answers about the group tour guide service at the Great Cavern

1. Why choose private tour guide service at the Temple of the Moon?
The private tour guide service offers more security on the route to the Temple of the Moon, as well as complete information about the route.
2. How long does the private tour guide service at the Temple of the Moon last?
The tour to the Temple of the Moon of Huayna Picchu takes 2 hours on average. The round trip takes about 5 hours. The private tour guide will accompany you along this challenging hiking route.
3. Does the visit to the Temple of the Moon include a visit to the summit of Huayna Picchu?
No, these are two different hiking routes. The hike to the Temple of the Moon takes in the lower part of the mountain, while the hike to Huayna Picchu takes in the higher part of this popular summit.
4. Can I change the date of the private tour guide service to the Temple of the Moon at Huayna Picchu?
Yes, you can change the date or the number of people who book your private tour guide service by emailing info@machupicchuterra.com. Changes must be requested up to 3 days before the day of the service. The penalty is 10% of the cost of the service.
5. Can I cancel the private tour guide service to the Temple of the Moon at Huayna Picchu?
Yes, you can cancel your private tour guide service by emailing info@machupicchuterra.com. Cancellations must be requested up to 3 days before the day of the service. The penalty is 25% of the cost of the service.
6. What tourist attractions does the ticket to the Temple of the Moon include?
This ticket, in addition to the hiking route through the Temple of the Moon, includes a visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu on circuit 3, which includes a visit to buildings of Inca royalty, such as: the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, Three Doors, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural area. There you can get a postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
7. What are the visiting hours for the Temple of the Moon at Huayna Picchu?
The Machu Picchu entrance ticket with Temple of the Moon offers two entry times to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu: at 6 am and 9 am. Entry to the Temple of the Moon is at 7 am and 10 am, respectively.
8. Is it dangerous to hike to the Temple of the Moon?
The hiking route to the Temple of the Moon offers a difficult but not dangerous experience. The paths are prepared for the visitor. In addition, the company of a tour guide offers greater security to this walk of 2.5 kilometers on average.
9. Does the private tour guide service at the Temple of the Moon include the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu?
No, the entrance to Machu Picchu is purchased separately. The private tour guide service only offers the company of a professional guide through the Temple of the Moon of Huayna Picchu.
10. Does the private tour guide service at the Temple of the Moon include tourist transportation?
No, the train or bus service to Machu Picchu is purchased separately. The private tour guide service only offers the company of a professional guide through the Temple of the Moon of Huayna Picchu.

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