Machu Picchu was a citadel and religious center ordered to be built by Emperor Pachacutec around 1450 A.D. Within it, the Inca’s house was built, also called the ‘royal residence’, which became one of the main residences for the Inca and his family, where they could spend long periods of time. Learn more about this fine construction, one of the most important in the entire archaeological sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

• The Inca’s house at Machu Picchu. What is it?
• Location within the archaeological site
• How to get there?
• History of the Inca’s house at Machu Picchu
• Which ticket to choose to visit the Inca’s house?
• How much is the entrance ticket to visit the Inca’s house?
• Visiting hours
• Tips for your visit
• Questions and answers about the Inca’s house at Machu Picchu

Inca’s House – Machu Picchu

During your visit to Machu Picchu, you will be able to observe various impressive constructions such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more. One of the most important constructions is the Inca’s House, located in the heart of the urban sector (and below the Temple of the Sun). This construction can only be visited by taking circuit 3 (royal route) of Machu Picchu. Visit it!

The Inca’s House at Machu Picchu. What is it?

• The Inca’s house or royal residence of Machu Picchu is the living space with the finest walls in the archaeological site.
• As its name suggests, this enclosure was intended for the Inca emperor and his family as a temporary residence.
• The Inca’s house is made of finely carved granite stone. It consists of a central courtyard on polished rock next to two large four-walled rooms with beautiful lintels. There are also two small three-walled enclosures.
• The Inca’s house features a water channeling system. Its base, made of granite stone, includes rocky outcrops used for various purposes such as water mirrors. The enclosures served as resting rooms, baths, and more.
• Due to its fine architecture, the Inca’s house is one of the most important and astonishing constructions in Machu Picchu.

Location within the archaeological site

• The Inca’s house is located in the heart of the urban sector of Machu Picchu, just below the famous Temple of the Sun (the most important religious enclosure of the Inca citadel).
• This construction, like the archaeological sanctuary of Machu Picchu, is situated at an average altitude of 2,430 meters above sea level.
• Only by following the royal route of Machu Picchu (circuit 3) will you find the impressive Inca’s house.

How to get there?

• To visit the Inca’s house, you must purchase one of the four tickets that include the royal route of Machu Picchu (circuit 3).
• This route begins at the entrance gate of circuit 3 Machu Picchu. After entering, you take a detour to the lower right side. After passing through the set of terraces, you reach the Inca’s House (at the top).
• Along the route, you can also visit the Temple of the Sun, Inca’s House, Temple of the Condor, Sacred Rock, Royal Tomb, Water Fountains, and some Agricultural Terraces.

History of the Inca’s House at Machu Picchu

• The Inca’s house was built along with the rest of the urban area of Machu Picchu around the year 1450 A.D. by order of the then-emperor Pachacutec (1418 – 1471 A.D.).
• Granite stone, abundant in the area, was used for its construction. The labor came from the conquered peoples of the north (under the mitimaes system).
• The Inca’s house served as the residence for the Inca emperor and his family during their occasional visits to Machu Picchu.

Walls of the Inca’s House – Machu Picchu

Which ticket to choose to visit the Inca’s House?

• The Inca’s house can be visited with two types of tickets, both of which include Machu Picchu’s circuit 3 (royal route):

How much does the entrance ticket to visit the Inca’s House cost?

• Discover the ticket prices for circuit 3, which allows entry to the Inca’s House.

Visiting Hours

• The Inca’s House can be visited every day of the year from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Each ticket that includes the Inca’s House has its own entry time, which varies according to the 10 available time slots, starting at 6 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m.
• Machu Picchu is open every day of the year, including holidays.

Tips for Your Visit

• During your visit to the Inca’s House, keep in mind that touching the walls is not allowed. They hold significant historical value, and preserving them is everyone’s responsibility.
• To visit the Inca’s House, you must purchase a ticket for Machu Picchu’s circuit 3: Huayna Picchu Mountain route (3A), Designed Royalty or Lower Temples route (3B), Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon route (3C), or Huchuy Picchu Mountain route (3D).
• It is highly recommended to do the tour with a professional tour guide. If you’re not visiting Machu Picchu through a tour package, you can hire a guide at the entrance gate of the Inca citadel. This way, your visit to Machu Picchu and the Inca’s House will be more complete!
• Set aside enough time to explore the Inca’s House in detail. You have an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the circuit, although if your ticket includes an additional hike, your visit may extend to 5 or 6 hours.
• Throughout the year, Machu Picchu experiences two weather seasons: the rainy season (November to March) and the dry season (April to October).
• Machu Picchu is located at 2,430 meters (7,972 feet) above sea level. If you’re not used to high altitudes, you may experience altitude sickness. It is best to acclimate during your first days in Cusco by doing light activities.
• Book your tickets for Machu Picchu’s circuit 3 at least two months in advance to secure your preferred route and schedule.
• Remember that you can plan your trip with Boletomachupicchu, where you’ll find a wide variety of tourist packages and tours that will make your Machu Picchu experience unforgettable.

Questions and Answers about the Inca’s House at Machu Picchu

• 1. Who was the Inca that built Machu Picchu?

  Emperor Pachacutec was the Inca who ordered the construction of Machu Picchu around 1450 A.D.

• 2. Where is the Inca’s House located?

  The Inca’s House is located in the heart of the urban sector of Machu Picchu. It lies beneath the Temple of the Sun.

• 3. How much does it cost to visit the Inca’s House at Machu Picchu?

  The visit to the Inca’s House is included with tickets for circuit 3 of Machu Picchu, and there are two different pricing tiers. For the Huayna Picchu Mountain route (3A), Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon route (3C), and Huchuy Picchu Mountain route (3D), the cost is 200 soles for foreigners and 112 soles for citizens of the Andean Community (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia). For the Designed Royalty or Lower Temples route (3B), the cost is 152 soles for foreigners and 64 soles for the Andean Community.

• 4. Which Machu Picchu ticket allows access to the Inca’s House?

  You can visit the Inca’s House with four types of tickets: Huayna Picchu Mountain route (3A), Designed Royalty or Lower Temples route (3B), Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon route (3C), and Huchuy Picchu Mountain route (3D).

• 5. What are the visiting hours for the Inca’s House at Machu Picchu?

  This Inca construction can be visited every day of the year from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• 6. Is it allowed to enter the Inca’s House at Machu Picchu?

  Yes, you can visit the Inca’s House and walk through its rooms. However, touching or damaging the structures is strictly prohibited.

• 7. What is the Inca’s House made of?

  The Inca’s House is an Inca construction made of granite stone, which is abundant at Machu Picchu.

• 8. What else can you visit at Machu Picchu besides the Inca’s House?

  During your visit to the Inca’s House, you can also explore other famous structures included in circuit 3, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Inca’s House, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Rock, the Royal Tomb, the Water Fountains, and some Agricultural Terraces.

• 9. Is the Inca’s House the most important construction in Machu Picchu?

  The Inca’s House is one of the most important constructions in Machu Picchu. It is the most significant Inca residence at the archaeological site. However, the most important religious structure is the Temple of the Sun, located above the Inca’s House.

• 10. What is the Inca’s House at Machu Picchu like?

  The Inca’s House consists of a central courtyard on polished rock, adjacent to two large rooms with four walls and beautiful lintels. There are also two smaller rooms with three walls.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Benjamín S.

“The Wonder of the World“

“Traveling to the Inca city was the best experience of my life. The nature-filled surroundings add a magical touch to the place — I felt like I was in a fairy tale.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, September 22, 2025