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Inca House Machu Picchu
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The house of the Inca (royal residence) at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was a citadel and religious center ordered to be built by Emperor Pachacutec around 1450 AD The Inca and his family could spend a season in this citadel. For this, the house of the Inca was built, also called the ‘royal residence’. Learn more about this fine construction, one of the most important in the entire architectural complex.



Machu Picchu Inca House
House of the Inka – Machu Picchu

During your visit to Machu Picchu you will be able to observe different impressive constructions such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana , the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor and more. One of the most important constructions is the Casa del Inca, located in the heart of the urban sector (and below the Temple of the Sun). This construction can be visited by doing either circuit 3 or circuit 4 in Machu Picchu. Visit it!


The house of the Inca of Machu Picchu. What is?

  • The house of the Inca or royal residence of Machu Picchu is the enclosure for housing use with the finest walls of the archaeological site.
  • As its name indicates, this enclosure was destined for the Inca emperor and his family for their temporary residence.
  • The Inca’s house is made of finely carved granite stone. It consists of a central patio on polished rock adjoining two large rooms with four walls with beautiful lintels. There are also two small enclosures with three walls.
  • The Inca’s house has a water pipe. Its base, made of granite stone, has rocky outcrops for various purposes such as water mirrors. The enclosures were rooms for rest, bathrooms and more.
  • Due to its fine architecture, the house of the Inca is one of the most important and amazing buildings in Machu Picchu.

Location at the archaeological site

  • The house of the Inca is located in the heart of the urban sector of Machu Picchu, just below the famous temple of the sun (the most important religious site of the Inca citadel). It is located about 2,430 meters above sea level.

How to get there?

  • To visit the house of the Inca you must choose circuit 3 or circuit 4 of Machu Picchu.
  • This route begins at the entrance gate of Machu Picchu. After entering, take a detour to the lower right. After crossing the set of platforms, you arrive at the Casa del Inca (at the top).

History of the house of the Inca of Machu Picchu

  • The house of the Inca was built along with the rest of the urban area of Machu Picchu around the year 1450 AD by orders of the then emperor Pachacutec (1,418 – 1471 AD).
  • For its construction, the abundant granite stone in the area was used. The workforce came from the conquered peoples of the north (under the mitimaes system).
  • The house of the Inca was the residence of the Inca emperor and his family during their sporadic visits to Machu Picchu.
House of the Inka
Walls of the House of the Inca – Machu Picchu

What ticket to choose to visit the house of the Inca?

  • The house of the Inca can be visited with two types of tickets: the Machupicchu ticket with Huayna Picchu and the Machupicchu ticket with Mountain.
  • Another ticket available is the Machupicchu entrance with Huchuy Picchu.
  • Both tickets have the same cost (200 soles per foreign tourist and 112 soles for tourists from Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia).
  • Both tickets, in addition to the visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, allow the hiking route to the top of Huayna Picchu or to the Machu Picchu mountain.
  • The Machupicchu with Huchuy Picchu ticket costs 152 soles for foreign tourists and 64 soles for tourists from Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia. It allows you to visit Machu Picchu and do the short hiking route to the top of Mount Huchuypicchu.

Visiting hours

  • The house of the Inca can be visited every day of the year from 6 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

Tips for your visit

  • During your visit to the Inca’s house keep in mind that it is not allowed to touch the walls. They have important historical value. In case of causing damage, you can be drastically sanctioned by the Peruvian authorities.
  • The ‘Machupicchu Only’ ticket allows you to visit circuit 1, 2, 3 or 4. If you buy this ticket, you must choose to do circuit 3 or 4. This way you can visit the house of the Inca.
  • It is best to visit with a professional tour guide. You can hire one at the entrance gate of Machu Picchu. The shared service (group) has a cost that varies between 25 to 35 soles per tourist. This way your visit to Machupicchu and the Inca’s house will be more complete!

Questions and answers about the house of the Inca in Machu Picchu

  • 1 Who was the Inca who built Machu Picchu?

    Emperor Pachacutec was the Inca who ordered the construction of Machu Picchu in approximately 1450 AD.

  • 2. Where is the house of the Inca?

    The house of the Inca is located in the heart of the urban sector of Machu Picchu. It is located under the Temple of the Sun.

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

    The visit to the house of the Inca is included in the ‘Machupicchu with Huayna Picchu’ ticket or the ‘Machupicchu with Mountain’ ticket which costs 200 soles for foreigners and 112 soles for Andean Community (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia). You can also visit it with the ‘Machupicchu with Huchuypicchu’ ticket which costs 152 soles for foreigners and 64 soles for Andean Community.

  • 4. Which entrance to Machu Picchu to use to visit the house of the Inca?

    You can visit the house of the Inca with 3 types of tickets: a) Machupicchu Only, b) Machupicchu with Huaynapicchu and c) Machupicchu with Huchuypicchu.

  • 5. What is the timetable for visiting the Inca’s house in Machu Picchu?

    This Inca construction can be visited every day of the year from 6 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

  • 6. Is it allowed to enter the house of the Inca in Machu Picchu?

    Yes, you can visit the house of the Inca and walk through its enclosures. However, you are not allowed to touch the buildings, let alone damage them.

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

    The house of the Inca is an Inca construction made of granite stone abundant in Machu Picchu.

  • 8. What else to visit in Machu Picchu besides the Inca’s house?

    During your visit to the house of the Inca you can also meet other famous constructions such as: a) the Temple of the Sun, b) the Temple of the Condor or c) the Sacred Rock. These constructions are included in the ‘Machupicchu ticket with Huaynapicchu’ or the ‘Machupicchu ticket with Huchuypicchu’ .

  • 9. Is the house of the Inca the most important construction in Machu Picchu?

    The house of the Inca is one of the most important buildings in Machu Picchu. It is the most important Inca dwelling in the archaeological site. The most important religious site is the Temple of the Sun, located on top of the Inca’s house.

  • 1 What is the Inca House of Machu Picchu like?

    The house of the Inca consists of a central patio on polished rock adjoining two large rooms with four walls with beautiful lintels. There are also two small enclosures with three walls.

 

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024