The Temple of the Moon is one of the best options for your visit to Machu Picchu. It’s also called the Great Cave because its Inca walls were built inside a cave, considered a sacred space by the Incas. The ticket that allows you to visit this Inca structure located on Huayna Picchu Mountain is the “Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)” ticket, which also includes a visit to the Inca city via Circuit 3. Find out the entry times and the recommended schedule!

• The Temple of the Moon, the Great Cavern of Huayna Picchu
• Visiting hours to the Temple of the Moon
• How long is the visiting time for the ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)’ ticket?
• Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) ticket price
• Which of the schedules to the Temple of the Moon to choose?
• Differences and similarities of schedules at the Temple of the Moon
• Questions and answers about the visit to the Temple of the Moon

Temple of the Moon of Machu Picchu

Caves for the Incas
The real name of the Temple of the Moon is Great Cavern. This name is due to the fact that this Inca temple is located inside a natural cave at the base of the famous Huayna Picchu mountain. The name Temple of the Moon is a commercial term that Machu Picchu tour guides created to give popularity to this mysterious but little known stone structure. The Incas believed that the caves were important sites that communicated the earthly world (the kai pacha) with the underworld (the uku pacha). The Kai Pacha was the world of men, of living beings where the empire of the Incas reigned. The Uku Pacha was the subway world of the dead but also of mother earth, the giver of life. Because of this, the Temple of the Moon has stone formations made for worship, such as a ceremonial table, niches (where gold or silver objects were placed). For this reason, not only in the Temple of the Moon, but in several caves throughout the empire, the Incas built shrines. In Machu Picchu, another clear example is the Temple of the Sun or the Royal Tomb.

The Temple of the Moon, the Great Cavern of Huayna Picchu

The Temple of the Moon is one of the least known Inca stone enclosures because it is located far from the Inca citadel, at the base of the Huayna Picchu mountain.

It can only be reached on foot, on a route of approximately 2.5 kilometers. Due to this difficulty to get there, the Temple of the Moon is visited by few people, who can be almost alone with this stone structure.

The real name of the Temple of the Moon is Gran Caverna (Great Cavern) because it is located inside a natural cave. The Incas believed that caves were important enclosures that communicated the world of the living with the world of the dead. For this reason they built altars, ceremonial tables, niches and everything made with a perfect carving that demonstrate the importance of the place.

The Temple of the Moon was a shrine to the world of the dead, where llama sacrifices could be made. Even today some visitors come there to leave an offering of coca leaves asking for prosperity for the future.

This Inca temple can be visited with the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)’, which allows the visit to the Inca citadel through circuit 3. The walk from the entrance gate to Huayna Picchu (the Great Cavern is located inside the mountain) to the Temple of the Moon takes 2 hours on average (4 hours each way).

This is one of the most mysterious but little explored constructions in Machu Picchu. Previously, access to this route was forbidden due to the steepness of the roads during the rainy season. However, today the route is open to tourists.

For visitor safety reasons, the ticket is only valid for tourists over 12 years of age and is valid only during the peak tourist season, from June 19 to November 2.

The Temple of the Moon is a building dedicated to fertility

Visiting hours to the Temple of the Moon

These are the schedules for the ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)’ ticket:

• Group 1: Admission to Machu Picchu from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. (tour open to all ages, but only during high season, from June 19 to November 2). Admission to the Temple of the Moon (Great Cave) is limited to 9:00 a.m.
• Group 2: Admission to Machu Picchu from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. (route open to all ages, but only during high season, from June 19 to November 2). Admission to the Temple of the Moon (Great Cave) is limited to 10:00 a.m.

Side view of the Temple of the Moon

How long is the visiting time for the ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)’ ticket?

The ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)’ ticket allows for the following approximate visit times:

• Visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu – The visit to Machu Picchu is with circuit 3, also called circuit of the royalty. This circuit allows you to visit Inca constructions of the lower part, such as: the royal tomb, the house of the Inca, the temple of the sun, three gates, the temple of the condor, the sacred fountains and the agricultural sector where you get a beautiful panoramic photo. The ticket allows 1 hour 30 minutes of visit at the most.
• Visit to the Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern) – The visit to the Temple of the Moon takes 4 hours on average. The ticket allows up to 4 hours to complete the idea and return walk. However, the visitor can stay longer if he/she fails to complete the hike in this time. After retiring, you can complete the route through Machu Picchu.

Upper construction of the Temple of the Moon

Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) ticket price

These are the prices for the ‘Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)’ ticket:

Which of the schedules to the Temple of the Moon to choose?

• Why choose Group 1?

  The first schedule allows entry to Machu Picchu from 7:00 a.m., when the Inca city first opens its doors. This schedule is ideal for those who spent the night in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). The departure from Machu Picchu will be at 1:00 p.m., giving you the option of returning to Cusco on a train at 3:00, 4:00, or 5:00 p.m.

• Why choose Group 2?

  The second schedule allows entry to Machu Picchu from 8:00 a.m., when the landscape is clearest of clouds. This schedule can be used by tourists who depart very early that same day from Cusco (on a 5:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. train). The departure from Machu Picchu will be around 2:00 p.m. This means the return to Cusco can be made on a 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., or later train. Another option is to spend one night in Aguas Calientes to return to make the visit to Machu Picchu with another ticket the next day.

Interior of the Great Cavern (Temple of the Moon)

Differences and similarities of schedules at the Temple of the Moon

Questions and answers about the visit to the Temple of the Moon

• 1) What are the schedules for the Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)?

  There are only two visiting times. Group 1 enters Machu Picchu at 7:00 a.m. Group 2 enters Machu Picchu at 8:00 a.m. Admission to the Temple of the Moon is from 9:00 a.m. (group 1) to 10:00 a.m. (group 2).

• 2) How much time do I have to visit the archaeological site with the Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)?

  This ticket allows for an average visit to Machu Picchu of 1 hour and 30 minutes and then up to 4 hours at the Temple of the Moon.

• 3) How long do I have to hike to the Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon?

  This ticket allows for a round-trip walk to the Temple of the Moon lasting approximately 4 hours.

• 4) Why should I choose the Temple of the Moon ticket time 1?

  This schedule (entry to Machu Picchu at 7:00 am) allows a visit departing from the town of Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu town.

• 5) Why should I choose the Temple of the Moon ticket time 2?

  This schedule (entry to Machu Picchu at 8:00 am) allows for a visit leaving Cusco very early and returning that same day on an afternoon train.

• 6) How many visiting times does the Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) offer?

  This ticket offers up to two visit times: Group 1 enters Machu Picchu at 7:00 a.m. Group 2 enters Machu Picchu starting at 8:00 a.m.

• 7) How long in advance should I purchase the ticket to Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)?

  It’s recommended to purchase your ticket to the Temple of the Moon online two to three months in advance. This way, you can ensure availability, as the ticket is available for approximately 200 visitors per day.

• 8) Is the Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) open to people of any age?

  No, entry to the Temple of the Moon at Machu Picchu is only open to visitors over 12 years of age.

• 9) At what time of year can I visit the Temple of the Moon?

  Access to the Temple of the Moon at Machu Picchu is only permitted during the peak tourist season, from June 19 to November 2.

• 10) How long does the Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) allow?

  The Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon allows a 45-minute delay limit.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Mariano B.

“Route not for everyone“

“A very special place is the Temple of the Moon, far from Machu Picchu, but with an energy that surrounds you. Of course, the route is not easy, there are challenging stretches with beautiful but frightening landscapes, but it is still 100% worth it, I recommend it.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, May 23, 2025