Key facts
- Route 3-C on the Royalty circuit: 3 km round trip, high effort.
- Sold only in peak season.
- Includes the royal sector and the Great Cavern.
- “Temple of the Moon” is a popular name with no archaeological basis.
The Great Cavern, popularly known as the Temple of the Moon, is a group of Inca structures built inside a cave on the slopes of Huayna Picchu. You visit it on Route 3-C of the Royalty circuit.
Route 3-C at a glance
| Circuit | 3 – Machu Picchu Royalty |
|---|---|
| Round-trip distance | About 3 km |
| Effort | High |
| Season | Peak season only |
| Includes | Terraces, a close-up classic photo, Temple of the Sun, House of the Inca, ceremonial fountains, Three Doorways, Great Cavern and Temple of the Condor |
What the route is like
After touring the royal sector, the trail drops down the mountainside to the Great Cavern, with its finely cut stone walls and carved niches. It’s a forest trail, quieter than the summit of Huayna Picchu, but with a real descent and climb back up.
About the name “Temple of the Moon”
There’s no archaeological evidence that the site was dedicated to the moon: the name is a modern one. The route’s official name is “Great Cavern.”
It isn’t sold outside peak season. See other options in Machu Picchu circuits.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Great Cavern the same as the Temple of the Moon?
Yes. “Temple of the Moon” is the popular name; the official route is called Great Cavern (3-C).
Is the Great Cavern route difficult?
The Ministry of Culture rates it as high effort: it’s about 3 km round trip, going down and back up the mountainside.
