Which one to choose:
Huayna Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain, or Huchuy Picchu Mountain?
During your visit to Machu Picchu, you can climb to the top of any mountain to enjoy an unforgettable view of the Inca citadel. An unmissable moment for photography lovers! You must purchase a special ticket to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain, or Huchuy Picchu Mountain. All three offer impressive views of the citadel. Here, we explain everything you need to know about the Machu Picchu mountains so you can decide which one to conquer.
Huayna Picchu Mountain
Huayna Picchu (also spelled Wayna Picchu) is one of the main mountains near the wonder. It is the one that appears behind the Inca citadel in the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu and is known for its steep Inca trails and stairs that will take you to the top. This hike is done once the guided tour of the complex is over, and it will take you about an hour and a half to reach the top and another hour and a half to descend (depending on your physical condition).
The narrow paths of Huayna Picchu can challenge those who fear heights. You will be on the edge of the abyss and need to use safety cables to hold onto. If you suffer vertigo or struggle to control your fear of heights, we recommend another of the Machu Picchu mountains.
Keep in mind that only people over 12 years old can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain.
What does Huayna Picchu mean?
Huayna Picchu is also known as the "new mountain" or "young mountain."
Schedule to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain 2024
Entry to Huayna Picchu Mountain | |
First Shift | 7:00 am - 8:00 am |
Second Shift | 9:00 am - 10:00 am |
What to take to Huayna Picchu Mountain?
To hike up Huayna Picchu mountain, it is essential to wear comfortable and appropriate hiking clothes and bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
How to book a ticket in 2024?
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Online
First, you need to access the official website hhttps://tuboleto.cultura.pe/.
-
Book with a travel agency
This is the easiest and safest way. You just need to pay and provide a copy of your passport and the date of your visit. Remember that the travel agency must be reliable and 100% guaranteed.
At Salkantay Trekking, all our tours that visit Machu Picchu allow you to add the optional visit to this mountain. We help you design your visit to Peru as long as you share with us the destinations you want to explore and your travel dates.
*Tickets to climb Huayna Picchu mountain must be reserved four months in advance, as the daily number of visitors is limited. Due to the trail's difficulty, we recommend you have good physical condition before climbing Huayna Picchu.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Climbing Machu Picchu mountain allows you to achieve one of the best panoramic views of Peru. The trail includes 1600 stone steps and begins as a wide path with a slight incline. It offers even more impressive views than the summit of Huayna Picchu, but it takes twice as long to reach the top. The trail has 1600 stone steps, and it will take about an hour and a half to reach the viewpoint and another hour to return.
Machu Picchu Mountain has less steep, wider, and less daunting trails, probably used for rituals, astronomical observation, and surveillance. Remember that you will not find shade along the route, so bring a hat and sunscreen.
When booking your tickets, consider going with your family, as hiking to Machu Picchu Mountain is more peaceful and ideal for children and older adults.
What does Machu Picchu mean?
Machu Picchu, in the Quechua language, means "old mountain."
Schedule to enter Machu Picchu Mountain in 2024
Entry to Machu Picchu Mountain | |
First Shift | 7:00 am - 8:00 am |
Second Shift | 9:00 am - 10:00 am |
What to take to Machu Picchu Mountain?
To hike Machu Picchu Mountain, it's important to bring comfortable and appropriate hiking clothes, water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
How to book a ticket in 2024?
-
Online
First, you need to go to the official website https://tuboleto.cultura.pe/.
-
Book with a travel agency
It's the easiest and safest way. You only need to send payment, a photocopy of your passport, and your visit date. Remember that the travel agency should be reliable and 100% guaranteed.
At Salkantay Trekking, all of our tours that visit Machu Picchu include the option to visit this mountain. We help you design your visit to Peru if you share the destinations you want to explore and the travel dates.
*Tickets to climb Machu Picchu Mountain must be reserved at least one month in advance, as the daily number of visitors is limited.
Huchuy Picchu Mountain
Compared to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu Mountain is less well-known and visited. Still, it offers the opportunity to see impressive Inca archaeological sites and landscapes. The hike is moderate and takes about 2 hours.
From the top of Huchuy Picchu Mountain, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Sacred Valley and the snowy peaks of the Peruvian Andes. In addition, you will witness an archaeological complex composed of agricultural terraces, ceremonial buildings, houses, and temples.
Climbing Huchuy Picchu Mountain is an excellent alternative for those seeking a less crowded experience than Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain. Still, it also requires a permit to visit. The view is less panoramic than the neighboring mountain but is at a lower altitude (50 meters from the Inca citadel). Enjoy a new perspective of the landscape.
Previously, this route was part of the trail to Machu Picchu Mountain. Today, the authorities decided to separate the routes so visitors can enjoy the mountain they wish to visit.
What does Huchuy Picchu mean?
Huchuy Picchu comes from Quechua, which means "little mountain."
Schedules to enter Huchuy Picchu Mountain 2024
Entry to Huchuy Picchu Mountain | |
First Shift | 10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Second Shift | 12:00 am - 01:00 pm |
How to buy tickets to enter Huchuy Picchu Mountain?
-
Online
First, you need to go to the official website https://tuboleto.cultura.pe/.
-
Book with a travel agency
This is the easiest and safest way. You only need to pay and provide a photocopy of your passport and the date of your visit. Remember that the travel agency must be reliable and 100% guaranteed.
At Salkantay Trekking, for all our tours that visit Machu Picchu, you can add the option to visit this mountain. We help you design your visit to Peru if you share the destinations you want to explore and the travel dates with us.
*Tickets to climb Huchuy Picchu Mountain must be reserved at least one month in advance, as the daily number of visitors is limited.
Differences between Huayna Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Huchuy Picchu Mountain
HUAYNA PICCHU |
MACHU PICCHU |
HUCHUY PICCHU |
|
Location | North of Machu Picchu | South of Machu Picchu | North of Machu Picchu |
Altitude | 2,720 masl | 3,080 masl | 2,497 masl |
Difficulty | Moderate - Difficult | Moderate | Easy |
Approximate duration of the hike (round trip) | 3 hours | 2 and a half hours | 2 hours |
Capacity | 200 people per day | 400 people per day | 200 people per day |
Type of photos | Landscape photo on the mountain | Classic postcard photo and landscape photo on the mountain | Landscape photo on the mountain |
Price | Foreign tourist: 200.00 soles National tourist: 112.00 soles |
Foreign tourist: 200.00 soles National tourist: 112.00 soles |
Foreign tourist: 152.00 soles National tourist: 64.00 soles |
Available circuit | Circuit 3 (Route 3-A) | Circuit 1 (Route 1-A) | Circuit 3 (Route 3-D) |
Age allowed | Over 12 years old | Suitable for all | Suitable for all |
Tickets to enter Machu Picchu Mountain, Huayna Picchu Mountain, and Huchuy Picchu Mountain are subject to availability and are outside our control. To ensure your entry to any of the mountains, let us know your desire to explore them, and we will do our best to help you.
What makes these trips different?
We believe that a vacation should be more than a hotel room, a flight and a rental car. It should be more than the sum of its parts. We also believe a challenge can help you grow and a trip can stir the soul. We create journeys worth taking - for the traveler, for the host and for the world.