When you visit the citadel of Machu Picchu, you will have the opportunity to hike one of the two mountains that surround the Wonder of the World: Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (not the citadel of Machu Picchu), but each one has a different appeal that makes the journey through them unique.
Huayna Picchu Mountain, whose Quechua meaning would be "Young Mountain", is located at 2,667 m of height on the north side of the Machu Picchu citadel. The path to reach the top of this mountain is more complicated, as it has stairs and very steep narrow paths. This route is not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo, nor is it recommended for children under 12 years old or elderly people.
Machu Picchu Mountain, is located at 3,082 m of height on the south side of the Machu Picchu citadel. Being higher than Huayna Picchu Mountain, it has more friendly and less demanding features, as its ascent is not very steep, it has wider paths and rest points along the way.
To make your choice easier, we present a comparative table of both trails:
| Differences | Huayna Picchu Mountain | Machu Picchu Mountain |
|---|---|---|
| Location | North of the Machu Picchu citadel | South of the Machu Picchu citadel |
| Height | 2,693 m.a.s.l. | 3,082 m.a.s.l. |
| Distance | 2 Km, elevation change 290 m | 2 Km, elevation change 200 m |
| Hiking time | 2h 30m (ascent and descent) | 3h 20m (ascent and descent) |
| Access | Huayranas sector | Detour at Guardian's House |
| Schedules |
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| Number of visitors | 200 people per day | 400 people per day |
| Circuit | Circuit 4 | Circuit 3 |
| Re-entry | Does not allow re-entry to the citadel | Allows re-entry to the citadel |
| Archaeological attractions | Terraces and the Moon Temple | None |
| Restrictions | Only for those over 12 years old | For all audiences |
| Difficulty | Medium-High | Medium |
| Advantages | Disadvantages | ||
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| Advantages | Disadvantages | ||
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It is possible to visit both mountains in one day, but it is not recommended, as climbing just one mountain requires a lot of physical effort and climbing one after the other can cause significant fatigue.
Additionally, it is very difficult to organize the schedules for both mountains because they are very close together and you would have to purchase two different tickets, one that includes Huayna Picchu Mountain and another with access to Machu Picchu Mountain.
When buying tickets for entry to the Machu Picchu Citadel, it includes the climb to one of the mountains, which you must choose at the time of ticket purchase.
It is recommended to purchase tickets for Huayna Picchu Mountain 3 months in advance. Tickets for Machu Picchu Mountain should be bought 4 weeks in advance.
Only Machu Picchu Mountain allows the entry of children under 12 years old, in the case of Huayna Picchu Mountain, it only allows the entry of individuals over 12 years old accompanied by an adult.
Yes, seniors can climb both mountains, but it is recommended that they only climb Machu Picchu Mountain, as it does not require a lot of physical effort and has rest spots.
No, the support of a tourist guide is not necessary for the tour of the two mountains.