The hike to Huayna Picchu mountain, also known as "Wayna Picchu", is an unforgettable experience that travelers can enjoy when visiting Machu Picchu.
The hike lasts approximately 2.5 hours, climbing up one side of the mountain. Throughout the journey, you will be close to a cliff over 400 meters on the right side.
The personal satisfaction and panoramic view of the entire site are impressive, which is one of the main reasons why the entrance to Huayna Picchu is so popular.
The hike to the summit of Huayna Picchu mountain has 300 tickets available per day, which is why they sell out quickly. When travelers DO NOT find available tickets for Huayna Picchu, there are very attractive alternatives for hiking the mountains.
Here are some options:
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is surrounded by mountains, and Machu Picchu Mountain is one of them. This mountain is the first alternative when Huayna Picchu tickets are sold out.
It is located at an elevation of 3,082 meters, almost 300 meters higher than the summit of Huayna Picchu mountain. This mountain has a limit of 100 tickets available for sale each day, divided into 2 groups of 100 people.
The hike to the summit takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes, round trip, and is of medium difficulty. This route does not have as dangerous cliffs as Huayna Picchu mountain, but it requires physical effort to reach the summit.
Currently, there are two entry shifts to Machu Picchu Mountain. The first group enters from 7 am and the second group from 8 am.
To purchase the ticket to Machu Picchu Mountain, it is mandatory to also buy the ticket to the citadel. The entry ticket includes circuit 1, which allows you to take the classic Machu Picchu photo and hike to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain.
The hike to Huchuy Picchu Mountain is a recently implemented trekking route by Machu Picchu authorities. This mountain is the smallest of the mountains surrounding the Inca citadel and is located right next to Huayna Picchu Mountain.
The name Huchuy Picchu means "Small Mountain" in Quechua. It has an altitude of 2,497 meters and is about 50 meters above the Inca citadel. The hike to the summit is almost 1 km and includes stone steps, giving it a moderate difficulty.
To access this route, you must purchase the entry ticket, which allows you to visit the Inca citadel with circuit 3 and hike to the summit of Huchuy Picchu Mountain. This entry is limited to 50 people per day, divided into 2 groups of 25 people each.
Another alternative if you cannot find available tickets to climb Huayna Picchu is Putucusi Mountain.
Putucusi Mountain, which means "happy mountain" in Quechua, is located right in front of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, across the Urubamba River. It is one of the lesser-known and less-explored attractions in the area.
To climb this mountain, you must walk along the train tracks from the town of Aguas Calientes to an abandoned control point. The hike to the base of the mountain takes approximately 30 minutes. Upon arrival, you must start the ascent to the summit using the stairs built alongside the mountain. The total ascent time is approximately four hours.
Avoid starting or finishing the hike at night due to low visibility, as visitors could slip and fall over 300 meters down the slope. For this same reason, avoid climbing on rainy or foggy days.
Entry to this mountain is currently free and unregulated.
Note: Climbing Putucusi Mountain is at the responsibility of the person who decides to undertake it.
When the Inca city of Machu Picchu was in its heyday, the only access route was the Inca Trail, which ended at the Sun Gate or Intipunku.
This control point is located on one side of Machu Picchu Mountain. With an elevation of 2,745 meters above sea level, it offers a privileged view of the Inca citadel, located about 150 meters below.
The access route is practically the same as Machu Picchu Mountain, only less steep. The hike from the Machu Picchu citadel to this point will take approximately 2 hours. It does not require much physical effort, but we recommend wearing appropriate hiking shoes to avoid slipping or twisting your ankle while walking.
To access this point, you need to purchase the ticket to Llaqta Machu Picchu, which includes entry to the Intipunku gate along with circuit 1.
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