Huayna Picchu (also spelled Waynapicchu) is the famous mountain behind Machu Picchu. This mountain will offer you, besides the incredible adventure of reaching the top, some of the best aerial views of Machu Picchu. Unfortunately the entrance to the “huayna” is limited to only 400 people each day. In this blog we will know 4 alternatives to have beautiful views of Machu Picchu. Stay and learn more about the activities that can be done in the wonder of the world.

• Alternative 1: The Machu Picchu Mountain
• Alternative 2: The Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
• Alternative 3: Putucusi Mountain
• Alternative 4: Huchuy Picchu Mountain
• More alternatives

View from the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain

If you were not able to book in time one of the Machu Picchu tickets that include Huayna Picchu mountain, here we bring you 4 equally amazing alternatives. However, we have to emphasize that some of these hikes can be quite difficult, which means you will need more than just hiking shoes to overcome them. See if there are spaces available for Huayna Picchu trekking.

Alternative 1: The Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Your easiest alternative to see the Inca city from above is to climb Machu Picchu mountain. You can book tickets for this mountain a few weeks in advance. Note that the top of Machu Picchu mountain rises to 3,082 meters above sea level, considerably higher than Huayna Picchu mountain so it will take you longer to hike it. Still undecided between Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu mountain?

Allow 3 to 4 hours for the complete circuit (round trip). Tickets are limited to 400 admissions per day. Of which 200 tickets can be reserved virtually in advance. The rest of the tickets can be purchased from the offices in Cusco and Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes).

While it does not have trails next to steep cliffs like Huayna Picchu Mountain, it is higher and is still a challenging hike. You may be more alone than you could be at any time on Huayna Picchu Mountain.

See the available alternatives to see Machu Picchu mountain

View of Machu Picchu from Machu Picchu Mountain

Alternative 2: The Sun Gate (Inti Punku)

The sun gate (intipunku) is a perfect alternative for people who did not get one of the 400 tickets available to climb Huayna Picchu. Not everyone likes extreme heights. Intipunku is the ancient main entrance to Machu Picchu, this is where people entered more than 500 years ago and you can do it without facing vertical drops of 400 meters or more, as in the case of the Huayna Picchu mountain.

People who decide to take the Inca Trail will enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. However, it is also possible to climb to the sun gate from Machu Picchu. To do this, it will be necessary to book the Machu Picchu + Inti Punku ticket. It allows the entrance of 180 people in 4 different but continuous schedules that start at 8:00 in the morning. Each schedule allows the entrance of 45 people to Inti Punku. Reservations can only be made virtually. It is important to know that this ticket can only be purchased during the high season (June 1st and October 15th).

To visit the Intipunku, first check if there are schedules available in the Machu Picchu Solo ticket.

Landscape of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu observed from the Sun Gate

Comparative table

Alternative 3: Putucusi Mountain

This mountain located in front of Machu Picchu offers one of the most incredible hikes in Machu Picchu, but very few people know about it. It is called Putucusi and you will not need a ticket to enter; at least for now. If you have a free morning in Aguas Calientes, it is a wonderful alternative to the “huayna” and one of the places where you will be able to be more alone, keep in mind that this is a very rare thing in a place like Machu Picchu. It is a very challenging hike and could be closed for security reasons.

The hike starts in Aguas Calientes; this mountain is famous for its wooden stairs and highly challenging trails. The round trip will take you approximately 3 hours and will take you to an altitude of 2,500 meters, from where you can get (very rare) horizontal views of Machu Picchu. We know you are coming to Cusco for Machu Picchu, so you can visit the Inca city in the afternoon and use the morning to ascend Putucusi Mountain.

The entrance to this mountain does not require any ticket, not even the Machu Picchu Solo ticket.

Side view of Machu Picchu observed from Putucusi mountain

Alternative 4: Huchuy Picchu Mountain

Huchuy Picchu, behind Machu Picchu, is the simplest alternative to climbing Huayna. It is the last option on the list; to tell the truth, it is not a true alternative but rather something of a consolation prize. Huchuy Picchu is the smallest peak of Machu Picchu and is located right next to Huayna Picchu. You will only be able to climb this mountain with valid tickets to enter Huayna Picchu mountain. The difference is that it is very small, the hike is much shorter and it is not particularly challenging.

After the changes in the Machu Picchu tickets, new routes were enabled for the high season. The ticket for Machu Picchu and Huchuy Picchu, this ticket was placed so that it can be booked only during high season. There are only 50 entrance tickets and two schedules. The first one starts at 10:00 a.m. and the second one at 12:00 noon.

Choose one of these two schedules so you can do the tour. It is recommended to do the tour at 10:00 a.m. to finish right at lunch time. While the second schedule could be done after having a small or light lunch.

The small Huchuy Picchu Mountain next to the popular Huayna Picchu Mountain

More alternatives

In 2017, the Peruvian Government changed its Machu Picchu entrance and ticket pricing policy. There is now a limit on the number of visits. It is also necessary to enter with an official tour guide.

Ollantaytambo is only a couple of kilometers away and is probably the best alternative to Machu Picchu.

The city of Pisac is another great alternative outside of Machu Picchu; however, to visit Ollantaytambo or the city of Pisac, you will need the Cusco tourist ticket.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu Mountain

By: Bryan V.

“I continue to be impressed“

“Excellent experience, my third time in Machu Picchu and I continue to be impressed; this time it was the Machu Picchu mountain. It is a really special experience, very pleasant and for all ages. I recommend taking lots of water, a good camera and sunscreen, because in case you didn't know, the radiation in this area makes you have to block yourself even if it's not sunny.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 28, 2024