Three mountains offer short trekking routes in Machu Picchu: the route to Machu Picchu mountain, the route to Huayna Picchu, and the route to Huchuy Picchu. These last two routes have the same entrance and control post, on the north side of the Inca city (in the area of the Sacred Rock). Both routes are suitable only for visitors over 18 years old, as there are scary stretches near cliffs. What are the similarities and differences between both trekking routes in Machu Picchu? Learn more!

• Mountains and adventures at Machu Picchu
• The trekking route to Huayna Picchu mountain
• The trekking route to Huchuy Picchu mountain
• Huayna Picchu: circuit, schedules, costs
• Huchuy Picchu: circuit, schedules, costs
• Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu: Which one to choose?
• Questions and answers about the visit to Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu

Location of the Machu Picchu Mountains

Machu Picchu mountain, the summit that gave its name to the Inca city
Machu Picchu mountain is located at 3,082 meters above sea level, making it the highest summit and the most challenging trekking route in the visit to Machu Picchu. Its name was taken by archaeologists to name the Inca city, whose real name is still under debate by researchers. The hiking route to its summit is approximately 2.5 kilometers. Its trails are mainly stone paths and stairways built by the Incas themselves in the 15th century. On the way there are spectacular views of the archaeological site and the vast geography that surrounds it. From the top you have the most complete view of the entire chain of mountains that make up the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. To visit this mountain you must purchase the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Mountain’, which allows you to visit the Inca city through circuit 1 or panoramic. Admission is available throughout the year but only for visitors over 18 years old.

Mountains and adventures at Machu Picchu

In Machu Picchu there are three mountains that offer three different adventure alternatives in the Inca city:

• Machu Picchu Mountain – Its name, in Quechua, means ‘old mountain’. It is at the highest point of the Inca city, at 3,082 meters above sea level. The hike to the top is approximately 2.5 kilometers. It includes beautiful views, flora, fauna and challenging routes.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain – Its name, in Quechua language, means ‘young mountain’. It is 2,693 meters above sea level. The hike to the top is approximately 2 kilometers. It includes challenging stretches, beautiful views and Inca constructions along the route.
• Huchuy Picchu Mountain – Its name, in Quechua language, means ‘small mountain’. It is 2,497 meters above sea level. The hike to the top is only 1 kilometer or less. It includes beautiful views of the archaeological site.

Map of circuit 3 – Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu

The trekking route to Huayna Picchu mountain

• The trekking route to Huayna Picchu mountain is a 2-kilometer uphill adventure mainly on stone steps.
• The hike takes an average tourist 1 hour 30 minutes.
• The hike is only suitable for people over 18 years old.
• It is open all year round.

Full view of Machu Picchu on the way to Huayna Picchu

The trekking route to Huchuy Picchu mountain

• The trekking route to Huchuy Picchu mountain is a 1 kilometer uphill adventure mainly up stone steps.
• The hike takes an average tourist 30 minutes.
• The hike is only suitable for people over 18 years old.
• It is open from June 1 to October 15 each year.

Huchuy Picchu summit on a cloudy day

Huayna Picchu: circuit, schedules, costs

The entrance Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu allows you to make the trekking route to the so-called ‘young mountain’. It also allows you to visit Machu Picchu through circuit 3, which offers visits to Inca constructions, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Royal Tomb, the set of Three Gates, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor and more. The entrance to Huayna Picchu is only allowed to visitors over 18 years old because there are some scary sections. The route is open to the public all year round. It is best to purchase this ticket online two or three months in advance. Optionally, although not recommended, you can get tickets at the last minute in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu village).

The Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket offers discounts for citizens of the Andean Community of Nations, that is, visitors from Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia. The ticket also offers discounts for visitors who are undergraduate university students under 25 years of age. Admission is only allowed to visitors over 18 years of age, so it does not offer a discount for underage visitors.

These are the admission schedules:

• Group 1: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6:00 am to 6:45 am. Entrance to Huayna Picchu is available until 8:00 am. The tourist spends five hours in total, both in Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
• Group 2: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 9:00 am to 9:45 am. Entrance to Huayna Picchu is available until 11:00 am. The tourist spends five hours in total, both in Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.

These are the prices to Huayna Picchu mountain:

Huchuy Picchu: circuit, schedules, costs

The entrance Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu allows you to make the trekking route to the so-called ‘small mountain’. It also allows you to visit Machu Picchu through circuit 3, which also offers visits to Inca constructions, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Royal Tomb, the Tres Portadas complex, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor and more. The entrance to Huchuy Picchu is only allowed to visitors over 18 years old because there are some sections that must be crossed with care. The route is open to the public from June 1 to October 15. It is best to purchase this ticket online one or two months in advance. Optionally, although not recommended, you can get tickets at the last minute in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu village).

The Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu ticket offers discounts for citizens of the Andean Community of Nations, that is, visitors from Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia. The ticket also offers discounts for visitors who are undergraduate university students under 25 years of age. Admission is only allowed for visitors over 18 years of age, so it does not offer a discount for underage visitors.

These are the admission schedules:

• Group 1: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 11:00 am to 11:45 am. Entrance to Huchuy Picchu is available until 1:00 pm. The tourist spends four hours in total, both in Machu Picchu and Huchuy Picchu.
• Group 2: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm. Entrance to Huchuy Picchu is available until 3:00 pm. The tourist spends four hours in total, both in Machu Picchu and Huchuy Picchu.

Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu: Which one to choose?

Questions and answers about the visit to Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu

• 1) With which ticket to visit the Huayna Picchu mountain?

  The Huayna Picchu mountain is available with the Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket, which allows both the visit to the Inca city and the ‘Huayna’.

• 2) With which ticket to visit Huchuy Picchu mountain?

  Huchuy Picchu Mountain is available with the Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu ticket, which also allows the visit to both Machu Picchu and ‘Huchuy’.

• 3) Which circuit in Machu Picchu includes the visit to Huayna Picchu?

  The entrance to Huayna Picchu allows the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 3 also called the circuit of royalty.

• 4) Which circuit in Machu Picchu includes the visit to Huchuy Picchu?

  The entrance to Huchuy Picchu allows the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 3, called the circuit of royalty.

• 5) Is the hike to the top of Huayna Picchu easy?

  This hike is of moderate difficulty. It goes uphill 2 kilometers through stone steps. It is suitable for tourists over 18 years old.

• 6) Is the hike to the top of Huchuy Picchu easy?

  This hike is of easy difficulty. It is only 1 kilometer uphill through trails and stone steps. It is suitable for visitors over 18 years old.

• 7) How high is the summit of Huayna Picchu?

  The summit of Huayna Picchu is 2,693 meters above sea level.

• 8) How high is the summit of Huchuy Picchu?

  The summit of Huchuy Picchu is 2,497 meters above sea level.

• 9) How to buy the entrance to Huayna Picchu?

  You can buy the entrance ticket online through the official website or with an authorized tourist agency. You can also make the purchase in the town of Aguas Calientes in person at least 1 day before your visit.

• 10) How to buy the entrance to Huchuy Picchu?

  You can buy the entrance ticket online through the official website or with an authorized tourist agency. You can also make the purchase in the town of Aguas Calientes in person at least 1 day before your visit.

Advice from people who have been there

Huayna Picchu

By: Camila G.

“I would come back without hesitation“

“I went with my husband and now I want to go back with the whole family. A trip that changes your life. When you see Machu Picchu you feel very small before this great construction of the Incas. Without hesitation I would go back. Thank you very much.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 8, 2024