Huayna Picchu is the preferred destination for visitors. The entrance ticket to Waynapicchu Mountain also provides entrance to Machu Picchu. Although their available schedules provide the opportunity to visit both archaeological sites, many tourists want to take their time to enjoy these incredible attractions. Is it possible to visit these two sites on different days?

• Difference between Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu
• The ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu
• Huayna Picchu entrance schedules
• Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu on different days
• Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu in a single day
• Recommendations

Hike Huayna Picchu mountain and Machu Picchu on different days

Difference between Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu

Machu Picchu is the Inca City built on the mountain of the same name. In Quechua it means ‘Old Mountain’ and among its main attractions is the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the Intihuatana, the Main Temple, and others.

Huayna Picchu, can be translated as “Young Mountain”. This mountain is the one that appears at the end of the citadel in the postcard photos of Machu Picchu. This mountain not only houses Inca constructions on its summit. It is also possible to find an imposing temple at the foot of the mountain. This temple is the Temple of the Moon or the Great Cavern. Since the changes made in the tickets, you can find an exclusive ticket for this site. This is the Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon, but it can only be done during the official high season (01 June to 15 October).

About the Intihuatana
The Intihuatana is one of the most imposing and important attractions of Machu Picchu. It is a pyramid or ushnu, where you can find constructions of the imperial type. There you can also find one of the mysteries of Machu Picchu, the presence of a carved stone that seems to be a solar calendar. Unfortunately, this enclosure is one of the most damaged by the passage of time. That is why since the middle of 2024, tourists have been prohibited from visiting this site. Entering the Intihuatana will be impossible, none of the tickets allow entry.

The ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu

The entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain includes the entrance to Machu Picchu. This is the ticket that sells out the fastest. Only 400 people make their entry in 2 groups of 200 visitors each. Due to the high demand, it must be booked 3 months in advance. This ticket allows you to visit both attractions in one day.

Huayna Picchu mountain view

Huayna Picchu entrance schedules

• Huayna Picchu Group 1: Schedule 07:00 a.m. to 08:00 a.m.

  This schedule allows you to enter Waynapicchu between eight and nine in the morning (you can enter Machu Picchu from 7 a.m.). After descending from the ‘Young Mountain’ you can stay in the Inca City until noon.

• Huayna Picchu Group 2: Schedule 09:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

  This schedule allows you to enter Waynapicchu between ten and eleven in the morning (you can enter and tour Machu Picchu from 9 a.m.). After descending from the ‘Young Mountain’ you can stay in the Inca City until 02:00 p.m.

Machu Picchu seen from the top of Huayna Picchu mountain

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu on different days

To enjoy Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu with time and tranquility it is advisable to do the tour on different days. This way you will not be in a hurry to visit the ‘Young Mountain’ and the Inca Citadel on the same day. To do this you must book in addition to the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket.

With the tickets to enter Machu Picchu (Machu Picchu Classic Circuit). These two tickets that allow the tour for much of the Inca citadel. These two tickets have the same entrance times. In total you can find 10 schedules, let’s see:

• Group 1 – Entrance from 06:00 a.m. to 07:00 a.m.
• Group 2 – Entrance from 07:00 a.m. to 08:00 a.m.
• Group 3 – Entrance from 08:00 a.m. to 09:00 a.m.
• Group 4 – Entrance from 09:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Group 5 – Entrance from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Group 6 – Entrance from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Group 7 – Entrance from 12:00 p.m. to 01:00 p.m.
• Group 8 – Entrance from 01:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.
• Group 9 – Entrance from 02:00 p.m. to 03:00 p.m.
• Group 10 – Entrance from 03:00 p.m. to 04:00 p.m.

If you booked your entrance to Huayna Picchu you can also do the tour to Machu Picchu at the same time. However, if you want to know and discover more of the attractions that Machu Picchu offers without any rush, it is advisable to book your entrance to Machu Picchu for the next day.

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu in a single day

The Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket is designed in such a way that the visitor has time to visit both Inca sites. The ascent and descent to the ‘Wayna’ takes an average of 3 hours and a guided tour of Machu Picchu takes two hours. Therefore, the tourists will have one hour free to visit the Wonder of the World on their own.

To visit Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu in one day, Group 1 must enter Waynapicchu Mountain at 8:00 a.m on time. It is advisable to enter Machu Picchu at 7:00 a.m. to take advantage of the time. After ascending and descending the ‘Wayna’ you will be able to tour the Inca Citadel until noon.

It is important to do this tour early in the morning. It is advisable to spend the night in Machu Picchu Pueblo to start activities from 6:00 am to enter precisely at 7:00 am. It is advisable to do the tour at this time to appreciate part of the sunrise and make the ascent with milder weather. Remember that you should choose to spend the night in Machu Picchu Pueblo after doing the tour of Machu Picchu on the first day.

To visit Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu in one day, Group 2 must enter Waynapicchu Mountain at 10 a.m. on time. It is advisable to enter Machu Picchu earlier (9:00 a.m.) and take the guided tour. After ascending and descending the ‘Wayna’ you will be able to tour the Inca City until 2 p.m.

There are many who prefer this schedule, because doing the ascent at this time allows you to have a view without any fog. In addition, the tour is under the bright sun so it will be important to use and carry sunscreen and mosquito repellent. You will also be able to start activities at a more comfortable time and ideal for a leisurely breakfast. Do not forget to book in both schedules the ecological bus to reach the access area to Machu Picchu.

View of the Inca citadel from Huayna Picchu

Recommendations

• If you want to visit both tours in one day it will be important to get up early and take the first schedule to enter the Huayna Picchu. In the case of reservations for the Classic Machu Picchu ticket in the afternoon. Although doing it this way can be very tiring.
• It is important to note that entrance to Machu Picchu is only for people over 18 years of age (previously it was allowed for people over 12 years of age).
• Reserve your entrance to Huayna Picchu months in advance due to high demand. Especially in high season (April to October).
• Again, it is advisable to do this entire tour in two days.
• If you cannot get a ticket to Huayna Picchu, another option is to book a ticket to Machu Picchu + Mountain.

Advice from people who have been there

Huayna Picchu

By: Rocío L.

“Worthwhile“

“You have to be attentive to book in advance and start getting to know the city from there because it is a demanding climb. I recommend going back through the back, which is very little visited and has a lot of magic.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 31, 2024