The mountains of Machu Picchu are among the main attractions in the Inca sanctuary. Both Waynapicchu and Machu Picchu Mountain offer unique experiences, the hike through any of these mountains will take you through incredible trails from where you can admire all the scenic beauty of Machu Picchu. But in order to enjoy the climb to these mountains and the tour of the Inca city, you must organize your travel itinerary properly, so that you make them without haste or setbacks.

• Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain: trekking routes
• Itinerary of visit to Machu Picchu Mountains
• How to organize my trip to Machu Picchu?
• Ticket price to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains
• More information about the Machu Picchu Mountains
• Questions and answers about Huayna Picchu and Machupicchu Mountains

View of the summit of Huayna Picchu mountain

Huchuy Picchu Mountain
The most famous mountains in the visit to the Inca city are definitely the Huayna Picchu and Machupicchu mountains. However, there is another mountain that offers a lighter hike, less than 1 kilometer and, at the top, allows you to appreciate beautiful views of the entire archaeological site. This is the hike to the Huchuy Picchu mountain. Its name, translated from the Quechua language, means ‘small mountain’. Its summit is only 50 meters above the archaeological site. The route takes an average of 30 minutes. It is suitable for visitors of all ages. The entrance to Huchuy Picchu is inside the entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain.

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain: trekking routes

• The Huayna Picchu

  Huayna Picchu is the most famous mountain of Machu Picchu, the one that stands out in the classic photos (which are taken from the sector of the Guardian’s House). The summit is at 2,693 meters above sea level. The hike to the top is along Inca trails, mainly made of stone. It is almost 2 kilometers long and takes approximately 2 hours to reach the top. Access to the mountain is only for visitors over 12 years old.

• The Machu Picchu Mountain

  Machu Picchu mountain is the highest peak in the Inca city as its summit is at 3,082 meters above sea level. The hiking route to the top is mainly on Inca trails, with some viewpoints from where you can get beautiful pictures of Machu Picchu. The hike is uphill for about 2.5 kilometers. For an average tourist it takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. Access to this summit is suitable for visitors of all ages.

Itinerary of visit to Machu Picchu Mountains

In order to enter any of the mountains of Machu Picchu you must purchase one of the combined tickets that include the mountains of Machu Picchu.

Check available Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket schedules to organize your itinerary

• Itinerary for group 1: Enter Machupicchu from 7 a.m. and access Huaynapicchu mountain between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
• Itinerary for group 2: Enter Machupicchu from 8 a.m. and access Huaynapicchu Mountain between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
• Itinerary for group 3: Enter Machupicchu from 9 a.m. and access Huaynapicchu Mountain between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Itinerary for group 4: Enter Machupicchu from 10 a.m. and access Huaynapicchu mountain between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Organize your trip to Machu Picchu mountain according to the schedules and groups available.

• Itinerary for group 1: Enter Machupicchu from 7 a.m. and access the mountain between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
• Itinerary for group 2: Enter Machupicchu from 9 a.m. and access the mountain between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

As you can see, the schedules for entering the mountains are made at specific times and in the morning. You should also keep in mind that you can enter Machu Picchu very early in the morning, being advisable to enter as early as possible to the Inca city.

If you choose the first or second schedule of any of the mountains, you will be able to visit Machu Picchu town before ascending the mountain of your choice; you can stay inside Machu Picchu for up to five or six hours after your entrance.

You will be able to stay inside Machu Picchu until 2 pm if you chose Waynapicchu and until 3 pm if you chose Machu Picchu Mountain. In Machu Picchu you must follow the established circuit: circuit 4 for the entrance to Huayna Picchu and circuit 3 for the entrance to Machupicchu Mountain.

How to organize my trip to Machu Picchu?

• If you want to make a quiet and unhurried trip, it is best to arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes one day before the date of your visit to Machu Picchu. Usually, the tours will take you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the town of Ollantaytambo, and from there you can take the train to Aguas Calientes. It is also possible that the transportation will take you directly from Cusco to the train station in Ollantaytambo.
• By staying the day before in Machu Picchu village (Aguas Calientes) you will be able to sleep and be rested for the climb and hike the next day. This will also allow you to sample the flavor of Peruvian food in many of the restaurants in the small town of Machu Picchu and get to know the surrounding area.
• Already on the long awaited day it is recommended that you get up very early to take the transportation that will take you to the entrance to Machu Picchu. Buses leave for the Inca city of Machu Picchu from the town of Aguas Calientes at 5 am, but you should take into account that the trip takes between 25 and 30 minutes approximately, in addition to the queues that usually exist in the bus station. The entrance gates to the Inca city open at 6:00 am.
• It is for this reason that it is totally counterproductive to want to visit Machu Picchu in one day if you have any of the combined tickets with entrance to the mountains, and even if you have your ticket with the third turn to enter any of the mountains, you would arrive just in time, and you would not have time to make the tour of the Inca city, in addition to the fatigue and stress that would produce such a rushed trip.
• Fulfilling the entire itinerary of the visit to Machu Picchu, at sunset you will be back to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can take and eat something to replenish your energy after visiting the Inca wonder. If you have scheduled you can take the train back to Ollantaytambo in any of the trains that leave from 4 pm. Once in Ollantaytambo you can spend the night there or return directly to Cusco.

Machu Picchu archaeological site

Ticket price to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains

More information about the Machu Picchu Mountains

• The Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket is the most requested by visitors to Machu Picchu, so you should book them two months in advance.
• To climb the mountains you should bring only what is strictly necessary, and enough water for the entire journey.
• It is advisable to book your train tickets in advance and adapt the schedules to your itinerary of visit to Machu Picchu.

Tourist at the summit of Huayna Picchu Mountain

Questions and answers about Huayna Picchu and Machupicchu Mountains

• 1) What is the best time to visit the Huayna Picchu mountain?

  The first schedule (entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 am) is the best time to visit the Huayna Picchu mountain because it allows the hike with less heat and enjoying the scenery at sunrise.

• 2) What is the best time to visit the Machu Picchu mountain?

  The first schedule (entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 am) is the best time to visit the Machu Picchu mountain because it allows you to hike with less heat and enjoy the scenery at sunrise.

• What)is the circuit included in the entrance to Huayna Picchu?

  The ‘Machupicchu + Huayna Picchu’ ticket includes circuit 4 in the Inca city (tour of the lower part of 1 hour 30 minutes approximately).

• 4) What is the circuit included in the entrance to Machu Picchu mountain?

  The ‘Machupicchu + Mountain’ ticket includes circuit 3 in the Inca city (tour of the lower part of approximately 1 hour).

• 5) Can I visit Huayna Picchu Mountain in one day from Cusco?

  Yes, Huayna Picchu mountain can be visited in one day leaving from Cusco. For this you must choose the fourth schedule (entrance to Machu Picchu from 10 am).

• 6) Can I visit Machu Picchu mountain in one day from Cusco?

  No, Machu Picchu mountain cannot be visited in one day departing from Cusco. This is due to the fact that its last entrance time is at 9:00 am. The only option is that the tourist must leave very early (2 or 3 in the morning from Cusco).

• 7) What photo can I get from the top of Huayna Picchu?

  At the top of Huayna Picchu the tourist can get panoramic photos of Machu Picchu and all the Andean geography that surrounds it.

• 8) What photo can I get from the top of the Machu Picchu mountain?

  At the top of the Machu Picchu mountain the tourist can get panoramic photos of Machu Picchu and all the Andean geography that surrounds it. It is the highest point.

• 9) How much does the entrance fee to Huayna Picchu cost?

  This entrance fee is 200 soles for foreign adults and 112 soles for citizens of the Andean Community (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia). There are also discounts for visitors who are university students and citizens under 18 years of age.

• 10) How much does the entrance fee to Machu Picchu mountain cost?

  This entrance also costs 200 soles for foreign adults and 112 soles for citizens of the Andean Community (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia). There are also discounts for visitors who are university students and citizens under 18 years of age.

Advice from people who have been there

Wayna Picchu

By: Harry Q.

“Exhausting, but the best I've done“

“Waynapicchu is one of those challenges that seems that you can't do it, but with will and a lot of desire you can get to the top. The best experience and adventure of my life. However, as a tip I suggest to go rested, as you need more air to then walk through the ruins of Machu Picchu.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 16, 2024