There are three hiking routes to mountains in the archaeological site of Machu Picchu: a) the route to Huayna Picchu, b) the route to Huchuy Picchu and c) the route to Machu Picchu mountain. All of them allow hiking from whose summits there are panoramic views of the Inca citadel. Of all of them, the route to Machupicchu mountain is the longest and, therefore, the most arduous and difficult. It is a 2.5 kilometer hike uphill on trails built by the Incas themselves. The entrance ticket also includes a visit to the archaeological site for the circuit. What else does it include? Learn more!

• What is the highest mountain in Machu Picchu?
• What is the experience of visiting Machu Picchu mountain like?
• What does the visit to Machu Picchu mountain include?
• Which ticket should I choose to visit Machu Picchu mountain?
• Questions and answers about Machu Picchu mountain

Visitor photographing from the top of Machu Picchu Mountain

Is Machu Picchu mountain the same as Huayna Picchu mountain?
Machu Picchu Mountain is not the same as Huayna Picchu. This summit is located south of the citadel of Machu Picchu, just in front of the Waynapicchu. It is the great mountain on which was built the sacred city of the Incas, and precisely because of it, Machu Picchu owes its name. It rises to more than 3,082 meters of altitude being a higher mountain and with an even better view than Huayna Picchu. The entrance to both the mountain and Huayna Picchu is allowed only for visitors over 18 years old.

What is the highest mountain in Machu Picchu?

• The Machu Picchu mountain is the highest of the four peaks that surround the Inca city. It is located 3,082 meters above sea level. The other three summits are Huchuy Picchu (2,497 meters above sea level), Huayna Picchu (2,720 meters above sea level) and Putucusi (2,560 meters above sea level). The latter is not open for tourist visits.
• From the top of the mountain you have a panoramic view, the most complete of the archaeological site, of the mountain range and the beautiful high jungle geography that surrounds Machu Picchu. However, it is not necessary to get to the top to have this view. From its various viewpoints on the slopes of the mountain you can get these views.
• The hike to the Machu Picchu mountain is arduous. It is estimated that it is 2.5 kilometers uphill through stone staircases made by the Incas and steep trails, always ascending (it is estimated to climb about 600 meters from the archaeological site).
• Machu Picchu belongs to the mountain chain known as the Vilcabamba range, where high mountains like the snow-capped Salkantay, the second highest in Cusco with a height of 6,271 meters, stand out. At certain times of the year, from the top of the Machupicchu mountain, you can see part of the immense Salkantay.

Machu Picchu Mountain View

What is the experience of visiting Machu Picchu mountain like?

• Climbing to the top of the Machu Picchu mountain is a challenging experience but full of adventure and beautiful memories.
• First you must get to Machu Picchu. At the entrance gate you must show the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Mountain’, which allows access to this summit and the route through the archaeological site through circuit 1.
• After the entrance you climb stone stairs for 15 to 30 minutes until you reach the famous Casa del Guardián, also known as Casa del Vigilante. There you have a classic view of the citadel, so tourists get their classic picture of Machu Picchu.
• After spending some time taking nice pictures, we return to the sector of Inca roads (qhapac ñan) to take the detour of stone stairs, which leads to the entrance gate of the Machu Picchu mountain. There you must show your ticket, register the time of access and begin the adventure to the top of Machu Picchu.
• The hike up the Machu Picchu mountain is 2.5 kilometers on average. You ascend through viewpoints on the slopes of the mountains. From there you can get beautiful photos and panoramic views of the archaeological site, so it is not necessary to reach the top.
• However, if you continue on the route, the visitor will have to negotiate stone stairs and trails, all built by the Incas themselves more than 500 years ago. You can hear the birds singing and, if you are lucky, you may spot some mammals along the route. The truth is that an average visitor can complete the route in 2 hours or a little more.
• Once at the top, the tourist will be about 600 meters higher than the Guardian’s House in Machu Picchu. At that altitude, from 3,082 meters above sea level, you have a full view of the beautiful geography surrounding Machu Picchu.
• However, at some times of the year the site is covered with clouds making it difficult to get a picture or fully enjoy the scenery. The rainiest and most foggy months are January, February and March.
• After the visit to the Machu Picchu mountain, it is time to return to the Inca citadel. The way back is the same as the way out, only downhill. For many it is easier, but you must be careful not to stumble on the steps. On average, the descent takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
• In summary, if you want to see Machu Picchu from the top, this is your best alternative, the Machu Picchu mountain allows you to make a spectacular hike along its trails, which, unlike the Huayna Picchu, are wide and with gentler slopes. This tour can be done by everyone, and from which you can get the most spectacular panoramic views of the entire Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, it is even possible to see the nearby snow-capped mountains.
• However, for security reasons, only visitors over 18 years of age are allowed to enter the mountain.

Map of the route to Machu Picchu Mountain

What does the visit to Machu Picchu mountain include?

This is what is included in the visit to Machu Picchu Mountain:

• Route by the viewpoint of the Guardian’s House where you get the classic photo of Machu Picchu (circuit 1).
• Adventure by stairs and trails built by the Incas themselves more than 500 years ago.
• Panoramic photos from the top of Machu Picchu mountain at 3,082 meters above sea level. Or panoramic photos from the viewpoints of the mountain. It is not necessary to get to the top to have this kind of photos.
• Experience nature on the trails with few visitors on the Machu Picchu mountain. With luck you can observe birds and mammals.

Descending from Machu Picchu mountain

Which ticket should I choose to visit Machu Picchu mountain?

The ticket you should choose to visit this mountain is the ‘Machu Picchu + Mountain’ ticket, which offers the visit to the Inca archaeological site through circuit 1 (panoramic route), as well as the trekking route to Machupicchu mountain (suitable for visitors over 18 years old).

The Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket has the following cost:

The Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket has the following two entrance times:

Group 1

• It allows the entrance of up to 200 people.
• It allows entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 am to 6.30 am.
• The entrance to climb the mountain is until 8 in the morning.
• The travel time up and down is 3 to 4 hours.
• Before touring the mountain you can make the circuit 1 by Machu Picchu.
• The ticket allows you to stay inside the Inca city until 12 pm maximum.

Group 2

• It allows the entrance of up to 200 people.
• It allows entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 am to 8.30 am.
• The entrance to climb the mountain is until 10 in the morning.
• The travel time up and down is 3 to 4 hours.
• Before touring the mountain you can make the circuit 1 by Machu Picchu.
• The ticket allows you to stay inside the Inca city until 2 pm maximum.

Questions and answers about Machu Picchu mountain

• 1) What is the highest mountain in the archaeological site of Machu Picchu?

  The Machu Picchu mountain is the highest peak of those surrounding the archaeological site. It is located at an altitude of 3,082 meters above sea level. Huayna Picchu is the second highest with an elevation of 2,720 meters.

• 2) Is Huayna Picchu the same as Machu Picchu mountain?

  No, Huayna Picchu is the most popular mountain located north of Machu Picchu. Machupicchu mountain is the highest mountain located to the south. The latter is the one that gave the name to the archaeological site, which in Inca times was called Patallaqta.

• 3) How are the views from the top of Machu Picchu mountain?

  From the top of Machu Picchu mountain you have panoramic views of the archaeological site. That is, you can see the Inca city, the surrounding mountains, the Vilcanota River, the train track, the vast Amazonian vegetation and more.

• 4) From the top of the Machu Picchu mountain can I get the classic photos of Machu Picchu?

  No, the classic photo of Machu Picchu is obtained from the sector of the Guardian’s House in the archaeological site (circuit 1). The photo from the top of the mountain is a more panoramic one, with views of the mountain range and the Amazonian geography of Cusco.

• 5) Is the visit to the Machu Picchu mountain every day?

  Yes, the visit to this mountain, as well as the visit to the Inca archaeological site, is open every day of the year, except in cases of emergencies such as natural disasters or social protests.

• 6) Is the visit to the Machu Picchu mountain for tourists of all ages? Can children enter?

  No, the entrance to this mountain is only allowed for tourists over 18 years old. It is not possible to enter with children.

• 7) What is the circuit that offers the visit to the Machu Picchu mountain?

  The ‘Machu Picchu + Mountain’ ticket includes circuit 1 (panoramic circuit) through the Inca archaeological site. That is, the tourist will visit the Guardian’s House where you can take the classic postcard photo.

• 8) What are the other mountains of Machu Picchu besides the Machu Picchu mountain?

  Machu Picchu mountain is the highest of the four peaks that surround the Inca city. It is located 3,082 meters above sea level. The other three summits are Huchuy Picchu (2,497 meters above sea level), Huayna Picchu (2,720 meters above sea level) and Putucusi (2,560 meters above sea level). The latter is not open for tourist visits.

• 9) What are the two entrance hours to Machu Picchu mountain?

  The first schedule allows the entrance to the Machu Picchu mountain from 6 am to 6.30 am. The second schedule allows the entrance from 8 am to 8.30 am.

• 10) Is it necessary to get to the top of the Machu Picchu mountain to get panoramic photos?

  No, along the mountain there are viewpoints on the slopes. From there you have panoramic views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding geography. That is, it is not necessary to get to the top to get these spectacular views.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu Mountain

By: Hernan V.

“A fascinating mountain“

“Hiking up the Machu Picchu mountain was one of the best things we did with my friends during our visit to the wonder of the Incas. Dozens of spectacular photos will do justice to this incredible place.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, October 30, 2024