The mountains were sacred to the Incas. Precisely, they chose a place surrounded by mountains to build the Wonder of the World. In total there are 3 peaks that surround the Inca City: the Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu and Putucusi mountains. In addition, there is a small summit called ‘Huchuy Picchu’. In all these peaks you can take hiking routes.

• The Huayna Picchu mountain (Waynapicchu)
• Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu
• Machu Picchu mountain
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu mountain
• The Huchuy Picchu mountain
• Entrance ticket to Huchuy Picchu
• Putucusi Mountain
• How to enter Putucusi?
• Recommendations on the trip to the mountains of Machu Picchu

Inca city of Machu Picchu built on top of a mountain

What is Machu Picchu and what is the Machu Picchu mountain?
Machu Picchu is in the Cordillera de los Andes of Cusco in Peru. Around it are the mountains Putucusi, Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu (whose name was taken from this summit). That is, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu took its name from the highest mountain that surrounds the place. According to some chronicles, the true name of the Inca city would be ‘Patallaqta’.

The Huayna Picchu mountain (Waynapicchu)

• The Huayna Picchu mountain rises to 2,720 meters above sea level, more than 300 meters above the Inca City of Machu Picchu.
• From its top you can get incredible aerial views of the sacred city of the Incas.
• Its trails were built more than 500 years ago on one side of the steep walls of the mountain.
• This route is along vertigo trails. It also crosses the famous ‘stairs of death’ of Huayna Picchu.
• Everything makes this mountain one of the most challenging experiences you can have.

Huayna Picchu mountain seen from Machu Picchu

Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu

• To secure a place on this mountain, you will need to book the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket 3 or 4 months in advance.
• To explore this mountain you must be at least 12 years old. In addition, people who suffer from vertigo should refrain from visiting it.
• Its trails hundreds of meters above the ground can be terrifying for people with a fear of heights.

These are the entrance prices to the Huayna Picchu mountain:

These are the Waynapicchu schedules:

• Group 1 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 am / Waynapicchu entrance from 7 am to 8 am
• Group 2 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 am / Waynapicchu entrance from 8 am to 9 am
• Group 3 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 am / Waynapicchu entrance from 9 am to 10 am
• Group 4 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 9 am / Entrance to Waynapicchu from 10 am to 11 am

Machu Picchu mountain

• The Machu Picchu mountain is preferred by people who come as a family: with small children or with people of advanced age.
• The summit rises more than 400 meters above the Inca city. Offers incredible views. Its paths are wide and safe.
• With just a 20-minute tour, you can begin to see the incredible views of the Inca City of Machu Picchu.

View of the Inca city of Machu Picchu from the Machu Picchu mountain

Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu mountain

• To tour the Machu Picchu mountain you will need to purchase the Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket.
• You can purchase this ticket up to 1 month in advance. However, we recommend doing it two or three months in advance.
• Purchasing in advance will allow you enough time to make the other necessary reservations: train tickets, hotels and so on.

These are the entrance prices to the Machu Picchu mountain:

These are the entry times to the Machu Picchu mountain:

• Group 1 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 am / Entrance to the Mountain from 7 am to 8 am
• Group 2 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 am / Entrance to the Mountain from 8 am to 9 am

To enter the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains you must purchase two types of entrance tickets. Putucusi Mountain is free although it is not currently open to the public for safety reasons.

The Huchuy Picchu mountain

• The Huchuy Picchu mountain is located at 2,497 meters above sea level, only about 50 meters higher than the Inca city of Machupicchu (2,430 meters above sea level).
• Its name is Quechua and means ‘Little Mountain’. And the walk to the top is short, lasting between 30 to 40 minutes. From there you have a nice view of the entire archaeological site of Machupicchu.
• Access to this mountain is the same as Huayna Picchu. Once inside there is a path to Huchuy Picchu and another to Huayna Picchu. Of course the route to Huayna Picchu is longer.
• Huchuy Picchu mountain is actually a slope of Huayna Picchu. However, it offers a lighter route, suitable for all people.
• Entry to this mountain is allowed for visitors of all ages.

Entrance ticket to Huchuy Picchu

• To visit this mountain you must buy the Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu entrance ticket 3 or 4 weeks in advance.
• The route to this mountain is short as it takes between 30 to 40 minutes to reach the top. Admission is suitable for tourists of all ages.
• The entrance ticket allows you to do circuit 4 through the lower part of Machu Picchu.

These are the entrance prices to the Huchuy Picchu mountain:

These are the Huchuypicchu schedules:

• Group 1 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 am / Entrance to Huchuypicchu from 7 am to 8 am
• Group 2 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 am / Entrance to Huchuypicchu from 8 am to 9 am
• Group 3 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 am / Entrance to Huchuypicchu from 9 am to 10 am
• Group 4 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 9 am / Entrance to Huchuypicchu from 10 am to 11 am
• Group 5 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 am / Entrance to Huchuypicchu from 11 am to 12 pm
• Group 6 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 am / Entrance to Huchuypicchu from 12 pm to 1 pm
• Group 7 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 am / Entrance to Huchuypicchu from 1 pm to 2 pm
• Group 8 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 9 am / Entrance to Huchuypicchu from 2 pm to 3 pm

Putucusi Mountain

• Putucusi is a round-shaped mountain that rises to 2,560 meters above sea level. It is located northeast of the Urubamba River, on the opposite side of Machu Picchu.
• Its summit offers epic views of Machu Picchu, surrounded by mountains and valleys. At the top they sit in the clouds and it seems almost unreal.
• The Putucusi mountain mixes the two previous mountains, vertigo trails, and landscapes surrounded by orchids and butterflies.
• You will be able to see hundreds of birds and the Inca City of Machu Picchu seen from another angle.
• There are few people who have obtained views of Machu Picchu from this mountain.
• Climbing its paths is difficult and dangerous. It is advisable to be accompanied by a person who knows the route.

Putucusi Mountain or Happy Mountain

How to enter Putucusi?

• To access Putucusi you will not need any Machu Picchu ticket.
• Entry to Putucusi mountain is from the town of Aguas Calientes.
• It is not recommended to visit Putucusi Mountain with children.

Recommendations on the trip to the mountains of Machu Picchu

• If you want to explore any of the mountains of Machu Picchu, we recommend doing so with the appropriate equipment: hiking boots, rain and sun protection.
• Follow the indicated paths and do not cross the safety lines. This could cause accidents.
• In any case, it is recommended to book train tickets immediately after booking entry tickets to any of the mountains.
• If you visit Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu mountain with children, watch them closely and obey the signs on the roads.

Advice from people who have been there

Huayna Picchu

By: Mari G

“Huayna at 66“

“I must confess that it was not simple, I am 66 years old and it was one of the strongest experiences that I have had in my life; As I read in one of the comments of ticket Machu Picchu, you have to take the time and arrive quiet. It is a magical and unequaled place, although I almost give up, I knew I could not go back and I reached the top. Amazing views, but when I started the way back I felt some nostalgia, since it is possibly the only time I can see Machu Picchu from the 'Wayna' and I regretted not having done it before. However, the effort was amply rewarded with an UNFORGETTABLE experience !!! “

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024