Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain
You can admire Machu Picchu from different angles. Extend your visit to the ancient Inca city by climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
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Huayna Picchu is the iconic peak that dominates the skyline in every Machu Picchu picture. It’s a bit of a climb, but the views are absolutely worth it! These mountains - Machu Picchu Mountain & Huayna Picchu - are climbed without a guide.
Huayna Picchu – which means “young mountain” in Quechua – stands at around 2,700 meters. If you still have some energy left after the Trail and don’t mind climbing many stairs, consider adding Huayna Picchu to your itinerary. This “young mountain” can be climbed all the way to the top, which means an ascent of about 500 meters from the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over Machu Picchu.
Climbing Huayna Picchu After Your Trail
Climbing Huayna Picchu can be combined with any Trail or tour to Machu Picchu. Tickets for Huayna Picchu are only available in combination with a Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Since your Trail already includes a visit to Machu Picchu, we will purchase an additional ticket for you (Circuit 3 / Huayna Picchu).
This means that upon arrival at Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour with your own group, covering all the highlights of this beautiful Inca city. Afterward, your guide will point you to the entrance of Huayna Picchu so you can start your climb. With the extra Huayna Picchu ticket, you will have 2 additional hours to climb the mountain.
Huayna Picchu Climb Start Times
Huayna Picchu can only be climbed in the morning. You can choose to start between 7:00 – 9:00 AM or 9:00 – 11:00 AM. There are a total of 175 tickets available per day for each start time. Because climbing Huayna Picchu is as popular as the Inca Trail, we recommend reserving your Huayna Picchu ticket when booking your Trail.
When you climb Huayna Picchu, you are guaranteed extra time to hike the mountain and visit Machu Picchu – a total of 6 hours. The advantage is that after the Huayna Picchu climb, you can explore Machu Picchu on your own along the designated route without a guide.
Machu Picchu Mountain
If Huayna Picchu tickets are sold out, there is another option to enjoy Machu Picchu from a great height: Machu Picchu Mountain. This climb is for the truly adventurous, as it reaches over 3,000 meters, making it slightly higher and more challenging than Huayna Picchu. Prices for Machu Picchu Mountain are the same as for Huayna Picchu. With this ticket, however, you do not get extra time to explore Machu Picchu on your own, as the descent ends outside the site.
Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain After Your Trail
Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain can also be combined with any Trail or tour to Machu Picchu. Tickets for Machu Picchu Mountain are only sold in combination with a Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Since your Trail already includes a visit to Machu Picchu, we will purchase an additional ticket for you (Circuit 1 / Machu Picchu Mountain).
Upon arrival, you will enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu with your group, covering all the highlights of this remarkable Inca city. Afterward, your guide will show you the entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain so you can begin your climb. With the extra ticket, you will have 6 additional hours to climb this mountain.
What to Expect at Huayna Picchu
- Start times: 7:00 – 9:00 AM or 9:00 – 11:00 AM
- Average hiking time: approx. 1.5 hours uphill and 45 minutes downhill
- Elevation gain: 500 meters
- Tickets available per day: approx. 350 in total, per morning
What to Expect at Machu Picchu Mountain
- Start times: 7:00 – 9:00 AM or 9:00 – 11:00 AM
- Average hiking time: approx. 1.5 hours uphill and 1 hour downhill
- Elevation gain: 800 meters
- Tickets available per day: approx. 300 in total, per morning
Numbers
Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain in numbers and challenges
500
Climbing meters
Huayna Picchu
800
Climbing meters
Machu Picchu Mountain
2,5
Hours
Ascent and descent for both peaks
“After completing the 4-Day Inca Trail, we also climbed Huayna Picchu, and it’s absolutely recommended! The climb to the top takes about 1.5 hours and consists mostly of stairs. It’s a bit challenging, but you’re rewarded with an incredible view at the summit! I truly think Huayna Picchu is a great addition and would recommend it to everyone. Jessie & Jorge, thank you for the excellent organization and the great communication!”
Fleur
Netherlands
Why travel with Machu Picchu Travel?
Discover an unforgettable travel experience designed by local experts who know the Andes inside out. Our Trails are not just hikes—they are immersive journeys filled with stories, culture, and adventure.
- Benefit from years of hands-on Inca Trail guiding experience
- Book with confidence through a trusted European travel organization
- Enjoy competitive pricing through direct partnerships with experienced local operators in Peru
- Travel on fully organized private tours tailored to your needs
- Support fair wages and responsible employment for all staff in Peru
Peruvian
Expert local guides
Our expert guides know every Trail, every stone, and every hidden path in the Andes. They bring the landscape to life with stories you won’t find in any travel guide. All of our guides are based in and around Cusco, with years of specialist experience in the region. And our porters? They are proudly from the surrounding Andean communities, sharing an authentic connection to the mountains they call home.
Adventure
Dedicated personal guidance
More than a route, we create a journey tailored to you. Whether you prefer private travel or an international group, everything is possible. We carefully plan every step with your adventure in mind.
Our guarantee
Trusted & Reliable
Our experienced guides are local experts as well as certified first aid professionals. Your safety is our absolute priority. As a European-based travel company, we offer you the reassurance of booking with a trusted partner.
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Ready for Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain?
Want to climb a little extra for that breathtaking view? We turn your dream trip into reality.
How do I book my climb of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
- Fill in the form below.
- We’ll email you as soon as possible to let you know if tickets are available for your preferred date.
- We’ll send you a booking confirmation with payment details.
- Once your deposit is made, we’ll secure your highly sought-after tickets!
You are interested in the following Trail or day trip/tour:
Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain
FAQ
Machu Picchu Mountain is a longer climb than Huayna Picchu. Although the elevation gain is less steep than the ascent of Huayna Picchu, in practice the climb up Machu Picchu Mountain is slightly more challenging.
This is a question we get asked a lot! Honestly? The summit of both mountains offers breathtaking views of Machu Picchu. There are just two main differences:
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From Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu feels more directly below you. From Machu Picchu Mountain, you see the Inca city from a greater distance.
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From Machu Picchu Mountain, you can see the entire city just like in the pictures – including Huayna Picchu. From Huayna Picchu, you might suddenly wonder: “Where did that famous peak go?” 😉
Climbs to either of these mountains are very popular, so we recommend booking them at the same time as your Machu Picchu visit or when reserving your Trail. For Machu Picchu Mountain, there are only about 300 tickets available per day, and for Huayna Picchu, approximately 350 tickets per day.
In total, you get 4 extra hours to complete the climb of one of the mountains. This also gives you extended access to Machu Picchu.
If you climb Machu Picchu Mountain, we will purchase an additional ticket for Circuit 1A, which you can explore in addition to the mountain climb. If you climb Huayna Picchu, we will purchase an additional ticket for Circuit 3A, which you can explore in addition to the Huayna Picchu climb.
You can hike both mountains independently at your own pace. A guide is only included for your Machu Picchu tour.
