Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain | Most tourists who visit Machu Picchu Inca citadel alternate their excursion with Huayna Picchu which is an attraction that has been on the tourism market for many years; However there is an alternative non-touristy mountain located on the opposite side of Huayna Picchu, we call this competitor mountain as “Machu Picchu Mountain”, climbing Machu Picchu Mountain is quiet (except on June), ideal for families with kids, although you climb higher than Huayna Picchu.
Hiking up this mountain used to be Free, but due to the demand of visitors in the past 3 years, the Ministry of Culture has set is an additional price to climb the Machu Picchu Mountain.
Contents
- 1. What is the difference between Machu Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu?
- 2. Before climbing Machu Picchu Mountain
- 3. What are the scedules to climb Machu Picchu Mountain?
- 4. On the route and the summit of the Mountain:
- 5. How long is the Machu Picchu mountain hike?
- 6. How hard is it to climb Machu Picchu Mountain?
- 7. What things to bring?
- 8. Price to pay:
- 9. Where do I buy the tickets?
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions – FAQS
- 11. Conclusion:
1. What is the difference between Machu Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu?
- Machu Picchu: When we say Machu Picchu, we mean the whole Natural and Archaeological park.
- Machu Picchu Citadel: This word is used to mean only the ancient Inca city, archaeological site, ruins.
- Machu Picchu Mountain: This is the highest peak that exist in the whole park.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: This is the steep mountain that appears as the main background image of most of the classic photos with Machu Picchu Inca citadel.
2. Before climbing Machu Picchu Mountain
- Consider being in good physical condition.
- If you plan to travel to Cusco in the high season (April-August), the tickets may run out, in order to get your preferred schedule to enter this Mountain buy it in advance.
- The entrance to the Mountain is not free, you have to pay an additional cost to the Machu Picchu “Solo” ticket.
- The maximum limit of visitors allowed per day is 800, divided into two schedules.
- The path to the access door to Machu Picchu Mountain is inside the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu (up to a certain point it is the same path that also takes you to the “Puerta del Sol”), please go to the quarry or “Mirador de Machu Picchu”, which is in the highest point in the citadel, you can also check with the park rangers.
- At the Control booth, present your Machu Picchu Ticket + Machu Picchu Mountain, your Original Identity Document.
3. What are the scedules to climb Machu Picchu Mountain?
There are two schedules to enter Machu Picchu Mountain (The first schedule is from 7am to 8am and the second schedule is from 9am to 10am), it will depend wether you want first the guided tour Machu Picchu Inca citadel and then climb the Machu Picchu Mountain or Viciversa.
3.1 First option:
- Most visitors first do the guided tour of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the morning, which ends at about 9:30 am, then you can start climbing the Picchu Mountain on your own.
- Choose your schedule below in the second schedule from the 3rd Group.
- 1st Group: Enter Machu Picchu Inca citadel starting 6 am | Enter Machu Picchu Mountain from 7 am until 8 am
- 2nd Group: Enter Machu Picchu Inca citadel starting 7 am | Enter Machu Picchu Mountain from 7 am until 8 am
- 3rd Group: Enter Machu Picchu Inca citadel starting 8 am | Enter Machu Picchu Mountain from 9 am hasta 10 am
- Conclusion: You will enter the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu starting 8am (Not before) with your guide and other visitors, you will do the guided tour that ends at about 9:30am and once your guided tour is done you will look for the access door to Machu Picchu Mountain before 10am (Not after).
- Please coordinate the meeting time with your guide in the city of Aguas Calientes or directly at the main door to enter Machu Picchu citadel.
- Buy the MACHU PICCHU INCA CITADEL + MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN Ticket, specify that you want to hike up to Machu Picchu Mountain at the second schedule(between 9am and 10am) from the 3rd Group.
- Keep in mind that if you do this itinerary, your guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel will be very quick, if you don´t like this schedule apply for the second option, read below please.
3.2 Second Option:
- First visit the Machu Picchu Mountain on your own and then do the guided tour of Machu Picchu Inca citadel.
- Buy your Machu Picchu Inca citadel + Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket for the 1st Group or 2nd Group, so that you can access Machu Picchu citadel starting 6am or 7am, and enter Machu Picchu Mountain in between 7am and 8am (Not before or after).
- Please be at the Main Entrance Door to Machu Picchu On Time at 6am or 7am, the earlier the better because you will have more time to climb Machu Picchu Mountain.
- After having visited the Machu Picchu Mountain, return to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and get outside (to the Main Entrance Door) so that you meet your Tour Guide and RE-ENTER the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu for the guided tour.
- Please coordinate well at what time you will meet your guide at the Main Entrance of Machu Picchu, most tour guides gather at 11am for the group tour.
- This itinerary may change a lot if you book a private guide or excursion.
4. On the route and the summit of the Mountain:
- Unlike the hike to Huayna Picchu and Inca bridge, the path to Machu Picchu Mountain is super wide.
- The hike is not very steep and challenging as it is for Huayna Picchu.
- As you climb up the views of the mountains that surround Machu Picchu become more impressive.
- At the top of Machu Picchu Mountain there is a cabin with wooden benches so that you can rest and then take the best panoramic photos of the Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu citadel and Putu Cusi mountain.
5. How long is the Machu Picchu mountain hike?
From the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu to the summit of the Machu Picchu Mountain takes about 1:20 hours and on the way back 45 minutes downhill hike, this timing is for slow walker with no rish at all.
6. How hard is it to climb Machu Picchu Mountain?
- From a scale from 1 to 10 – (1 is super easy and 10 is very diffucult), the degree of difficulty is 5, so almost everyone can do it.
- It is still recommended to be in good physical condition.
- Only people over 12 years old can climb Mahcu Picchu Mountain.
- Please do respect the signs along the mountain.
- If you want a short and a super easy hike, do the hike to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu.
- If you suffer from Acrophobia, please don’t do it!
7. What things to bring?
- Good trekking shoes, please buy it in your country
- To enter the Mountain is mandatory to carry the Original Identification Document, if you are a foreigner bring your Passport, if you are from the Andean Community bring your Passport or your Identification Card, and if you are a Peruvian bring your DNI
- Bring your Machu Picchu Inca citadel + Mountain Machu Picchu Ticket with you
- Caps or Hats
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Water
- If you want you can also take a walking stick, but this is optional
- Warm clothes and a waterproof jacket
- Rain ponchos
- Snacks such as cookies, dried fruit, you can buy it in San Pedro market – Cusco
8. Price to pay:
Machu Picchu ticket prices are differentiated according to nationality and certain regional agreements in South America, for example: Citizens from the Andean Community Countries (CAN) pay less. We assume that the Peruvian government established differential prices, due to the difference in the cost of living between Peruvian citizens and first world countries.
Super Important: All kinds of Ticket to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu DOES NOT include: Tourists Guide, Tips, Food, Bus transportation and Accommodation.
8.1 Price for Foreigners:
| Visitor | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel “Solo” | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel + Huayna Picchu | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel + Machu Picchu Mountain |
| Adult | 66 USD | 81 USD | 81 USD |
| Student | 41 USD | 56 USD | 56 USD |
| Kids* | 39 USD | 54 USD | 54 USD |
8.2 Price for Andean Community Countries:
| Visitor | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel “Solo” | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel + Huayna Picchu | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel + Machu Picchu Mountain |
| Adult | 37 USD | 52 USD | 52 USD |
| Student | 29 USD | 44 USD | 44 USD |
| Kids* | 27 USD | 41 USD | 41 USD |
8.3 Price for Peruvians:
| Visitor | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel “Solo” | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel + Huayna Picchu | Machu Picchu Inca Citadel + Machu Picchu Mountain |
| Adult | 105 Soles | 175 Soles | 175 Soles |
| Student | 77 Soles | 125 Soles | 125 Soles |
| Kids* | 53 Soles | 123 Soles* | 123 Soles* |
8.3.1 To consider:
- Kids* for Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain – In order for the kids to hike up Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, they must be over 12 years old.
- It is considered an Infant from 0 to 7 years and 11 months, and all Infants have Free admission to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, if your kid is in this range of ages, you don´t have to reserve a ticket for them, just show up at the main and make sure your present the original Identity Document of the minor.
- It is considered Kid from 8 years to 17 years and 11 months, the age must be accredited with the Original Identity Document at the main entrance.
- If you are a foreigner student or you are a student from the Andean Communities over 18 years old, you must carry your Student Card or ISIC, you must also present your Original Identity Document.
- If you are a Peruvian student, bring your student card issued by the Ministry of Education, you must also bring your Original Identity Document.
- Local people from Cusco region have free access to Machu Picchu on Sundays, but only to the Inca citadel, it does not include the other attractions such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
9. Where do I buy the tickets?
- You can buy them online or in Cuscocity at calle Garcilaso 225 and Calle Maruri 324.
- You can also contact us to make the purchase for you.
10. Frequently Asked Questions – FAQS
10.1 Can I leave Machu Picchu citadel for a while and Re-enter once again?
Yes, you can! Only if you have the Machu Picchu citadel + Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket or Machu Picchu citadel + Huayna Picchu Ticket, otherwise it does not apply.
Some tourists first do the Huayna Picchu Hike on their own, then they do the guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel, if this is your case, you will have to LEAVE the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and meet your Tour Guide at the Main Gate of access to Machu Picchu, to RE-ENTER Machu Picchu citadel and take the guided tour.
It is not so logical for your Tour Guide to search for you inside the Machu Picchu citadel, because the Inca citadel is immense and there are hundreds of tourists that is the reason why the Guides and visitors always meet outside by the main entrance to the Inca citadel. If you really want your guide to meet inside the Inca citadel, book a private tour.
10.2 Can I enter Machu Picchu without a Tourist Guide?
It is mandatory to hire a Tourist Guide to enter Machu Picchu, however if you have the Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket or the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Ticket, you can enter the Inca citadel without a Guide because of schedules reasons.
10.3 Can I change the schedule to visit Machu Picchu Moutain?
Yes you can, but only for the next schedule, for example if you bought your ticket to enter Machu Picchu Mountain starting 7am until 8am, but you couldn´t arrive on time (because of serious reasons that will be verified at the access door), you can enter Machu Picchu Mountain at the following schedule from 9am until 10am; However if your ticket is for you to enter Machu Picchu Mountain from 9am until 10am, you will NOT be able to enter Machu Picchu Mountain on the first schedule from 7am until 8am.
10.4 How many visitors are allowed to enter Machu Picchu Mountain?
Only 800 visitors per day (400 visitors on each schedule), so it is important to buy the tickets in advance of at least 3 months – especially in June.
11. Conclusion:
| TYPE OF INFORMATION | MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN |
| Elevation | 3082 masl (10,111 ft) |
| Duration of the hike | From the Machu Picchu citadel to Machu Picchu Mountain is about 1:20 hour – the Return is about 45 min. |
| Hike distance | From Machu Picchu citadel to Machu Picchu Mountain it is 2.3 km (1.4 miles) |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Archaeological sites | None |
| Overview | The best panoramic view of all the mountains of the Archaeological Park, higher altitude, better angle |
| Entry schedules | 1st schedule: 07am – 08am and 2nd schedule: 09am – 10am |
| Number of visitors | 800 daily tickets available (400 visitors on each schedule) |
