When visiting Machu Picchu, adventurers are faced with a choice. Should you hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain? The quick answer is it’s down to personal preference (and to some extent, availability).
Huayna Picchu is the slightly more ‘classic’ choice, and if you’re a lover of ruins it’s where you will find a few more. However, it sells out much more quickly than Machu Picchu Mountain.
Machu Picchu Mountain is much higher which means that the views of the surrounding valley are arguably much better. However, the view of the actual Machu Picchu site is not as good as Huayna Picchu- thanks to the pure altitude.
To get a much more comprehensive and extensive understanding of the pros and cons of both Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, continue reading.
Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu, which is better?
Both have positive points and negative points and suit different kinds of travelers better. If you suffer from vertigo or a fear of heights, Machu Picchu Mountain is better suited to you. If you’re desperate to see as many Inca ruins as possible, Huayna Picchu may be right. If you’re not really a hiker but you’ve already committed to a multi-day trek, then perhaps neither is a good option for you.
Explore Our Adventures to Machu Picchu here.
Check out our table for a side by side comparison of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain:
| Huayna Picchu | Machu Picchu Mountain | |
| Availability | Sells out most days. 200 permits available per day | Generally always availability |
| Total time up and back | 1.5 to 2 hours | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Difficulty | Steep, and in places you do have to use your hands for balance. There are handrail wires in places to hold onto on a few sections. However it is not rock climbing, the hands are for balance and only needed in a few places. | Less use of hands, but a much longer climb (hike). Not as steep on the whole. |
| Exposure | Very exposed in places with big drops. The top can get crowded which can be a bit unnerving if you do not like heights, as people jostle about. | Very exposed in places. Some narrow stone staircases sticking out of the rock, with nothing on the outer side |
| Height (Machu Picchu is 2430m) | 2720m (8924 feet) | 3051m (10010 feet) |
| Height gained | 290m | 621m |
| Entry time | 7 am – 100 permits 8 am – 100 permits
| 7 am – 100 permits 8 am – 100 permits 9 am- 100 permits 10am – 100 permits |
| View | You look down over Machu Picchu ruins and the Urubamba river | Fantastic, you look down over Machu Picchu ruins and Huayna Picchu and the Urubamba river |
| Advantage | Quicker. More Inca stonework on it. | Quieter. Sells out slower. |
Huayna Picchu: All you need to know
Huayna Picchu is one of the two peaks that rise above the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. When thinking of Machu Picchu, you likely think of the two peaks that rise up behind the ruins of Machu Picchu citadel- not the actual ruins themselves.
The view of Huayna Picchu makes for a very quintessential image of Peru, and many say if you turn the mountain on its side you can see the face of the Inca. That is up for debate but it’s a great story!
If you choose to hike up Huayna Picchu, you will discover Inca ceremonial buildings to visit atop it. You will also be rewarded with a great view of the ruins of Machu Picchu citadel, giving you a different perspective to standing in Machu Picchu ruins themselves. It gives an overview of the citadel. Many choose to climb Huayna Picchu because of the extra challenge it offers.
Explore Our Adventures to Machu Picchu here.
Huayna Picchu is thought by historians to have been a place used by Inca priests for ceremonial reasons. As they worshipped the sun, being slightly higher than the citadel would have brought them closer to their deity. Also on the side of the peak are more Inca ceremonial buildings- the Temple of the Moon and the Great Cave.
Despite us calling it so, some historians debate whether the Temple of the Moon was actually used to worship the moon at all.
What does Huayna Picchu mean?
The name Huayna Picchu means “young mountain”. By contrast, Machu Picchu means “old mountain”. These are not original Inca names. They were names given by Quechua-speaking locals, long after the Incas had disappeared.
Machu Picchu Mountain: All you need to know
Machu Picchu Mountain is the other peak rising above Machu Picchu Inca citadel. If you are facing the Huayna Picchu peak, Machu Picchu mountain can be found directly behind you.
There are no Inca Ruins of note on this mountain trail, and the hike is notably longer. However, the paths are wider and far less steep than its counterpart. The mountain takes you far higher than Huayna Picchu and the views are arguably much better- as you can see over the entire valley.
What Altitude is Huayna Picchu?
Huayna Picchu is 2720 meters or 8924 feet high. Machu Picchu itself is 2,430m up, so while you may feel the altitude a little more strongly at the Huayna Picchu peak, it shouldn’t be drastically different from the citadel.
Explore Our Adventures to Machu Picchu here.
Huayna Picchu Elevation Gain
Those who choose to climb Huayna Picchu face 290 meters of elevation gain- or 951 feet. This is a lot, and you should be aware that some of this climb is very steep and requires the use of (already fixed) ropes or hands for balance.
What is the Altitude of Machu Picchu Mountain?
Machu Picchu Mountain sits at a grand 3051m (10010 feet) in altitude. While you are unlikely to suffer from altitude sickness when at a high altitude for less than 4 hours it is also wise to plan accordingly, take your time, and have a few coca leaves just in case.
Machu Picchu Mountain Elevation Gain
The peak is 3051m, offering a 621m (2037 ft) elevation gain from the citadel of Machu Picchu. While it’s not an easy hike, it is not technically difficult.
How do I book my Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike?
If you’ve made the decision that Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain is for you, then you are required to book it as you book your Machu Picchu entrance as a combined ticket. If you are doing this through a tour agency then they should be able to book it for you.
Neither Huayna Picchu nor Machu Picchu Mountain can be purchased as add ons for existing tickets. If you already have a ticket booked you will need to cancel it and re-book if you decide to take on one of the peaks, as only one Machu Picchu ticket can be booked per person per day.
Cost of the ticket
Adding either peak onto your day ticket to Machu Picchu will cost you around $20 per person. This is on top of the entrance fee to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
How long does my combined ticket last for Machu Picchu citadel plus Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Both of these combined tickets last 6 hours from the start time. A standard ticket for Machu Picchu citadel only lasts 4 hours.
Explore Our Adventures to Machu Picchu here.
Do I need a guide for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
You do not need a guide to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain However, you can only enter Machu Picchu citadel with a licensed guide. It’s entirely possible that your guide will accompany you around the site and then leave you to climb the peak. The routes are very clearly marked and it is impossible to get lost.
If you are visiting Machu Picchu for the second consecutive day your second entrance does not require a guide.
Huayna Picchu Difficulty
Huayna Picchu is the more technical climb of the two. It is moderately difficult and in certain weather conditions it should not be attempted, as heavy rainfall makes the steps extremely dangerous, and previously, lightning has struck those attempting to summit.
Machu Picchu Mountain Difficulty
The Machu Picchu Mountain hike is a slog. It’s long, and it’s uphill the whole way with varying degrees of steepness. However, if you have the grit and determination to push yourself through, then the payoff is worth it. Despite the elevation gain, the Machu Picchu mountain hike is a moderately tough venture.
Ticket times & information fo Huayna Picchu
There are four different entry times for Huayna Picchu:
- 7 am-8am entry for those who enter the site at 6am
- 8am-9am for those who enter at 7am
- 9am-10am for those who enter at 8am
- 10am-11am for those who enter at 9am.
There are 200 tickets available each day, and only travelers over the age of 12 are allowed to climb this peak. Book early as these tickets often sell out.
Entry times are restricted too early to give people plenty of time to get up and down before the park closes at dark.
How long does it take to climb Huayna Picchu?
It should take around one hour to climb to the top of Huayna Picchu. How long you spend there is your choice, and the descent should take between 30 and 45 minutes. The Huayna Picchu ticket allows you to spend 6 hours in the citadel.
Explore Our Adventures to Machu Picchu here.
Ticket times & information for Machu Picchu Mountain
There are two different entry times for Machu Picchu Mountain, a 7 am-8 am entry for those who enter the site at 6 am, and 8 am-9 am for those who enter at 7 am.
There are 400 tickets available each day, and unlike Huayna Picchu, there are no age restrictions on who can climb.
Entry times are restricted to early entrances to give people plenty of time to get up and down before the park closes at nightfall.
How long does it take to Hike Machu Picchu Mountain?
It should take around two hours to climb to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain. How long you spend there is your choice, and the descent should take between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes. The Machu Picchu Mountain ticket allows you to spend 6 hours in the citadel.
Can you include a Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket as part of your Inca Trail permit?
No. You cannot combine either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain as part of your Inca Trail permit. If you want to do both, you will need to buy a completely separate ticket for Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu.
If you’re sure that you want to do both the Inca Trail and one of the two hikes, we recommend buying your two tickets over consecutive days. This will mean you have time to rest between the long hike there, and the long hike up.
View from Huayna Picchu
View from Machu Picchu Mountain
Pros of hiking Huayna Picchu
- Famous hike with a unique view of Machu Picchu
- Climb the Iconic peak
- Explore ruins that far fewer people will see
Explore Our Adventures to Machu Picchu here.
Cons of hiking Huayna Picchu
- Can be dangerous if the weather is raining or stormy
- Eats into your time in the citadel
- Not as high as Machu Picchu Mountain
Pros of hiking Machu Picchu Mountain
- A more relaxed, slightly easier hike
- Incredible panoramic views of the surrounding mountains
- Less crowded than Huayna Picchu
Cons of hiking Machu Picchu Mountain
- No ruins to explore
- Miss out on climbing the iconic peak
- Eats into your time exploring the citadel.
Can I Hike both peaks?
Technically yes, you can hike both peaks. But only if you buy 2 separate tickets on 2 separate days. We do not recommend it. The 2 hikes are too similar to make it worth your while.
Is It Worth it? Which hike is for me?
It depends. If you are taking the Inca Trail or another multi-day hike to Machu Picchu then you may find you are too tired for the challenge- our guides estimate that 90% of our clients taking treks decide they don’t want to do the additional hike in favor of well-deserved rest.
Those who are afraid of heights should consider their choice carefully. While Huayna Picchu is steeper and more exposed, Machu Picchu Mountain is not without its daring drops and dizzying heights.
As mentioned before, If it is raining or looks stormy, do not climb either mountain. People have been killed by lightning on them.
However, if you are someone who is not scared of heights, is only visiting Machu Picchu for the day, want to spice up your trip, you like a challenge, and the weather is good- then either of these peaks can be a good option for you.
Remember tickets for both peaks are limited. So if you buy them just in case you feel like it, you are preventing someone else from having the opportunity to climb it. Try and be sure before you go.
FAQs: Huayna Picchu vs Machu Picchu Mountain
Is Huayna Picchu dangerous?
If you follow the rules, then no, Huayna Picchu is not dangerous. If you cross barriers, avoid warning signs, and don’t follow the direction of your guide then yes, Huayna Picchu can be dangerous.
Explore Our Adventures to Machu Picchu here.
It can also be dangerous if there is bad weather. While we recommend to our clients not to climb if the weather is bad (as there have been deaths in this case), other companies may not. If you decide to summit in poor weather conditions, be extremely careful with your footwear, and do not, under any circumstances, use a selfie stick- aka a portable lightning rod.
Where is Huayna Picchu’s location?
Huayna Picchu is behind the citadel of Machu Picchu. It’s the image that many produce in their minds when they think about Machu Picchu itself.
Where is Machu Picchu mountain?
If you look at Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu behind it in the classic postcard, Machu Picchu mountain is directly behind you.
What mountain range is Machu Picchu in?
Machu Picchu is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range in Southern Peru. The Urubamba river runs through the town at the bottom of the mountain, Aguas Calientes.
Is Machu Picchu a mountain?
Machu Picchu is a citadel, found on a mountain top of the same name. A mountain is defined as anything over 1000ft (300m), and sitting at 7,972 ft (2,430m) above sea level, Machu Picchu is well into the mountain category.
When you are choosing between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, there are some key differences. However, if you can only find tickets to one, then you will likely enjoy it as much as the other (as long as you do not suffer from vertigo or similar!).
When it comes to choosing which peak to climb while visiting Machu Picchu, both offer incredible views, and a chance to step back and appreciate the famous citadel from a different angle. Those who miss out on both tickets but dream of climbing steep hills might consider walking the steps up to Machu Picchu.
Explore Our Adventures to Machu Picchu here.
If you have decided that you do want to take on either Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu, then get in contact with us, and we will help to make your Machu Picchu experience the best it can be.
Alternatively, if you want to hike some of the Inca Trail, but not combine it with your Machu Picchu visit to save yourself for one of the mountains, check out our Off-the-Beaten-Track Inca Trail Hikes. They won’t take you to Machu Picchu, but they will take you to some incredible and almost deserted Inca Ruins.
