Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain? Which is better?

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 (see image below), 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.

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What is Huayna Picchu?

Huayna Picchu is one of the two peaks rising that rise above Machu Picchu Inca citadel. When thinking of Machu Picchu, you likely think of the two peaks that rise up behind the ruins of Machu Picchu citadel. This makes for a very quintessential image of Peru.

If you choose to hike this peak, you will find some Inca ceremonial buildings to visit atop it. You will also be rewarded with a great view of the ruins of Machu Picchu citadel. This gives 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.

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 it would have brought them closer to their deity. Also on the side of the peak are some other Inca ceremonial buildings- the Temple of the Moon and the Great Cave. Some historians debate whether the Temple of the Moon was actually used to worship the moon at all.

Check out: Our 5-day Inca Trail. The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!

What does Huayna Picchu mean?

The name Huayna Picchu means “young mountain”. By contrast, Machu Picchu means “old mountain”. These are not original names. They were names given by Quechua-speaking locals, long after the Incas had disappeared.

How high is Huayna Picchu?

Huayna Picchu is 2720 meters or 8924 feet high. But you only have to climb 290 meters or 951 feet above Machu Picchu citadel.

View from the summit of Huayna Picchu

What is Machu Picchu Mountain?

Machu Picchu Mountain is the other peak rising above Machu Picchu Inca citadel. It does not have as much Inca stonework on it as Huayna Picchu.  It is a tougher trek, taking almost twice as long as the Huayna Picchu hike. While not quite as steep, it is still very exposed in places. However, the attraction is you climb even higher than Huayna Picchu, you will see fewer people and get a better view of the surrounding valley.

Check out: Our 5-day Inca Trail. The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!

How high is Machu Picchu Mountain?

3051m (10010 feet)

How do I book a Huayna Picchu ticket or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket?

To hike Huayna Picchu or hike Machu Picchu Mountain, you must buy a ticket at the same time you book your Machu Picchu ticket or Inca Trail ticket.  There are not stand-alone tickets.  You can either buy a Machu Picchu only ticket. Or a Machu Picchu plus Huayna Picchu ticket. Or a Machu Picchu plus Machu Picchu Mountain ticket.  So unless you want to buy Machu Picchu tickets twice, you will need to buy one that includes either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain at the time of booking.

How much does a ticket to Huayna Picchu cost? How much does a Machu Picchu Mountain cost?

A Machu Picchu ticket that also includes either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain costs 50 soles extra (or 15 U$ dollars extra) than a ticket that only includes Machu Picchu citadel. Remember you must buy a combined ticket at the time of booking. The two peaks cannot be bought as a stand-alone add-on.

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 visit Machu Picchu citadel with a licensed guide. Unless you are visiting for the second consecutive day, in which case your second entrance does not require a guide.

How long does my combined ticket last for Machu Picchu citadel plus Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

These combined tickets last 6 hours from start time. A standard ticket for Machu Picchu citadel only lasts 4 hours.

Can you include 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. You need to buy a completely separate ticket, either Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu with Machu Picchu Mountain.

If you want to do either of these additional hikes and decide after buying your Inca Trail ticket, you are effectively paying twice to visit Machu 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.

Check out: Our 5-day Inca Trail. The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!

Can you hike both Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain

Technically yes, you can hike both Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. 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 Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu worth it?

It depends. Our guides report that 90% of their clients who came from the Inca Trail did not want to climb a mountain. They are usually tired and prefer to rest.

• If you are scared of heights, really consider whether you want to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Both are extremely steep and the path can take you very close to the edge. If you have a fear of heights you likely won’t enjoy the hike.
• If it is raining or looks stormy, do not climb either mountain. People have been killed by lightning on them.
• If you are doing a group tour it does not work unless all the group does it. Otherwise, the guide has to decide which part of the group to be with. It is possible to climb without a guide, but you will likely enjoy it more with one.

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 Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain 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.

Check out: Our 5-day Inca Trail. The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!

Check out our table to compare the two options:

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.

Check out: Our 5-day Inca Trail. The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!

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.

What is Machu Picchu citadel?

Machu Picchu citadel is what most people call Machu Picchu. It is the former Inca city. So when someone talks about visiting Machu Picchu, they refer to visiting the ruins of this Inca citadel. This citadel is perched on top of a hill, high above the Urubamba River.

The local authorities refer to the citadel as Machu Picchu Llaqta. Llaqta is the Quechua word for town or village. Quechua is the native language of the area, which was once the language of the Incas. It is still spoken by many locals today.

How high is Machu Picchu citadel?

Machu Picchu citadel lies at an altitude of 2430 meters or 7972 feet. It is located above the Urubamba River and the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, formerly known as Aguas Calientes. The town lies at 2040 meters or 6700 feet.

*Note there is also a luxury hotel in the town called “Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo” which some people refer to as “Machu Picchu Pueblo” for short.

So Machu Picchu citadel or ruins are perched on top of a hill that rises 390 meters or  1272 feet above the river. This hill has two peaks rising out of it, one called Huayna Picchu and one known as Machu Picchu Mountain. The ruins of Machulie between the two peaks.

Machu Picchu citadel

If you are ready to start planning your trip to Peru, contact us or check out our recommended adventures for ideas, adventures, and updates.