The Huchuy Picchu mountain is the new adventure offered to the visitors of Machu Picchu. This small summit is located next to the famous Huayna Picchu mountain. Its altitude reaches 2,497 meters above sea level, only about 50 meters higher than the archaeological site of Machupicchu. The authorities have just opened a hiking route to its summit. Is it difficult? What does it include? Learn more about this new mountain.

• What is Huchuy Picchu?
• Where is it located?
• How to get there?
• Map of Huchuy Picchu
• The trekking route
• The landscapes
• The Machu Picchu plus Huchuy Picchu Ticket
• The Machu Picchu circuit
• Photo Gallery
• Tips and more information
• Frequently Asked Questions

The view from the top of Huchuy Picchu

What is Huchuy Picchu?

• The Huchuy Picchu is a small mountain that guards the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Its name comes from two Quechua words that mean: ‘Small mountain’.
• This mountain was part of the route to the top of Huayna Picchu mountain. Today, the authorities of Machu Picchu arranged a unique route to reach the top of Huchuy Picchu. So today to visit this site is necessary to buy the ticket called ‘Machupicchu with Huchuypicchu’.
• The route to Huchuy Picchu is easy. It covers only 1 kilometer of stretches made of stone built by the Incas.
• From the top you have a good view of the entire archaeological site.
• Know some differences about the three mountains that can be found in Machu Picchu:

Where is it located?

• The Huchuy Picchu is located north of the Inca citadel. It is located next to the Huayna Picchu.
• Its height reaches 2,497 meters above sea level (only about 50 meters higher than the archaeological site). It is a small peak compared to the other mountains of the site: Huayna Picchu (2,693 m.a.s.l.) and Machupicchu mountain (3,082 m.a.s.l.).
• Politically, it belongs to the province of Urubamba and the district of Machu Picchu Pueblo. In this sense, it belongs to the region of Cusco in Peru.
• Likewise, this small mountain is located between the Inca citadel and the Huayna Picchu mountain.
• From the top of this mountain you can see precisely both places.
• Likewise, it seems to have a singular connection with the Intihuatana, this for the view that one has of the place.
• To get there, it is necessary to register at the checkpoint near the Sacred Rock.

Changes in the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu?
That’s right, there were changes during the year 2024 regarding the distribution of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu. Now you can find 10 tickets, but only during the official high season. The high season in Machu Picchu is now official and starts from June 1st to October 15th. In addition, now the Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu ticket only has an availability of 50 daily tickets. These tickets can be booked online. These tickets to enter Huchuy Picchu will only be valid during the high season.

Sign on the road to Huchuy Picchu with information on altitude.

How to get there?

• To reach the top of the Huchuy Picchu mountain it is necessary to take a short trekking route of only 1 kilometer (1 hour walk approximately).
• To access this route is necessary to purchase the ticket ‘Machupicchu with Huchuypicchu’. The ticket can be purchased online or in person in the city of Cusco.
• Please note that only 50 tickets per day can be reserved.
• Now, after the updates, the Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu ticket can only be purchased during the high season.
• The official high season starts on June 1st and lasts until October 15th.
• Reservations can be made long before this season starts. So be sure to make your reservation.
• An incredible option is to complement this ticket with one of the other circuits. This to have a better experience in terms of the tour of the Inca citadel.
• Here are some tickets with which you can complement the tour. Keep in mind that now there are new tourist circuits in Machu Picchu.

(*) These are options that can work perfectly to learn more about Machu Picchu. Group 1 tickets only allow you to do the Circuit by the upper platform and its respective destination.

Map of Huchuy Picchu

• Access to Huchuy Picchu will start from the bus ride from Machu Pichu Pueblo to the entrance area of the archaeological site.
• The bus ride lasts 30 minutes at most.
• When passing through the control area, you will enter through the lower part. That is, through the agricultural area of Machu Picchu.
• The tour continues through the wide esplanades that connect with the most important temples of the site.
• Before starting the ascent, you will pass by the Sacred Rock, where there are also places where you can take a short rest.
• To ascend you will have to show the entrance ticket again. It is also necessary to register the entrance time to the wonder.
• The ascent to Huchuy Picchu is simple, but it has ascending and staggered sections.
• The total time of ascent, rest, photographs and descent is approximately two hours.
• On the way back again, we make a brief tour of Machu Picchu, through the lower temples.
• The total activity can take a maximum of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Map of the route to Huchuy picchu – Machu Picchu

The trekking route

• This route follows stone paths (especially stairways) built by the Incas at the end of the 15th century.
• The entrance point is the same that leads to Huayna Picchu. The first stretch is along flat trails. Then you take a detour of stone stairs that leads to the top of Huchuy Picchu.
• The route is easy to walk. It takes 1 hour or more (depending on the physical condition of the visitor). Returning takes about 30 minutes. The way back is the same as the outward section, only mostly downhill.
• During the walk it is possible to find some varieties of plants and animals. Of course, for this you have to be very attentive.

The landscapes

• The Huchuy Picchu mountain offers Andean landscapes full of vegetation. From its summit you have a privileged view of the archaeological site.
• During the route you can also hear the birds singing. The place has several types of flowers, where the orchid stands out. In the entire Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu there are more than three hundred varieties of this beautiful flower.
• Upon reaching the top of Huchuy Picchu it is possible to appreciate part of the Vilcanota River that surrounds the entire mountain.
• It is also possible to appreciate the geographical change in the mountains of higher altitude.
• Something that is also surprising is that you can see part of the mountain ranges.
• Finally, it is possible to appreciate the harmony that the Inca constructions have with the nature and geography of the place.

Landscape that can be seen going up to Huchuy Picchu

The Machu Picchu plus Huchuy Picchu Ticket

• The Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu ticket allows you to visit both sites: the Inca archaeological site and the trekking route to the top of this mountain.
• The ticket has the same cost as the basic ticket to visit the ‘Inca City’, that is, the ‘Machupicchu Solo’ ticket. The official price is 152 soles for foreigners and 64 soles for Colombians, Ecuadorians, Bolivians and Peruvians.
• The entrance ticket has only 50 entrance tickets per day. It is recommended to make the reservation days in advance.

These are the admission schedules:

• Group 1 schedule: This group enters Machu Picchu at 10:00 am. The waiting time is 45 minutes. You will be able to enter Huayna Picchu from 11:00 to 12:00.
• Group 2 schedule: This group enters Machu Picchu at 12:00 in the morning. The waiting time is 45 minutes. You will be able to enter Huayna Picchu from 13:00 to 14:00.

NOTE: It is recommended that visitors enter as punctually as possible so that they can complete the tour normally. In addition, they will be able to finish the tour in time for lunch.

Tourist photographing the citadel en route to Huchuy Picchu

The Machu Picchu circuit

• The entrance ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu, allows a tour of the lower part of Machu Picchu and also the ascent to Huchuy Picchu.
• This circuit is a tour that starts at the exit gate of Huchuy Picchu. That is to say, the visitors must first make the trekking route to the mountain. Then, at the exit gate, they must begin the tour of Machupicchu.
• The tour is done by the new Circuit 3 of Machu Picchu.
• The tour of Machu Picchu is in one direction only. It is not allowed to return the steps. Once at the exit gate it is no longer possible to re-enter.
• Circuit 3 allows you to visit the main constructions of the lower part of Machu Picchu, such as: the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Mirrors, the Water Fountains, the House of the Inka and more.

Galería de fotos

Tips and more information

• Admission to the Huchuy Picchu mountain is allowed to people of all ages. Children under 3 years old enter free of charge. All children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent. Discounts are available for university students.
• If it is about adventures, definitely the best one is the one that leads to the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain. To visit its summit you must buy the ticket ‘Machupicchu with Huaynapicchu’. Due to high demand and low availability, this ticket is purchased online 3 or 4 months in advance.
• During your visit do not forget to bring with you: comfortable and resistant sneakers, comfortable sports clothes, sun block lotion, hat, rain poncho, fruits, snacks, camera and documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) From when can I do the Huchuy Picchu route?

  It will only be available during the high season. That is, from June 1st to October 15th. However, you can make your reservation much earlier.

• 2) Do I really have to bring a waterproof poncho?

  Yes, Machu Picchu, being in a semi-tropical zone, may have short showers or rains during the day.

• 3) Are there garbage cans inside the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu?

  No, so in case you have waste or any disposable material, keep it. At the entrance and exit point of the citadel you will find containers classified for better recycling.

• 4) Where do I book the buses to get to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu?

  It is possible to do it virtually or in person at the offices. It is also possible to do it at the time of taking the trip. But, you may find a lot of people doing the same thing.

• 5) Can I really book 2 entrance tickets to Machu Picchu for the same day?

  Yes, you just have to be careful when choosing the schedules. Above you can find several ticket combination options that could help you to make your trip all over the Inca citadel.

Advice from people who have been there

Huchuy Picchu

By: Belén S.

“Nothing complicated“

“I must confess that I was afraid of this small route in Machu Picchu. Fortunately my husband encouraged me to do the hike which turned out to be simple and very safe. Besides, I managed to find a beautiful orchid and beautiful views of the wonder of the world. I hope to return soon and this time go further this time.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, September 13, 2024