The two major mountain hikes in Machu Picchu both have the wow factor. With jaw dropping views, original Incan stone steps and the chance to see Machu Picchu from a whole different perspective, climbing either mountain is likely to be one of your most memorable experiences in the Sacred Valley. However, there are some key differences between them - including which Machu Picchu circuit is included in your ticket - that can make one a much better option than the other.
As we were lucky enough to climb both Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, we’ve put together this guide to help you decide which hike is right for you.
It’s worth noting, both mountains cost the same, so I am not taking cost into the equation.
Huayna Picchu vs Machu Picchu Mountain
Which is which?
Before we get into the comparison between them, we thought we’d start by showing you which is which and where they sit in relation to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. The ruins of Machu Picchu sit on a ridge (or saddle) between the two mountains.
The iconic mountain that you see in all the postcard style photos of Machu Picchu, is Huayna Picchu. This is the slim looking spire that looms over the northern side of the ruins. It’s accessed from the lower part of the citadel and you can see it in the photo below.
Machu Picchu Mountain is the huge peak that sits to the south of Machu Picchu and looms over the Guardian’s Hut on the upper part of the ancient citadel. It is 3,082m tall and is a much wider mountain peak, shown in the photo below.
Now for how to pick the right hike for you.
The scenery and trail
Huayna Picchu
The scenery throughout the Huayna Picchu hike is incredible, you get to see Machu Picchu from so many different angles and the surrounding mountains are also magnificent.
Huayna Picchu has its own set of ruins just below the summit, which allows you to explore a lesser visited part of the site and there’s very little in the way of roped off sections like you’ll find in the main citadel.
The trail itself is diverse with plenty to keep it interesting as you climb. As well as lots of your average stone steps, you’ll also climb several narrow staircases and of course the famed ‘stairs of death’.
There’s also a small ladder, a little cavern and some boulders you can hop across on the summit. In terms of diversity there’s no comparison between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, Huayna Picchu definitely wins!
Machu Picchu Mountain
There’s no doubt about it, Machu Picchu Mountain also has seriously jaw dropping views. More towards the top of the trail and the summit itself than on the way up. The first third of the descent is also fabulous, as you’re facing the views instead of the endless stairs.
The summit of Machu Picchu Mountain has possibly the most spectacular view of either trail in my opinion, due to the panoramic mountain views and just how steep and sheer they look.
The view of Machu Picchu is also superb, but it feels slightly further away than you do on Huayna Picchu, so if the best view of Machu Picchu itself is the aim, then you’ll find that on Huayna Picchu.
The Machu Picchu Mountain trail itself is far less diverse, you won’t find Incan ruins, nor the little cave, or ladder. The path is more standard in that sense.
Although there are no official ‘stairs of death’ on Machu Picchu Mountain, I did think two of the staircases were remarkably similar to the famous steps on Huayna Picchu.
They are shorter staircases, but highly exposed, and next to a tremendous drop which would definitely give vertigo sufferers jelly legs.
Hike difficulty
Huayna Picchu
In my opinion, Huayna Picchu is the easier of the two hikes. The trail is much shorter and the elevation gain - flights of stairs you need to climb - are much less too. In fact you’re climbing just under 200m less (which is a big difference, especially at altitude!).
There is one set of very narrow stairs, but the first half of these have a handrail and the second half are not exposed - ie not close to a cliff edge. You wouldn’t want to slip of course, but you can use your hands to help you climb up and in dry conditions, it wasn’t too difficult.
To get through the little cavern you have to contort yourself a bit which makes it a bit tricky if you’re not very nimble (which I’m definitely not) but it’s only a very short section and you can take your time to work out how best to squeeze through.
The stairs of death are steep and exposed, but wide and have a solid wall running along one side (this makes you feel much more stable than if it were to have a drop either side).
Overall the Huayna Picchu hike is steep, both on the way up and down, but with enough time, as long as you can climb stairs for around 45 minutes and don’t have acute vertigo, then most people will find the hike ok - I guess what I mean is, you don’t have to be a hiker, but you do need some level of fitness and something of a head for heights.
It’s also worth noting we hiked on a dry day and the track was not slippery, I think certain sections in wet conditions could be quite unnerving, however, this also goes for a couple of bits on Machu Picchu Mountain too.
Machu Picchu Mountain
For me Machu Picchu Mountain was the harder hike by quite some distance. For starters it’s 1.9km longer and as almost every step is uphill, that definitely ramps up the difficulty level. The trail itself was also more exposed to the sun than at Huayna Picchu, and we were hiking on a warm day without a cloud in the sky.
This felt quite intense on the way down as the summit is also exposed, so we’d been in the blazing sun for quite a few hours. On a cloudy day this of course wouldn’t be an issue.
Perhaps because there are less open views along the way, you stop less on the trail up Machu Picchu Mountain, which can make it feel more tiring.
There are less exposed sections on Machu Picchu Mountain than on Huayna Picchu, but as mentioned before, there were two sets of stairs that reminded me of mini ‘stairs of death’, so it’s not entirely without it’s slightly sketchy bits.
In terms of the way down, by the time I had finished the descent on Machu Picchu Mountain I did have a touch of jelly legs, which I didn’t experience on Huayna Picchu.
Crowds
Huayna Picchu
It is hard to talk about crowds because the “powers that be” keep changing the number of tickets that can be sold each day. However, when we visited (and it’s still the case as I write this) there are more tickets sold for Huayna Picchu than Machu Picchu Mountain.
At time of writing, there are four time slots for Huayna Picchu, with 75 tickets per slot available. Huayna Picchu is also the more iconic of the two hikes, that means tickets are likely to sell out, especially in peak season.
However, there are more points of interest along the trail, so though there will be more people on the hike, they are often more spread out. The summit itself is tiny and has very limited space, however, there are even better views below the summit and along the trail, which means if the summit is essentially full when you visit, it won’t matter too much.
Machu Picchu Mountain
At time of writing there are two time slots for hiking Machu Picchu Mountain. There are 50 tickets per time slot sold. It’s also less famous than Huayna Picchu, so the tickets may not always sell out. On our visit, for our time slot, less than 20 tickets had sold. Now this will not always be the case, but by comparison, the Huayna Picchu tickets had sold out.
However, it’s only really the summit of the mountain where anyone spends time. And it’s not a huge summit (at least not a huge summit where the best view is) therefore it’s possible that it may feel crowded, even with lower numbers. That wasn’t the case for us, but I could see how with more tickets sold that it could be.
For both mountains if you want the least crowds you want to take that first time slot of the day. That’s because slower hikers or those that love to linger, mean that several time slots eventually meet up, whereas if you’re in the first batch of hikers then you will be with the least people at the top.
Photo ops
Huayna Picchu
There are lots of wonderful photo opportunities along the Huayna Picchu trail. If you like pictures with people in them too, there are more chances for interesting backdrops on the Huayna Picchu hike than on Machu Picchu Mountain - simply because there are more views and points of interest along the way. Whilst there is no one particular ‘Instagrammable spot’ on this trail, there are plenty of good small person big landscape angles.
The diversity of the track, such as the ruins and stairs of death, as well as the boulder covered summit, offer lots of potential.
Machu Picchu Mountain
The summit of Machu Picchu Mountain is fantastic for landscape photography, with huge mountain panoramas that are just incredible. However, if you want to get a person in the shot, then it’s worth noting the whole summit area has the same little ropes surrounding it that you’ll find down in the main Machu Picchu citadel. This means you don’t get that wild feel.
For photos with people in them and no ropes, the early part of the descent is best, as you can get some good photos facing the mountains.
Overall I think Huayna Picchu is better for photo ops.
The circuit that comes with the ticket
Huayna Picchu
This is a big downside when it comes to the Huayna Picchu hike. Huayna Picchu only comes with access to circuit 4. If this is the only ticket you’re purchasing for Machu Picchu, then you are not going to experience the upper levels of the ruins - which is where you’ll find those classic views. I think a lot of people will find this disappointing.
If you are planning to climb Huayna Picchu and budget permits, then I would buy an additional Machu Picchu ticket. The Inca Bridge ticket would be best of all, but if it’s not available then buy a general entry ticket and opt to walk circuit 2.
If you aren’t worried about those classic views, then circuit 4 is the best of the lower level circuits and does explore a lot of the site.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain comes with access to circuit 3, the worst circuit on offer at Machu Picchu - but it also comes with one unadvertised bonus. Now I have absolutely no idea why they don’t tell you this (and maybe in the future they will), but your ticket comes with access to the Guardian House, which is on the upper level of Machu Picchu.
Circuit 3 is a short, lower level circuit that will not satisfy most people, especially if this is your one time in Machu Picchu. However, the Guardian House is the most coveted viewpoint in the site and is the one described as the ‘classic view’.
Only multi day walkers (Inca Trail etc) and Machu Picchu Mountain ticket holders can access it. Now there are similar viewpoints behind it that are accessible via circuits 1 and 2, but none that have the limited numbers that the Guardian House has.
That meant we were two of only four people watching the sunrise from the classic viewpoint on our visit. More people will come later, as the multi day walkers will arrive, but get the first time slot for Machu Picchu Mountain and then enter the site at 6am (you are allowed to enter one hour before your mountain climb) and you can watch sunrise without the crowds. It’s a very special experience.
The other thing worth noting is that on our visit, only the upper circuits - 1 and 2 - had a strong staff presence. The lower levels - 3 and 4 - did not have people routinely checking tickets once inside the citadel.
This means that whilst you are only technically entitled to walk circuit 3, it’s incredibly unlikely anyone will stop you, or even notice if you do circuit 4 instead.
Circuit 4, when coupled with the views from the Guardian House, showcases a pretty good chunk of Machu Picchu and most people will feel content with this.
So which is the best overall, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
I loved both hikes, but I’m not going to sit on the fence. If I could only pick one, I would pick Huayna Picchu. And I would pick that first time slot so that it was as quiet as possible. The exception to this would be if it was my one ticket for Machu Picchu, because I would be disappointed to miss the upper level views.
I think if this was the case I would pick Machu Picchu Mountain. However, you’re likely only at Machu PIcchu once in your life, so my advice would be just buy two tickets.
I am so grateful to have had the chance to climb both mountains, and Machu Picchu Mountain is a fabulous hike, but Huayna Picchu does pip it for me.
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