Every day thousands of people venture up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Of those thousands, only a few brave ones choose to prove their aptitude by climbing the Machu Picchu Mountain. Without a doubt, these hike is extraordinarily beautiful and are typically done early in the morning when the fog clears, revealing the majesty of the Inca landmark.
Location: Specifically, Machu Picchu Mountain is located in the Urubamba Province, which is roughly 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco, Peru. In fact, Machu Picchu Mountain forms part of the stunning Andes mountain range and is positioned above Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley).
The mountain of Machu Picchu
Any trip to the citadel of Machu Picchu is not complete without climbing one of the neighboring peaks, and getting another perspective of the full extent of the iconic Inca ruins; Machu Picchu
How to get there: At the Machu Picchu Mountain Registration Hut, you will register your details before starting the hike. You will also present your ticket. From here, you will follow a flat and leaf covered trail passing through a shaded forested area. Although, the flat trail doesn’t last for long! Soon enough, the trail begins to steadily incline and weave its way from the shaded forest to a more exposed trail.
As you gain elevation, you’ll catch your first glimpses of Machu Picchu in the distance. Before even reaching the peak of Machu Picchu Mountain, you’ll have sensational views of the Inca site. Once you’ve enjoyed the views, it’s time to continue your hard work, gaining more elevation towards the peak of Machu Picchu Mountain.
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How is the view over Machu Picchu
The view over Machu Picchu from the mountain that bears his name is unrivalled. Huayna Picchu is reduced to a mere hump from this height. The ruins look like small gray Lego buildings, and the brightly dressed tourists look like multicolored ants.
The view from the mountain of Machu Picchu also offers you the opportunity to put into perspective the amazing location of the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The silky Urubamba River crashes at the foot of the mountain to which the site extends, turning it into an almost island in the middle of the peaks.
The mountains that drip with the jungle undulate as far as the eye can see. You can even see where the Inca Trail enters the slopes of the surrounding hills, and you can see the banks of the Aguas Calientes River where you could have spent the night, and the Santa Teresa hydroelectric plant.
Tips and Advice
These are the advices we give you to climb the mountain of Machu Picchu:
- When you buy your ticket for Machu Picchu mountain (well in advance, of course)
- Leave early. Try to arrive at the door of the base of the mountain of Machu Picchu at the time it opens at 7am. The last entrance to the mountain is at 8 a.m. The climb takes around 2 hours up, and 2 hours back. .
- You should be well acclimated to the altitude before attempting this hike – the air is thin and you will notice the difference, no matter how fit you are!
- Bring plenty of water, at least 2 liters each, plus some snacks since there are no facilities for buying refreshments after entering the site. Be respectful and discreet in the place you choose to stop to eat, and never leave any kind of garbage.
- Wear supportive walking shoes and cool, comfortable clothing.
- Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses – the sun gets intense at this point.
- Remember your fully charged camera and spare SD cards!
Tickets For Machu Picchu Mountain
Basically, there are four different Machu Picchu tickets. There’s for Machu Picchu Inca City (Circuits 1, 2, 3, 4), which is mainly for exploring the Inca city of Machu Picchu. This ticket doesn’t give you access to Machu Picchu Mountain or any other hikes at Machu Picchu. To purchase Machu Picchu Mountain tickets, simply select ‘Machu Picchu Mountain + Circuit 3. With this tickets you will be allowed to hike up to the Machu Picchu Mountain.
Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket Times & Schedules
Tickets are sold in two, one hour time slots starting and finishing with a 7–8am and 8–9am time slot, respectively. You will find 200 tickets are sold for each time slot. So, overall, a maximum of 400 people may climb Machu Picchu Mountain per day.
Is It Worth Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, we think hiking Machu Picchu Mountain in Peru is worth it. Given the peak elevation, Machu Picchu Mountain offers a unique view over Machu Picchu. Certainly, it would be a shame to travel all the way to this world class attraction and miss out on the views
Helpful Information: FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Hike Machu Picchu Mountain?
The Machu Picchu Mountain hike length is around 3 to 4 hours.
How High is Machu Picchu Mountain?
The peak elevation of Machu Picchu Mountain is 3,082m.
How Many Steps Up to Machu Picchu Mountain?
To reach the peak of Machu Picchu Mountain, you will need to climb 1,600 steps.
Is it Necessary to Have a Guide to Hike Machu Picchu Mountain?
No, a tour guide isn’t needed to hike Machu Picchu Mountain. You can enter Machu Picchu to do the Machu Picchu Mountain hike independently without a guide. Effectively, a tour guide is only recommended and not mandatory.
What is the Best Time of Year to Hike Machu Picchu Mountain?
In Peru, there’s a dry and rainy season. The dry season goes from May to October. Your chances of rain are low and you can expect sunny days. On the other hand, the rainy season is from November to April. During this time, you can expect frequent rainfall. But, it’s slightly warmer throughout the day. Of course, you should hike Machu Picchu Mountain during the dry season to improve your chances of good weather.
Which is the Best Time of the Day to Hike Machu Picchu Mountain?
It’s common to have low lying mist around the Machu Picchu site early in the morning. This holds true all year round, even in the dry season. So, to increase your chances of good views of Machu Picchu from the peak of Machu Picchu Mountain, it’s best to avoid the earliest time slot (7–8am). If you can, choose the 8–9am time slot. Potentially, you could start the hike just before 9am. Then, by the time you reach the peak of Machu Picchu Mountain, it’ll be around 10–11am. This is a great time to arrive at the summit of the mountain. At this time, you’re more likely to have unimpeded views of Machu Picchu. But, of course, mountain weather is unpredictable.
Is Machu Picchu a Mountain?
No, the Machu Picchu site is situated in and surrounded by the Andean mountain range.
Is Machu Picchu Mountain Dangerous?
No, the Machu Picchu Mountain hike isn’t dangerous. It’s Huayna Picchu and its stairs of death, which has a reputation for being dangerous.
