When planning trip to Machu Picchu remember that ruins are not the only thing that you can see there. Apart from Incan city you have few trekking options including the ones going to two different peaks. You will have small problem here, because you need to choose one of them: Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayana Picchu. From two of them you have incredible view on Incas place. It is worth to visit one of them, question which? Our polish travel agency located in Peru presents below some tips, which might help you to decide.
Machu Picchu is the name not only for the ruins, but also for the mountain, close to each city has been built. Name might be confusing, but this is not all.
Apart from ruins and peak with the same name, all around you can see Huayna Picchu mentioned. It is second peak close to each Incas place has been build. What does it mean? Incas ruins Machu Picchu are located basically between two peaks just at the pass: Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu.
Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu?
So hard to decide… This article will help you
There are two options for sightseeing Incas city:
- only Machu Picchu ruins
- Machu Picchu ruins + one of the peaks
Why only one? Unfortunately it is not possible to climb two of them during one trip (one day). There is no option to buy ticket that covers two of them. It is possible to select only Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu. We have following options available:
- Ticket only to Machu Picchu ruins
- Ticket to Machu Picchu ruins and to Machu Picchu Mountain
- Ticket to Machu Picchu ruins and Huayna Picchu peak
Of course you can buy two tickets: with Machu Picchu Mountain and with Huayna Picchu, but then cost of the trip will be double and you will be tight on time.
If we want to marvel Incas ruins from the peak, there is no other choice than making a decision!
You need to make a decision before buying the ticket. There are no tickets only for the peaks, tickets include ruins as well. If you buy ticket only for ruins and later you will decide to climb one of the peaks, you need to buy brand new ticket with different package (tickets are being sold quite quickly, but more details below).
Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu? What is your choice?
Big dilemma…right? Which one is more attractive, which is more interesting? Which ticket should I buy?
View on Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu
You can find online many information, tips that Huayna Picchu is better. I am not sure on what base this recommendation has been created. In many cases many of those people did not reach two summits. It is hard to imagine that people can advise what is better or what is not.
I am not planning to give you this answer, even I have climbed two of them. Both of them are amazing, worth to visit, but there are some differences. I will be happy to list them and maybe this will help you to make a decision.
| HUAYNA PICCHU PEAK | MACHU PICCHU PEAK |
| Trekking time: 2 – 2,5 hours including breaks (both ways) | Trekking time: 3 – 4 hours including breaks (both ways) |
| Very steep | Less steep in most sections |
| Very narrow | Less narrow in most sections |
| Way up and down on the same route | Way up and down on the same route |
| Panoramic view on Machu Picchu ruins and Machu Picchu Mountain | Panoramic view on Machu Picchu ruins and Huayna Picchu |
| Peak elevation: 2,720 m above sea level | Peak elevation: 3051 m above sea level |
| Very crowdy | Less crowdy |
| Limited (only 400 tickets per day) | Limited (800 ticket per day) |
| In high season you need to buy ticket 2 -3 moths up font | In high season you need to buy ticket 1.5 -2 moths up font (in low season not much time up front) |
| Smaller views diveristy | More views diversity including nearby snow peaks |
| Incas ruins on the way | No Incas ruins on the way |
| Less privacy and not many viewing points on the way | More privacy and many viewing points on the way |
| Not many possibilities to take a break on the trail (we will block the road for other people) | More possibilities to take a break since trail is wider |
| Many people on small area | Bigger area, not so many people |
If you have other doubts than Machu Picchu ruins and peaks located close by, few more tips you will find in article: What do you need to know before coming to Peru?
If you need information how to get to Machu Picchu then this article will be helpful: Tips how to get to Machu Picchu
Are you looking other articles about Machu Picchu?
I hope than now making a decision will be a little easier. Have great experiences on the trip to Inca ruins and great memories!
