Huayna Picchu Vs Machu Pichu Mountain

Scary Factors

Huayna Picchu Mountain: Huayna Picchu, frequently called the “Hike of Death,” is regarded as frightening because of its steep and narrow trails, sheer cliffs, and unstable steps. The climb involves ascending over 1,000 feet on a path with sharp switchbacks, some sections of which necessitate the use of steel cables for support.

Machu Picchu Mountain: There are fewer exposed areas on Machu Picchu Mountain compared to Huayna Picchu. However, there are two staircases that closely resemble the ‘stairs of death,’ making it not completely free of slightly precarious sections.

Age Limit            

Huayna Picchu Mountain: To hike Huayna Picchu, you must be over 12 years old. Those younger than this age are not permitted to undertake the hike.

Machu Pichu Mountain: There is no age restriction for hiking Machu Picchu Mountain.

Difficulty

Huayna Picchu Mountain: In our opinion, Huayna Picchu is the less challenging of the two hikes. The trail is shorter, and the elevation gain, including the flights of stairs you need to hike, is considerably less. Specifically, you are ascending nearly 200 meters less, which makes a substantial difference, particularly at high altitudes.

Machu Picchu Mountain: Machu Picchu Mountain presents a significantly more challenging hike. it’s 1.9 kilometers longer than Huayna Picchu, and nearly every step involves an uphill climb, making it notably more strenuous. Moreover, the trail is more exposed to the sun compared to Huayna Picchu, especially on warm, cloudless days.

Crowds

Huayna Picchu Mountain: The trail leading to Huayna Picchu mountain is crowded due to its short length and the daily limit of 300 hikers. However, before reaching the summit, there are numerous spots where you can take photos with the backdrop of the Machu Picchu citadel. Here, people are spread out, and it’s not as congested.

Machu Picchu Mountain: The Machu Picchu trail remains uncrowded due to its lengthy hike and the limited availability of 200 tickets daily. However, upon reaching the summit, it becomes crowded as there is only one spot for photographing the Machu Picchu citadel.

The Circuit That Comes With The Ticket

Huayna Picchu Mountain: The major drawback of the Huayna Picchu hike is its limited access to only circuit 3. If you opt for this ticket alone for Machu Picchu, you will miss out on exploring the upper levels of the ruins, where you can enjoy iconic views. This could be disappointing for many visitors. If you plan to climb Huayna Picchu and your budget allows, we recommend purchasing an additional Machu Picchu ticket for circuit 2. In case circuit 2 is sold out, circuit 1 still offers panoramic views of Machu Picchu.

However, if you’re not particularly concerned about missing the classic views, circuit 3 offers the best exploration of the lower level circuits and covers a significant portion of the site.

Machu Picchu Mountain: Machu Picchu Mountain grants access to circuit 1, which is considered the least desirable among the circuits offered at Machu Picchu. However, it includes an unadvertised bonus: access to the upper terrace, situated on the higher tier of Machu Picchu. Opting for this ticket alone means missing out on exploring the lower levels of the ruins, where the majority of the main temples are located, potentially disappointing many visitors.

If your plan includes climbing Machu Picchu Mountain and your budget allows, we recommend purchasing an additional ticket for circuit 2, which ensures access to all the main temples on the upper and lower level. If circuit 2 is unavailable, circuit 3 remains an option to visit all main temples in the lower level.

Hiking Time

Huayna Picchu Mountain: Huayna Picchu typically requires approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, encompassing both the ascent and descent.

Machu Picchu Mountain: Machu Picchu Mountain typically requires approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to complete, including both the climb up and the descent down.

Total Height

Huayna Picchu Mountain: Huayna Picchu stands at an elevation of 2,720 meters (8,923 feet).

Machu Picchu Mountain: Machu Picchu Mountain stands at an elevation of 3051 meters (10,009 feet).

Elevation Gained

Huayna Picchu Mountain: When hiking Huayna Picchu, you ascend approximately 290 meters (951 feet).

Machu Picchu Picchu Mountain: Machu Picchu Mountain involves ascending a total of 621 meters (2037 feet).

Schedules

Huayna Picchu Mountain: Huayna Picchu offers two time slots: one at 7 am and another at 9 am.

Machu Picchu Mountain: Machu Picchu Mountain offers two time slots for entry, either at 7 a.m. or 9 a.m.

Number Of Permits

Huayna Picchu Mountain: The daily allowance for Huayna Picchu is restricted to just 300 spaces per day.

Machu Picchu Mountain: There are 200 permits available for Machu Picchu Mountain.

Summit

Huayna Picchu Mountain: Huayna Picchu’s summit isn’t flat, which can make navigating it challenging, particularly during crowded periods. This feature may also unsettle individuals with a fear of heights.

Machu Picchu Mountain: The peak of Machu Picchu Mountain features a spacious, flat area offering panoramic 360-degree views and ample room for movement.

Popularity

Huayna Picchu Mountain: Huayna Picchu is significantly more popular and its permits often sell out well in advance. One reason for this is when people see the classic picture of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu in the background, they often wonder if they can climb that mountain.”

Machu Picchu Mountain: Machu Picchu Mountain is less popular than Huayna Picchu, and its tickets do not sell out in advance.

Price

Huayna Picchu Mountain: The entrance fee for climbing Huayna Picchu amounts to 200 soles, equivalent to approximately $60 USD.

Machu Picchu Mountain: The entrance fee for hiking Machu Picchu Mountain is priced at 200 soles, equivalent to approximately $60 USD.

Trails

Huayna Picchu Mountain: The trail offers a varied experience that remains engaging throughout the ascent. In addition to typical stone steps, hikers encounter narrow staircases, including the notorious ‘stairs of death’. There’s also a modest ladder, a small cavern, and opportunities to hop across boulders at the summit. In terms of diversity, Huayna Picchu surpasses Machu Picchu Mountain without question.

Machu Picchu Mountain: The Machu Picchu Mountain trail lacks the variety seen on Huayna Picchu, with no Incan ruins, cave, or distinctive ladder. It follows a more conventional path in that regard. While Machu Picchu Mountain doesn’t have the notorious ‘stairs of death’ like Huayna Picchu, you can notice that two of its staircases closely resembled those famous steps.

Scenery And Landscapes

Huayna Picchu Mountain:  Huayna Picchu offers one of the best panoramic views of the Citadel of Machu Picchu. In addition, several inca ruins can be found in the “Young Mountain”, surrounded with the beautiful flora and fauna of this place.

Machu Picchu Mountain: Machu Picchu Mountain offers a completely different view. From the Summit, you have the opportunity to admire the Holy City, Huayna Picchu, last part of Inca Trail, Salkantay Mountain, and the entire range of these stunning mountains. It should be noted that Mount Machu Picchu has no archaeological sites, but is distinguished by a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Hiking Length

Huayna pichu Mountain: It is 2.5 km/ 1.5 Miles.

Machu Picchu Mountain: It is 3.9 km/ 2.42 miles.

Incline of the Trail

Huayna Pichu Mountain: Some sections of the Huayna Picchu Trail feature a steep gradient of 60 degrees.

Machu Picchu Mountain: Some sections of the Machu Picchu mountain trail feature a gradient of 30 degrees.

Photo Ops

Huayn Pichu Mountain: The Huayna Picchu trail offers numerous excellent photo opportunities. For those who enjoy capturing images with people, this hike provides more intriguing backdrops compared to Machu Picchu Mountain due to the abundance of views and points of interest. Although the trail lacks a single iconic ‘Instagrammable spot,’ there are many opportunities for capturing striking ‘small person, big landscape’ shots. The trail’s variety, including ruins, the “stairs of death,” and the boulder-covered summit, provides ample potential for compelling photographs.

Machu Picchu Mountain: The summit of Machu Picchu Mountain offers breathtaking opportunities for landscape photography, featuring vast and stunning mountain vistas. However, if you wish to include a person in your photographs, be aware that the summit is encircled by the same small ropes found throughout the main Machu Picchu citadel, which detracts from the untamed atmosphere. For shots with people that exclude the ropes, the early stages of the descent are ideal, as they provide excellent views of the mountains.

Overall, We believe Huayna Picchu provides superior photo opportunities.

So which is the best overall, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Both hikes provide breathtaking views and are equally impressive. However, if we had to choose only one, we would opt for Huayna Picchu. This trail offers a greater diversity of experiences with Incan ruins, steep staircases, and intriguing rock tunnels. Huayna Picchu is particularly renowned and tends to be fully booked well ahead of time.