Climbing machu picchu mountain - Machu Picchu Forum - TripAdvisor Climbing machu picchu mountain - Machu Picchu Forum Review a place you’ve visited JOIN Which Machu Picchu hotels are on sale? mm/dd/yyyy mm/dd/yyyy Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 16, 2009, 10:07 PM I am doing the 4 day Inka Trail treck with Llamapath at the end of August. I am concerned that I may not get to Machu Picchu early enough to get a permit to climb Huayna Picchu . Would Machu Picchu mountain (sometimes called Apu Machu Picchu) be a good substitute? I am trying to avoid spending a night in Agua Caliente, since all the hotels seem dismal, and my clean clothes will be in Cuzco. Also, I am not sure that I will want to wake up at the crack of dawn after the treck to arrive in time to get the permit. Finally, what do you think the chances are that on August 30 the weather will be rainy or cloudy? The odds seem very low to me, based on what I have read, but I wanted to check.

If the weather turned out to be terrible, I would want to spend the night in Agua Caliente to have another shot at seeing MP in good weather. Thanks so much for your help! One attraction mentioned in this post Travelers interested in this topic also viewed... Show Prices 11. Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 21, 2009, 12:21 PM I should have added that we will be travelling with two sons in their early 20s, one of whom is an avid photographer and will want to take many many photos. Should we stay overnite to increase our chances of catching 'better' weather? As you can probably tell, despite reading Lonely Planet and watching this site, I'm still feeling unsure how to structure this vacation! Report inappropriate content 12. Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 21, 2009, 1:04 PM Runningboy's insights are excellent. Traveling these days so often seems to consist of a checklist--the ol' "been there, done that" syndrome. And why does the OP think the hotels are all dismal?

The one I was in was clean and comfortable, with a very accommodating staff. Report inappropriate content 13. Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 21, 2009, 4:15 PM You can get great pictures of Machu Picchu from the site near the Funerary Rock or the Watchman's Hut -- this is the viewpoint for taking the most famous photos of Machu Picchu. There is even a little outcropping where you can stand in front, with the amazing view of Machu Picchu behind & below you. In this view, Huayna Picchu is in the background. This is where my profile photo was taken. You can also get get photo ops hiking up to the Sun Gate, then turning back to see Machu Picchu spread out before you. You can also climb Putukusi -- I've heard you can get great photo views from there, too. (no permits needed) The weather changes throughout the day, so if you want a variety of photos -- Machu Picchu shrouded in mist, then in full sun, spend all day, or even two days, in case it rains one day.

As for all the Aguas Calientes hotels being dismal, not so. We stayed at the lovely Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, which had great photo ops on its own. And there are many other less expensive hotels that come highly recommended. In general, Aguas Calientes doesn't have much going for it, except as a staging point for Machu Picchu, though we did enjoy the little market on our way to the train station. Indio Feliz also is a highly recommended restaurant there. The town reminds me a lot of U.S.-Mexican border towns like Nogales or Tiajuana, but much, much smaller. One destination mentioned in this post 14. Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 22, 2009, 7:31 AM The Huayna Picchu climb is not difficult or dangerous. You're just walking up steps for about an hour at most. There are even ropes and banisters along the way to help you along. When I went up, there were quite a few older people who seemed to manage the walk fine. Yes it is tiring but its a good experience.

Yes if you go all the way up to the top there are some more dangerous bits but that is if you are going climbing over the rocks right up the top, etc... Report inappropriate content 15. Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 22, 2009, 5:26 PM Hmmmm. I'm not sure what you are saying: climb part the way up? I thought you went down a different way, so how would that work? And I'm still assuming this is something we do not do if it is raining or recently rained/wet? I'm also not sure if the boys, once they started, would be able to resist trying to clamber up to the top..... No matter what the weather conditions..... Here is another MP question: we do not have the option of going between May and September, so is it worth spending the night in AC (after our day there on the train from Ollytambo) to see the sun rise the next morning and do more walking around/photos?

On the other hand, should we stay so that we increase our probability of 'nicer' weather (two days maybe one is less cloudy/rainy than the other?),,,, Interested to see what people think, since we only have 10d/9n in the country, and still not sure what all we can fit in... Report inappropriate content 16. Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 22, 2009, 6:33 PM -:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:- TripAdvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet TripAdvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives. To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Removed on: 6:13 am, June 27, 2010 18. Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 25, 2009, 10:38 AM A fast answer would be YES - it's a good substitute!

The long answer as follows: We did the Machu Picchu Mountain "climb" in July this year instead of going for the HP climb. The reason that we did this climb instead of Huayna Pichu was several. 1. The rush to get a ticket to HP might make us miss the sunrise - standing in line for a ticket instead. Not an option for us. A couple that came and sat next to us watching the sunrise had got their hands on a pair of 1000 AM tickets for HP. They had arrived with a bus leaving from A.C 0630. They got ticket numbers 380-something of 400. 2. The MP climb is longer but easier (according to our guide). Took us 2,5h up and 1,5h down. "Stairs" all the way - sometimes narrow, sometimes with very high steps with loose rocks. Some old inca (?) guard huts ruins/platforms are spread along the trek from where you can view MP city from different levels. You might be able to get a good enough pic from a platform like this to not go all the way to the top if you are in a hurry. 3.

You don't need to get in a line and get a ticket. Just go! As many before me in this forum has pointed out - you'll probably be quite alone up on MP. There is even a small hut for taking a break and enjoying the sight. 4. The view from MP is somewhat "the classic" view from the Caretakers hut, but on a much higher level. It also provides a 360-degree view of the surroundings. You'll see all of the valleys surrounding the historical site, and some snow peaked mountains that i doubt are visible from HP. However, coming from the Inca Trail , you might have seen the sights in that direction already. If we'd had time, we'd probably would have gone for both treks, but MP mountain is too unknown (and under rated) as we see it. In a couple of years, I believe it might be more well known and more popular. However, some other thoughts: Since you're arriving from the Inca Trail, you'll get a similar view of MP from the Sun Gate as from MP mountain - at least a view from the same direction. If that is an issue - go for HP.

We didn't walk the Inca Trail, but we could notice, waiting for the sunrise, that a lot of hikers came down from the Sun Gate at the same time as some of the earliest buses, so I think you might be able to get your hands on a HP ticket. I think your guide will set you of in such a time that you'll see the sunrise in MP when you arrive. However, if the weather are cloudy/misty, you might not see much of MP-city from the Sun Gate. We had a lot of clouds/mist blocking the view even from the Caretakers hut - but when the sun makes the mist rise - that's AMAZING. If you only stay for one day at the MP site and want to go on a guided tour, look around on the site, the hike to MP mountain might take too much time. There is no big issues with the hotels in Aguas Calientes more than that they are expensive for what you get. If you try to get a hotel in the same price range as your other hotels in Peru , you might get a bad hotel. Check my contributions for seeing pics of the hotel we stayed in. It was very nice. Enjoy your trip! 19.

Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jul 25, 2009, 1:03 PM Thank you! Your message was extremely helpful. Llama path told me that they got a 7:00 p.m. train ticket for me, so I should have plenty of time to walk around Machu Picchu the day we arrive. Report inappropriate content 20. Re: Climbing machu picchu mountain Jan 22, 2010, 12:17 AM -:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Removed on: 12:17 am, January 22, 2010 11-20 of 20 replies Machu Picchu Trek with International Mountain Guides Photos Machu Picchu Trek with International Mountain Guides Join us for a fun filled adventure starting in Cusco, Peru.

We'll acclimate, explore local ruins and tour the "Sacred Valley of the Incas." Afterwards, we'll trek for several days to Machu Picchu, a nearly indescribable sight of early Incan architecture and ingenuity. We hope you can join us trekking to this awesome cultural and adventure experience! Trip Highlights Early morning arrival at Machu Picchu with plenty of time to explore and sightsee during a tour of the area with your guides. On the classic Inca Trail trek, there is an option for revisiting Machu Picchu the next morning and hiking up Huayna Picchu Peak for a spectacular viewpoint. A local guide and expert will supplement our own IMG lead guide to lend insight into the area's culture and history Porters will transport a large part of your gear during the trekking portion of our trip to make the hike more enjoyable. A cook staff accompanies the trek. Horses are used to pack the gear in place of porters on the Salkantay trek. 3-star hotels (or better) with great accommodations Private vehicle with driver for all transfers Most meals throughout the trip, both on the trek and in town Trekking at high altitude must be taken seriously.

IMG carries a pulse oximeter and supplemental oxygen on every trip, along with a First Aid trained and altitude experienced IMG lead guide Location: Southern Peru Rendezvous Point: Lima, Peru, then an in country flight on to Cusco. Team Size: Up to 15 Trekkers with one Senior IMG Leader and one local cultural expert plus a staff of Quechuan porters, cook and cook staff. On the Salkantay route horses are used to pack gear in place of the porters. 2017 IMG Peru Guides Charlotte Austin Prerequisites Good all around fitness. Previous multi day hiking or trekking experience is strongly recommended. The pace is slow and steady but the days can be long (up to 10 hours) and the Inca Trail has lots of stone steps that go steeply up and down hill. Both treks put in long days on the trail with lots of climbing up to high elevation and descent back down again. Machu Picchu and Inca Culture Machu Picchu, once the citadel of the Inca culture in Peru, sits atop a mountain in a jungle of green landscape in the steep rugged mountains of southern Peru.

A mystery for over 400 years, it was left undiscovered during the Spanish Conquest, although the Spaniards searched in vain for the gold that was believed to have been there. The idea of a "lost city" of the Incas faded in credibility over time, as it sat disguised in the jungle overgrowth. Then, after years of searching, Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham found it in 1911. The rediscovery of the ancient city made worldwide news, as the citadel was slowly unearthed from its hiding place. Inca Trail Trek Today, the Inca trail is an extraordinary journey leading into a mysterious city built by remarkable craftsmen. The hidden secrets of this lost city are yours to explore with us, as we venture to the ruins on a spectacular four-day trek. We'll have ample opportunity to explore and photograph the breath-taking architecture; enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way; and learn about the Incan culture that fostered the growth of this extraordinary creation-the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Early Signup for Inca Trail The Peruvian government has placed a daily limit on the number of trekkers allowed to walk the Inca trail to Machu Picchu each day.

It is imperative that we submit actual requests for trekking permits for each person as close to the first of the year as possible in order to guarantee permits for each member of the group. This means you will need to submit your application prior to the first of the year in order to confirm a place on the Inca Trail trek. For the Salkantay trek, signups can occur up to 90 days in advance of the trek departure, but permits for the optional hike up Huayna (Wayna) Picchu may not be available after the first of the year. Salkantay Trek At 6271 meters (20574'), Nevado de Salkantay is the tallest and most majestic mountain in the Cordillera Vilcabamba range and the backdrop for an alternate trek to Machu Picchu. This journey travels off the beaten track, far from the classic and better known Inca Trail. It offers a true view of the Peruvian mountains with spectacular vistas and provides a feeling of adventure and remoteness. Salkantay means "Savage Mountain" in the Quechua language.

The trek takes us up over a high mountain pass gaining a maximum elevation of 4600 meters (15,180 feet), past the massive snow clad peaks of Tucarhuay, Salkantay and Huamantay. The trek then descends from the region of high peaks down river drainages and multiple ecological zones, ending in lush forested terrain, the "cloud forest" with wild orchids, banana plantations and exotic birds. The total trek distance is approximately 30+ miles yet experiences the breadth and depth of the Peruvian mountainous region. This trek is slightly more arduous than the Inca Trail, but requires no load carrying other than a day pack. On the Salkantay we pack personal (a limit of 7 Kilos/15 pounds per person) and group gear on horses led by wranglers in addition to the normal trek leaders, kitchen and camp staff. This route is less traveled than the Inca Trail and there is no limit on the number of permits for the trek. You do not need to apply by the first of the year in order to guarantee participation on the program.

In general, the Salkantay trek hikes on wider, dirt trails as opposed to the stone steps of the Inca Trail trek. The altitude gain is greater on the Salkantay, up over 15,000 feet and the day hiking over Salkantay Pass is a long one. During the first two days if any members are struggling or ill, it is possible to take a rest for part of the journey and ride horseback. The Classic Inca Trail, in contrast, has several days which climb stone steps steeply up and back down again over mountain passes rising up to a maximum of 13,000 feet in altitude. There are archaeological sites to observe and visit along the way and more reminders of the past Inca civilization. The final pre-dawn hike to the Sun Gate for a first view of Machu Picchu in early morning light is one of those experiences to last a lifetime. Whichever trek you choose, the experience will be truly memorable. Inca Trail Trek with IMG Our program begins in the 12th century colonial town of Cusco, once the Incan capital and home of Manco Capac, one of the early rulers.

Today, Cusco retains a history which is a mix of tradition and legend. We'll spend a day here, acclimating to an altitude of 10,900 feet, with time to stroll the downtown area, sight see and shop for local artifacts. The following day we will depart for the "Sacred Valley." We'll visit the local ruins of Sacsayhuaman, travel to the famous Pisak market, a good place to purchase local crafts and goods, and on to Ollantaytambo, a spectacular site perched high above the town below. We'll overnight in a hotel here, close to our departure point for the Machu Picchu trek. Many people find the local cultural tours to be nearly as impressive as Machu Picchu itself. Throughout our small expedition the team staff will include at least one local resident and guide who is an expert of the local history and legends that surround the sights we will explore. This cultural expert will accompany the group throughout the trek and visit of Machu Picchu. During the trek portion of our program, we will use local porters to transport our gear and supplies.

This permits us to enjoy the walk each day, as we move along unencumbered, free to take photos and investigate our surroundings. Meals will be served by our cook staff in a dining tent set up for your comfort during breakfast, dinner and even some lunches. The Machu Picchu Experience Machu Picchu itself is nearly beyond words-a place so immense and so precisely built by the Incans, it is hard to imagine reproducing it nowadays. There are quiet courts and walkways, fountains, and other constructions created by the Inca people for both practical and astrological applications. Archeologists have explained many of these things, and others have yet to be deciphered-or discovered. Our Machu Picchu adventure explores the area thoroughly, with plenty of time devoted to the area. You'll be armed with an excellent archeological overview of the ruins... and afterwards, there is time to go about on your own to further investigate and contemplate the meaning of the area at a relaxed and enjoyable pace. For those hearty trekkers, the easy but steep ascent of Huayna (Wayna) Picchu is a satisfying optional challenge, which offers a great "reverse view" of the Machu Picchu ruins.

Please note: we may not always make this option available to the group, depending on the trail and cable conditions that lead to the precarious summit. There have been fatalities and injuries recorded in the past on this short excursion. Sure footedness and a healthy respect for the exposure are required to make the ascent. We invite you to join us, and a take a journey back in time-to view the incredible sights and views that Machu Picchu and Cusco can offer. It's an experience that will provide memories for a lifetime! Background Requirements Fitness: Most of the trek days typically require long hiking days, 6-10 hours of effort, with the bulk of our gear carried by porters. All mornings usually start early and the day's journey often takes until dinner time. Because of the trekking portion of this trip and the general high altitude of the area (10-13,000 feet), we recommend that all participants engage in a physical training program for at least six months prior to trip departure. All participants must consult with their family physician regarding their personal health and the additional demands of high altitude well in advance of the trip. Experience: Participants should have solid day hiking experience over steep terrain.

Overnight backpacking or trekking experience is equally important. High altitude experience is not required, but is beneficial, to confirm that your body can reasonably tolerate visits to 10,000 feet and higher. Machu Picchu News Huayna Picchu Vs. Machu Picchu Mountain? | South America Forum | Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Huayna Picchu Vs. Machu Picchu Mountain? Tagged: Uruguay 3 Flying Solo to South America by LJT84 | 4 responses; most recent on Jan 19, 17 at 12:21 PM 5 Honeymoon destination help!!!!! by jg2travel | Be the first to reply ; posted on Jan 19, 17 at 07:44 AM 6 South American destinations for introverts? by estoppel | 7 responses; most recent on Jan 18, 17 at 08:38 PM 7 Narrowing Down Itinerary by odie1 | 8 responses; most recent on Jan 18, 17 at 05:56 PM Tagged: Peru 8 Where to start in May?

by narrator | 3 responses; most recent on Jan 18, 17 at 02:22 PM Tagged: Peru 10 Family Adventure in Ecuador by Hang20 | 10 responses; most recent on Jan 17, 17 at 07:54 PM Tagged: Ecuador 11 Tagged: Brazil 13 SA first-timers* need Peru advice! by filmwill | 12 responses; most recent on Jan 17, 17 at 03:37 AM Tagged: Chile 21 One Day in Santiago/Tour Guide by MeghanInNYC | 2 responses; most recent on Jan 13, 17 at 08:46 PM Tagged: Chile 22 Argentina and Bolivia/March and April by pitter | 9 responses; most recent on Jan 13, 17 at 09:23 AM Tagged: Argentina , Bolivia 23 Huayna Picchu Vs. Machu Picchu Mountain?

Posted by: bkuhl on Aug 26, 13 at 10:46 PM Printer Friendly Hi All, I would really appreciate opinions on the hike of Huayna Picchu vs Machu Picchu Mountain (the old peak - not the citadel, not the sun gate). In my research I'm getting conflicting info. Everyone agrees that Huayna Picchu is faster - between 45 min to 1.5 hours, and that Machu Picchu Mountain is much higher and takes longer - about 3 hours. The conflict is that some people are saying that Huayna Picchu is easier, some say harder. I can't tell if the criteria is simply endurance due to duration of hike? My criteria for hard/easy would be more about how scary the hike is - sheer dropoffs, difficult areas where you have to pull yourself up/climb, etc. I can handle a fair amount of stairs and cardio, but I'm a little bit of a chicken. I've climbed the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan, Mexico, but I went back down on my bum. Some pictures I've seen of Huayna Picchu look really scary, but it's hard to tell.

I would really appreciate anyone's thoughts on either/both peaks. Thanks!!! Too chicken to do either. You might look on Youtube for videos rather than rely on someone else's assessment. PuraAventura on Aug 27, 13 at 09:19 AM Hi Bkuhl, Huayna Picchu is nothing comparable to any temple in Mexico (even the tallest one in Teotihuacan). It is harder than the Machu Picchu Mountain, a lot of steps and chains linked to the rock face. But we have a lot of clients (in their 50's and 60's) that go up it and seem to like it so if you can handle a fair amount of stairs and cardio this shouldn't be too mad for you! Laurent colduphere on Aug 27, 13 at 06:34 PM We did the Inca Trail but neither trail you mention. I have a fear of heights. I wouldn't do Huayna Picchu in ten million years. Too exposed and too steep. Our guide Raul, who has a lot of credibility even among guides, told us that he would hike MP mountain over HP every time.

If you click on my trip report I think you will find a good video of MP mountain. bkuhl on Aug 29, 13 at 11:46 AM Thanks all for the feedback. Cold, nice trip report! It's giving me some courage. I think I'm going to give MP Mountain a go! Jeff_Costa_Rica on Aug 30, 13 at 06:40 PM I've done HP. There were three sectors I did not like: 1) about 10 feet on the way up where you had to crawl on your hands and knees under some rocks. I'm a little claustrophobic. 2) a section where you had scoot on your butt down a 45-degree incline 3) a section where you had to descend stairs, and you could hug the wall on the left side with room to spare, but the right side was a sheer drop I may be the only person who's ever made the ascent and descent with a briefcase in hand. This was a work-related trip and I needed to take notes. Beyond that, I'm glad I did it, but my legs felt like rubber when I was finished.

mlgb on Sep 5, 13 at 04:22 PM BTW bkuhl I would recommend the hike to the Sun Gate for us chickens (no ticket needed). There are only a few quick spots where the path is not wide enough and there is not a wall to hug on one side. They were over quickly and if I remember there were handrails there, which helped. There are actually a few spots just beyond the "hitching post" where you may not want to stand. You can always walk back down the way you came up, rather than off the steep side. BrokenMeadows on Sep 6, 13 at 04:26 PM I'm quite afraid of heights, and had a panic attack at the top of Huayna Picchu. I've gone bungee jumping, sky diving, hang gliding, flown small airplanes, done high ropes courses, and climbed many other mountains, and Huayna Picchu was the first time my fear of heights got the best of me. I started crying, shaking, and clutching the tiny bits of grass with both hands.

A bunch of strangers, tourists and guides alike, helped comfort me and helped me get myself together enough to climb back down. That mountain is scary. There are really steep, narrow paths with no handrails or ropes, and a straight 1,000 ft drop off the side. There are tiny caves to crawl through and shaky wooden ladders to climb. There are sheer rock faces to scoot down, scooting your way towards a cliff if you happen to slip. Once you pass the tree line and are on the terraces, you realize how high you are, and that there is nothing to save you if you get hurt or fall. The day I was there a man had a heart attack, and had to be carried down the steep, narrow trail by two porters, then bussed to the train station, then taken on a 4 hour train ride, just to get to a hospital. There's no helicopter coming to rescue you up there. All that being sad, I'm so glad I did it. The views are incredible, the sense of accomplishment is something you will carry with you for the rest of your life, and the comraderie on the hike is a special thing to feel.

You can check out my pictures and the full post I wrote about it here: geetika on Sep 9, 13 at 07:40 AM Like mlgb we also did the Sun Gate, breath-taking views and a fairly easy hike. I suffer from vertigo and wouldn't even think of going up HP. DH would've liked to, but he was just recovering from a bad knee and let me talk him out of it, though every time we look back on our Peru trip he throws this at me ! Axel2DP on Sep 15, 13 at 02:30 PM I did both Huayna Picchu and Macchu Picchu Mountain back in 2009. HP is steeper, but MP Mountain felt like it had more steps and took longer. I remembered it was relatively quicker for me to get up HP. Some portion I was kind of apprehensive about the steepness and narrowness of the steps, but they weren't that bad. Just don't climb HP when it's wet.

It was much harder for me physically to get to the top of MP Mountain, but that could also be due to the fact that I had finished the Inca Trail one day, climbed Huayna Picchu the next day and then came back the immediate day after to climb MP Mountain. Needless to say, my legs by the third day was screaming obscenities I thought the view from atop MP Mountain was more beautiful than from Hyuana Picchu, and it was definitely less crowded back then. But I'm sure more people have discovered it since then though. ancientsummit on Sep 18, 13 at 09:41 PM I would advise that you take the advice and experiences you are reading on these posts. You sound as if you are definitely not a candidate for Huayna Picchu and going down is even worse than going up. Machu Picchu Mountain is longer and hopefully you go with a good guide at your own pace and the views are amazing and you will not have to be among the crowds. It is the road much less traveled and is wonderful.

maggie364 on Dec 10, 13 at 05:18 PM This is obviously late for your trip bkuhl, but I hope my insights along with the others posted will help others. MP is up and down and up and down. It is a lot of change of elevation and there are hundreds of steps to climb up and down on. I was with a group 60 years old, and we recently (Oct. 2013) climbed both MP and HP. (I am 60) HP is harder in my opinion because you are not always on stairs, you are on dirt paths, stairs and rock. It is sometimes scary since you are close to cliff edges, but if you can get over that, it is doable, although it was tiring. I did not see anyone ‘wigging out’ because they were scared, but I did see a couple of older people not being able to endure the climb. I am of average fitness. On the whole, I was very proud I could do the HP climb. It was not as scary as I was lead to believe and the view from the top looking down at the MP ruins was spectacular.

If anyone who reads this is vacillating because of physical aptitude, I’d say – go slowly, but if you are truly afraid of heights and falling I would not suggest climbing. expatsinsantiago on Dec 10, 13 at 05:33 PM Also helpful to know that you can only get to HP after you already are inside the gate of MP. It's not an either / or. You need a special HP ticket with your MP ticket, as they only allow 200 HP climbers per day. It's pretty scary, probably the most afraid I've ever been, but like the poster above, I'm very glad I did it. My husband and 12 year old son also made the climb. ncounty on Dec 15, 13 at 04:12 PM Just coming across this post.... I only did Machu Picchu mountain and it was very very challenging. It was the hardest physical endeavor I have done. I tried to look it up online to find out how high it was but only came across some posts and one person summed it up well, "excruciating", lol.

It doesn't help that it was slick with light rain and mist when I did it and I did not have proper shoes, at all, and I was alone. And, the trail was broken/being repaired at one point and the workers helped me climb up and bypass the problem by going up a rope they had in place. It looked to be twice as high as Huaynu picchu and I was looking down on clouds and on Huaynu picchu when I was done. It was exhilarating. I think I only encountered about ten people on the entire 3 hours of my climb whereas Huaynu picchu has 200 per day and you have to line up at 4 or 5 am to make that list/cutoff. I am so glad I did it but be prepared for some effort. My legs were also like rubber for the next two days so I took time off and went white water rafting on the Urubamba next which required no leg exertion at all. mlgb on Dec 16, 13 at 10:03 AM As of a few years ago, no longer do HP climbers up at 4 am for HP tickets.

Now they need to buy a combo ticket in advance, with one of two start times for the HP trail. One also pays extra for MP Mountain. The hike to Sun Gate is still free. A Guide to Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain (Montaña) - the Only Peru Guide A Guide to Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain (Montaña) Overview Machu Picchu Mountain is the most spectacular yet one of the most overlooked optional treks available at Machu Picchu. Located to the south-west of Machu Picchu citadel and towering 3,050 meters (10,007 feet) above sea level, the mountain trek offers unparalleled views of the famous Inca sanctuary and panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountain scenery. At its summit Inca priests once performed rituals on special dates as well as liturgical greetings to the Salkantay Apu. Finding the Trail Head From the main entrance of Machu Picchu follow the upper-trail heading in the direction of the Guardhouse. Small and newly erected wooden signs signal the way the start of the trail head, which is also the same path which leads to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

A couple of minutes from the Guardhouse, you need to turn right and follow the path which climbs up through the agricultural terracing. Following the trail for another 15 minutes you will arrive at the wardens hut, where you need to sign in showing your passport and entrance ticket. From the entrance of Machu Picchu to the wardens hut takes approximately 30 minutes. The Trail Unlike Huayna Picchu or Putucusi Mountain treks, the Machu Picchu Mountain trek is wide and well-marked. After the wardens hut the trail follows a fairly even ascent of about 30 – 35 degrees in angle for about 1 hour. Gradually and steadily gaining altitude, the views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains become ever-more impressive. There are several view and rest points along the way. As the trail gets closer to the base of Machu Picchu Mountain, the steps become steeper, narrower and more challenging. Winding on for another 30 minutes or so, the trail passes through a stone gateway, before following a narrow mountain ridge to the summit.

A small round hut provides shelter and seating, whilst the view point (a few more yards on) offers aw-inspiring views of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and Putucusi Mountains. The decent follows the same route, but takes about 20 – 30 minutes less. Difficulty The Machu Picchu Mountain trek is considered to be a moderate to challenging trek. Following an original stone Inca Trail and continuously acceding to the summit, a good level of fitness is required. During the wet season, the trail can become more slippery making it more challenging to traverse. Difficulty: moderate to challenging Time needed: ascent – 1h30 minutes accent, descent – 1 hour, 30 minutes at the summit. Altitude of summit: 3,082 meters (10,111 feet) above sea level. Height to climb from Machu Picchu: 652 meters (2,139 feet). Terrain: Inca Trail stone path steps and in places grass/dirt. Recommended footwear: Training shoes, light weight walking boots. Entrance time: 7 – 11am. Trail head: in the south-west of Machu Picchu citadel.

Tickets: Limited to 400 per day, tickets need to be purchased as a combination ticket with general entrance to Machu Picchu. Tickets cost S/. 140 ea, and can be purchased from the official government website. Alternatively, if you wish to support the Only Peru Guide please buy your Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain tickets from us. Photos Hut at the summit Best Time to Trek Machu Picchu Mountain is accessible all year round. During the wet season (November – April) there is a higher chance of heavy rainfall and the trail can become slippery and more challenging to traverse. The region has a sub-tropical feel throughout the year, with average daily temperatures of 18 °C (64 °F). During the dry season the humidity is around 40 – 45%, rising to 60 – 65% during the wet season. Entrance to the trek is permitted anytime from 7 – 11 am daily. Early morning trekking offers cooler temperatures and better shade from the sun. Be Prepared The weather in this region of Peru can often be un-predictable any time of the year, so you must be prepared with clothing for rain and sun.

The trail is mainly stone steps so comfortable lightweight training or hiking shoes are recommended. A light weight rain coat or poncho and sun protection is advised. Check list: Top 10 Machu Picchu Secrets -- National Geographic Top 10 Machu Picchu Secrets This ancient Inca site has centuries-old secrets trapped in its walls— and more recent ones that we spill here. View Images The summit of Huayna Picchu, also known as Wayna Picchu, gives trekkers a bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu. Photograph by Mike Theiss, National Geographic By Mark Adams , author of Turn Right at Machu Picchu 1. It’s not actually the Lost City of the Inca. When the explorer Hiram Bingham III encountered Machu Picchu in 1911, he was looking for a different city, known as Vilcabamba. This was a hidden capital to which the Inca had escaped after the Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1532. Over time it became famous as the legendary Lost City of the Inca.

Bingham spent most of his life arguing that Machu Picchu and Vilcabamba were one and the same, a theory that wasn’t proved wrong until after his death in 1956. (The real Vilcabamba is now believed to have been built in the jungle about 50 miles west of Machu Picchu.) Recent research has cast doubt on whether Machu Picchu had ever been forgotten at all. When Bingham arrived, three families of farmers were living at the site. 2. It’s no stranger to earthquakes. The stones in the most handsome buildings throughout the Inca Empire used no mortar. These stones were cut so precisely, and wedged so closely together, that a credit card cannot be inserted between them. Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits of this building style, there are engineering advantages. Peru is a seismically unstable country—both Lima and Cusco have been leveled by earthquakes—and Machu Picchu itself was constructed atop two fault lines. When an earthquake occurs, the stones in an Inca building are said to “dance;” that is, they bounce through the tremors and then fall back into place.

Without this building method, many of the best known buildings at Machu Picchu would have collapsed long ago. 3. Much of the most impressive stuff is invisible. While the Inca are best remembered for their beautiful walls, their civil engineering projects were incredibly advanced as well. (Especially, as is often noted, for a culture that used no draft animals, iron tools, or wheels.) The site we see today had to be sculpted out of a notch between two small peaks by moving stone and earth to create a relatively flat space. The engineer Kenneth Wright has estimated that 60 percent of the construction done at Machu Picchu was underground. Much of that consists of deep building foundations and crushed rock used as drainage. (As anyone who’s visited in the wet season can tell you, Machu Picchu receives a lot of rain.) 4. You can walk up to the ruins. A trip to Machu Picchu is many things, but cheap is not one of them. Train tickets from Cusco can run more than a hundred dollars each, and the entry fees are an additional $43.

In between, a round-trip bus trip up and down the 2,000-feet-high slope atop which the Inca ruins are located costs another $14. If you don’t mind a workout, however, you can walk up and down for free. The steep path roughly follows Hiram Bingham’s 1911 route and offers extraordinary views of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, which looks almost as it did in Bingham’s time. The climb is strenuous and takes about 90 minutes. 5. There’s a great, hidden museum that no one goes to. For visitors conditioned to the explanatory signs at national parks, one of the strangest things about Machu Picchu is that the site provides virtually no information about the ruins. (This lack does have one advantage—the ruins remain uncluttered.) The excellent Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón ($8 entry) fills in many of the blanks about how and why Machu Picchu was built (displays are in English and Spanish), and why the Inca chose such an extraordinary natural location for the citadel. First you have to find the museum, though.

It’s inconveniently tucked at the end of a long dirt road near the base of Machu Picchu, about a 30-minute walk from the town of Aguas Calientes. 6. There’s more than one peak to climb. Long before dawn, visitors eagerly queue up outside the bus depot in Aguas Calientes, hoping to be one of the first persons to enter the site. Why? Because only the first 400 people who sign in are eligible to climb Huayna Picchu (the small green peak, shaped like a rhino horn, that appears in the background of many photos of Machu Picchu.) Almost no one bothers to ascend the pinnacle that anchors the opposite end of the site, which is usually called Machu Picchu Mountain. At 1,640 feet it is twice as tall, and the views it offers of the area surrounding the ruins—especially the white Urubamba River winding around Machu Picchu like a coiled snake—are spectacular. 7. There’s a secret temple. Should you be one of the lucky early birds who snags a spot on the guest list to Huayna Picchu, don’t just climb the mountain, snap a few photos, and leave.

Take the time to follow the hair-raising trail to the Temple of the Moon, located on the far side of Huayna Picchu. Here, a ceremonial shrine of sorts has been built into a cave lined with exquisite stonework and niches that were once probably used to hold mummies. 8. There are still things to be found. Should you wander away from the central ruins at Machu Picchu, you’ll notice that occasionally side paths branch off into the thick foliage. Where do they go? Who knows. Because the cloud forest grows over quickly in the area surrounding Machu Picchu, there may be unknown trails and ruins yet to be found nearby. Several newly refurbished sets of terraces are being made available to the public for the first time this summer. 9. It has a great sense of direction. From the moment Hiram Bingham staggered up to Machu Picchu in 1911, visitors have understood that the ruins’ natural setting is as important to the site as the buildings themselves. Recent research has shown that the site’s location, and the orientation of its most important structures, was strongly influenced by the location of nearby holy mountains, or apus.

An arrow-shaped stone atop the peak of Huayna Picchu appears to point due south, directly through the famous Intihuatana Stone, to Mount Salcantay, one of the most revered apus in Inca cosmology. On important days of the Inca calendar, the sun can be seen to rise or set behind other significant peaks. 10. It may have been the end of a pilgrimage. A new theory proposed by the Italian archaeoastronomer Giulio Magli suggests that the journey to Machu Picchu from Cusco could have served a ceremonial purpose: echoing the celestial journey that, according to legend, the first Inca took when they departed the Island of the Sun in Lake Titicaca. Rather than simply following a more sensible path along the banks of the Urubamba River, the Inca built the impractical but visually stunning Inca Trail, which according to Magli, prepared pilgrims for entry into Machu Picchu. The final leg of the pilgrimage would have concluded with climbing the steps to the Intihuatana Stone, the highest spot in the main ruins.

Comment on This Story © 1996-Thu Jan 12 22:23:26 EST 2017 National Geographic Society. Nat Geo Events Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain - Machu Picchu Forum - TripAdvisor Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain - Machu Picchu Forum Review a place you’ve visited JOIN Which Machu Picchu hotels are on sale? mm/dd/yyyy mm/dd/yyyy Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain Aug 21, 2011, 2:02 PM We are planning to visit Machu Picchu in March. The hike up Huayna Picchu sounds incredible, but one of us doesn't like heights. We will be travelling with our 4 kids (ages 9 - 16). Is the hike up Machu Picchu Mountain something that might work for us? The "heights" issue we need to avoid is being at the edge of a steep drop. Thanks! Travelers interested in this topic also viewed... Show Prices 1.

Re: Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain Aug 21, 2011, 3:16 PM If there are issues with heights and steeps...probably not a good idea. Also March is a rainy season and if it rains and added to the previous symptons..could be more stressful than fun IMO Report inappropriate content 2. Re: Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain Aug 21, 2011, 3:50 PM as above. for those who don't like height, best avoid Huayna Picchu . The rest can still do it. Huayna Picchu is within Machu Picchu, so s/he can wait n continue to enjoy Machu Picchu. No worries. U won't miss much by not climbing up. Its only good for a photo shoot from the top. Edited: 3:52 pm, August 21, 2011 Report inappropriate content 3. Re: Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain Aug 21, 2011, 4:30 PM Machu Picchu Mountain is around 1,100 feet higher than Huayna Picchu .

I forgot how many (if any) steep drops I walked alongside, but my mind is telling me that someone who doesn't like heights would probably not enjoy going up Machu Picchu Mountain. However, I think the view from the top is way better than the view from Huayna Picchu, and you have much more room to walk/move around at the top. The good thing about Huayna Picchu is that you can walk on a trail in the same area without going up. This photo shows the area you can walk around by purchasing tickets that include Huayna Picchu (the same map is also at the Huayna Picchu entrance) …worldisround.com/photos/29/426/268_o.jpg Therefore, you could get tickets that include Huayna, enter the Huayna Picchu entrance, and skip the climb by turning left at the second fork. If you do this, there might be one section called the Escalinatas (see the pic again) that might be scary for someone afraid of steep drops, but it wouldn't be nearly as scary as going up Huayna Picchu.

(Of course you might feel guilty because someone else could have gone up if it wasn't for you XD) You can also go up Huchuy Picchu by turning left at the first fork. In one section on the way up Huchuy Picchu, there is a rope that you're "supposed" to use to help yourself up over a rock, but it's not a big rock and it's not scary. (Not like if you fall halfway up you will die or something XD). Here's a tip if your group wants to split up: You can call each other using cell phones with Claro service at Machu Picchu. When I was in Peru (July 24 - August 14, 2011), I borrowed an ancient Nokia cell phone from my Lima friend and used a Claro simcard purchased from a local store. He called me when I was descending Huayna Picchu while he was at the top (we split up because he was too slow for me XD). I also called him when I was descending Machu Picchu Mountain (much closer to the top than the bottom); he was somewhere around Machu Picchu at the time.

Edited: 4:30 pm, August 21, 2011 2 destinations mentioned in this post Machu Picchu Tweet Machu Picchu Welcome to the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru. Prepare yourself as you are about to embark on a virtual tour exploring one of the most intriguing destinations on the planet. Don’t worry ... you won’t need heavy hiking gear or an experienced guide to tour the spectacular views and scenery the magnificent complex has to offer. Start by viewing a virtual tour of Machu Picchu , and then follow the map on your left to continue your journey ... The New Seven Wonders The new Seven Wonders are in. Visit the links below to take virtual tours or view still images of the new 7 wonders of the world. A Brief Overview Machu Picchu 7,000 feet above sea level and nestled on a small hilltop between the Andean Mountain Range, the majestic city soars above the Urabamba Valley below. The Incan built structure has been deemed the “Lost Cities”, unknown until its relatively recent discovery in 1911.

Archaeologists estimate that approximately 1200 people could have lived in the area, though many theorize it was most likely a retreat for Incan rulers. Due to it’s isolation from the rest of Peru, living in the area full time would require traveling great distances just to reach the nearest village. Separated into three areas - agricultural, urban, and religious - the structures are arranged so that the function of the buildings matches the form of their surroundings. The agricultural terracing and aqueducts take advantage of the natural slopes; the lower areas contain buildings occupied by farmers and teachers, and the most important religious areas are located at the crest of the hill, overlooking the lush Urubamba Valley thousands of feet below. Hikers, tourists, and the early explorers describe similar emotions as they climb their way through the Inca Trail . Many call the experience magical. Glancing out from the Funerary Rock Hut on all the temples, fields, terraces, and baths seems to take you to another time. Blending in with the hillside itself, many say the area creates a seamless and elegant green paradise, making it a must for anyone who travels to Peru.

Machu Picchu - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com Google Machu Picchu’s Inca Past Historians believe Machu Picchu was built at the height of the Inca Empire, which dominated western South America in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was abandoned an estimated 100 years after its construction, probably around the time the Spanish began their conquest of the mighty pre-Columbian civilization in the 1530s. There is no evidence that the conquistadors ever attacked or even reached the mountaintop citadel, however; for this reason, some have suggested that the residents’ desertion occurred because of a smallpox epidemic. Did You Know? Machu Picchu is made up of more than 150 buildings ranging from baths and houses to temples and sanctuaries. Many modern-day archaeologists now believe that Machu Picchu served as a royal estate for Inca emperors and nobles. Others have theorized that it was a religious site, pointing to its proximity to mountains and other geographical features that the Incas held sacred.

Dozens of alternate hypotheses have cropped up in the years since Machu Picchu was first unveiled to the world, with scholars variously interpreting it as a prison, a trade hub, a station for testing new crops, a women’s retreat or a city devoted to the coronation of kings, among many examples. Machu Picchu’s “Discovery” by Hiram Bingham In the summer of 1911 the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham arrived in Peru with a small team of explorers hoping to find Vilcabamba, the last Inca stronghold to fall to the Spanish. Traveling on foot and by mule, Bingham and his team made their way from Cuzco into the Urubamba Valley, where a local farmer told them of some ruins located at the top of a nearby mountain. The farmer called the mountain Machu Picchu, which translates to “old peak” in the native Quechua language. On July 24, after a tough climb to the mountain’s ridge in cold and drizzly weather, Bingham met a small group of peasants who showed him the rest of the way.

Led by an 11-year-old boy, Bingham got his first glimpse of the intricate network of stone terraces marking the entrance to Machu Picchu. The excited Bingham spread the word about his discovery in a best-selling book, “The Lost City of the Incas,” sending hordes of eager tourists flocking to Peru to follow in his footsteps up the formerly obscure Inca Trail. He also excavated artifacts from Machu Picchu and took them to Yale University for further inspection, igniting a custody dispute that lasted nearly 100 years. It was not until the Peruvian government filed a lawsuit and lobbied President Barack Obama for the return of the items that Yale agreed to complete their repatriation. Although he is credited with making Machu Picchu known to the world—indeed, the highway tour buses use to reach it bears his name—it is not certain that Bingham was the first outsider to visit it. There is evidence that missionaries and other explorers reached the site during the 19th and early 20th centuries but were simply less vocal about what they uncovered there.

The Site of Machu Picchu In the midst of a tropical mountain forest on the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu’s walls, terraces, stairways and ramps blend seamlessly into its natural setting. The site’s finely crafted stonework, terraced fields and sophisticated irrigation system bear witness to the Inca civilization’s architectural, agricultural and engineering prowess. Its central buildings are prime examples of a masonry technique mastered by the Incas in which stones were cut to fit together without mortar. Archaeologists have identified several distinct sectors that together comprise the city, including a farming zone, a residential neighborhood, a royal district and a sacred area. Machu Picchu’s most distinct and famous structures include the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana stone, a sculpted granite rock that is believed to have functioned as a solar clock or calendar. Machu Picchu Today A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and designated one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu is Peru’s most visited attraction and South America’s most famous ruins, welcoming hundreds of thousands of people a year.

Increased tourism, the development of nearby towns and environmental degradation continue to take their toll on the site, which is also home to several endangered species. As a result, the Peruvian government has taken steps to protect the ruins and prevent erosion of the mountainside in recent years. Tags Huayna Picchu | KB Peru Huayna Picchu Huayna Picchu The Basics – Huayna Picchu, which means “young mountain” in Quechua, is the massive mountain overlooking Machu Picchu itself, as seen in the background of all the classic photos of Machu Picchu. Many people, including ourselves, view the stonework and engineering at Huayna Picchu to be some of the very finest in the whole Incan empire. There is a route, carved into the sheer face of a granite wall by the Incans, that goes up to the top of the mountain, where there is a whole complex of Incan buildings, overlooking Machu Picchu as well as sightlines in all other directions. Huayna Picchu is technically part of the park of Machu Picchu, but requires its’ own separate entrance fee.

The Details – This trail has become famous in its own right, and has been progressively more controlled each year by the park authorities, due at least in part to legitimate safety concerns: The path is very narrow and on the edge of a very long fall, and there are many places where a single slip would be fatal. In the past, the queue for waiting to enter Huayna Picchu was a first come, first served affair, there is now a new system that allows (basically requires) the ticket be pre-purchased on the internet at note that when you purchase the entrance ticket for Huayna Picchu that it also includes entrance to Machu Picchu itself as well. The cost for this ticket for non-Peruvians is s/152 soles, as opposed to the s/128 soles to enter Machu Picchu itself but not Huayna Picchu. Unfortunately, the Peruvian governments website does not accept most credit cards, specifically those that are not in the “Verified by VIsa” program.

Its all a bit of a hassle, and the only way to get the tickets in advance is by booking a tour with a company (like us!) or finding a travel agency in Cusco via Google that will handle the process for you. We apologize, but we do not book Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu tickets unless it is part of a tour or package. We also don’t have at this time a particular agency we can recommend with confidence. We do believe they are all safe, in that they will not just take your money and disappear. Again, the further in advance the better ! You basically have only 2 options to get a ticket to Huayna Picchu: Try to email the list of approved agencies on the Machu Picchu website home page of Unfortunately, you may not have much luck getting a response, much less in English, but keep trying. Let us know if you find a good one ! The second option is to wait until you arrive to Cusco and it is pretty easy to buy them then. It is however quite possible it will be sold out by then. To check availablity, go to the website noted above. Click the UK flag in the upper right corner of the website for English language.

Click “close” if there is a notice superimposed over the home page, as there often is. Go to the upper left hand corner and, under “Book Online” click the “Lugar a visitar” dropdown. Select “Machu Picchu” then under “Seleccione La Ruta” scroll down and select either the Huayna Picchu ticket from 7am to 8am or else the 10am slot. Now, just select your desired date from the calendar below. It is not easy to get an entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu and should be done as far in advance as possible. They are still using the two entry time system, and only 400 people are allowed per day, 200 in the morning and 200 in the afternoon. Two different departure times are available: 7am and 10am. The staggered entry times in theory allow the morning group to descend the steep staircases in the same direction without encountering other people hiking upwards. Most people want to go in the morning.

Our opinion is the later time slot is better – the morning is typically a mad rush of people, most of whom are young backpackers trying to make their way up as fast as possible and it can make for a bit stressfull of a hike up. We like to go in the afternoon and take our time, having seen the rest of Machu Picchu before starting up Huayna Picchu, you don’t have to be any rush to get up or down. The hike takes between 1 to 2 hours each way, approximately 4 hours in total, depending on your speed and how much time you wish to spend exploring the site on top. We recommend taking your time, spend a few moments up top looking at the underpinnings and foundations of the buildings there. The way the Incas built these structures directly into the face of a mountain peak, belies a civil engineering project that is truly one of the most magnificent anywhere. Take plenty of water as the environment is very warm and humid. Use care in both climbing and descending the stairs and use the provided hand rails.

There can be a fair amount of jockeying for position by those in better condition, we recommend letting them pass so as not to risk any incidents on this one-in-a-million staircase ! Alternate Hikes – There are several excellent alternatives to hiking up Huayna Picchu if you aren’t able to obtain the ticket or don’t fancy crowded, narrow paths alongside of sheer falls of hundreds of feet or more. The other hikes we recommend are Machu Picchu Mountain, the Inca Bridge, and the Sun Gate (“Inti Punku” in Quechua) Machu Picchu Mountain is probably the next side hike out of Machu Picchu to become really popular. First of all, from it’s peak one is treated to the same type of aerial view of Machu Picchu that the hike to the top of Huayna Picchu affords. It is, at least for the moment, infinitely less crowded. Up until July 2011 there was no extra charge or permit necessary to go up here, however that has recently changed with the new rules put into place during the summer of 2011.

Currently, the entrance ticket that includes this hike is the same cost as the general admission ticket to Machu Picchu, s/126 soles, and so technically the hike is free. It, like the other hikes here, is a steep and by no means easy route. It takes between 1 to 2 hours and has more than its share of narrow precipices, so it is not recommended as an alternative to the Huayna Picchu climb for those suffering from a fear of heights. The best hike for those with vertigo, aversion to crowds, or looking for a hike less strenuous than Huayna Picchu is walking backwards from Machu Picchu up to the Sun Gate, which allows you to stand at the very spot that those who hike the classic Inca Trail are greeted with their first view of the historic Lost City of the Incas. The Inca Trail trekkers are usually there at sunrise, so by 9a.m. this site, origin of the most famous view of Machu Picchu, is nearly empty. The hike takes between 1 to 1.5 hours up and about an hour or so down.

You are not technically allowed to hike backward up the Inca Trail any further up the trail than the Sun Gate, but the odds are decent that if you went up the path a mile or two just to see one of the most famous trails in the world, no one is likely to notice nor come down too hard on you should they finding you wandering a little “lost” on the trail Another excellent side hike is the walk to the Inca Bridge, around the western side of Machu Picchu mountain and with great views down valley, to the HydroElectric plant and the jungle beyond. The path takes you to a view of one of the Inca’s many marvelous civil engineer mountain projects – a path carved out of a sheer, granite face of the mountain, passable only by a wooden log that spans the gap in the path. Below it is a sheer drop of thousands of feet of vertical, down to the river below. By simply removing the bridge, the Incas had ultimate control over who entered the sanctuary.

Naturally, an over zealous visitor a few years back fell to their death, so access to the actual bridge area is no longer allowed, however the view from the end of the path is quite sufficent to appreciate this mini-wonder, and the hike is a pleasant one and not quite as exposed as the others. Complete Trip Planning Help !! Machu Picchu entrance tickets Due to popular demand, we are now offering Machu Picchu entrance tickets and also Peru Rail train tickets. With enough notice, we can even get the nearly-impossible to obtain Huayna Picchu tickets, as well as give you extensive information on how to get the most out of our visit to Machu Picchu. At KB Tambo Hotel and Tours, we are known for our prompt response to all emails, in any language, with the advice of a friendly expat local. We offer everything from a simple 2 day organization to get you smoothly to and from Machu Picchu, or else a week or more of informal but well-planned daily activities, so that you can maximize your precious time in this strange and different country.

We are very well known for our trekking, hiking, and of course mountain biking trips around the Ollantaytambo, Cusco, and Machu Picchu areas. We have led numerous explorations with some moderate successes, as well as many pro mountain bike filming expeditions. Email us today at KBperu@hotmail.com and we can help you custom plan your trip of a lifetime ! © 2011 Trekking Peru | Peru Trekking | Trekking Machu Picchu All right reserved. Hospitality Theme by templatic.com Where is Machu Picchu & how can you get there? Where is Machu Picchu & how can you get there? Where is Machu Picchu & how can you get there? Machu Picchu Ruins: map, geographical location, altitude & time zone The ruins of Machu Picchu are located on the continent of South America in the country of Peru. The ancient Inca city is positioned in the Andes Mountains on a saddle between the mountains of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu at 2450 m/8040 ft above sea level.

The ruins are located about 13 degrees south of the equator and surrounded on three sides by a loop of the Urubamba River. Click here to see Machu Picchu packing guide Machu Picchu is in the GMT-5 time zone and located in a natural cul-de-sac about 113 Km northeast of the city of Cusco. (the same time zone as Washington DC in the US but no Daylight Savings Time) STEP 1: How to get to Machu Picchu: International gateway - Lima International flights arrive in Lima, Peru, located on the Pacific coast. Many flights arrive late evening and because there are no flights to Cusco in the evening, travelers will spend 1 night in Lima. The area around the Lima airport is not pedestrian friendly and tourists who don't stay at the Wyndham Hotel located in the airport, should arrange transfers in advance, to hotels in Miraflores, about 45 min drive from the airport.

STEP 2: How to get to Machu Picchu: Secondary gateway - Cusco From Lima, several airlines offer direct 1 hour/10 min flights to Cusco, which is 11,000 ft/3400 m above sea level. Most flights are scheduled in the morning & taper off by afternoon. It is not possible to fly to Cusco in the evening, and the return flights from Cusco to Lima end by early evening. It is not recommended to schedule the last flight of the day if you are trying to connect with an international flight on the same day, because weather in the mountains can cause flight delays or cancellations. Bus service is available, but takes more than 20 hours one way over curvy mountain roads. Need entrance tickets to Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu? Should you buy online or wait until you get there? Follow this link to get news about changes to Perurail tickets, Inca Trail tickets & Machu Picchu entry tickets What can you see & do in Cusco and Sacred Valley of the Incas?

Many travelers spend a day or two checking out the historical Inca sites in Cusco while adjusting to the altitude, before heading to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is recommended to spend at least another day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, exploring Pisac ruins or Chinchero, Moray & Maras on the way to Ollantaytambo, 9160 ft/2790 m, the oldest occupied town in Peru. (or explore the sites on the way back to Cusco from Machu Picchu) STEP 3: How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu There is no public transportation through the Sacred Valley, however Peru rail offers full transportation services from Poroy station, about 20 minutes from Cusco, to Aguas Calientes (the third & final gateway city to the ruins). Peru rail no longer provided transportation from Cusco to the train station in Ollantaytambo (about 1.5 hours) where they board trains for a 1.5 (sometimes 2) hour ride to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Option 1: Hike to Machu Picchu on the Classic Inca Trail The other way to get to Machu Picchu is by foot on the Inca Trail. The 45 km hike takes 4-days and is only possible by hiring a licensed tour operator to buy the hiking permits for you. (also consider the easy 1-day Inca Trail hike ) The operator provides guide, porters, equipment, meals and a tour of Machu Picchu. The price should include the return transportation to your hotel in Cusco. It is not possible to hike the official Inca Trail independently. Nor can you hike the Inca Trail backwards. Outfitter prices vary widely and there is the possibility that if the price is extremely low it is because the porters are being underpaid. This is a big problem on the Inca Trail and other trails and is reinforced by consumers who shop for hikes based on price alone. “You get what you pay for,” and so do the porters in this case.

Option 2: Take train to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo train station - about 2 hours drive from Cusco The first trains from Ollantaytambo depart approximately 5 am, 6 am & 7 am and arrive in Aguas Calientes 1.5 - 2 hours later. There is no airport & there are no roads to Aguas Calientes. There are no cars, taxis or motorized transportation in the village, except for the 20 tour buses that shuttle people back and forth between 5:30 am – 3 pm, in 10 minutes intervals (or when buses are full), between the town and the main entry to the Machu Picchu National Park. Option 3: Take train to Machu Picchu from Poroy Train Station - about 30 min drive from Cusco The Poroy station is located on the outskirts of Cusco and can be reached by taxi. While the majority of trains depart from Ollantaytambo, 1 train each Expedition & Vistadome depart early from Poroy, followed by 1 luxury train Hiram Bingham departing around 9 am.

All the trains offer some level of service but HB serves a complete meal en route to Aguas Calientes, arrives around 12:30 pm and then departs Aguas Calientes for Cusco about 6:30 pm. A full 4-course dinner (with wine!) is served before arriving in Poroy at 10 pm. Taxis will be waiting to take travelers to their hotels in Cusco. If you are not taking the luxury train, your tour operator will arrange private transportation for you between Cusco & the train station in Ollantaytambo. If you are traveling on your own, ask your hotel to assist you with arrangements for the train. What about my luggage? Besides there not being baggage cars on the train, there is no way to transport luggage between the train and the hotels in Aguas Calientes other than by hand-carry. (some hotels will send staff to meet your train & carry your bags) A good reason to pack lightly when you visit the ruins, even if you plan to stay overnight. Hotels in Cusco & Ollantaytambo will store your luggage in locked rooms until you return. Click here to see our comprehensive Machu Picchu packing guide.

Where do I get Machu Picchu entry tickets? If you booked your tour through an operator, they will arrange all your transportation and train tickets as well as the shuttle to/from the entry to the ruins. While it is possible to go from Cusco to Machu Picchu in one day, it is better to break up the journey with at least one overnight in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo, either on the way to the ruins or on the way back to Cusco. Machu Picchu entry tickets can no longer be purchased at the main entry. Visitors are limited to 2500 people per day and all tickets must be pre-purchased in Cusco or Aguas Calientes. Due to credit card fraud, It is sometimes difficult for travelers to pay for Machu Picchu tickets online. We can purchase your tickets in advance. You can check on availability at the Machu Picchu website or we will do it for you.

Question: Where would you find the Machu Picchu mountain?
Answer: Peru