If you have energy left after visiting the citadel, there are several hiking options near Machu Picchu: the famous peak of Huayna Picchu, the higher Machu Picchu Mountain, the Great Cavern and Temple of the Moon, the Sun Gate, the Inca Bridge and, from Aguas Calientes, the Mandor waterfall. Most of them need a specific Machu Picchu ticket, booked in advance. This guide compares each hike: time, difficulty, views, which ticket you need and how to add it to your tour.
Hiking options near Machu Picchu at a glance
| Hike | Round trip | Difficulty | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huayna Picchu | 2 to 2.5 hours | Hard, steep and exposed | Circuit 3, with mountain (USD 65 with us) |
| Machu Picchu Mountain | 3 to 3.5 hours | Moderate to hard, long | Circuit 1, with mountain (USD 65) |
| Great Cavern and Temple of the Moon | 3 to 4 hours | Moderate to hard | Circuit 3, Great Cavern route (USD 65) |
| Sun Gate (Intipunku) | About 2 hours | Moderate | Circuit 1 route, mainly in high season |
| Inca Bridge | About 1 hour | Easy | Circuit 1 route, mainly in high season |
| Mandor waterfall | 3 to 4 hours from Aguas Calientes | Easy, flat | Small local entrance fee |
Routes and seasons are set by Peru’s Ministry of Culture and can change, so check the circuit when you book. Read our guide to the Machu Picchu circuits.
Hiking options near Machu Picchu: Huayna Picchu
The most famous of the hiking options near Machu Picchu is Huayna Picchu, meaning “young peak” in Quechua, is the steep mountain behind the classic view of Machu Picchu. The Incas built a stone stairway to the top, at about 2,700 m, with terraces and small buildings near the summit.
- Time: about 1 hour up and 45 minutes down, plus time at the top.
- Difficulty: very steep Inca steps, narrow sections and drops on the sides; in places you use your hands. Not recommended if you suffer from vertigo.
- The view: the whole citadel from above, with the Urubamba River wrapping around the mountain.
- Tickets: very limited daily spaces in fixed entry times; book weeks or months ahead.
More details on our Huayna Picchu Mountain page.
Hiking options near Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain, meaning “old mountain”, rises to about 3,080 m on the opposite side of the citadel from Huayna Picchu. It is higher and longer, but wider and less exposed, a good choice if Huayna Picchu is sold out or if you prefer less vertigo.
- Time: about 1.5 hours up and 1 hour down, plus time at the top.
- The trail: almost all on Inca stone steps through high cloud forest, with orchids, ferns and hummingbirds.
- The view: a 360° panorama over the citadel, Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba canyon and, on clear days, the last section of the Inca Trail and the snow peaks of the Vilcabamba range.
The Great Cavern and the Temple of the Moon
On the back side of Huayna Picchu, at a lower altitude than the citadel, a trail leads through the forest to the Great Cavern and the Temple of the Moon, natural caves lined with some of the finest Inca stonework in the sanctuary. It is a quieter, longer hike with steep stairs on the way back, and far fewer people than the summit.
The Sun Gate (Intipunku)
Intipunku is the stone gateway where the Inca Trail reaches Machu Picchu. From the upper terraces, a well-built path climbs gently to the gate, with a classic view of the citadel from above. On the Inca Trail, you arrive here on the last morning. For other visitors, the Sun Gate is a route of Circuit 1, available mainly in the high season.
The Inca Bridge
A short, mostly flat trail from the upper part of the citadel leads to the Inca Bridge, a narrow path cut into a sheer cliff with a gap once crossed by a wooden drawbridge. You see it from a viewpoint; crossing is not allowed. It is a good option for travelers who want an easy extra walk.
Mandor waterfall, from Aguas Calientes
If you stay a night in Aguas Calientes, you can walk along the railway toward Hidroeléctrica to the Mandor gardens and waterfall, about 1.5 to 2 hours each way on flat ground. It is an easy walk through cloud forest, good for birdwatching, and it needs no Machu Picchu ticket; a small entrance fee is paid locally.
How to add hiking options near Machu Picchu to your tour
- Book early: Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and the Great Cavern have small daily quotas and sell out first. Add them when you book your tour.
- Price: with us, a Machu Picchu ticket with a mountain costs USD 65, instead of USD 45 for the standard ticket.
- Timing: on tours, we try to book a mountain time that lets you do the guided visit first. If you hike after a multi-day trek, consider a night in Aguas Calientes.
- Return: plan your train time with enough margin, about 2 to 3 hours after the end of your hike.
Add a hike to the Machu Picchu 2 Day Tour by Train (from USD 310), the Machu Picchu Full Day Tour by Train (from USD 280) or any of our treks, such as the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail. See all Salkantay Trek add-ons and read about Machu Picchu permits. Tickets are sold by the Ministry of Culture on tuboleto.cultura.pe.
Tips for the hiking options near Machu Picchu
- Wear shoes with good grip; the stone steps can be wet and slippery.
- Bring water, sunscreen, a hat and a rain jacket; food is not allowed inside the sanctuary.
- Go slowly: you are above 2,400 m, and the climbs are steep.
- Bring your passport; it is checked at the start of the mountain trails.
- Read the Machu Picchu rules before you go.
Frequently asked questions about hiking options near Machu Picchu
Which is better, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Huayna Picchu is shorter, steeper and more exposed, with the classic view down to the citadel. Machu Picchu Mountain is higher and longer but less exposed, with a wider panorama.
Do I need a special ticket to hike Huayna Picchu?
Yes. You need a Machu Picchu ticket that includes Huayna Picchu, which has limited daily spaces. With us, it costs USD 65.
Can I hike to the Sun Gate without doing the Inca Trail?
Yes, on the Circuit 1 route that includes Intipunku, available mainly in the high season.
Is there a free hike near Machu Picchu?
The walk to the Mandor waterfall from Aguas Calientes does not need a Machu Picchu ticket; only a small local fee.
How long does it take to climb Huayna Picchu?
About 1 hour up and 45 minutes down, so plan 2 to 2.5 hours in total.
