A Panoramic Viewpoint High Above the Machu Picchu Citadel
Machu Picchu Mountain (Montana Machu Picchu) is one of the highest viewpoints in the area, at 3,082 m (10,111 ft). It rises on the opposite side of Huayna Picchu, with panoramic views of the Machu Picchu citadel, Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba Valley and the last section of the Inca Trail.
Machu Picchu Mountain requires a separate ticket, not included in the regular entrance to the Machu Picchu citadel. You can add it to your tour with Machu Picchu Team for USD 65 per person, and if no ticket is available for your date, we refund the full amount.
Machu Picchu Mountain at a Glance
- Ticket price: USD 65 per person, added to your tour.
- Official route: Circuit 1, Route 1-A (Machu Picchu Mountain Route).
- Summit altitude: 3,082 m (10,111 ft).
- Entry time: we book a morning time slot whenever possible.
- Hike: about 3 to 3.5 hours round trip.
- Difficulty: less steep and exposed than Huayna Picchu, but a long, continuous climb.
- Guide: not included; you hike on your own on the marked trail.
- Guarantee: if no ticket is available for your date, we refund the full USD 65.
Machu Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Citadel? Same Name, Two Different Places
Many travelers get confused because the mountain and the Inca city share the same name. To make it clear, on our website we always use:
- Machu Picchu Mountain: the mountain you climb, at 3,082 m, with its own separate ticket.
- Machu Picchu citadel: the famous Inca city that you visit with your regular Machu Picchu ticket and your guide.
Your regular Machu Picchu ticket lets you visit the citadel only. To climb Machu Picchu Mountain, you need the extra mountain ticket.
Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket: USD 65
Add-on for your Machu Picchu tour
USD 65 per person
- Official Machu Picchu Mountain ticket (Route 1-A), issued with your passport details.
- We book a morning time slot whenever possible.
- Full refund of USD 65 if no ticket is available for your date.
Machu Picchu Mountain has limited daily spaces, and from May to October it often sells out months in advance. The best way to get it is to book it together with your tour.
- Route 1-A includes the upper terraces of the Machu Picchu citadel (Circuit 1) plus the hike to the summit. Your ticket shows both your citadel entry time and your mountain entry time.
- Route 1-A cannot be combined with Circuit 2 in the same ticket. If you want the classic Circuit 2 visit of the citadel and the mountain, you need two separate tickets. Ask us and we will check both for you.
- Once issued, the official ticket cannot be changed or transferred, and only about one hour of tolerance is allowed after your entry time.
- See all routes in our Machu Picchu Tickets 2027 guide and our Machu Picchu Circuits guide.
Entry Times for Machu Picchu Mountain
We book a morning time slot whenever possible. Park rangers check your ticket at the start of the trail.
- We normally book your mountain entry about 3 hours after your citadel entry. For example, with a 6:00 AM entry to the Machu Picchu citadel, your mountain entry will usually be at 9:00 or 10:00 AM.
- This lets you enjoy the guided visit of the citadel first and start the hike at a comfortable time.
- If those slots are sold out, we secure the closest available time that fits your visit.
How Hard Is the Machu Picchu Mountain Hike?
The round-trip hike takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. It is less steep and exposed than Huayna Picchu, but it is a long, continuous climb on original Inca steps, gaining around 650 m above the citadel.
- Ascent: a steady climb at your own pace, with places to rest along the way.
- At the summit: time for views and photos. On cloudy mornings the view often opens up after a short wait.
- Descent: on the same path. Walking poles help on the way down.
- Guide not included: you hike on your own on the marked trail, with park rangers along the route.
- Good to know: a basic fitness level is enough, but the altitude and the many steps make it a real workout.
Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu?
The two mountains stand on opposite sides of the Machu Picchu citadel. Machu Picchu Mountain is higher and longer, with a less steep trail and the widest panoramic views. Huayna Picchu is shorter and steeper, with narrow, exposed sections and the famous view looking straight down on the citadel. If you are not comfortable with heights, Machu Picchu Mountain is usually the better option. Compare both on our Huayna Picchu Mountain page.
Tips to Combine the Hike With Your Tour
- Return by train: recommended. The hike takes most of the morning, and the train gives you enough time to finish without rushing. You can also upgrade to the Vistadome train.
- Return by car via Hidroelectrica: not possible on the same day, because the hike does not leave enough time to reach the 3:00 PM car.
- Extra night in Aguas Calientes: on the Salkantay Trek you can visit the Machu Picchu citadel and climb the mountain, sleep one more night in Aguas Calientes and take the 3:00 PM car to Cusco the next day. Hotel and meals for the extra night are paid separately.
- Bring: water, snacks, sunscreen, a rain jacket, good shoes and your original passport.
Machu Picchu Mountain FAQ
How much is the Machu Picchu Mountain ticket?
USD 65 per person when you add it to your tour with Machu Picchu Team.
Is the mountain included in my Machu Picchu ticket?
No. The regular ticket is for the Machu Picchu citadel only. Machu Picchu Mountain requires a separate ticket.
Does a guide go with me to the top?
No. The guide is not included on the hike; you go on your own on the marked trail.
What happens if there are no tickets for my date?
We refund the full USD 65. Spaces are limited, so book it together with your tour.
Add Machu Picchu Mountain to Your Tour
You can add Machu Picchu Mountain to any of our Machu Picchu tours, the Salkantay Trek or the Inca Jungle Trail. If you already have a ticket for the Machu Picchu citadel, tell us which circuit and time you have, and we will adjust your tour, trains and transfers to match it.
