Warm sun hits the gleam of sweat on your face, and you trudge over stones that were laid centuries ago while ignoring an adjacent cliffside. You pump your legs up stairs that promise riveting views of the Andean landscape, the same seductive sights that enraptured the Incas and draw thousands of annual visitors to Peru’s most popular (and expensive) attraction.
The dry air has a light sweetness to it. Giant orchids and zipping hummingbirds highlight the low vegetation around you. From over a thousand feet below, a rushing river provides a continuous background to the sounds of your companions’ breathing and the occasional conversation.
This isn’t just a dreamy picture of exploration; it is made reality when you hike Machu Picchu. But before you go, you must prepare. What are your hiking options? How should you get ready, both physically and mentally?
Read on as we answer these questions. And then read our article on Machu Picchu for all the facts you’ll need to visit the actual site (not just the hikes).
The Ministry of Culture offers 5 different loops (circuits) for visitors to Machu Picchu. These divide up travelers, resulting in a lower daily impact on the site. Your ticket will only include one circuit. This is considered a “normal” ticket for Machu Picchu.
The circuits are relatively new and vary in length. It’s best to get the latest information on each one from the Ministry of Culture’s website (where you can also buy tickets).
But while the circuits take 1.5-3 hours to complete, they are more of a stroll than a hike. If you want to really hike at Machu Picchu there are three options: Huchuy Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain.
Note: There is also an option to see the Incan bridge, but this is a short walk and not what most would consider a hike (especially compared to the other three).
When you buy tickets for Machu Picchu, you will have the option to buy a ticket that includes one of these hikes. You can only buy one ticket per day, and the circuit at Machu Picchu will be determined by the hike you choose.
For example, you will take a circuit through the lower part of Machu Picchu if you hike Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu, and you’ll walk the upper part of the site if hiking Machu Picchu Mountain.
Your ticket for the hike will also be timed. That means you’ll have a designated hour to show up at the hike’s entrance, where you will then sign in.
This is the most recently-opened, and shortest, of the three. At only 1 km (0.62 miles) long, the Huchuy Picchu hike is a vertiginous push to the top of the mountain that lies between Machu Picchu and the taller Huayna Picchu.
Huchuy Picchu isn’t long, but hiking it involves navigating a narrow, towering mountainside trail. Most arrive to the top within 15-20 minutes, and the descent takes 10-15 minutes.
Huanya Picchu is the most popular of the three hikes in Machu Picchu. That’s because it takes less time to complete than Machu Picchu Mountain and the trail arrives to the top of a mountain taller than Huchuy Picchu.
The ascent and descent take about 2 hours total. Much like at Huchuy Picchu, this 4km (2.5 mile) adventure will pump your adrenaline and put you face-to-face with any fear of heights lurking in your subconscious.
The Machu Picchu Mountain hike starts at the opposite side of Machu Picchu than the other two. The 3-4 hour hike involves countless stairs- still on the side of the mountain, but not quite as narrow as those at Huayna or Huchuy Picchu.
All the effort is worth it, as you’ll arrive to the tallest summit at 3,082 meters (10,112 feet) above sea level.
And that will give you an excellent photo opportunity of the Machu Picchu complex, Huchuy Picchu and Huayna Picchu- if the clouds permit, that is :)
This is a moderately difficult hike that I only recommend if you have the time. Remember you’ll want time to tour Machu Picchu itself as well.
There technically is an option to hike Machu Picchu for free, although it is more of a hike to, not within, the actual site. The 8km (5 mile) path is easy to find because it is adjacent to the bus route for Machu Picchu.
Most people complete the hike in 1-2 hours. It’s totally uphill; you start at Aguas Calientes (an altitude of 389 meters or 1,276 feet), and end up at Machu Picchu (1,279 meters or 4,196 feet)!
A less strenuous option is to take the path down to Aguas Calientes after visiting Machu Picchu. Either way, just make sure to pack plenty of water.
Oh, and remember to get a bus ticket for the route that you won’t be hiking (to Machu Picchu or back to Aguas Calientes)!
Yes, you can hike any of these without a guide. Guides are great for providing cultural context to the experience (and as another pair of hands for taking photos), but hiring one is not a requirement. Of course, you will be provided a guide if you purchase a tour package.
Anyone in good shape will do fine on these hikes. But remember, each hike is in addition to the 1.5-3 hours you’ll need to tour Machu Picchu.
The most difficult aspects are mental and the altitude. For the first, I recommend doing several 4-hour long hikes wearing a backpack (ideally with steep inclines) in the weeks leading up to traveling. If you can practice in a spot with steep drop-offs, even better.
The altitude aspect will take care of itself if you spend time in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before going to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude than those areas. You should take at least 48 hours to acclimate to the altitude before hiking in Machu Picchu.
For hiking to (not within) Machu Picchu, there are are several options. These vary from the 2-day Inca Trail (which we did in August 2022!) to 4-8 day options.
Including a hike greatly adds to the adventure of visiting Machu Picchu. This is whether you pick Huchuy Picchu, Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the hike from Aguas Calientes. And as long as you are in reasonably good shape, you’ll do fine.
Get in some practice hikes before landing in Peru so you’ll be mentally ready.
And make sure you have enough time to catch your train back to Cusco!
Thinking of doing one of these hikes? Then read our post on visiting Machu Picchu– this provides all the basic need-to-know information (including what to pack)!
Please leave a comment if you’ve done one of these hikes. Thanks for reading :)
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