Huchuy Picchu is one of the three mountains that are designated as extra treks within the visit to Machu Picchu. Many visitors to this great “Inca citadel” have decided to complement their trip with a visit to one of the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu, each with a fascinating and completely different view from the classic photos of Machu Picchu. The extra hikes inside Machu Picchu are Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huchuy Picchu.
Accompany Auri to discover the new route to Huchuy Picchu mountain, a route that is causing fascination among visitors to the great Inca llacta of Machupicchu.
What is Huchuy Picchu?
Huchuy Picchu is the smallest of the three mountains that surround the Inca site of Machu Picchu. The other two mountains are Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain, very famous routes within Machu Picchu and whose access permits are usually sold out months in advance.
Previously Huchuy Picchu was part of the route to Huayna Picchu mountain, but many did not know it or did not take the extra time to get there. Recently the Ministry of Culture of Cusco decided to make Huchuy Picchu a separate route from Huayna Picchu. Today, to access Huchuy Picchu you must buy the ticket “Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu”.
What does Huchuy Picchu mean?
Its name clearly alludes to the size of the mountain in comparison to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain as it comes from two Quechua words that literally translate as “Small Mountain”.
What is the altitude of Huchuy Picchu?
Huchuy Picchu reaches an altitude of 2498m/8195ft, which is only about 68 meters above Machu Picchu (the altitude of Machu Picchu is in reference to the ceremonial plaza). As in Huayna Picchu, the Incas built stone steps in some sections of the road to access the top of the small mountain of Huchuy Picchu.
As we have already mentioned, it is a small summit compared to the other mountains surrounding Machu Picchu: Huayna Picchu with 2,693m/8,835 ft and Machu Picchu mountain with 3,082m/10,111 ft.
Where is Huchuy Picchu located?
The mountain of Huchuy Picchu is located to the north of the “Inca citadel” or archaeological complex of Machu Picchu. It is the small mountain that is in the background in the classic photos of Machu Picchu, is right next to Huayna Picchu and is accessed precisely by the same route.
How to get to Huchuy Picchu?
To reach the top of the mountain of Huchuy Picchu is necessary to make a short hike route of only 0,6 kilometers entering by the same route that leads to the Huayna Picchu mountain. It is a short hike of less than 30 minutos by Inca trails and some Inca units. The first stretch is on flat trails, then you take a detour of stone stairs that leads up to the top of Huchuy Picchu. The way back is the same as the way out.
What to see in Huchuy Picchu?
Huchuy Picchu mountain offers high jungle landscapes full of vegetation, as well as possible wildlife and orchids (in the area of the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu there are more than 300 species of orchids). From the top you have a privileged and unique view of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.
During the route to Huchuy Picchu you can hear the singing of native birds of the place and even if you are very lucky you could see a spectacled bear.
How much does the entrance fee to Huchuy Picchu cost?
The Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu ticket allows you to visit both sites: the Inca archaeological site known as Inca citadel or llacta and the trekking route to the top of Huchuy Picchu.
The entrance ticket to Huchuy Picchu has the same cost as the general ticket price to visit the Inca site of Machu Picchu. The price is 152 Peruvian soles (just over 40 USD) for foreigners in general and 64 Peruvian soles (approximately 17 USD) for Colombians, Ecuadorians, Bolivians and Peruvians. These entrance tickets are payable only in Peruvian currency, either at the offices of the Ministry of Culture in Cusco or online at the exchange rate of the day.
Admission to Huchuy Picchu is limited each day, the daily capacity is limited to 200 people per day. That is why it is recommended to make the purchase weeks or even months in advance.
Tips for visiting Huchuy Picchu
- Due to the demand and low availability, it is advisable to buy the entrance ticket to Huchuy Picchu 2 or 3 months in advance.
- During your visit do not forget to bring with you: comfortable and resistant sneakers, comfortable sportswear, sunscreen, hat, rain poncho, snacks, camera and your personal documents.
- Admission to the Huchuy Picchu mountain is allowed to people of all ages. All children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent.
- There are discounts for university students. The discount is applied only for those students who have the International Student Identity Card or ISIC.
What is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu, Machu Pijchu or Machupicchu is a colossal work of Inca architecture and engineering called “llaqta”. A word in Quechua language that designates the Inca cities with multifunctional purposes.
The historical and archaeological evidence defines the llaqta of Machupicchu as a political, administrative and religious center that responded to the need of the Inca State to have a strategically located place that served as an integrating nexus of the Andes and the Amazon, and even in direct relation to the sacred geography of the area. This idea reinforces the idea of the Machupicchu llaqta as a complex and multifunctional state settlement and simply as a citadel.
Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu can be literally translated as “young mountain”. It is the largest mountain that is located in the background for all panoramic and classic photos of Machu Picchu; precisely because of this detail is that the ascent to this mountain is very coveted among travelers.
Huayna Picchu has an altitude of 2693 meters. Inside the mountain, we find beautiful Inca archaeological units and small tunnels.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is the orogenic massif that is located just in front of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu within the same mountain range as the snow-capped Salkantay. Its height is 3082 meters, and although no Inca construction was built on its paths, we can find a great variety of flora and fauna typical of these ecosystems.
Peru has many incredible places to discover. With many years of working at the travel industry, Auri Travel is happy to help with your travel plans to Machu Picchu and extraordinary places around Peru. Come and enjoy your Peruvian Adventure with us!
