Mountains of Machu Picchu

All the mountains around Machu Picchu Citadel

The mountains of Machu Picchu are some of the most breathtaking in all of Peru. They're also home to one of the World's Seven Wonders: Machu Picchu. The Incas built this ancient city in the 1400s, perched high atop a mountain ridge. The views are incredible; you can see for miles in every direction.

The Andes Mountains surround Machu Picchu on 3 sides, providing a natural barrier against weather and potential invaders. The mountains also helped the Inca choose this location for their city - they believed that the mountains were sacred and that they would provide protection from their enemies. Even today, the mountains still play an important role in protecting Machu Picchu. They help to regulate the area's temperature and humidity levels, which helps preserve the ruins. They also block out much pollution from nearby Cusco, which would otherwise damage the site.

Mountains in Machu Picchu

These mountains are located around Machu Picchu citadel, and you can take extra hikes:

Huayna Picchu Mountain

Huayna Picchu is a mountain located in the Cusco Region of Peru. It is situated in the Urubamba Province, above the Sacred Valley. The mountain is about 2693 meters high (8835 feet) in the northern region of Machu Picchu, making it the second tallest mountain in the area.

Mountains of Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu Mountain

Huayna Picchu means "young peak" in Quechua, the language of the Incas, built by the Inca during the 15th century. The mountain has many terraces and temples, and its summit offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Today, Huayna Picchu is a popular destination for tourists visiting Machu Picchu. Visitors can hike to the top of the mountain or take a cable car. There are also several restaurants and cafes at the base of the mountain.

Machu Picchu Mountain

Located in the Machu Picchu District, Urubamba Province in the Cusco Region, Machu Picchu Mountain (or Montaña Machu Picchu) is the tallest mountain in the region with an elevation of 3082 meters (10111 feet).

Mountains of Machu Picchu - Machu Picchu Mountain

This peak may be seen to the south of the Machu Picchu Citadel. Machu means "ancient" or "great" in Quechua, while "Picchu" means "high" (mountain). Great mountain" is the literal translation of the name Machu Picchu.

Huchuy Picchu Mountain

Huchuy Picchu mountain (the little mountain) is next to the well-known Huayna Picchu mountain. It is located at 2497 m (8192 ft), about 50 meters higher than the Machu Picchu Archaeological sites.

Huchuy Picchu is one of the newest hiking routes established in Machu Picchu called Machu Picchu circuit 4 + Huchuy Picchu. The hike is not very difficult, about 1 kilometer long, 30n minute hike to the top of the mountain from where you can have fantastic views of the whole citadel of Machu Picchu.

Putucusi Mountain

Putucusi is located on the opposite side of Machu Picchu. The summit of this mountain is approximately 2560 m (8398 ft) and is located right in front of Machu Picchu in the northeast of the Urubamba River.

Putucusi is located outside the Machu Picchu citadel, and you don't need a ticket to access it. You can hike this mountain from Aguas Calientes Town (Machu Picchu Pueblo). The hike takes around 1.5 hours, and due to the difficulty and technical wooden stairs, we don't recommend going alone.

Mountains around Machu Picchu.

Salkantay Mountain

Salkantay is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region after Ausangate Mountain. Located on the eastern side of the Andes Mountain, part of the Cordillera of Vilcabamba, with an elevation of 6,271 m (20574). The peak of Salkantay can be seen from Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain top.

Pumasillo Mountain

Pumasillo comes from the Quechua word (Puma - cougar, puma, Sillu claw, "puma claw") and is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range, La Convención Province, Cusco Region. Also known as Sacsarayoc, with an elevation of 5991 m (19655 ft), Pumasillo can be seen from Machu Picchu and was an important deity in Inca times.

Yanantin Mountain

Located northeast of Machu Picchu, Yanantin mountain has an altitude of 3,878 meters and is covered in dense forest. Some recent expeditions to this mountain have found an Inca Trail and ruled out the possibility of discovering new platforms, canals, and jungle-covered Inca walls on the same hill.