Mt. Putucusi

The Basics

Putucusi soars 8,400 feet (2,560 meters) into the air inside the Sacred Valley of the Inca, near to Machu Picchu, the massive UNESCO-listed Inca fortress on the top of a mountain that is truly beyond the imagination, no matter how many photos seen. Travelers may opt to take a two-day tour along the fabled Inca Trail to visit the village’s cobbled streets and the monolithic stones of the Temple of the Sun built by Pachacuti in the 1400s.xa0

Other tours include a hike along the Salkantay Trail, a remote trek in the same Andean region as the Inca Trail, offers travelers spectacular scenery—soaring mountains, picturesque villages, lakes, and lush jungle—minus the crowds. Inca Trail tours are typically booked far in advance, making Salkantay a flexible and affordable alternative to reach Machu Picchu.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking a lot on uneven stones and ladders.
• The mountain is free to enter and not guarded by a warden.
• Because of the high altitude, be sure to stay hydrated and take it slow.
• Chewing on coca leaves or drinking coca tea helps alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness.
• Tours operate in all weather conditions, so remember to dress appropriately.
• Sweaters for colder months and a rain poncho for the rainy season, generally January through April.
• Accommodation, meals, round trip hotel pickup, and guide may be included. Check specific tours for details.
• Rains and other situations may affect the trails; check beforehand to make sure they are open.

How to Get There

Putucusi Mountain is located just northeast of Machu Picchu; most travelers hike to the site while others take buses from the train station. The path to the summit lies just 10 minutes west of Aguas Calientes, following the train tracks along the Urubamba River. Trains running between Cusco and Aguas Calientes (for Machu Picchu) stop at Ollantaytambo, which is the halfway mark along the route.

When to Get There

The best time to visit Putucusi Mountain and the Machu Picchu area, including hiking the Inca Trail is from late March through May as well as from September through November. During these months, the Inca site and the hiking trails that lead to it tend to be far less crowded with moderate weather conditions. June through August are the most crowded months. If scaling the mountain, start as early as possible.

Enjoy Aguas Calientes

Set in a deep gorge below the ruins of Machu Picchu, this magic town is the last town before reaching the Inca fortress. Also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, Aguas Calientes used to be a small tented railroad camp for workers until the 1970s, when tourists from all over the world started to visit the Inca fortress in the sky. Stay here for a night, have a traditional Andean meal and soak in the hot springs.