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Hike up to the Putucusi Mountain

When heading to Machu Picchu, climbers often want the best views of the ruins and most head up to the summit of the famous Huayna Picchu. This mountain makes the backdrop for Machu Picchu. But the new way to see Machu Picchu is a hike up to Putucusi Mountain. Find our the best information about the Putucusi Mountain below.

Putucusi (also spelled Putucusi) lays directly across the Urubamba River from the ruins of Machu Picchu.

The summit has wide open views over Machu Picchu as well as the surrounding valleys and mountain peaks. It’s best to get there early (maybe 6:00 a.m.) to see the ruins before the crowds enter Machu Picchu and also because the light is best at that time of the day.

Aguas Calientes is a small village surrounded by rugged impenetrable mountains in the eastern part of Peru’s Oriental Cordillera . The entire town existed for one sole purpose: to serve the millions of yearly visitors to Machu Picchu. But in recent years the amount of people who visit Machu Picchu and spend time at Aguas Calientes has increased dramatically.

Right next to Aquas Calientes, even closer than Machu Picchu, Putucusi Mountain is a shear cliffed, jungle coated mountain rising the better part of two thousand feet up from the valley. 

On a clear day it’s possible to see Machu Picchu with snow-capped Salkantay behind it, which is an absolute spectacular sight.

The mountain, like all others in the area, is composed of near vertical, perfectly smooth stone walls. They are completely covered by cloud forest.

The trail leading up the mountain is more vertical than horizontal, that seems to be the general patterning among the mountains here. When looking out at Machu Picchu from the summit of Putukusi it is interesting to think why the Incas chose to build this masterpiece in such a rugged place.

Perhaps the incredible beauty of the landscape inspired them and they thought of themselves as standing in the presence of their gods.

The wilderness here is some of the most pristine left anywhere on earth and much of it has most likely has never seen a human being. It is interesting to imagine that there might be another Macchu Picchu hidden in these mountains that nobody knows even exists.

How to find the Entry Point of Putucusi Mt?

How is the Road for the Hike up to the Putucusi Mountain?

What is the difficulty of the hike up to the Putucusi Mountain?

Challenging difficulty – It is without a doubt the most difficult hike in Machu Picchu. It is considered quite intense and involves overcoming high stairs and quite steep trails located on rocky slopes. It is recommended for hikers in good physical condition. Not suitable for people with fear of heights.

When is the best time to go?

Useful information about Putucusi Mountain

Is hike up to the Putucusi Mountain dangerous?

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