Looking for an Adventurous Hike?

If you are looking for an adventurous hike while at Machu Picchu, you have a couple of options.

Two mountains rise up behind Machu Picchu, by comparison much smaller than the ring of soaring peaks that surrounds the famed South American lost Inca city. The larger of the two, on the right if you're looking at the classic postcard view, is called Huayna Picchu, which means Young or New Peak in Quechua. (Machu Picchu means Old Peak.) The smaller, on the left, is called Huchuypicchu, which, fittingly enough, means Small Peak. You can climb them both.

To do either of the two treks, you'll need to make your way through the Machu Picchu site to a gated entry in the shadow of the peaks, and leave your name and passport number at the desk. Remember your number (or the time you signed in) so that you can find yourself in the book to sign out again. For safety and conservation reasons, only 400 visitors are allowed to enter this trail each day. A line forms early at the checkpoint to the trail. At 7:00 400 ticket numbers are issued and the first of batch of 200 hikers is slowly released.

1. Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu's heart-stopping, bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu and the majestic panorama surrounding it make it the more popular climb.

The climb is steep and at times exposed, and takes about 1 hour each way. Some portions are slippery and steel cables (a via ferrata) provide some support. Decent footwear is important. There is an extremely narrow passage near the summit (a cave). Two cautionary notes: The hike is somewhat strenuous and not advised for visitors who are elderly, pregnant or have heart/lung conditions. Also, the steep stairs and cliffs you must walk along at the summit can be terrifying for those who are afraid of heights. (Read an experience hiking Huayna Picchu in 2002)

• If you have some time at hand, or long for solitude, you can also walk to the Moon Temple (Templo de la Luna) and the Great Cave (Gran Caverne). It's a long walk and adventurous hike involving several ladders. Some may find that the sites aren't really rewarding, but unexpected wildlife can be seen (wild spectacled bears have been reported). This hike is also quite interesting because partway through you leave behind the mountain terrain and enter a more conventional forest. The caves can be reached either by hiking down the trail from the peak of Huayna Picchu (which includes some semi-harrowing but fun near-vertical descents) or by the split from the main Huayna Picchu trail (look for the sign that says Gran Carvern). Remember that it is much easier to descend from Huayna Picchu than to ascend from these temples. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for this long hike. The hike from the summit to the caves and back to the checkpoint takes about two more hours. (sources: Wikipedia & Suite101)

Check out this slide show of Huyana Picchu hike.

2. Huchuypicchu: This smaller peak is only a twenty- to thirty-minute hike and you'll most likely have the place to yourself. There are some stairs and there is one portion of the climb that requires the use of a rope handhold, but overall it's far less steep than Huayna Picchu. This short hike is suitable for families, but you'll want to supervise young children.

From the top of Huchuypicchu, you'll be able to enjoy the same stunning view of the Incan ruins that as you would from Huayna Picchu... just from a bit closer. You'll also have a great view of the single-file trail of hikers toiling their way up Huayna Picchu like industrious ants. Best of all, there is a very good chance that you'll be able to sit and absorb this once-in-a-lifetime sight in solitude and utter silence - something that's hard to come by at wildly popular Machu Picchu.

Make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen and carry plenty of water. It's not the Inca Trail, but you're still hiking in the Andes... as the view will attest.