Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu is the high mountain that Machu Picchu guards. It is located 2,720 meters above sea level (m.s.n.m.), almost 300 meters higher than the Inca Citadel. Climbing to its top is a challenge.
According to the comments of travelers from all over the world in forums such as TripAdvisor, Huayna Picchu is worth it. This is due to the adventure that represents climbing its ancient Inca roads along ravines full of adrenaline. Once at the top, tourists will feel that the effort was worth it. From there you can appreciate all the splendor of the Inca Citadel as well as the town of Aguas Calientes, the Vilcanota river, the Putucusi mountain and all the typical flora and fauna of the region.
The Huayna Picchu hike is a challenge, the walk to top of the mountain is 2 hrs approx, the descent it is 1hr 40min. If you want to lose your fear of heights, This mountain is a good place for this challenge. Book online your Huayna Picchu ticket, This challenge is waiting for you!
Service Level: Huayna Picchu hike difficult and moderate.
Trek's Difficulty: 2 - moderate; a low-altitude hike, accessible to healthy travelers.
Age Requirement: 8+. Please note: all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Crew: No, it is not including the guided tour, you will hike to Huayna Picchu by yourself. In case you want to climb up with a tour guide, you will need to get the extra ticket for your guide.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A FEE FOR MONEY TRANSFER IS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE!
According to the Ministry of Culture and Peruvian government, this year, the Machu Picchu tickets are claficiced in circuits. There are 4 circuits, in these circuits, you can visit only Machu Picchu or a mountain with a part of the citadel. For example: The Only Machu Picchu ticket + Circuit 1 involves all Inca citadel, but if you want to hike the Huayna Picchu or other mountains, you will visit only the lower part of Machu Picchu. Visit Machu Picchu new rule 2022.
Huayna Picchu houses ancient Inca stairs that through an ascent full of adrenaline and nature leads to the highest point of the Inca Citadel. In addition, on its slopes is the Temple of the Moon (also known as the Great Cavern), an Inca construction in the middle of a natural cave. Due to its difficult access, this site is the only one in the llaqta that does not receive large tourist traffic. It is possible to appreciate it without visitors around. Before reaching the top there are stairs called the ‘stairs of death’. But do not worry. The name is only due to the exhaustion of the section. Why did they build this construction in such an inaccessible place? For the Incas, the mountains (called ‘apus’ or ‘gentlemen’) were spirits that ruled people's lives. Today, going up to ‘Wayna’ is one of the most famous adventures in Peru and South America. Its name in Quechua means ‘young mountain’.
Well, it would be as simple as telling you that it is one of the most incredible experiences you can have in life and that it is considered one of the best short walks in the world, but we will detail more about the amazing experience you can have in the Huayna Picchu mountain.
The trails of the Huayna Picchu mountain were built almost 600 years ago next to cliffs of hundreds of meters. From them you can have amazing views of the surreal landscape of Machu Picchu mountains. The base of the mountains where the Inca city is built is surrounded by the mighty Urubamba river and around it, other larger mountains. The bad news about this is that you can't hike the trails of this mountain if you're afraid of heights.
The stairs of death is undoubtedly one of the most adrenaline-fueled places on this mountain, its verticality causes vertigo and what you can see from it is visually terrifying. However, do not be intimidated by the name, the Huayna Picchu mountain can be traveled by people 12 years and older. And if you decide to go further and descend these impressive stairs, you will find one of the most impressive temples in Machu Picchu, the Temple of the Moon.
The top can cause you many mixed feelings; you will see people with tears in their eyes, others hugging each other after having been able to overcome the dizzying paths to reach the top, and these are the most common cases; some others cannot articulate a word, only remain with their mouths open. But satisfaction is the common feeling that you will see on all of these people's faces. How many times can you see a wonder of the world from the top of a mountain.
This temple is like a kind of reward for people who descend the stairs of death; It is different from all the ones I have seen in the world and in the city of Machu Picchu itself; It is built inside a natural cave and its finish represents one of the best lithic works in the entire Machu Picchu National Park.
The hike through Huayna Picchu begins within the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The climb is very interesting and you will see how the Incas cut the mountain to be able to make the path; just before reaching the top, you will have to go through a tunnel carved into the rock of the mountain, the further you climb you will see the structures and terraces at the top of the mountain; some of them are built in extreme places, attached to one side of the mountain with a gulf of hundreds of meters on the other side; as a sample of the imagination and skill that the Incas had at the time of building. The views from the trails are impressive, the stairs of death are impressive, but seeing the fog as it dissipates over Machu Picchu, from the top of Huayna Picchu, is one of the most astonishing spectacles you can ever have. The road begins where the sacred rock of Machu Picchu is located, at this point you will have to present your ticket and fill out the registration notebook, this is to make sure that all the people who started the tour of the mountain leave.
The entrance to this mountain is only possible with the Ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu. This ticket is the most requested by visitors so it is also the most difficult to get. It is recommended to reserve it normally 2 months in advance. During the high season of tourism (from April to October) the acquisition must be up to 4 months in advance. The reservation is made online.
The alternative route Montaña Waynapicchu will have 200 spaces per day, distributed in 4 schedules:
This ticket includes the tour of the archaeological ruins of the Inca Citadel. Once the ticket is reserved, you must go to the Waynapicchu access door located to the north and within Machu Picchu.
IMPORTANT DATA:
Once the ticket is purchased, be sure to arrive early for your entrance time to Huayna Picchu. On the day of the ascent, arrive on time at the control booth. When starting the ascent to ‘Wayna’ it is a good idea to be one of the first people to do so.
Huayna Picchu is located in the northern part of Machu Picchu. There is a control booth indicating that it is the beginning of the way to Waynapicchu. Before the ascent and upon return, you must register indicating your personal data. This is a security measure that guarantees the authorities that all visitors who entered, returned safely.
The climb up Huayna Picchu began! Don't be scared off by the incredible mountain view up there. Begin the ascent at your own pace. If you think you are in good physical condition, walk briskly without stopping. If you think you are not, walk slowly and stop to breathe at the times that are appropriate. Waynapicchu is allowed only to people over 12 years old. Many older adults are encouraged to ascend their paths. The most important thing is the determination to want to reach the top.
Isn't it as easy as you thought? The roads of Huayna Picchu have at times an incline of 60º. If the ascent is proving difficult for you, ask for help from the many brigade members and security agents who are located in the most difficult sections of the ‘Young Mountain’. If you do not find any at a difficult time, surely one of the other tourists will be ready to give you a hand. Along the way, there are security cameras that allow you to easily locate if a visitor experiences a problem.
Huayna Picchu has hundreds of steps that cover a distance of almost 2 kilometers. These stairs are uneven. In some parts they are spacious. In others, narrow and close to vertiginous ravines. That is why the visitor must measure his steps well during the ascent. Especially in the rainy season where the steps become somewhat slippery. However, the road is generally safe. There are ropes to hold on to in the most difficult moments.
In the middle of the ascent to Huayna Picchu there is a rock formation that prevents the way. The only way to continue is through the inside of a cave. Do not fear the darkness or narrowness of this grotto. Although it is uncomfortable to go through it, this does not represent any danger. The most important thing is to get low enough to avoid hitting your head. This cave on the way to Waynapicchu is part of the adventure.
It's near the end! The so-called stairs of death are the last section before reaching the top of Huayna Picchu. But fear not, no one has died in this part of the climb. The name is due to the vertiginous nature of the road, with chasms of hundreds of meters. However, if you are not afraid of heights, you will have no problem going through these steps built by the Incas more than 500 years ago.
He did it! The first thing you will do when you reach the top is to breathe and enjoy the scenery. The second thing is to think: it was hard but it was worth it. The top of Huayna Picchu offers incredible views of the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the mountains that surround it, the Urubamba River and all the flora and fauna of the place. It is essential to take some photos before starting the descent. The route through the Waynapicchu is considered among the most incredible short walks in the world.
It was time to go down. The descent is less difficult than the climb, however, many visitors find it more scary. A different path from the ascent allows you to visit the Temple of the Moon on the Huayna Picchu mountain, an Inca religious construction made in a cave and whose only way to visit it is with the entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu. The descent continues along a circular path until you return to the initial ascent route. From there you get to the control booth.
If you want to have a private guide in Machu Picchu. We recommend to choose the option PRIVATE SERVICE.
As in all mountains, while ascending Huayna Picchu you must be very careful, its trails are dizzying, they are built next to impressive ravines and although they are not really that difficult, if you are afraid of heights you may find them terrifying. The Huayna Picchu mountain is considered of medium / moderate difficulty but, it is the fact that its trails are built between the mountain walls and cliffs hundreds of meters above the mighty Urubamba river, which makes some people think twice. times or choose some other trek in Machu Picchu. But those who overcome their fears and manage to reach the top of Huayna Picchu, usually experience a mixture of feelings that in some cases, end up completely changing the way of seeing the life of some people.
Well, as you know, the first thing is that you overcome your fear of heights; If you can do it, you can now check the availability of Machu Picchu tickets and reserve the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket for the dates you want. There are only 400 tickets available to enter the Huayna Picchu mountain, so you must reserve yours in advance, we recommend doing it at least 6 weeks before; However, if you come in high season, this and any other Machu Picchu ticket must be booked months in advance.
You will need to bring what is necessary with you; Although you will not need climbing gear, you will need hiking boots, sun protection, rain protection and insect repellent; Also know that everything you carry on your tour including your camera and your bottle of water, you will have to fit in a small backpack, since you will need both hands free to overcome some sections of the road.
The dry season (from April to October) is the best time to enjoy the Waynapicchu. The climate is not rainy so the steps are not humid. The sky is clear so the beautiful landscape of the Wonder of the World can be seen without cloudiness. To make the walk twice as worthwhile, visit the Temple of the Moon, the only construction nestled on a high mountain within Machu Picchu.
Huayna Picchu is difficult, not dangerous. The ascent covers up to 2 kilometers of steep stone and trail trails. It takes 1 or 2 hours to reach the top, depending on the physical condition of the visitor. These are located next to scary ravines. Sounds dangerous? The truth is that it is not. There are a variety of security measures deployed on the mountain such as ropes to hold onto the most difficult sections. In addition, there are support staff willing to offer their help in case they need it.
This adventure is recognized as one of the most incredible short hikes in the world. However, due to the difficulty of the ascent, only people over 12 years of age can access it. The path is surrounded by abundant vegetation. It is not recommended for visitors suffering from vertigo or fear of heights. From the top you can see all the beauty of the Wonder of the World from a unique angle. From the top.
Knowing Waynapicchu is easy. You should only reserve the Ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu in advance due to the high demand for tickets. For this, the tourist must check the availability of Huayna Picchu spaces on our website:
If there is still availability on the day and the group of your preference, you must fill out the reservation form with personal data: names, type of document, document number, age, country, gender and email. In addition, it is important to refill without errors the type of ticket, the chosen group, the day of entry and the number of visitors.
After submitting the reservation form, you must choose to make the payment with: Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diners Club or PayPal. In less than 24 hours, you will receive the Huayna Picchu Ticket in PDF format to your email. All you have to do is print it out and present it on the day you enter the Wonder of the World.
University students, minors (8-17 years old) and citizen members of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) have access to discounts on the normal price of the Huayna Picchu Ticket. To benefit from these, you must send us a readable digital copy or photo of the identity document or passport in the case of minors and CAN member citizens, as well as the current university card in the case of students.
There are other options in case you do not find availability for the Huayna Picchu Ticket:
The narrow paths of Huaynapicchu can only be used by one person at a time. This means that only 400 people can visit Huayna Picchu every day.
All tickets for Machu Picchu have to be reserved a few weeks in advance. However, the entrance ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu runs out much earlier so it must be purchased online 3 months in advance.
The high season of tourism occurs between May and September. During this period all tickets must be reserved in advance. The ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu must be purchased 4 months before or even more.
Tickets to Huayna Picchu can only be purchased to be used by people over 12 years old.
If you suffer from acrophobia (fear of heights) it is not a good option to walk the mountain. The Huayna Picchu trails are built between the mountain walls and huge cliffs that are visually terrifying.
The trails of the mountain are made of stone steps built by the Incas. The most difficult section is the so-called ‘Stairs of death’ in Huayna Picchu. In some parts there are Inca platform systems and enclosures. Most of the steps are steep and narrow.
The best time to tour the Huayna Picchu mountain occurs during the dry season (from April to October). However, during the rainy season (November to March) you can visit the mountain with a more lush and green landscape.
Machu Picchu Mountain is a hiking trail as challenging as Huayna Picchu. Due to the difficulty of traveling these mountains, they must be covered on different days.
The Intipunku is a hiking route to the old entrance gate to Machu Picchu. It is not as difficult as Huayna Picchu but it does require considerable physical effort. Although it is possible to visit the Huayna Picchu mountain and the Intipunku on the same day; This is not recommended due to the fatigue that implies going up to both destinations on the same day.
Entrance tickets to the Huayna Picchu mountain can be purchased from anywhere in the world through the internet. You only have to enter the website of the Ministry of Culture of Peru or an authorized tourism agency.
Yes. University students have access to a special discount if they make the purchase with their valid university card. The other requirements are: be under 25 at the time of your visit and undergraduate studies. Keep in mind that the only valid document is the university card. The ISIC card is not valid. Remember that Huayna Picchu also offers discounts for those under 18 years of age and citizens of the Andean Community of Nations.
During the hike to Huayna Picchu it is recommended to wear trekking shoes. Remember that some sections of the mountain can be slippery so these types of shoes are ideal.
Although the entrance to the mountain is allowed for the elderly, it is recommended that elderly people consult their doctor before making the trek. Especially those with heart problems.
The climate of the Huayna Picchu mountain is cold and dry. Temperatures vary from 21ºC. (during the day) at 8ºC. (during the nights). There are two distinct times of the year: a) the dry season (from April to October) and b) the rainy season (from November to March).
From the starting point of the hike located within Machu Picchu to the top of Huayna Picchu, 2 kilometers are traveled (it is estimated that there are 2 thousand stairs).
It is not mandatory to visit the Huayna Picchu mountain with a tour guide. On the other hand, touring the Inca city of Machu Picchu is mandatory in the company of a tour guide. You can hire one at the entrance gate of Machupicchu.
To visit the mountain it is recommended to bring water, snacks, a poncho in case of rain, an extra polo shirt, a camera, a passport (or identity document) as well as personal hygiene items. All this should be inside a backpack that helps keep your hands free during the walk.
Many people believe that Huayna Picchu is dangerous. However, this is false. The most difficult sections of the hike are protected by safety cords. Along the way, there is security personnel in charge of taking care of the visitor.
| Days | 1 |
| From per person |
$ 85.00 |
| Code | HPT |
Activity level |
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24 March 2023
24 March 2023
24 March 2023
