Is it difficult to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu? In this blog, we will talk about this route. We will learn more about the details that can make it complicated and easy at the same time, when climbing. We will also leave information about the Huayna Picchu mountain, the experience of hiking and everything necessary to book the entrance ticket. So let’s learn more about the hike to one of the most requested destinations that involve visiting the route to Machu Picchu.

For some years now, the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket has become one of the most sought-after by people from all over the world on their trip to Machu Picchu; this ticket allows, in addition to the visit to the Inca city of Machu Picchu, entry to the trails of the Huayna Picchu mountain. This mountain is amazing and its one and a half hour climb to the top is considered one of the most amazing short hikes in the entire world; however, not everyone can climb this mountain.

• Huayna Picchu Mountain
• Entrance tickets to the Huayna Picchu route
• How difficult is the hike to Huayna Picchu?
• The hike up the Huayna Picchu mountain
• What do I need to climb Huayna Picchu?
• More questions about the route to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu

Tourist climbing the stone steps on Huayna Picchu Mountain

Huayna Picchu Mountain

• Huayna Picchu is the steep, conical mountain that can be seen in most postcard photographs of Machu Picchu.
• Huayna Picchu is located 2,720 meters above sea level.
• The Huayna Picchu mountain has sections built and designed by Inca urban planners.
• That is why, although it seems like an inaccessible mountain, from a distance, the climb can be made safely.
• Some people are afraid of the mountain because the route seems to be very risky. However, the hike is easy.
• Most of the sections follow the morphology of the mountain.
• From the top you can see, especially during the rainy season, the strong currents of the Vilcanota River (also known as the Urubamba River).
• As we will see later, the experience of doing this route is one of the most rewarding that can be done.

View of the mountains Huchuy Picchu and Huayna Picchu

Entrance tickets to the Huayna Picchu route

To complete the Huayna Picchu route, you can only use one entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. This ticket is called Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu and is part of Circuit 3. In addition, it is a ticket that can be booked and used throughout the year.

To make the reservation properly we recommend you follow these steps:

• It is important to make a reservation 3 to 4 months in advance, especially during the high season.
• Consult a travel agency authorized by the Ministry of Culture.
• Authorized agencies must have a license number that can be verified on the website of the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
• Ticket reservations can also be made online.
• Throughout the year, there are 400 daily admission tickets.
• High season starts on June 1st and lasts until October 15th.
• The route to Huayna Picchu can be done all year round.
• The rainy season can start as early as November and last until March.
• February is the month in which most care is needed to make a reservation.
• If you do the tour during the rainy season, it is recommended to bring a waterproof poncho.
• There are only 2 schedules, one of them starts at 7:00 in the morning and the second group at 9:00 am.
• These times are the ones that indicate the entrance to the citadel of Machu Picchu. After an hour of walking, the entrance to the Huayna Picchu hike begins.

Descending the stairs of death

What are the Stairs of Death like?
They are steps that give the impression of being over the abysses that are produced by the altitude of Huayna Picchu. The Stairs of Death are a section of narrow steps that in some cases do not have a point of support for the hands. Therefore, sometimes you have to climb very carefully. However, it is a short section and quite safe to do due to the solidity of the rocks and the space that you have to take each step.

How difficult is the hike to Huayna Picchu?

• Achieving the climb requires a walk of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Although the trails seem dangerous, the truth is that they are wide and one can always hike along the mountain and not on the cliffs.
• The difficulty of the hike to Huayna Picchu is medium/moderate.
• One thing that can make the walk difficult is that it is completely uphill. In many sections you can find large steps.
• Before taking the walk, it is recommended to arrive at the archaeological site on the ecological buses.
• Similarly, following the previous point, it is often more advisable to spend the night in Aguas Calientes or Machu Pichu Pueblo.
• Another detail that may seem like a difficulty is that it is not highly recommended for people with fear of heights or acrophobia.
• It is also important that if you are over 50 years old, you consult with your doctor about your intentions for hiking to Huayna Picchu.
• One recommendation is to also prepare yourself physically in case you do not have regular physical activity. This trip should be enjoyed and not suffered.

Map of the route to Huayna Picchu Mountain

The hike up the Huayna Picchu mountain

How does the hike to the top of Huayna Picchu begin? To access the route that takes us to Huayna Picchu, the first step is to enter Machu Picchu and continue with the tour. Below, we briefly explain this entire process:

• The entrance is through the lower area of Machu Picchu, that is, through the terrace area.
• Continue your journey through magnificent views of all the Inca buildings.
• Pass through the wide esplanades of Machu Picchu such as Plaza Pisonay.
• There are good views of the main temples and the lower temples.
• Continue along a short staircase to enter buildings such as the Lower Temples.
• The tour through the citadel continues until reaching the Sacred Stone.
• Near the Sacred Stone, you can find the checkpoint to enter the path to Huayna Picchu.
• Before taking the route, you must register your entry time, names, and also show your registered ticket.
• The ascent continues along the Inca trails until reaching the summit of Huayna Picchu.
• During the walk we will pass by the Stairs of Death, which are an indication that we are already in the Inca buildings.
• At the top of Huayna Picchu you can find a short circuit through Inca constructions.
• The descent continues along the same stretch taken when ascending.
• Upon returning to Machu Picchu, the tour of the citadel ends.
• Pass by the Temple of the Condor and also the complex or hall of water mirrors.
• The tour of the citadel will end at the terraces or agricultural area, very close to where we started.
• Normally, the return to Cusco takes place in the afternoon, so you can have an excellent lunch.
• In Machu Picchu Pueblo you can find a wide variety of restaurants, hotels and bars.

Photo from the top of Huayna Picchu mountain

What do I need to climb Huayna Picchu?

• The first thing you will need is the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu.
• Only 400 admission tickets can be reserved.
• Reservations must be made 3 to 4 months in advance.
• You must bring your ID or passport to validate your entry.
• Wear comfortable shoes to avoid injury. You may wear hiking shoes.
• If you travel during the rainy season, you should bring a waterproof poncho.
• As for the tour of Machu Picchu, that is, before ascending, it is recommended to do so with a tour guide.
• Remember to bring only what is necessary for the tour.
• Pack your luggage according to the number of days you plan to stay in Machu Picchu.
• You may want to bring a small backpack with personal documents and a change of clothes if possible.
• The hike is exhausting, so bring snacks and drinks too.

More questions about the route to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu

• 1) What options do I have similar to Huayna Picchu?

  One of the best similar options to Huayna Picchu is the route to Machu Picchu Mountain. This ticket belongs to the panoramic circuit so you can take the tour around the upper area of Machu Picchu and have the classic postcard photo. This ticket can be booked 2 or 3 months in advance.

• 2) Who has restrictions on taking the route to Huayna Picchu?

  People who will not be able to enter the Huayna Picchu route are minors under 18 years of age. This is because some changes have been made to the entrance tickets. Now the hiking routes will only be open to adults. If you wish to enter Machu Picchu with minors, it is recommended that you enter Circuit 2.

• 3) Is the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket the only ticket to enter Huayna Picchu?

  Yes, Machu Picchu tickets only follow a set route. Of course, there are places where the routes overlap, but there is staff in charge of carrying out the appropriate inspection so that people follow the established routes. If a person deviates from the route or violates the order of the place, they may be removed from the Machu Picchu archaeological site.

• 4) Can I only enter the route established in the ticket I purchased?

  Yes, the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, in its great diversity, only allow you to take one route. If, for example, you take the route to Inti Punku, Circuit 1 or Panoramic route, you can only follow the path that takes you to Inti Punku, even though near it you will find the detours to Machu Picchu Mountain and the route to the Inca Bridge.

• 5) What will we see during the ascent to the summit of Huayna Picchu?

  During the hike to the Huayna Picchu route, you can observe part of the biodiversity of Machu Picchu. You can also find beautiful landscapes, Inca constructions and incredible views of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Likewise, you can appreciate the long mountain ranges and also the valley formed by the passage of the Vilcanota River or Urubamba River.

Advice from people who have been there

Huayna Picchu

By: Sandy O.

“Great experience!“

“It is not as difficult as many people say in many travel forums, it is a great experience, but it is not for everyone. We knew this because while we were ascending (my brother and I) we saw how some security agents had to escort a woman of about 45 years old with help, because I cannot stand vertigo, but we also saw children of just over 11 years old, at the top, so it has nothing to do with age or physique.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, December 7, 2024