Huayna Picchu: Hike an Epic Mountain at Machu Picchu

A useful travel guide to the Huayna Picchu hike, Peru.

A hike up the glorious beauty of Huayna Picchu mountain offers intrepid travellers an extra special way to experience Machu Picchu.  With only 300 tickets available per day, the Huayna Picchu hike is a more exclusive way to get a bird’s eye view of the mythical surroundings of the ancient Inka citadel. 

This guide is based on my personal experience of the Huayna Picchu hike in 2023.  It covers how long it takes to hike up Huayna Picchu, what the views are like and how to get Huayna Picchu hike tickets.

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Where is Huayna Picchu Mountain?

Huayna Picchu is a mountain that forms part of the historic Machu Picchu complex in the Cusco region of Peru.  The area in which Huayna Picchu is located is also known as the Sacred Valley, due to its significance to the ancient Inka civilisation (and indeed pre-Inka cultures) and the plethora of Inka sites that it encompasses.  The valley also forms a strategic location, connecting the Andes mountains and the Amazon. 

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has protected status.  Huayna Picchu is the blooming massive mountain you’ll see in the background of a lot of classic photos of Machu Picchu.

What Does the Name Huayna Picchu Mean?

The name Huayna Picchu means young mountain.  The Inkas gave it this name in contrast to Machu Picchu mountain, which means old mountain.

Huayna Picchu was used both as a lookout point, to see what was going on for miles around, and also as a sacred mountain or Apu.  There is a temple at the top called the Temple of the Moon but it’s currently closed in 2023.

Pro Tip: Huayna Picchu mountain can also be spelled as Montaña Waynapicchu or sometimes as Wayna Pikchu.

How Difficult is it to Climb Huayna Picchu?

The heady aroma of sweat as those who’ve already completed the hike descend past you is an early warning that, despite various claims that this is an easy hike, in reality climbing Huayna Picchu mountain is anything but. 

Of course, hike difficulty is relative to individual experience and fitness but at 2693 metres above sea level and with a climb that involves continuously ascending steep stone stairs for about 90% of it, I think most people would agree that the Huayna Picchu hike requires a certain level of ability. 

What goes up must come down and much of the descent of Huayna Picchu uses the same stairway as the route up.  However, there is one important difference, the Huayna Picchu tunnel. 

To descend Huayna Picchu you have to crawl through a very slim passage between and through some rocks.  It only lasts a few seconds but it’s not for those who are claustrophobic nor will a large backpack easily fit through, so if you’re going to attempt the Huayna Picchu hike, take as little as you can.

All that being said, of the multitudes of people hiking Huayna Picchu I only saw one person decide to turn back and there were people of all ages participating in this challenging climb.

The ‘Stairs of Death’ at Huayna Picchu Mountain

There are stages on the Huayna Picchu hike where the depth of the steps is smaller than a child’s shoe.  In my altitude-addled state this left me spending quite some time wondering about whether the average Inka foot was incredibly small or if the steps were constructed to be deliberately fiendish to use.

In fact, the section of the stairs at the top has been affectionately named the ‘Stairs of Death’.  This seems to relate to their being open to the elements on one side and having no handrail (although there are plenty of sections that do have a handrail).  There were a few moments where I felt the stairs were a little dicey but going slowly at those points seemed to help me, along with using my hands to go up on all fours.  Indeed, the side that appears open to a terrifying drop is actually above a set of Inka terraces, which may explain why, amazingly, my old friend vertigo didn’t put in an appearance.  Be kind, let others pass by as needed and take your time.

Huayna Picchu Elevation

The Machu Picchu citadel is located at an elevation of 2430 metres above sea level.  The peak of Huayna Picchu mountain is at an elevation of 2693 metres above sea level.  Altitude sickness can set in at an elevation of around 2500 metres so keep this in mind when planning to hike Huayna Picchu and, if possible, spend a couple of days acclimatising in the nearby towns of Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes. Although Huayna Picchu is not as high up as other mountains in the Cusco region, like the technicolour Palcoyo rainbow mountain.

Views from Huayna Picchu Mountain

Epic is truly is the right word for the climb up Huayna Picchu mountain and the views it affords.  As you climb ever upwards there are teasing glimpses of the citadel of Machu Picchu down below.  Take a break (you’ll need several) to look back and enjoy the incredible sight.

Once you are almost at the top of Huayna Picchu, there are terraces to zig-zag across and a small Inka building.  The views from here are jaw-dropping and all the more special for the effort required to experience them. Get some incredible photos here and choose from my list of Instagram Hiking Captions.

Climb up the last section and you’ll be at the very top, from where you can sit and enjoy spending some time ogling at the aesthetically amazing views.  Not only is all of Machu Picchu laid out before you but the views of the mountains which encompass Machu Picchu are also hauntingly beautiful.  The rise and fall of the mountainsides, the verdant forest, the bluest of skies and fluffy cloud cover are the stuff of dreams.  Contemplate the overarching power of nature, as the Inkas did, whilst you try to take it all in.

If you’re interested in more incredible views in Peru, take a trip to the Paracas National Reserve, where the desert meets the sea.

How Long Does it Take to Hike up Huayna Picchu?

To get to the starting point of the Huayna Picchu hike you’ll need to arrive at the Machu Picchu entrance.  From there, you’ll walk through the lower parts of the Machu Picchu citadel until you reach the trailhead.  This takes around 30 minutes but you may choose to take twice that time if you want to stop for lots of photos.

The actual hike to the top of Huayna Picchu takes approximately another hour.  Once you’re at the top you may choose to spend quite some time taking in the experience and having a well-earned rest.   

Coming down is significantly quicker, at around 30 minutes.  A guide we spoke to later in the day claimed to have run up Huayna Picchu in his youth in 17 minutes.  That was in the 1980s though and even without any other tourists on the route I would not suggest you attempt to emulate it.

Is it Worth it to Climb Huayna Picchu?

The short answer to whether it’s worth it to climb Huayna Picchu is yes, abso-blooming-lutely.  It’s a privilege to get to experience this incredible feat of natural and human might. 

Climbing Huayna Picchu allows you to understand Machu Picchu in a different way from just walking through the citadel itself.  The bird’s eye view of the Inka artistry helps you appreciate not just the Machu Picchu complex but also the strategic importance of its location. 

The effort to trek to the top of Huayna Picchu really is paid off by the awe-inspiring views.  The all-encompassing mountains, in every direction you look, really make you reflect on your own significance in the face of the potent natural world. Peru is a country full of incredible vistas, from the lush mountains of Machu Picchu to the arid Huacachina desert.

Approximately 95% of the Huayna Picchu climbing route is original, whereas the other mountains at Machu Picchu have a much lower percentage of original route left so it’s also worth it if you want an authentic and historic experience.

The climb to reach the peak of Huayna Picchu can feel relentless at times but it’s totally worth the effort it takes (and it certainly does require effort). 

Check out this guide to another fabulous Inca site in Peru, the Pisac ruins.

How to Get Huayna Picchu Tickets

As of 2023 Machu Picchu has five different tickets you can buy.  To climb Huayna Picchu mountain you need a ticket that is for Huayna Picchu mountain + circuit 4.

Access to hike Huayna Picchu mountain is restricted to much smaller numbers daily than the number of tickets available for Machu Picchu.  It’s therefore important to get your ticket at least a couple of months in advance (and even further in advance for peak season travel).  Tickets are limited to 75 per day per time slot for Huayna Picchu.

For 2023 the entrance times for Huayna Picchu mountain tickets are:

• 7 am
• 8 am
• 9 am
• 10 am

Your ticket will have two timings on it, one for the time you are allowed to enter Machu Picchu, e.g. 8 am, and one an hour later, e.g. 9 am, which is the time you must be at the entrance gate for Huayna Picchu. 

The entrance to Machu Picchu for Huayna Picchu ticket holders is on the same level as where the bus from Aguas Calientes stops, not up the stairs at the main gate.  Once you’re inside Machu Picchu citadel, signs direct you towards Huayna Picchu mountain.  There are rangers all over the site so you can always ask them for directions if you get stuck.  You’ll be asked to fill in your details (name, age etc) in a book at the entrance to Huayna Picchu and to sign out on your exit.

The new arrangements at Machu Picchu from 2023 mean that the circuit 4 + Huayna Picchu mountain ticket only includes a walk through part of Machu Picchu.  With this ticket, you won’t get to explore all of the Machu Picchu citadel. 

How Much Does it Cost to Hike Huayna Picchu in 2023?

Tickets for Huayna Picchu mountain + circuit 4 cost 200 soles (approx. £45 at the time of writing) via the Machu Picchu website.

You can also purchase tickets from Viator.

Pro Tip: If it’s your dream to visit all of Machu Picchu as well as hike Huayna Picchu then splash out on a second ticket so you’re not left wishing you’d seen more of it.  You can buy an additional entry ticket for later in the day for circuit 1, 2, 3 or 4.  This is what I did and I was so glad I spent the extra to see more of this legendary place.

Do I Need a Guide?

I chose to complete the Huayna Picchu hike without a guide.  It’s a hike up a mountain, following a pre-determined path, with a short walk through the citadel so you don’t need a guide (and contrary to some reports, a guide is not required to enter).  However, I did hire a guide for my re-entrance to Machu Picchu later in the day, using a separately purchased ticket with access to the whole of the Machu Picchu citadel.

If your only ticket is the Huayna Picchu ticket then you might want to get a guide to explain some of the history and background during the short walk through the lower part of the complex, which is circuit 4, but if you also have a second ticket, I recommend you wait until that part of your trip to get a guide. If you’re just here for the awesome views then a guide is not needed. 

Guides cost $50 (US) for a 2-person private tour or $10 (US) per person to join a group tour.  There are plenty of qualified guides at the entrance to Machu Picchu who speak multiple languages.

What to Bring

Whilst you’ll want to keep items to just the necessities for your trip to Huayna Picchu, due to the no large back-packs rule, here’s a list of items that are useful to bring.

• Passport (do not forget this – you can’t get in without it)
• Tickets
• Camera
• Small cross-body bag for essentials (like your passport)
• Sunblock
• Lip sunblock
• Water and energy snacks – there’s a snack bar, restaurant and vending machine at the entrance to Machu Picchu, all selling water
• Good trainers or walking boots
• Long sleeve t-shirt and short sleeve top
• Scarf – it can be both chilly and hot within the space of half an hour at Machu Picchu
• Hat

Pro Tip: There are no toilets once inside Machu Picchu.  Use the toilets at the entrance gate but make sure you have 2 soles in cash to pay to use them. 

How to Get to Huayna Picchu Mountain

In order to reach Huayna Picchu Mountain you have to make several journeys.

First of all, you need to reach Peru.  I use Skyscanner to search for the best-priced flight deals.

Once you’re in Peru, you will need to get yourself to the region of Cusco.  The two main ways to do this are either by flying from Lima or taking a bus.  Again, you can use Skyscanner to search for available flights.  The flight to Cusco from Lima takes a little over one hour. From Cusco you will travel to Machu Picchu itself.

You can opt to stay in Cusco or head to the nearby towns of Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes.  Ollantaytambo is a lovely little town and has plenty of Inka history and sites to explore.  Cusco is at a higher elevation than Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu so I don’t recommend staying there until you have had some time to acclimatise in one of the other places first.

The next step is to get to Aguas Calientes. You can take a bus, train or taxi from Cusco and Ollantaytambo or join a tour or even a day trip.

Check the price and availability of the train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.

Aguas Calientes is the nearest town to Machu Picchu and is the place where all the buses depart from to take you up the mountainside to get to the Machu Picchu entrance.  The only other way of getting there is by walking from Aguas  Calientes (approx. two to three hours all uphill) or by trekking the multi-day Inka trail.

The Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Taxis aren’t allowed on the road from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu so unless you are planning to hike it, you must get a bus.  Buses leave frequently, around every 5 to 10 minutes, from the stop on Avenida Hermanos Ayar and take 30 minutes to get up the winding road to the entrance. 

The bus queue has timed checkpoints listed on boards, to give you an idea of where you need to be in the queue in order to make it for your timed entrance to Machu Picchu.  If you’re unsure or cutting it fine, check with the bus guides at the front of the queue.  Your bus ticket will be checked before you can board the bus. 

The bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu costs $12 single, or $24 return, and can be bought online from the bus company Consettur or Get Your Guide for a few pounds more if the Consettur website is not working.  Return bus tickets are available at the top or walk down if your legs haven’t gone to jelly.  I took a bus up and walked back down the footpath, which took about 80 minutes and was an enjoyable and easy walk.

You can also buy bus tickets in person at the ticket office, on Avenida Hermanos Ayar, in Aguas Calientes.  However, I suggest saving yourself time and getting your bus ticket in advance as there are likely to be queues at the ticket office. 

Alternative Activities

If you’re still not sure about whether you want to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain, or if you want to see other parts of wonderful Machu Picchu, here are some great alternative options for Machu Picchu tours and activities.

Check the price and availability of the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu 4 day experience. This tour is rated 5 star by hundreds of past clients.

Check the price and availability of the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu 2 day experience. A 5 star rated tour that’s perfect for those who don’t have much time but still want to say they trekked the Inka Trail.

Check the price and availability of the Machu Picchu mountain (+ circuit 3 of the citadel). An alternative mountain to Huayna Picchu.

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