Huayna Picchu Hike: a new perspective on Machu Picchu

Huayna Picchu Hike: A new perspective on Machu Picchu

All you need to know about the Huayna Picchu Hike

How many times have you seen a picture like the above of Machu Picchu? Probably numerous times, just like me. Before I traveled to Peru, I always dreamt of visiting Machu Picchu and taking a picture like that myself– and I did! But did you know, that the mountain you see here, is actually NOT called Machu Picchu?

I only found this out on my awesome trip to Peru. On these famous pictures of the famous Inca Citadel “Machu Picchu” you see so often, the mountain Machu Picchu is actually behind us! The impressive archaeological site is only named AFTER the mountain Machu Picchu! The mountain you see in our picture above is called Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu! In Quechua – the language that the Inca’s spoke, – Huayna Picchu means “young peak,” while Machu Picchu means “old peak.”

 

 

Now we have terminology straight, let me give you some insight details to make the most out of what made my visit to Machu Picchu archaeological site so special: the climb or hike to the Huayna Picchu mountain and the famous stairs of death…

1) Huayna Picchu Hike

First of all, there are numerous ways to explore the area around Machu Picchu and to travel to Machu Picchu.  Many travelers arrive to Machu Picchu hiking the Inca Trail Tour;  other come by train and get off in Aguas Calientes from where they take the bus to the Inca Citadel. Once inside, you have more options to explore the area: you can hike up the Machu Picchu Mountain, walk to the Sun Gate or just stroll around and pretend you are an Inca. And you can also choose to do the Huayna Picchu Hike and head up to the top of the Huayna Picchu (or: Wayna Picchu) mountain. This will give you a whole new perspective on the new world wonder!

 

Attention: Permits to hike up mountain Huayna Picchu are limited per day! Make sure you book* your Huayna Picchu Ticket in time before your visit. In the high season (May – September) you should book the Huayna Picchu Hike up to four months in advance! You can find more info below in our section How to Book Huayna Picchu Tickets.*

 

2) How to enter the Huayna Picchu Hike?

Once you are at the Machu Picchu site, it is easy to find the entrance of the Huayna Picchu Hike. You just need to follow the huge mountain overshadowing the whole area! There is a bamboo entrance with a checkpoint where you have to show your ticket plus original passport. Your name will be written down in a big book to keep track of the people who entered on this day.

Once you return to the exit, you´ll have to check off your name, so that they know you´re not still wandering around lost at Machu Picchu! Make sure you are back at the entrance of the Huayna Picchu hike before 4.30pm.

 

 

3) Is the Huayna Picchu Hike very steep  or difficult?

The hike up to the Huayna Picchu is spectacular! Are there steep steps? Yes, definitely. Have you heard of the Stairs of Death in Peru? Well.. ….they refer to the stairs up (and down!) to Huayna Picchu!

 

 

But relax, you won´t have any problems if you just watch your step and take it easy. The hike up to Huayna Picchu was actually faster than I thought! Huayna Picchu looks so majestic and high, but once you are on the hike to climb it, the path kind of just winds up and you reach a nice height quite fast! It´s just so amazing to step by step up and see more and more of the amazing view over the Inca Citadel with every turn!

 

4) Reaching the Top of Huayna Picchu

Once you have reached the top of the Huayna Picchu, take your and simply marvel on the tiny houses down on the foot of the mountain. Take a picture of you up there – as well as many other photos, because not every visitor to Machu Picchu gets to see this awesome view!

 

 

5) How to Get the best View of Machu Picchu

This part of visiting Machu Picchu was absolutely my favorite part. Who would have thought that there was a whole different perspective on the Machu Picchu site? I had seen so many pictures of Machu Picchu. It had been my dream to go there since many years. But I never imagined I would be able to see it from perspective! It is definitely worth to do some Machu Picchu hiking here!

So if you wonder how to get the best view of Machu Picchu, now you know. To have this stunning view on these impressive ruins, you need to do the Huayna Picchu Hike: step after step, to the top of Huayna Picchu. It is definitely worth every second and every single step!

 

Fast Facts about Huayna Picchu The peak of Huayna Picchu, or Wayna Picchu, rises approximately 360 meters higher than that of Machu Picchu Mountain. The Huayna Picchu hike including the Stairs of Death takes around an hour During the time of the Incas, there was a trail leading to the Huayna Picchu peak with temples and terraces where the high priest and the virgins lived. This high priest would climb down Huayna Picchu every morning before sunrise to reach Machu Picchu in time to welcome the new day.

 

 

Where and How to buy Tickets for Huayna or Wayna Picchu Huayna Picchu Tickets or permits need to be booked and paid in advance. You can buy them – together with your Machu Picchu Ticket – at www.machupicchu.gob.pe. However, many people inform us the site is regularly down or has issues with online payments. If you have any problems, Dos Manos Travel Agency can also buy the Huayna Picchu Tickets  for you as well as general entrance fees. We also offer Machu Picchu Tours or treks How much does the Huayna Picchu ticket cost? The price for the add-on “Huayna Picchu” is approximately USD $ 13.00 compared to the “Machu Picchu only entrance; but if you have entered the citadel through the Inca Trail, you need to pay approx. $ US $ 70.   Questions? We’re here to help!