The Huayna Picchu is the symbol of Machu Picchu. Almost everyone recognizes that it is Machu Picchu without even seeing the ruins in a photograph. The Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains opposite the ruins of the Inca city is one of the most famous photo motifs in the world. Huayna Picchu translated, his Quechua name means: 'young mountain' or 'needle mountain'.
Only 4,500 people are allowed to enter Machu Picchu circuits 1 and 2 each day, also there are two groups available for the Machu Picchu mountain and four groups for the Huayna Picchu mountain. The new government website (https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/) lists how many Machu Picchu tickets 2023 are available for each day. Also, if you would like to climb Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains, must book the ticket for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain in advance, its price is U$ 85 to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. There is a limit of only 400 permits for climbing Huayna Picchu and only 400 people are permitted to enter for each of the 4 sessions scheduled for 7 am and 10 am. If you have a private guide for circuit 4, the guide will organize the tour of Machu Picchu around people's climb on Huayna Picchu depending on how many in the group have permits.
Please note your entrance to Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu mountains are with your name and passport details so are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Last-minute bookings of this trek will possibly miss out on permits in the high season so please book and pay in advance.
Machu Picchu Tours 2022 & 2023
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are two mountains situated just above the antique city of Machu Picchu and they both serve to take some panoramic photos of Machu Picchu. Each mountain entrance has to be booked ONLY TOGETHER with Circuits 3 or 4!! The booking needs to be done enough time in advance as there is a limited number of spaces a day (400 permits per Huayna Picchu and 400 permits per Machu Picchu Mountain as well)! Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain cost are U$ 85 per ticket. If you have a private tour guide for the circuit 3 or 4, your tour guide always organizes a Machu Picchu guided tour to allow enough time to enter either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Please note that your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain always displays your name and passport details so it is NOT TRANSFERABLE to another person and NOT REFUNDABLE either!!
The 'Young Mountain', as locals call it, is one of two peaks that rise above the ruins of Machu Picchu. There is the mountain Montaña (also called 'Machu Picchu Mountain'). It is located on the opposite side of the Inca City, seen from the top of Huayna Picchu.
At 3082 m, it is significantly higher than the Huayna Picchu. On the other hand, with an increase of 30-50 degrees, it is not as steep as its 'little brother', the Huayna Picchu. This brings it to almost 60 degrees increase and is 2701 m high according to the latest measurements. It is 271 m higher than the ruins of Machu Picchu at an altitude of 2440
At first, the ascent is manageable. you will climb the stairs at a reasonable pace. After the first curves, wonderful views will open up deep into the Urubamba valley. Then you will view Huayna Picchu on the left, directly above you, up close and from a completely unusual perspective.
Then you will walk down, despite the exertions that will sure to come. On the one hand, we recommend you walk slowly to be able to really enjoy the ascent and the unique panoramas.
In addition, If you will hike to Huayna Picchu in the best dry season, you will see an almost cloudless day and both the humidity and the temperatures be already very high in the early morning. So you continue your ascent over the now increasingly steep stairs, and you will begin to nestle up against the Huayna Picchu. Dense vegetation will now be on the left and temporarily blocked the view down into the valley.
Up until now, you will be exposed to the blazing sun, but there will be constant shade. The vegetation will become denser and denser and sometimes you will get the feeling of being in the wilderness.
The Huayna Picchu mountain is a real difficulty and quite a challenge. Where the Incas built fortifications on narrow terraces, everyone who has physically made it to this point gathers. The ramparts are built on roughly hewn stone and were obviously used for military purposes.
The Incas were surrounded by enemies from all directions and suburbs, especially the approaching Spaniards. So you see, hardly visible from below through the vegetation, sentinels built, as from here, they could see in all directions. In this way, one was able to spot enemies early on and take countermeasures.
The fact that Machu Picchu is surrounded by the Urubamba River in a ring also speaks in favor of the use of these facilities for military purposes. The choice of the location of the ruined city was obviously not made by chance.
After enough water and a photo break, now you will start the difficult ascent to the summit of Huayna Picchu. The steps get higher and more uneven and there is a chasm on at least one side. In addition, the stairs are getting steeper and steeper, so that the national park administration has attached a heavy iron chain to help the climbers, which you can use to pull yourself up a bit.
This avoids crashes. It is almost impossible to take a picture, even if only with one hand while the other hand firmly grasps the chain. Since the stream of ascending visitors also meets travelers who have already started to descend, there is a certain pressure that I began to feel at that moment.
There you will find above you those who will be waiting for you to continue their ascent and pass the stairs, below your the climbers who will be with you on the way to the summit.
If you have enough time on the Huayna Picchu, you should not miss to take a look at the moon temple. Located just below the summit, it is an exceptional site. It is a large natural cave. The Inca revered and admired caves because they believed that they had the entrance to the world of the dead in front of them and that they could contact their ancestors in this way.
To this day, no one has any idea what exactly the Moon Temple on Huayna Picchu meant to the Incas. However, in the middle of the complex there is a stone in the form of a throne. This could have been an altar. It can be assumed that offerings were made here to the dead.
The Temple of the Moon got its name 25 years after Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu. It is not a name given by the Incas. However, the sun and the moon played an important role in the culture of the Andean people. Gold was called the 'tears of the sun' and silver the 'tears of the moon'.
A visit to the moon temple on the Huayna Picchu is definitely impressive and worthwhile. It takes around an hour, which should be planned in advance if you intend to stay here during the ascent.
Then comes the last hurdle on the way to the summit. Another extremely steep staircase and a chasm on the left without a chain, railing, or any kind of protection. Here you can stop briefly to photograph the already indescribable view. Then, finally: After 2 hours and 45 minutes, you will arrive at the summit of Huayna Picchu and couldn't get enough of one of the most breathtaking views in the world.
There are the ruins of Incan houses just below the peak, there is the Rio Urubamba, deep down in the Sacred Valley of the Incas winding like a silver band around Machu Picchu and lays the Huayna Picchu.
Also, there is a unique view of Machu Picchu city that very few travelers get to experience. You will have survived this adventure!
View in Urubama - One of the legends of the Incas says: Mount Machu Picchu and Mount Huayna Picchu form a band around this magical plateau. Another, second band is formed by the higher mountains around Machu Picchu. The Incas believed that this place was chosen by the cosmos to build a sacred city. They saw the whole Urubamba valley as a reflection of the Milky Way.
The succinct proverb 'everything beautiful comes to an end' takes on a completely different meaning on the Huayna Picchu. Because with the farewell comes the descent. And anyone who believes that the actual exertion of mountain hiking and mountaineering is the ascent is mistaken.
Once had the best picture, you will have to walk down all the stairs, all the imponderables of the narrow and high steps have to be completed looking down. In some places with an incline of almost 60 degrees, you can only do it backwards and face the rock face.
Even the flatter stairs in the lower part of the descent you start to feel in your knees at some point. But these are made bearable by the euphoria and happiness that comes from reaching the summit.
Today, there are only theories as to why the Inca built their city here of all places built.
These range from the theory of the last place of refuge to the supposed country seat of the king, place of pilgrimage, and astronomical center to the abstruse opinion that all of this could only have been built by extraterrestrials.
During your visit to the Machu Picchu the following is prohibited:
1.- Carry backpacks or larger than 40x35x20 cm (16x14x8 inches).
2. Enter with food and utensils.
3. Enter with any illegal substance or under its influence.
4. Enter with any type of alcoholic or alcoholic beverage.
5. Carry poles, umbrellas, umbrellas, portable seats, tripods, supports or extensions for cameras, cell phones, or any other stabilization or extension element for filming or photography.
6. Enter with animals, except guide dogs.
7. Feed domestic and wild animals.
8. Enter with any type of sprays.
9. Make any type of graffiti.
10. Enter with any type of musical instrument, megaphone, or speaker.
11. Make loud or annoying noises such as clapping, shouting, whistling, or singing, among others.
12. Use virtual applications with cell phones or mobile devices in narrow arteries.
13. Enter with heels or hard-soled shoes.
14. Access with baby carriages.
15. Entering with sharp objects or weapons of any kind.
16. Enter with banners, posters, clothing for advertising purposes, costumes, among other objects of this type. Take filming or photographs for advertising purposes.
17. Causing a riot, jumping, lying down, running, undressing, or creating disorder.
18. Climb or lean on walls and/or structures. Touch, move, or extract lithic elements.
19. Disturb, collect or extract flora or fauna.
20. Carry out activities that distort the sacred character of the Machupicchu; such as fashion shows, dances, social commitments, obscene acts contrary to morals and good customs, or any type of activity that implies the impairment or deterioration of the monument, its natural environment and/or facilities.
21. Smoking, vaping, or making any type of fire.
22. Throwing waste of any kind.
23. Not respecting the established circuits and routes.
24. Outpatient commerce in the monument and surrounding spaces up to Puente Ruinas.
25. Perform overflights with paragliders, drones, or any type of smaller ship.
