Complete Guide to Hike Huayna Picchu Mountain

Huayna Picchu Mountain (Also know as Wayna Picchu) is located in the Machu Picchu District, Urubamba Province, Cusco Region. With 2693 meters (8835 ft), this mountain rises in the northern area of Machu Picchu. According to local guides and historians, this mountain was the residence of a high priest in charge of astronomical observations and a place to perform religious ceremonies to give offerings to the local gods.

Above, there is a building, which may be the priest’s house. In addition, several terraces and altars define gravity. Today, the location of this building and how it is placed on the steep walls makes almost impossible to imagine how the Inca engineers anchored these buildings and terraces in such a steep mountain.

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Huayna Picchu Meaning In Quechua

Huayna Picchu is a Quechua compound word; Huayna (Young) and Picchu (Mountain), form this, Huayna Picchu means”Young Mountain”.

What is Huayna Picchu Mountain?

Huayna Picchu is the tall mountain behind you see in the most famous photographs of Machu Picchu, the classic postal pictures. To be able to hike this mountain, you need to book the entrance tickets far in advance.

The access point is located in the northern corner of Machu Picchu; it takes about 1 hour to the top and 45 minutes down the same trail. Inside Huayna Picchu mountain, you will find steep and narrow stairs known as “stairs of death.” Also, you will be able to see terraces, temples, orchids and enjoy the fantastic views that offer this incredible place.

Ticket Times to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain.

Every day 200 people are hiking to Huayna Picchu Mountain divided into 4 different shifts, the entrance tickets will sell out fast, for this reason, you need to book far in advance the Huayna Picchu tickets; there are two shifts that you can choose from:

The first shift is from 6:00 am to 07:00 am:

You need to stay the night before in a hotel Aguas Calientes town and take the early buses to Machu Picchu in order to arrive at this shift.

The Second shift is from 8:00 am to 09:00 am:

Recommended booking this shift if you are staying the night before in Aguas Calientes,  you need to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain before 9: 00 am. Please note that from the main entrance there is still a 20 minutes hike to get to the main entrance of Huayna Picchu.

The Third shift is from 10:00 am to 11:00 am:

The best schedule to visit Huayna Picchu Mountain is when you are taking a guided tour of Machu Picchu. This shift is perfect for the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Inca Jungle trek, Tours by train, or any other trek that leads to Machu Picchu. This is because you need to explore the citadel of Machu Picchu first, then you can hike the mountain. 

The last shift is from 12:00 am to 13:00 am:

The last shift to enter Machu Picchu, we recommend this time if you are staying an extra night in Aguas Calientes. Also when you are hiking the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days is also possible to make fit this schedule but the arrival time back to Cusco will be later. 

Please note that the cost for Huayna Picchu Mountain is 75$, is not possible to buy separately this mountain, also, you can only enter through the lower part of Machu Picchu and you will note able to access the upper part where the best photo places are. These tickets will not allow you to re-enter.

To have the Full experience of Machu Picchu, get the pictures from the upper, you must purchase a separate regular Machu Picchu ticket (50$).

When you take a trekking tour, tour by train, or any other tour that Includes Machu Picchu entry, the regular Entry to Machu Picchu is always included.

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days – Find out more

How challenging is the hike to Huayna Picchu?

Huayna Picchu is not very difficult and can be completed by anybody with a moderate physical condition. The trail is steep and narrow in most parts of the mountain and can be slippery when it’s raining, but you will always find steel cables whenever necessary. The final part is the hardest but very rewarding at the same time because of the views. Once you reach the top, you can take some time to enjoy the incredible vistas, or you can continue to the left that goes to Gran Caverna with almost three extra hours of hiking to see the Temple of the Moon. The regular route follows to the right side from the top and joins the same way up, finishing the whole Huayna Picchu mountain in less than 2 hours.

How Much is the entrance ticket?

The cost of the Huayna Picchu tickets is 75.USD, this includes Machu Picchu citadel as you can not buy just Huayna Picchu itself. Same in the case of Machu Picchu Mountain, to plan a perfect trip to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, you must book the more convenient shift for your tour.

1.- Classic Inca Trail 4 day 3 nights: When you hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days, you will arrive on the last day of the trek to Sungate around 6:30 am continue to Machu Picchu for another hour where the Inca Trail ends. After resting, you will start a guided tour of Machu Picchu from 8:00 am to 10:30 am approximate; next, if you have the Huayna Picchu Tickets, you will hike to this mountain, reach the top, go back down, and take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then take the train back to Cusco. The cost of the tickets is 75.USD, and you must always book the 3rd shift from 10 am to 11 am.

2.- Alternative Treks like the Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Inca Jungle trek, Quarry Treks, Tours by train, and any other tour that includes spending the night in Aguas Calientes and taking the early buses up to Machu Picchu, you must book an early Machu Picchu entrance (6:am or 7:am), explore the upper part of the citadel with a guided tour and use a second ticket to enter Huayna Picchu from 10 am to 11 am. By following this order, you will make sure to enjoy Machu Picchu to the fullest, have enough time to listen to the Tour Guides, and also explore on your own before climbing the big mountain.

3.- Machu Picchu By Train: If you are traveling from Cusco or Ollantaytambo on a full-day tour, make sure you take the early train options (4. am to 8. am) to be able to make it on time before 11 am to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain. You must always book the second shift (10 to 11 am); you can get by one ticket of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu Included at 75.USD or you can buy 2 tickets to enter Huayna Picchu (75.USD) and another to explore the citadel after the Mountain (50.USD). Please remember to enjoy Machu Picchu in no hurry, you need at least 2 hours. If you have later trains, then you can also consider booking the last shift of Huayan Picchu from 12:pm to 13 pm.

Huayna Picchu Mountain FAQs

Which is the best time of the day to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain?

The best time to hike Huayna Picchu is after the guided tour in Machu Picchu. First, you must explore the citadel with your tour guide, spend some time on your own, and finally climb Huayna Picchu Mountain. We recommend this because Machu Picchu is the main attraction and you need to enjoy it first. After Huayna Picchu, you will be tired, and you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and enjoy a Cuzqueña (Local beer) and go back to Cusco.

Which is the best time of the year to hike this mountain?

Huyana Picchu is open all year round, but there are a few things to consider when planning the perfect trip for you. Machu Picchu is located in the cloud forest, the wettest place in Peru. Rains are expected at any time; even in the driest months like June or July, we can have unexpected rainy days.

The dry season is from May to October in the Andes, and less rainfall is expected in Machu Picchu. However, you must always carry rain gear with you, as the weather may change within a few minutes. These months are also the busiest time of the year, especially from June to September, where there will be long queues for buses, Machu Picchu, and trains.

The wet season is from November to April. It is expected to rain in the mornings, late afternoon, and the sun will come out around 9 to 10 in the morning. However, in the cloud forest, the weather is unpredictable. It is better to be prepared for sunshine, rain, and cold weather.

The best time to visit Machu Picchu and hike Huayna Picchu Mountain is in the shoulder seasons in April, May, September, October, and November. These are the transition months between the dry cold season and the warm wet season.

How high is the Huayna Picchu Mountain?

The top of the mountain is located at 2693 meters (8835 ft). The hike starts in Machu Picchu at 2430 meters (7972ft) and finishes at the same place.

Where is it located, and how to get there?

Huayna Picchu mountain is located on the northern end of Machu Picchu; to get to Huayna Picchu’s gate, you must walk around 20 minutes through Machu Picchu from the main entrance.

Is the Mountain Dangerous?

Both mountains, Huayna Picchu and Montaña are steep, open, exposed areas with a sheer drop, however, Huayna Picchu is more vertical, and you will need to use some parts in some parts handrails to keep your balance. You must always be careful when you are hiking to Huayna Picchu peak.

Is the hike worth It?

The climb is steep and narrow; you need to stop and let others pass you. At the top, there are a set of stairs called the Stairs of death, named that way because they are steep and you need to use your hands to keep climbing.

Despite the Challenge and risks of climbing a steep mountain, Huayna Picchu offers spectacular views.

What are the entry times to the mountain?

First Shift: From 6 am – 7 am
Second Shift: From 8 am to 9 am
Third Shift: From 10 am to 11 am
Last Shift: From 12 pm to 13 pm What is Huayna Picchu Mountain?

Huayna Picchu is the tall mountain you see in the most famous photographs of Machu Picchu, the classic postal pictures. To be able to hike this mountain, you need to book the entrance tickets far in advance.

The access point is located in the northern corner of Machu Picchu; it takes about 1 hour to the top and 45 minutes down the same trail. Inside Huayna Picchu mountain, you will find steep and narrow stairs know as “stairs of death.” Also, you will be able to see terraces, temples, orchids and enjoy the amazing views that offer this incredible place.

Ticket Times to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain.

Every day 400 people are hiking to Huayna Picchu Mountain, the entrance tickets will sell out fast, for this reason, you need to book far in advance the Huayna Picchu tickets; there two shifts that you can choose from:

The first shift is from 7:00 am to 8:00 am, where 200 people are allowed per day; this shift is perfect for people that stayed the night before at the city of Aguas Calientes. They take the early buses and climb this mountain before sunrise. Depending on the season, the weather, and the hikers’ physical conditions is almost impossible to arrive at the top before dawn. The climbing takes at least 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top and another hour to come down carefully.

The second shift is from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, where also 200 people will be allowed to enter; this shift is perfect for people that they just did the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Inca Jungle trek, Tours by train, or any other trek that leads to Machu Picchu. This is because you need to explore the citadel of Machu Picchu first, then you can climb the mountain. The climbing takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour up, and similar the way down. It’s important to know that the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain closes at 1:00 pm, so you need to start coming down before that time.

How Much is the entrance ticket?

The cost of the Huayna Picchu tickets is 75.USD, this includes Machu Picchu citadel as you can not buy just Huayna Picchu itself. Same in the case of Machu Picchu Mountain, to plan a perfect trip to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, you must book the shift that is more convenient for your tour.