Huayna Picchu Hike : The Ultimate Guide
Huayna Picchu is a 13th century Inca temple that is located in the Urubamba Valley on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It can be reached by a number of different routes, including train, bus, and foot.
Huayna Picchu is one of the most famous mountains in Peru. It’s also the taller of two peaks that overlook Machu Picchu, and it has often been featured in films or photographs depicting the ruins below. This hike takes about 45 minutes to go up to the top, so plan for 2 hours if you want to explore everything there is to see at Huayna Picchu. There’s a limit of 400 people on Huayna Picchu each day so be sure to reserve your spot early!
Huayna Picchu is the taller of two mountains that overlook Machu Picchu.
Huayna Picchu is one of the most iconic mountains in the world, and one of the most popular hiking destinations. It’s a dream to see these ancient ruins, but you’ll need to be prepared for some of the most difficult terrain on earth.
Huayna Picchu is situated at an altitude of approximately 4000 m above sea level and lies in the Andes Mountains near Cusco. The ruins are located in a valley at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. The mountain is surrounded by snow-covered peaks and glacier lakes.
Huayna Picchu is the taller of two mountains that overlook Machu Picchu. It’s also known as “Young Mountain,” a reference to its youthful appearance compared to its companion, Machu Picchu (the Old Mountain).
In Quechua, Huayna means “young” or “new.” The name refers to an Inca legend about how the mountain was born when an eagle dropped its nest from the sky and brought forth new life from its own blood.
The hike up Huayna Picchu takes you through some steep switchbacks but it’s worth it for this stunning view!
It has often been featured in films or photographs depicting the ruins below, and is one of the reasons people are drawn to this ancient city.
The trail to Huayna Picchu begins at the village of Yurimaguas (4,800 m above sea level) and takes about four hours to reach Machu Picchu (5,160 m). To get to Machu Picchu, you must take a train from Ollantaytambo Train Station or Aguas Calientes Train Station (both are approximately 1 hour away). You can also take a bus from Cusco (approximately 2 hours away) or Lima (about 5 hours away).
Huayna Picchu is within the Huayna Picchu Historical Sanctuary, which is part of the City of Machu Picchu World Heritage Site. Machu Picchu was designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1983, and it is considered one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ by more than 100 million citizens from around the globe, who voted via text messages.
Huayna Picchu is one of the most important and iconic archaeological sites in the world. Situated in the Andes Mountains of Peru, this site was first discovered by Spanish conquistadors in 1533. The ruins of Huayna Picchu are located on a mountain whose name means “old peak,” which has been called many names throughout history.
The Huayna Picchu is the taller of two mountains that overlook Machu Picchu, with an elevation of approximately 3,890 meters (12,500 ft). It has often been featured in films or photographs depicting the ruins below. It is one of the reasons people are drawn to this ancient city.
For many visitors to Peru, Huayna Picchu is a must-see when visiting Machu Picchu. Standing at nearly 3 kilometers above sea level and overlooking Machu Picchu’s famous citadel on its lower slopes, this mountain offers great views over both cities as well as several other sites around Cusco such as Sacsayhuaman and Pachacamac ruin sites.”
It takes about 45 minutes to hike up to the top, and you should plan for 2 hours at the summit.
The hike to Huayna Picchu is not for the faint of heart. It’s steep and there are no markings on the trail, so you need to pay attention. If you’re not in good shape, this hike will probably be too much for you and might cause injury or injury-related embarrassment (like falling off a cliff).
The trail starts out at about 2,000 meters above sea level and climbs up through forested mountain valleys before reaching a pass called Yampapampa (about 3,600 meters above sea level). From here it’s about 45 minutes until we reached our destination: Anawyurca Ejja (also known as Upper Machu Picchu or Chintaqaqucha).
There is a limit of 400 people on Huayna Picchu each day, so we recommend reserving your spot early.
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, there is a limit of 400 people on Huayna Picchu each day. So we recommend reserving your spot early so you can guarantee yourself a spot in the sun.
You can book your tickets online or at the park entrance. You can also reserve a spot for Huayna Picchu with your Machu Picchu ticket by calling +51 1 888-2900 (from Peru), or +55 1 717-3500 (from outside of Peru).
The trail has been described as moderately difficult, so hiking boots are highly recommended.
The trail to Huayna Picchu is fairly moderate and can be tackled by most people in good physical condition. However, if you’re not sure if you’re up to the challenge or just want to take it easy, hiking boots are recommended. You don’t need them unless there’s snow or rain on the ground (which happens rarely).
The beauty of this hike is that it doesn’t require any special equipment—you’ll be able to hike through the jungle on your own feet! However, if your feet start getting sore from all the walking and climbing around rocks, then grab a pair of sneakers before heading back down into town.
You can't take a backpack on the trail, but there is a small drop-off locker at the entrance.
You can’t take a backpack on the trail, but there is a small drop-off locker at the entrance. This is where you’ll leave your daypack and any other items that don’t need to stay with you until you reach Huayna Picchu. If you do have room for one more thing in your pack, it’s best to leave it at the entrance so that someone else can use it later in their hike if theirs gets too heavy (or if they don’t want to carry around an extra piece of gear).
Altitude sickness is common in this area of Peru, so be sure to drink plenty of water before and during your visit.
- Drink plenty of water. Altitude sickness is common in this area of Peru, so be sure to drink plenty of water before and during your visit.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine. These can cause dehydration and increase your risk for altitude sickness, which can make you feel nauseous or dizzy.
- Eat healthy foods that are low in fat and salt (like fruits, vegetables and grains). Eating high-fat foods can lead to weight gain at higher altitudes—and making it even harder for you to breathe!
- Take it easy the first day or two: Do not hike up Huayna Picchu straight from Cusco City; instead take a bus ride to nearby Pisac (about 2 hours away) where there are many hotels with hot showers available if needed after hiking through the jungle trails at high altitude!
The hike up Huayna Picchu can be intense in spots, but it's worth it once you get to the top!
The hike up to Huayna Picchu is not for the faint of heart. The elevation gain is steep and there are several steps along the way. It’s important to prepare yourself before you begin your journey by drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy breakfast and wearing comfortable shoes. You’ll also want help from an experienced guide who knows how to negotiate tricky terrain with ease as well as a good attitude about being patient!
The hike up Huayna Picchu is quite intense at times, but once you reach the top it will all be worth it!
When To Hike Huayna Picchu
The ideal time to hike Huayna Picchu is during the dry season between November and May when there are no heavy rains or snowstorms happening at higher altitudes; however, if you are planning on hiking Huayna Picchu during this period please make sure you check with local authorities before doing so because some roads may be closed due to heavy rains or landslides occurring at lower altitudes during this time period
Best Huayna Picchu Tours
If you want to see all of Huayna Picchu during a single hike, consider booking a tour that includes accommodations and transportation between towns. You can also arrange for your guide to meet you at your hotel or hostel in Cusco before heading out on your hike. Here are some excellent options:
How To Get To Huayna Picchu Mountain
The trail to Huayna Picchu begins at the village of Yurimaguas (4,800 m above sea level) and takes about four hours to reach Machu Picchu (5,160 m). To get to Machu Picchu, you must take a train from Ollantaytambo Train Station or Aguas Calientes Train Station (both are approximately 1 hour away). You can also take a bus from Cusco (approximately 2 hours away) or Lima (about 5 hours away).
The easiest way to get to Huayna Picchu is by taking an overnight bus from Cusco city center to Aguas.
