Last updated on July 23rd, 2025
Want to see a new perspective of Machu Picchu? Tackle the Huayna Picchu hike! We’re sharing everything you need to know to hit the trail!
For many visitors, seeing Machu Picchu from within the citadel is the pinnacle of the Machu Picchu experience. But for those looking for an extra challenge (and a totally new perspective!), head up one of Machu Picchu’s mountains!
Machu Picchu is home to three mountains that tower above the ruins: Huchuypicchu, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain. And in our opinion, the Huayna Picchu hike is the best option of the three, offering you high up views of Machu Picchu, plus sweeping views of the area’s lush mountains and jungle.
In this guide we’re sharing everything you need to know to tackle the Huayna Picchu hike. Including which ticket you need, how to access the hike, and what to expect along the way!
Traveling to Peru? Check out our Peru guides:
- The 9+ BEST things to do in Aguas Calientes
- Visiting Machu Picchu in 2025: A step by step guide!
- How to get to Machu Picchu (All of the options!)
- Machu Picchu Circuits in 2025: Which is the best?
- How to hike Peru’s Salkantay Trek without a guide
- 18 FUN things to do in Cusco, Peru
- The 12 BEST day trips from Cusco, Peru
- The 19+ BEST things to do in Lima, Peru
- Our top 25 Peru travel tips & things to know
- The Perfect 2 Weeks in Peru Itinerary for First-Timers
- The Ultimate Peru Packing List (with downloadable list!)
- Read all of our Peru travel guides
- Watch all of our Peru videos
About the Huayna Picchu hike
Distance (roundtrip): 1.6 km (1 mile) from the trailhead. This does not include walking to the trailhead from the Machu Picchu entrance, which is flat and easy.
Elevation gain: 157 meters (515 feet), although many people track more than this.
Reviews & Current Conditions
Huayna Picchu (pronounced “why-nah-pee-chu”) is the large mountain you see in the background of all of the iconic photos of Machu Picchu. This mountain, which means “young mountain” in Quechua, sits at 2,963 meters (8,835 feet) and gives you amazing views of the surrounding mountains, rivers, and valleys. Plus a completely different perspective of the Machu Picchu ruins!
And to get to the top, you will have to take on a steep hike with hundreds of steps, including the famous Stairs of Death.
Is it Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu?
Huayna Picchu is also spelled as Wayna Picchu. The official ticket site spells it Wayna Picchu, but most sources online call it Huayna Picchu, which is what we will refer to it as.
When buying your tickets don’t get confused (like we did) and think Huchuy is the same as Huayna, since it’s the only option that starts with “H”. We ended up buying the wrong tickets and then had to pay again for the correct tickets…oops!
Should I do Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
After researching both options extensively, we opted to hike Huayna Picchu because Circuit 3 offers more than Circuit 1. Plus the view from Huayna Picchu (in our opinion) is better, as it is closer to the ruins. And the steps and tunnel along the way make the hike extra fun!
What ticket do you need to hike Huayna Picchu?
You will need a Route 3-A ticket to hike Huayna Picchu. This hike is limited to 400 visitors per day over two different time slots and can sell out, so make sure to book well in advance!
How long does it take to hike Huayna Picchu?
Despite not being a long hike distance wise, Huayna Picchu is very steep and has lots of stairs. You’ll need to have decent physical fitness to complete this hike. On average, the Huayna Picchu hike takes anywhere from 2-3 hours round trip and we personally completed the hike in around 2 hours.
Do you need a guide for the Huayna Picchu hike?
While we suggest hiring a guide for most Machu Picchu circuits, for the Huayna Picchu hike, we don’t think a guide is needed. A guide would be helpful for the part of the route that is within the ruins, but the hike is straightforward and doable on your own.
To learn more about Machu Picchu, check out our detailed guide to visiting Machu Picchu. This guide includes a breakdown of all the circuits, where to stay when visiting Machu Picchu, and other important things to know.
When to hike Huayna Picchu
The best time to visit Machu Picchu and climb Huayna Picchu can vary depending on weather conditions, crowd levels, and your personal preferences. Rather than the typical four seasons, Peru experiences essentially only two seasons, a wet season and dry season.
The best month to hike Huayna Picchu
The rainy season is typically from November through March, while the dry season is April through October. With Machu Picchu being located in a cloud forest, the rainy season can bring lots of fog and rain to the area. On the other hand, during the dry season you’re likely to have pleasant temperatures and sunny days, but this can bring even more visitors.
The busiest months at Machu Picchu are June, July, and August. We recommend visiting in the shoulder months of April, May, September, and October. There will be slightly higher chances of wet weather, but you may be able to avoid some crowds. Each season has its advantages and disadvantages, so it all depends on your preferences.
Time of day to hike Huayna Picchu
As far as time of day for hiking Huayna Picchu, you only have one option: the morning. The entry times to climb Huayna Picchu are 7 AM and 9 AM, but you can enter Machu Picchu one hour before this to visit the upper platform.
How many days do you need at Machu Picchu?
We suggest visiting Machu Picchu over two days. This will not only give you better chances of having good weather, but it also allows you to see more of the ruins. The circuit for the Huayna Picchu hike will NOT give you the classic view of Machu Picchu.
Route 3-A has a lower view of the ruins than the iconic view you will see online. Which is still an amazing view! But if you want to see the famous view, you will need to do either Circuit 1 or 2. This could be done the same day, but we personally liked doing it over two days. Our first day was very foggy, while our second day was crystal clear.
What to expect on the Huayna Picchu hike
To get started on the Huayna Picchu hike you’ll first need to get to Machu Picchu. You can either take the bus or hike up from Aguas Calientes.
Once at Machu Picchu, you will enter the Circuit 3 entrance and begin walking Route 3-A. This route loops around the lower portion of Machu Picchu, with a great photo spot at the beginning of the route.
Just before Route 3-A loops back towards the front, near the Sacred Rock, you will find the entrance to the Huayna Picchu hike. Shortly after turning off here, you will make it to the checkpoint to start the hike.
At this checkpoint you will be asked to show your tickets and write your name, date, and the time you started the hike in the trail logbook. Try to remember what number you are in the book so it’s easier to sign out when you’re done.
After checking in, you will go to the right for Huayna Picchu (the left takes you to Huchuy Picchu). Remember, Huayna Picchu is spelled Wayna Picchu, so make sure to follow the correct route!
The trail begins climbing almost immediately and the first part will take you up stone steps (many sections with handrails) and switchbacks. It feels like a stairmaster! Part of the way up, you will encounter another checkpoint. This is where Huayna Picchu splits off from the Great Cavern Route. You will want to stay to the right here!
From here, it gets a bit more rugged, with some tall and steep steps. And eventually you will reach some terraces with stairs on the right side. This is where the Stairs of Death begin! While no one is known to have actually died on these stairs, they get their name because of how steep and narrow they are. Our feet were too long for most steps and we had to use our hands to help us in some sections!
Don’t let the name concern you though, we felt totally safe on these steps and there were no scary drop offs. Although there is a section of steps off to the side, which stick out of a rock wall and are floating, which are a bit sketchier. We did not go up these though!
The top of Huayna Picchu was a bit different than we expected. Based on photos, we thought there would be a large, open area to stand and take photos. But in reality, the actual summit is very rocky, with not many safe places to stand. At the summit, there is a rock that people like to sit on for photos. We opted to skip this, as there was a line and it required the photographer to climb on a big rock.
In our opinion, the best photos can be taken by hiking down the trail a bit. As you descend, you will find multiple flat areas which are spacious and safe to get photos. While the views are a tad lower than the summit, it’s still an amazing, high up view of Machu Picchu. The ruins look tiny from this high up! Plus, you can still see most of the surrounding area, including the impressive mountains and river valleys, although the north and northeast views will be obstructed.
After snapping all of the photos you’d like, continue going down the trail. The first part of this trail is one-way only, so you will only be with hikers going down. And one fun feature of this first part of the descent is a small tunnel you will walk through. It’s very dark and you may have to crouch down a bit to fit, but it adds another unique element to the hike!
You will then meet back up with the main trail that you hiked up, skipping the Stairs of Death on the way down. There will be two way traffic, so make sure to leave space for those hiking up. And if it’s wet out, be careful, as the stone steps can be slick. You will continue down the trail until you get back to the checkpoint where you need to sign out.
Once exiting the hike area, you will then walk the remainder of the Circuit 3-A route, before exiting Machu Picchu.
What to bring on the Huayna Picchu hike
To see everything we suggest bringing to Machu Picchu, check out our complete guide to visiting. But here are a handful of items we want to emphasize for the Huayna Picchu hike!
Sturdy shoes
The Huayna Picchu hike has tons of stairs and uneven surfaces. Make sure to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes, with good tread. You don’t need full on hiking boots, but we’d highly advise against sandals (unless they are hiking sandals) or anything with a heel. We wore our Altra Lone Peak 8s and they were perfect!
Passport
Quite possibly the most important thing you need at Machu Picchu is your passport. You’ll need it when you show your tickets to enter and when getting on the bus. They won’t let you in without it!
Entry tickets
To hike the Huayna Picchu trail you need entry tickets for Circuit 3, Route 3-A. Make sure you have this printed out or a digital copy saved on your phone.
Layers
The weather in the Andes Mountains can change on a dime. It’s best to dress in layers and bring a rain jacket so you can add and remove layers when you get cold or hot.
Sun protection
The sun can be more intense at high altitude and most of Machu Picchu is fully exposed to the sun. Make sure to have a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Prohibited items
There are a few items you can’t bring into Machu Picchu. These include:
- Tripods
- Selfie sticks
- Drones
- Umbrellas
- Large bags or luggage (bags must be small and weigh less than 5 kg/11 lbs)
- Strollers
- Drugs, cigarettes or vape pens
- Weapons
Looking for more information about visiting Machu Picchu?
We have a comprehensive, step by step guide to visiting Machu Picchu in 2025, as well as detailed guides with how to get to Machu Picchu and a rundown of all of the Machu Picchu Circuits. Plus, check out our guide to the best things to do in Aguas Calientes!
Save this guide to tackling the Huayna Picchu hike
