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Huayna Picchu

Mountains & peaks ·Machupicchu ·Open now
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#1Mountains & peaks in PeruTravelers' Choice 2025
  • from PEN 48
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About

Huayna Picchu, the steep peak a few hundred metres north of Machu Picchu in Cusco Region, Peru, capped at 400 climbers a day.

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Huayna Picchu

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Why go

  • Bird's-eye views over the whole Machu Picchu site from the summit, showing how the ruins are laid out.
  • The Great Cavern (Gran Caverna), a sacred temple with fine masonry, beside the Temple of the Moon at the flat foot of the peak.
  • The stone stairway with steel cables on the steepest parts, where part of the film Aguirre, the Wrath of God was shot in 1972.

Opening hours

Today08:00 – 18:00Show all
Monday08:00 – 18:00
Tuesday08:00 – 18:00
Wednesday08:00 – 18:00
Thursday08:00 – 18:00
Friday08:00 – 18:00
Saturday08:00 – 13:00
SundayClosed

The trail

duration
45–60 minutes on the shorter summit trail The longer summit trail takes about 3 hours. The second trail down to the Great Cavern (Gran Caverna) is currently closed for maintenance.
ascent
about 260 m above the Machu Picchu ruins The summit stands 2,693 m above sea level.
difficulty
steep, with rough stone steps and steel cables on the steepest spots The path sometimes runs through caves. The return path from the caves loops back to the main trail.

Season and conditions

  • The steeper parts can become dangerous quickly, especially when wet.
  • Later entry times sometimes give better views, as the fog has more time to clear.

Safety

  • Climbers must register and sign in by name at the checkpoint before the ascent starts.
  • The climb can only start between 8:00 and 10:00 and must end by 14:00.
  • On the way down you duck under a rock ledge and descend steps, some unsecured beside a drop.
  • The steps are one to two metres wide, with no railings and sheer drops beside them.
  • A head for heights is an absolute requirement.
  • People prone to vertigo or fear of heights often feel faint on the trail.
  • The summit can be precarious; people afraid of heights may prefer to wait just below it.

What you see

  • The Urubamba River bends around the mountain.
  • The peak rises above the Urubamba valley.
  • A few ruins stand near the top of the mountain.
  • Bare rock covers the summit, with dense vegetation on the lower sections.
  • The peak rises behind the Machu Picchu ruins, a classic postcard view.
  • Machu Picchu lies between this peak and its neighbour, Huchuy Picchu, which is 2,479 m high.

What's in season

  • May – SepMay to September is the dry season, when the climb is easier.

Facilities

  • Ticket check-in Visitors check in and out at the second ticket booth.

How to get there

  • 90 minOn footFrom the Machu Picchu citadel, the walk to this site takes about an hour and a half. The checkpoint is reached only after crossing the ruins.

Accessibility

  • Step-free route The climb is made of stone steps, steep in places.
  • Fitness Most reasonably fit people can climb it in about 45 minutes.

Shorts

Sources: Huayna Picchu - Wikipedia · Machu Picchu - Wikivoyage (do) · Huayna Picchu - Wikipedia · Huayna Picchu - Wikipedia · checked 19 Oct 2026

Where
Carretera Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

How many tickets are sold for Huayna Picchu each day, and do I need to book?

Only 400 tickets a day are sold, and they must be reserved in advance. Book at least a month ahead on the Machu Picchu website or through a tour company.

How long does the climb to Huayna Picchu take?

Most reasonably fit people climb it in 45–60 minutes on the shorter summit trail. The longer summit trail takes about 3 hours.

What time can you start the climb to Huayna Picchu?

The climb starts between 8:00 and 10:00 and must end by 14:00. Going early is advised, because many visitors climb from early morning into the afternoon.

How do you get to Huayna Picchu from Machu Picchu?

The walk from the Machu Picchu citadel takes about an hour and a half. The nearest village is Aguas Calientes.

Is Huayna Picchu suitable for people afraid of heights?

A head for heights is an absolute requirement, and people prone to vertigo often feel faint on the trail. Those afraid of heights may prefer to wait just below the summit.

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