The Machu Picchu site is below two brother mountains, one of them is the Huayna Picchu, and its hike is a lesser-known magnificent adventure! You will walk up on its side, seeing Inca constructions and breathtaking landscapes, until the marveling, priceless view at the top!
Where is the Huayna Picchu Mountain?
Huayna Picchu tour with friends or famly: don’t miss it!
On a typical postcard of the Machu Picchu area, you will see two peaks, one taller than the other. The Huayna Picchu is the higher one, its name meaning “Young Mountain” in Quechua, the official language of the Inca empire. From the sacred citadel itself, this mountain rises up to 1158 feet (8920 feet above sea level), treating hikers with the most wonderful 360 degrees view of the Machu Picchu valley at the summit, ideal for unique pictures and memories.
About The Huayna Picchu Hike
You will go by bus from the Aguas Calientes village which is nearby the archaeological site until the main entrance of the citadel and from there, there is a short walk until the starting point of the trek. Once the entrance requirements are done -the visitor must also provide name and number of passport- you will be already on the trek, for an estimated time of some 20-25 minutes, until reaching a bifurcation of the path.
Do you have worries about tickets? They are included in the tour.
One of the ways leads directly to the mountain top and is called the Short Trail, the other goes previously along the lower side of the mountain, climbing to the Great Cavern, later the Temple of the Moon and from there up to the Huayna Picchu’s summit: the Full Trail.
Are you ready for a unique adventure in Machu Picchu?
The Short Trail
The Short Trail continues from there until the base of the mountain and then upwards along an inclined path, for a total approximate time of 40 minutes of exciting, challenging hike. Just a little while after, past the very narrow rock tunnel, you will arrive at the top of the Young Mountain, from where you will have the most unforgettable views of the sacred citadel and all the surrounding valley, with majestic mountains of vivid, shining green, a wide open sky and way below the Urubamba river snaking across the landscape.
View of the valley from the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain
You will have enough time to rest, enjoy the place and take marvelous pictures. The hike back downwards until the starting point takes about 60 minutes and it is on steep, rocky and sometimes slippery terrain, a wonderful challenge but if you bring the right hiking boots, the rest is just a matter of some physical resistance. It is a moderate difficulty hike.
What about taking this tour or other Machu Picchu tours in private service?
The Full Trail
The Full Trail offers two options, both of them including a visit to the famous Temple of the Moon which was built inside a cave. Of course this hike is much longer and demanding or even more exciting and adventurous, depending on what the visitor is looking for.
This complete trail will take more than 3 hours, but in addition to the stop at the Temple of the Moon and the challenge of the longer, sinuous path, there is also naturally the unmatched experience at the summit, with the clouds actually below you and a priceless panoramic view of the entire valley. This will make very clear why the Inca elite chose this place in the valley to build their sacred citadel and luxury retreat. The Full Trail is a moderate to difficult hike.
Traveling solo to Machu Picchu or in a group? Check the pros and cons in this article.
And as a plus, after the hike along the side of the “Young Mountain” and up to its top, there will be the professionally-guided tour of the sacred citadel! You will have the absolute, complete “lost city of the Incas” experience!
Don’t lose the amazing chance to include the Huayna Picchu hike in one of our Machu Picchu packages! We have them available on a daily basis, so please talk to us for booking a complete adventure at the unique Andean highlands!
