25 Feb Machu Picchu Mountain: A Challenging but Rewarding Hike

Not only did I spend hours and hours exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu, but I also decided to hike Machu Picchu Mountain (also known as Montaña Machu Picchu). Why would I want to hike even more in a day already full of hiking? Well, for the view of course!

Machu Picchu Mountain is the tallest mountain in the area, standing at 10, 111 feet (~8,835 meters) tall. It offers panoramic views of Machu Picchu below as well as the surrounding mountains, valleys, and Urubamba River. However, these views do not come freely. The hike to the top of the mountain is quite challenging. Honestly, it is probably one of the hardest hikes I have ever done.

Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know concerning the trail to Machu Picchu Mountain. For example, did you know that an average hiker needs three hours to complete the trail? How about that you need an extra permit to access the Machu Picchu Mountain Trail?

When you travel to Peru, why not also add a stop in the neighboring country of Ecuador? You can explore the capital city of Quito, which includes the attractions of Virgen del Panecillo and Basilica del Voto Nacional. Moreover, you can head out to the town of Baños for more adventurous activities, for example the Swing at the End of the World and Pailón del Diablo waterfall.

Contents:

1) Machu Picchu General Information

2) Location of Machu Picchu Mountain Trailhead

3) Hiking Permit for Machu Picchu Mountain

4) Best Time to Visit / Hike

5) Trail Directions and Scenery

6) Trail Length, Distance, and Difficulty

7) When You Reach the Top of the Mountain

8) Recommended Items to Bring

9) Another Trail Option: Huayna Picchu

1) Machu Picchu General Information

What are the opening hours for Machu Picchu? How much is the entrance fee for Machu Picchu? Should I book a guided tour of Machu Picchu? Should I hike or take the bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance? 

You have probably heard of Machu Picchu before. If not, let me give you a quick summary. Machu Picchu is located in Peru and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. It is the ruins of an Incan civilization surrounded by incredible mountains and scenery.

Not only can you walk alongside the ruins, but you can actually walk inside some of them. Unfortunately no full buildings are still standing, but instead the general structures are left. Oh to travel back in time and see Machu Picchu when it was still a populated city. Not only would it be incredibly beautiful, but the design of the city would be something I would love to explore and learn even more about.

I was in Peru for one week, and thus I only had time to explore Machu Picchu for one day. For that reason, I had to really make the most of my time. Moreover, who knows when, if ever, I will have the chance to return.

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for Machu Picchu is approximately $70. The currency of Peru is Sol, so be sure to check a currency calculator for current conversions. Moreover, you want to purchase a ticket that includes entrance to all regions of Machu Picchu. Some tickets limit you to circuit one or circuit three only. Instead, make sure you purchase a ticket with access to circuits one through four. If you are unable to purchase a ticket with access to all circuits, then you will need to purchase additional tickets if you wish to visit additional circuits.

The Machu Picchu official website provides circuit information and routes. If you choose only one circuit, then I recommend circuit two. It is the largest circuit, passes by all of the main attractions, and includes access to the most popular viewpoints of the ruins. Additionally, keep in mind that all circuits are one-way.

Book your Machu Picchu entrance ticket here: Get Your Guide – Machu Picchu Standard Admission Ticket or Tripadvisor – Machu Picchu Official Entrance Ticket. You can purchase an entrance ticket from a variety of sites, including the two mentioned above. If one site does not have any tickets left for the date you selected, then search another site.

While you can also purchase Machu Picchu entrance tickets in Cusco, I do not recommend that. If you wait until you arrive in Cusco to purchase your tickets, then they might be all sold out for the day you wish to visit.

Opening Hours

Machu Picchu is open daily from 6am to 5:30pm. I recommend you arrive at the entrance gate as close to 6am as possible. Then you can enjoy a full day within the ruins, for you never know when, or if, you will be back.

When I visited Machu Picchu, I took full advantage of the opening hours. I was there when the entrance gate opened at 6am, and I stayed until it closed at 5:30pm. Was it a long and tiring day? Yes, of course. However, it was also such an incredible and unforgettable day. It felt surreal to walk around the ruins of the Incan city with the surrounding scenery of mountains, valleys, and rivers.

After spending a day there, it was quite easy for me to understand why Machu Picchu is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Not only is it stunning, but the layout of the city and all of the little details inherent in the city’s construction were fascinating to learn about.

The ruins covered in fog early in the morning

Getting to Machu Picchu – Train Ride to Aguas Calientes

First, please be aware that Machu Picchu is located outside the town of Aguas Calientes in Peru. Aguas Calientes is located in southern Peru, not too far from the city of Cusco. The easiest method of transportation between Cusco and Aguas Calientes is by train. The train ride is approximately two hours long.

I took the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes the day before I had a ticket for Machu Picchu. I wanted to ensure that I had a full day to visit one of the seven wonders of the world.

Aguas Calientes is a small, cute town surrounded by beautiful scenery. Therefore, it was easy to fill my time for the afternoon and evening after I arrived by train. I stopped at a restaurant, walked around the town, and sat down by the river.

Additionally, you should try to plan a visit to the Maras Salt Mines and Moray Ruins when you are in or around Cusco. Not only are they beautiful and have interesting histories, but they are also located only one and a half hours outside of Cusco. If you have more time in the country, check out this six week itinerary for southern Peru, for it includes an entire two weeks exploring the Cusco area.

Ruins of Machu Picchu

Getting to Machu Picchu – Hike or Bus to Machu Picchu

You also need to be aware that Machu Picchu is just outside + above the town of Aguas Calientes. You can choose to hike to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, but I did not. I wanted to save my energy for hiking around the ruins as well as hiking up Machu Picchu Mountain. However, the hike from Aguas Calientes to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu is 2.2 miles (~3.5 kilometers) long with 1,780 feet (~542 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in two hours.

Otherwise, you can choose to ride a bus, and that is what I did. The entrance to Machu Picchu opens at 6am, and the first bus from Aguas Calientes leaves between 5am and 5:30am. This was my first time visiting Machu Picchu, and honestly it could be my only time. Therefore, I wanted to ensure I was on one of the first buses in the morning so I could explore for as much time as possible.

That being said, I was waiting in line at the bus station around 4am. This meant I woke up at 3am to get ready, eat some breakfast, and walk to the bus station. When I told you I was committed to spending a full day at Machu Picchu, I was not kidding!

What you may or may not be surprised to hear is that there were already about 30+ people waiting at the bus station when I arrived. I did not make it on the first bus, but instead I was on the second one. My bus departed around 5am or 5:30am. The bus ride up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes then lasted approximately 30 minutes.

Machu Picchu ruins with Huayna Picchu in the background

Making Friends with Llamas

Towards the end of the day, I found a spot to sit down and just take in all of the beauty around me. Little did I know that that beauty would include a bunch of llamas.

When I sat down, I could see a few llamas in my line of eyesight. They were just walking around, grazing on the grass. However, a few of them moved closer to me as they continued grazing. Eventually, a few llamas ended up grazing right around me. I had not moved, but instead I sat in the same spot on the ground the entire time. The llamas just came right up beside me as they were grazing, and it was like I was not even there.

Before your visit to Machu Picchu, be sure to read up on some fun llama facts so you know a bit about them.

Llama grazing right beside me like I was not even there

Optional: Book a Guided Tour

One thing you might not know is that tours are offered at Machu Picchu in Peru so you can learn more about the history and culture of one of the seven wonders of the world. You can book tours online in advance, and the tour guides will meet you at Machu Picchu. They will then guide you around the ruins, offering all kinds of fun facts and data.

I did not book such a tour, mainly due to the fact that I was on a budget trip. However, tour groups were everywhere when I was exploring Machu Picchu. Some were in English, some were in Spanish, and some were in other languages I could not understand. I speak English fluently and Spanish conversationally, so I could understand the information offered by tour guides in those two languages. While I did not intentionally follow around a tour group to hear all the information offered, I did listen to them when they were standing right next to me. It was a fun and easy way to learn a fact or two about Machu Picchu.

Book a two to three-hour guided tour through Machu Picchu: Private Guided Tour of the Lost City.

For a full-day tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu: From Cusco: Full-Day Group Tour of Machu Picchu.

Book a four-day trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Classic Inca Trail Trek 4D/3N to Machu Picchu.

A llama looking majestic as ever at Machu Picchu

2) Location of Machu Picchu Mountain Trailhead

Where is the trailhead for Machu Picchu Mountain? 

The trailhead for Machu Picchu Mountain is located in the southern section of Machu Picchu. For reference, it takes around 25 minutes to walk from the entrance gate for Machu Picchu to the trailhead for Machu Picchu Mountain. After you enter Machu Picchu, head southeast towards the Sun Gate. You will then shortly see signs pointing you in the correct direction of the Machu Picchu Mountain Trailhead.

Please keep in mind where the trailhead is located and the specific entrance period you chose (more information on that in the next section). You do not want to be a 30-minute walk from the trailhead with only 15 minutes left in the entrance period for your Machu Picchu Mountain ticket.

How Do I Get to the Trailhead for Machu Picchu Mountain?

You cannot simply just walk up to the trailhead and begin hiking. Instead, you have to check in. You did purchase a specific ticket for the hike, after all. There will be a small building located right next to the trailhead. Walk up to the window at the building (or get in line if there is one) and be prepared to show your ticket. You can then begin the hike after you check in.

View of Urubamba River from Machu Picchu Mountain Trail

3) Hiking Permit for Machu Picchu Mountain

Do I need a permit to hike Machu Picchu Mountain? Is the Machu Picchu Mountain included in the Machu Picchu entrance ticket? 

The Machu Picchu Mountain is not included in the general Machu Picchu entrance ticket. You thus have to purchase an additional ticket to gain entrance to the Machu Picchu Mountain Trail. However, a ticket that also includes Machu Picchu Mountain only costs about $10 more than a standard entrance ticket.

Purchase your Machu Picchu Mountain permit here: Get Your Guide – Ruins & Machu Picchu Mountain Official Tickets.

Please be aware that Machu Picchu is now split into circuits. With the Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain combo ticket, you only have access to circuit three. You will need to purchase additional tickets if you wish to visit additional circuits. The Machu Picchu official website provides circuit information and routes.

If you wish to explore more of the ruins, I recommend you also purchase a ticket for circuit two since it is the largest circuit available and passes by all of the main attractions. Moreover, circuit two includes access to the most popular viewpoints of the ruins. Additionally, keep in mind that all circuits are one-way.

Limited Amount of Tickets

Only 400 tickets are available per day. I thus recommend you purchase your ticket as far in advance as possible, for they can sell out at any time. You never know when a tour group will go online and buy 30 or more tickets. Moreover, tickets for the months of June through August will sell out more quickly compared to tickets for other months.

Specific Entrance Times

There are two entrance periods for the Machu Picchu Mountain Trail. The first entrance period is from 7am to 8am while the second one is from 8am to 9am. When purchasing your ticket for the trail, you can choose the entrance period you prefer.

View from the top of Machu Picchu Mountain

4) Best Time to Visit / Hike

To put it simply, the best time to visit Machu Picchu and to hike Machu Picchu Mountain are the months of April, May, September, and October. 

Machu Picchu is located in the upper Amazon, and thus it has a fairly long wet season. The wet season runs from November through March. On the other hand, the dry season runs from May through September.

The middle of the dry season, specifically the months of June through August, tends to be the busiest. For that reason, I recommend you visit in the shoulder season as mentioned above. While you can likely still enjoy fairly dry weather, you do not have to deal with such large crowds.

Always Check the Weather

Even if you visit in the dry season, it is quite possible that you will encounter some rain. That being said, always check the weather before you visit.

I do not want to ruin your plans, but you might want to consider not hiking Machu Picchu Mountain if the weather is calling for strong rains or thunderstorms. The hike becomes unsafe in such conditions. Moreover, you might not want to hike in any amount of rain. The trail is a bunch of uneven stone steps. They can become quite slippery when wet. Always prioritize your safety over a hike.

View of Machu Picchu half-covered in clouds from Machu Picchu Mountain

When is the Best Time to Hike Machu Picchu Mountain?

The best time of day to visit Machu Picchu is in the early morning so that you can then spend the rest of the day there. For hiking Machu Picchu Mountain, there are only two time periods in which you can begin the hike. The first time period is from 7am to 8am while the second one is from 8am to 9am.

I recommend you try to secure a ticket for the entrance from 7am to 8am. When you are hiking up the mountain, you will not have to deal with large crowds. For example, no one will be hiking down the mountain while you are hiking up. Additionally, there should not be too many people at the overlook once you reach the top.

Dealing with Fog and Clouds 

Ah yes, I do have to talk about the possibility that you will encounter fogs and clouds that block your view once you arrive at the top of the mountain. Since the two entrance periods for the hike are early in the morning, you might encounter clouds and/or fog.

When I arrived at the top of the mountain around 10am, there were a fair amount of clouds making their way across Machu Picchu. They thus blocked my view for a bit. Nevertheless, I just had to wait 10 to 20 minutes for an opening in the clouds. I then had a clear view of the ruins and was able to take the perfect picture. The takeaway from this – just be patient. The clouds will not last forever, most likely. 

View of Urubamba River from Machu Picchu Mountain Trail

5) Trail Directions and Scenery

How do I reach the trailhead for Machu Picchu Mountain in Peru?

As mentioned above, the trailhead for Machu Picchu Mountain is located in the southern section of Machu Picchu.

The trail to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain is easy to follow. Once you begin hiking, there are no side trails, offshoots, or anything like that. There is one trail and one trail only. Just keep hiking up along the trail and focus on your next step (for there are a lot of steps).

Keep in mind the trail is essentially a gravel path with uneven stone steps. Additionally, the majority of the trail is in full sun. You definitely want to bring a hat, sunscreen, etc. to protect yourself from the sun.

What Scenery is on the Trail to Machu Picchu Mountain?

There are a few points along the trail where you can enjoy a view of Machu Picchu down below. For example, there is a clear overlook area about 30 minutes into the trail. While you have to pay attention to your feet as you climb the steps, do not forget to look behind you every now and then. Sometimes we focus too much on the next step that we miss the good views just behind us.

However, Machu Picchu is covered for the majority of the trail by trees and other greenery. Every now and then you can get a glimpse of the ruins by peeking through the trees or at a clearing as mentioned above.

View from a clearing along the Machu Picchu Mountain Trail

6) Trail Length, Distance, and Difficulty

The Machu Picchu Mountain Trail is a 2.4 mile (~3.9 kilometer) out and back trail with approximately 1,915 feet (~584 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in around three hours. It is considered to be a challenging route.

For reference, the Rainbow Mountain Trail just outside of Cusco is approximately 6.2 miles (~10 kilometers) out and back with over 1,600 feet (~488 meters) in elevation gain. While it has similar elevation gain to Machu Picchu mountain, it has a lot more mileage. 

I will not lie to you…this hike made my legs burn. It was pretty steep, so I felt every step.

Is the Machu Picchu Mountain Trail Family Friendly?

I do not want to scare you off from doing this trail, but keep in mind that it is quite difficult. Nevertheless, the challenging hike up Machu Picchu Mountain was 100% worth the views at the top in my opinion. I did not exactly know what I was signing up for when I planned to hike the mountain. For example, I did not look up the length or the difficulty. Maybe it was better that way?

The Machu Picchu Mountain trail is not considered to be family friendly. Moreover, I would not necessarily recommend you complete this hike if you are also hiking from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu or hiking along the Inca Trail. That would be a lot of hiking, and you might be too tired to enjoy the experience at that point. Moreover, you will be walking / hiking all around the ruins at Machu Picchu.

How Long is the Trail to Machu Picchu Mountain? 

While an average hiker can complete the trail in around three hours, I recommend you plan for at least four hours. It might take you a bit longer than anticipated or you might want to rest at the top for a while to appreciate the views.

Prepare to spend around an hour and a half to two hours hiking up the trail and around one hour hiking down. Most people (including myself) find hiking downhill a bit easier than hiking uphill. While my quads burned hiking down all of the steps at Machu Picchu Mountain, I can at least say that I was not struggling to breath. The same cannot be said for when I hiked up the mountain. My legs were burning and I was struggling to breath.

Stone steps on the trail for Machu Picchu Mountain

How Challenging is the Machu Picchu Mountain Trail? 

It is considered to be a challenging trail due to the amount of elevation gain in such a short distance. More specifically, all of the elevation gain occurs on the hike up. This means you hike up approximately 1,915 feet (~584 meters) in just 1.2 miles (~1.9 kilometers). If you have no reference for what that means, then just know the hike will make your legs burn more than you ever thought they could.

The entire trail is essentially made up of uneven stone steps. Just imagine walking up stairs for around one and a half to two hours, and you will get somewhat of an idea. Some online sources say there are 1,600 steps in total. There is no break from the elevation, but instead you are hiking uphill the entire time.

Moreover, keep in mind that Machu Picchu sits at around 7,870 feet (~2,430 meters) above sea level. Due to the higher elevation, you might find it more difficult to breathe in general, especially if you live in / are more accustomed to a city near sea level. Additionally, you might experience an increased difficulty in breathing as you gain elevation while hiking along the trail.

My recommendation? Do not keep looking up to see how much more you have to go. There are probably a lot of steps still left, so just focus your effort and energy on the next one.

For Those With a Fear of Heights

Thankfully there are not too many open sections of the trail. You will thus not often find yourself hiking along the edge of the cliff. The majority of the trail is covered on both sides with greenery and trees.

However, there is a spot or two where the trail opens up and you can see straight down the mountain. This can be a bit unnerving for those with a fear of heights. I recommend that you hug the inside portion of the trail and focus on your next step. Do not look out over the edge and down to the ground below. Instead, look straight out so that you can see Machu Picchu in the distance. You do not want to miss out on any of the good views!

A partial view of Machu Picchu from a clearing along the Machu Picchu Mountain Trail

7) When You Reach the Top of the Mountain

Is hiking Machu Picchu Mountain worth it? 

It is hard for me to describe the view from the top of Machu Picchu Mountain in words. The pictures throughout this post do a much better job than my words ever could. Let me just say this – the challenging, leg-burning, and breathtaking (literally and figuratively) hike to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain is absolutely worth it.

Machu Picchu Mountain, also known as Montaña Machu Picchu, stands at 10, 111 feet (~8,835 meters) tall. It is the tallest mountain in the nearby area surrounding Machu Picchu.

The Overlook Area

First and foremost, there is a large overlook area at the top of the mountain. Take a moment to catch your breath before you then walk around and view the surrounding scenery from all angles.

There is a “Montaña Machu Picchu” sign at the top of the mountain. I recommend you take a picture here so nobody can question whether or not you actually did the trail. Here is your proof to show friends and family. Moreover, be proud of yourself. The hike up is quite difficult, so you deserve a moment to bask in the glory of your awesomeness.

The overlook area is quite large. You should thus be able to find a place to sit down if you want to rest your legs or take a snack break. I love bringing along a small snack that I can enjoy as a reward after completing a hike.

Furthermore, be careful as you walk around the overlook, for there is not really anything protecting you from the edge of the cliff. There is a small rope near the edge to deter people from walking any further, though it is fairly low to the ground.

View of Machu Picchu down below from the top of Machu Picchu Mountain

What are the Views Like at the Top of Machu Picchu Mountain?

You can enjoy the best view of the surrounding landscape from the northern tip of the overlook at the top of the mountain. From here you can see the ruins of Machu Picchu with a backdrop of mountains, valleys, and rivers. I could not imagine a more beautiful landscape if I tried.

I do want to note that this specific portion of the overlook can get quite crowded. Everyone wants to snap the perfect photo. I definitely recommend you try to do the same, but be respectful of others and let them have their moment as well.

As you look at the ruins of Machu Picchu, you can see the Huayna Picchu Mountain behind them. Fun fact – you can also hike up to the top of Huayna Picchu. More information on that hike is in section nine below. Hint – it is a shorter hike than this one. To the east (or left) of Machu Picchu is the Putucusi Mountain.

The mountains rise and fall all around Machu Picchu, thus creating some tremendous valleys. The river running through those valleys is the Urubamba River.

My Experience

When I reached the top, the clouds were not totally compliant. It was somewhat cloudy the day I visited, and thus the clouds would occasionally roll over and obstruct the view of Machu Picchu. No worries, though, for I just waited until the clouds moved. I then took advantage of the couple of minutes with a clear view of Machu Picchu to snap a few pictures.

View of the surrounding mountains and Urubamba River from Machu Picchu Mountain

8) Recommended Items to Bring

What should I pack for a visit to Machu Picchu? What should I pack to hike Machu Picchu Mountain in Peru? 

1. Water bottle: Definitely bring water for your visit to Machu Picchu, especially if you plan to hike up Machu Picchu Mountain. I do not mean just one water bottle. Instead, pack at least two or more bottles. Trust me, you will need them. Consider a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste. They also keep your water cooler due to their insulation – bonus!

Hygiene / Medication

2. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Walking around even for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin. Machu Picchu as well as the trail for Machu Picchu Mountain are generally in the full sun.

3. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy an attraction if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet.

4. Something to prevent altitude sickness: Altitude sickness is real. Do not ignore the fact that Machu Picchu sits at a high elevation and that you will be hiking to an even higher elevation on Machu Picchu Mountain. There are a number of natural remedies that people recommend, for example mint leaves, ginger, garlic, etc. You might find dozens (or more) recommendations online. Additionally, there are altitude sickness patches as well as medications. However, some people question whether these types of patches or medications actually work.

A llama resting in the early morning at Machu Picchu

Apparel

5. Hat or visor: The majority of Machu Picchu as well as the trail to Machu Picchu Mountain are in the full sun. You thus want to protect yourself from the sun so that you do not burn and also do not overheat.

6. Rain jacket: While the rainy season at Machu Picchu lasts from November through March, it is possible to experience rain at any time of the year. Therefore, it is best to be prepared with a rain jacket just in case you encounter an afternoon shower.

Hiking Items

7. Hiking shoes: Hiking shoes are generally not cheap, though I will say they are well worth the investment. They provide grip and traction to help you out while hiking as well as to keep you safe. The trail up Machu Picchu Mountain is a gravel path with a bunch of uneven stone steps. Hiking shoes can thus help you make it to the top of the mountain as easily and safely as possible.

8. Hiking poles: Bring along a set of hiking poles if you want some extra support on the trail. For example, there are a lot of uneven stone steps. Hiking poles can offer a big assist, especially if you deal with chronic knee problems. 

9. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary during the winter months if there is snow or ice along the trail. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

Inside the ruins at Machu Picchu

9) Another Trail Option: Huayna Picchu

There are two main mountains you can hike once you arrive at Machu Picchu: (1) Machu Picchu Mountain (2) Huayna Picchu. While this article focused on Machu Picchu Mountain, I do also want to highlight Huayna Picchu in case you prefer this trail instead.

At the top of Huayna Picchu you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Machu Picchu. I might be biased, but I think the view from Machu Picchu Mountain is slightly better. Nevertheless, Huayna Picchu is the most famous mountain because it is located directly behind the main portion of Machu Picchu.

The trailhead to Huayna Picchu is located at the northern edge of the ruins. You thus have to walk through the ruins for a bit before you can even reach the trailhead. For reference, the entrance gate to Machu Picchu is at the southern edge of the ruins.

The Huayna Picchu Trail is a one mile (~1.6 kilometer) out and back trail with approximately 1,000 feet (~305 meters) in elevation gain. It is considered to be a challenging route due to the amount of elevation gain in such a short distance.

An average hiker can complete the trail in around an hour and a half to two hours. The hike up takes at least an hour because of the difficulty. If you are not an avid hiker, then you might want to plan for more than an hour to hike up the mountain. On the other hand, the hike down takes a bit less time. Most people find hiking downhill to be much easier than hiking uphill.

Machu Picchu ruins with Huayna Picchu in the background

How Challenging is the Trail for Huayna Picchu?

As mentioned above, there is approximately 1,000 feet (~305 meters) in elevation gain along the trail. This is a lot of elevation for only 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers) of hiking. The majority of the trail is stone steps, many of which are uneven. Trust me, your legs will be burning before you even reach the halfway point of the trail.

Nevertheless, there is nothing technical about this trail. You do not have to boulder over large rocks or anything like that. You just have to endure hiking up steep, stone steps for the duration of the trail.

For Those With a Fear of Heights

If you do not enjoy heights, then this might not be the best trail for you. There are portions of the trail that are fairly narrow and border the edge of the cliff. Keep in mind that you will not be alone while hiking up or down. You thus might not be able to hug the inside section of the trail when you are passing people or people are passing you.

Some cables and railing exist along the trail for support. Feel free to use them as much as you need; that is what they are there for.

Moreover, be careful while hiking along the trail, no matter whether you have a fear of heights or not. Stay away from the cliff’s edge as much as possible. Take extra caution if the trail is slippery or wet.

Machu Picchu half hidden by fog in the early morning

Permits for Huayna Picchu

You cannot just walk up to the trailhead for Huayna Picchu and begin hiking. Instead, you have to buy a permit online in advance. Only 200 permits are available per day. I thus recommend that you purchase a permit as far in advance as possible, for you never know when the permits will sell out. Moreover, they are likely to sell out more quickly from the late spring through the early fall.

There are a few different entrance times for the permit. The benefit of choosing an earlier entrance time is that nobody will be hiking down the trail as you are hiking up. On the other hand, you might be plagued by some clouds and fog when you arrive at the top since it is still early in the morning.

Permits are available online through various sources, including Tripadvisor – Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket and Get Your Guide – Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Entrance Ticket.

Please be aware that Machu Picchu is now split into circuits. With the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu combo ticket, you only have access to circuit four. You will need to purchase additional tickets if you wish to visit additional circuits. The Machu Picchu official website provides circuit information and routes. If you wish to explore more of the ruins, I recommend you also purchase a ticket for circuit two since it is the largest circuit available and passes by all of the main attractions. Moreover, circuit two includes access to the most popular viewpoints of the ruins. Additionally, keep in mind that all circuits are one-way.

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After your time in Peru, take a short flight over to Ecuador: Middle of the World – Inti Ńan Museum.

For something a bit more adventurous: Swing at the End of the World in Baños, Ecuador.