The mountain of Huayna Picchu is part of the three sacred mountains existing in the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, that is; «Machu Picchu» or Old Mountain, «Huayna Picchu Mountain» or Young Mountain, and the «Putucusi Mountain» or Montaña Alegre.
In this beautiful place, you can get impressive and wonderful views of the entire basin of the Vilcanota River and the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu.
The mountain of Huayna Picchu was used by the Incas to build several complexes, such as the impressive Temple of the Moon that is located on the back of the mountain. The Incas also made on top of Huayna Picchu a series of small terraces and some buildings. It is believed that these buildings could have been part of an astronomical observatory but also would have served as a guardian point of the citadel because from this point you can see all of Machu Picchu, Inti Punku and all the roads leading to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Location of Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu Mountain is located to the north of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
To climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu, you must reach the checkpoint and entrance to Huayna Picchu and follow the path that begins a few meters from the Sacred Rock, is an area with very dense vegetation, this path is very steep and quite narrow.
How to get there to Huayna Picchu
Getting to the top of Huayna Picchu is a challenge, the road is very steep, narrow and exhausting and it takes about an hour to get to the top depending on the physical condition in which you are. But once at the top, the tourist will not regret it. The trail includes several stretches with steps, stairs carved into the living rock.
The Inca Trail is quite narrow, formed by a series of granite stone steps placed irregularly. There are some that appear to be carved into the very rock that continues up the wall. If you hike slowly it can take about an hour.
Weather of Huayna Picchu
The climate in the mountain of Huayna Picchu varies according to the time of the year in which you want to visit the archaeological site; although it is open to the general public all year round, it is important to choose the ideal date for your visit in order to enjoy it to the fullest.
The temperature varies between 10º C and 21º C; with maximum temperatures from 21º C to 23º C and minimum temperatures from 8º C to 10º C.
The dry season is from April to October. It should be noted that it is also a time of cold and frost, so temperatures usually drop drastically at night and in the mornings.
The rainy season is between the months of November to March which influences the abundance of insects, so we recommend carrying repellents. For this rainy season, it is advisable to bring waterproof clothing and/or umbrellas, and appropriate footwear for walking on slippery and wet surfaces.
Recommendations for Huayna Picchu
Wear comfortable non-slip sneakers.
- Do not forget to bring sunscreen and repellent, sunglasses and a cap, and of course, in the rainy season take a good raincoat.
- If you have decided to climb Huayna Picchu, remember to buy your entrance tickets in advance.
- If you go in the first group, you will be able to take pictures of the city of Machu Picchu, without much flow of people.
- Keep in mind that during the rainy season the floor is slippery, and you have to climb very carefully.
How to get to Machu Picchu
By land
The Huayna Picchu mountain can be climbed by a steep road, which begins exactly in the sector of the «Huayranas» inside the citadel of Machu Picchu, where there is a well-signposted road from the entrance gate to the Inca City to reach a control booth for entry to the mountain and exit of tourists.
The right branch ascends to the top of the mountain. Its construction must have been very arduous and extremely dangerous: It is a very steep, narrow road, which includes several sections with stairs carved into the rock. Ascending to the top of the mountain there are some minor constructions, including a doorway and a large carved stone as a throne that is known as «Silla del Inca» (Inca’s chair).
Maintenance
As every year the decentralized ministry of tourism of Cusco performs maintenance work on the mountain of Huayna Picchu (Wayna Picchu) in an approximate time of 15 calendar days.
These works do not prevent the visit to the Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu or its main attractions such as the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Residence, or the Sacred Plaza, among other attractions of the Inca sanctuary. It is worth mentioning that the reservation of the entrance tickets to the Huayna Picchu mountain should be made well in advance to avoid last-minute surprises
