Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu, on Circuit 3 of the new Machupicchu trail routes, is spectacular. A spot at the top overlooking Machupicchu is arguably the best breakfast view I have ever had. At a very leisurely pace, the climb up will take an hour. If you are fit you can do it in 25 minutes, but you will likely be held up by much slower climbers. Huaynu Picchu is a perfect compliment as a second circuit after completing Circuit 2. It was a highlight of my day, and I definitely recommend it. BUT... for the love of everyone's sanity, DO NOT GO IF YOU HAVE A FEAR OF HEIGHTS. At least 20% of the route up (and down) is steep enough to be classified as a ladder instead of stairs. On the very top I watched in awe as men and women slithered their way across perfectly stable boulders and inched their way down the trails on their buttocks because they were too afraid to stand up. In all this they placed themselves in far more dangerous situations than a walk would have done. Yes, itbis beautiful. Yes, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But it is also a bloody high peak of a very steep-sloped mountain. Make wise choices.

Worth the climb. The views from the top are spectacular, but the hike itself is much fun with some steep stairs. It is actually not that much of a challenging hike, depending on your level of fitness, can be done in 45mins or even less although most people take an hour. Recommend going early, the door opens at 7am, and having returned by 9am there only a dozen people in total but hundred waiting in line to start the hike. You would need to purchase circuit 3 to get access to the trail, so I ended up going up 2 days in a row, with the second visit being for circuit 2, which is the most popular and offers the best view of Machu Picchu.

Beautiful trail . Not so easy. Consider 1h30 to go up and down.

A hard hike for an incredible view. The hike is just very steep but it is not all that long. Take your time and take it in. It can be a pain to get tickets. Your ticket will include circuit 4 which is amazing.

Climbed this mountain right after arriving to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trai so will give a perspective from that lens. Overall, a worthwhile experience (but skippable) even if you've done the Inca Trail, and I think I would've been much more impressed if I hadn't done the Inca trail. Comments if you've done the Inca Trail: 1. The elevation at the peak of Huayna Picchu is similar to the Sun Gate, which is where you'll first spot Machu Picchu. As such, I felt the view was a bit similar, though admittedly it's in a different direction and you can see other things as well. 2. If you've done the Inca trail and you were keeping pace for all the days, I think you'll be fine. 3. The worry for me on the day was the guide said I was under a time limit (2hrs) so I did not miss the bus and subsequent train. I comfortably cleared the hike in 1.25-1.5 hrs with time to take pictures (though I was a bit rushed for pictures at the very top since there was a massive queue). If you are under no time constraint, I saw lots of people just slowly going up at their own pace. Going up didn't feel too bad and there are metal ropes to hold in the more suspicious (steep) parts of the climb.

The trail there is short enough, but with a big elevation change (300m elevation gain with 600m long). And crowdy. There are no almost interesting views along the trail except the top of mountain. Top view is interesting: you can see from the north Machu Picchu city ruins and Machu Picchu mountain. Bus as for me, the view from the south is more beautiful ))

I've been wishing to make this trip for 20 years. Finally made it in 2024. Great experience, lovely Peruvian always helpful.

Hell of a hike, steep with narrow steps and exhausting lol but absolutely worth the trouble.

Huayna Picchu, on Circuit 3 of the new Machupicchu trail routes, is spectacular. A spot at the top overlooking Machupicchu is arguably the best breakfast view I have ever had. At a very leisurely pace, the climb up will take an hour. If you are fit you can do it in 25 minutes, but you will likely be held up by much slower climbers. Huaynu Picchu is a perfect compliment as a second circuit after completing Circuit 2. It was a highlight of my day, and I definitely recommend it. BUT... for the love of everyone's sanity, DO NOT GO IF YOU HAVE A FEAR OF HEIGHTS. At least 20% of the route up (and down) is steep enough to be classified as a ladder instead of stairs. On the very top I watched in awe as men and women slithered their way across perfectly stable boulders and inched their way down the trails on their buttocks because they were too afraid to stand up. In all this they placed themselves in far more dangerous situations than a walk would have done. Yes, itbis beautiful. Yes, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But it is also a bloody high peak of a very steep-sloped mountain. Make wise choices.

Worth the climb. The views from the top are spectacular, but the hike itself is much fun with some steep stairs. It is actually not that much of a challenging hike, depending on your level of fitness, can be done in 45mins or even less although most people take an hour. Recommend going early, the door opens at 7am, and having returned by 9am there only a dozen people in total but hundred waiting in line to start the hike. You would need to purchase circuit 3 to get access to the trail, so I ended up going up 2 days in a row, with the second visit being for circuit 2, which is the most popular and offers the best view of Machu Picchu.

Beautiful trail . Not so easy. Consider 1h30 to go up and down.

A hard hike for an incredible view. The hike is just very steep but it is not all that long. Take your time and take it in. It can be a pain to get tickets. Your ticket will include circuit 4 which is amazing.

Climbed this mountain right after arriving to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trai so will give a perspective from that lens. Overall, a worthwhile experience (but skippable) even if you've done the Inca Trail, and I think I would've been much more impressed if I hadn't done the Inca trail. Comments if you've done the Inca Trail: 1. The elevation at the peak of Huayna Picchu is similar to the Sun Gate, which is where you'll first spot Machu Picchu. As such, I felt the view was a bit similar, though admittedly it's in a different direction and you can see other things as well. 2. If you've done the Inca trail and you were keeping pace for all the days, I think you'll be fine. 3. The worry for me on the day was the guide said I was under a time limit (2hrs) so I did not miss the bus and subsequent train. I comfortably cleared the hike in 1.25-1.5 hrs with time to take pictures (though I was a bit rushed for pictures at the very top since there was a massive queue). If you are under no time constraint, I saw lots of people just slowly going up at their own pace. Going up didn't feel too bad and there are metal ropes to hold in the more suspicious (steep) parts of the climb.

The trail there is short enough, but with a big elevation change (300m elevation gain with 600m long). And crowdy. There are no almost interesting views along the trail except the top of mountain. Top view is interesting: you can see from the north Machu Picchu city ruins and Machu Picchu mountain. Bus as for me, the view from the south is more beautiful ))

I've been wishing to make this trip for 20 years. Finally made it in 2024. Great experience, lovely Peruvian always helpful.

Hell of a hike, steep with narrow steps and exhausting lol but absolutely worth the trouble.