tickets and rules
Huayna Picchu: The Steep Peak Behind Machu Picchu
Everything about the Huayna Picchu hike: how hard it is, how long it takes, how to get a ticket, and how it compares with Machu Picchu Mountain.
Huayna Picchu is the steep peak behind Machu Picchu, at 2,720 m. The climb takes about 2 hours up and down on narrow Inca stairs, and it gives the closest view of the citadel from above. It needs its own ticket: route 3A, which in practice is sold together with the Royalty route of the citadel (3B). Only 200 people a day can climb it, at 7 am or 10 am, so it often sells out months ahead in high season.
Huayna Picchu at a glance
| Summit altitude | 2,720 m (8,920 ft) |
| Height gained | About 300 m above the citadel |
| Distance | About 2 km round trip |
| Time | 2–3 hours round trip |
| Ticket | Route 3A (Huayna Picchu) with route 3B (Royalty route) |
| Entry times | 7:00 am or 10:00 am |
| Daily limit | 200 people |
| Maximum visit time | 6 hours, including the citadel |
| Our recommendation | Ages 12+, good fitness, no fear of heights |
How hard is it?
The climb is short but steep: about 300 m of height in stone steps, some very narrow, with steel cables to hold in places and steep drops on the sides. Some stretches are so steep that people climb them using their hands. Fit travelers who are comfortable with heights enjoy it; anyone afraid of heights should choose Machu Picchu Mountain instead.
The trail, step by step
- Through the citadel: your visit starts on the Royalty route (3B), through the lower sector of Machu Picchu.
- The checkpoint: next to the Sacred Rock, guards check your ticket and register the time you start. You must sign out at the same point when you come back.
- The climb: a narrow trail of original Inca stairs zigzags up the mountain, with cables at the steepest points. Expect 1–1.5 hours, with stops.
- The terraces: near the top, small Inca terraces and buildings cling to the mountain, with the first big views of the citadel.
- The summit: a cluster of large rocks with a 360° view: Machu Picchu below, the Urubamba River curling around the mountain and the snow peaks in the distance. Allow 20–40 minutes here.
- The descent: down the same way, carefully, in 40–60 minutes. The steps are worn and can be slippery.
What you see
- The classic view of Machu Picchu from the opposite side, looking down on the whole citadel and the zigzag bus road.
- Inca terraces and small buildings near the summit, built on almost vertical slopes.
- The deep canyon of the Urubamba River and the surrounding cloud forest.
The Temple of the Moon (route 3C)
The Temple of the Moon, also called the Great Cavern, is a cave on the back side of Huayna Picchu, lined with fine Inca stonework and carved niches. It is no longer part of the Huayna Picchu ticket: it is a separate route (3C, Great Cavern), with its own ticket, usually available only in high season. The trail is longer and harder, with a long descent and a tough climb back, so plan about 3.5–4 hours.
Tickets and timing
- The Huayna Picchu ticket combines the climb (3A) with the Royalty route of the citadel (3B).
- There are only two entry times, 7 am and 10 am, and a maximum of 200 people a day. Book as soon as your dates are fixed: 2–4 months ahead from June to October.
- Morning slots often start in mist, which usually lifts by mid-morning.
- The easiest way to fit it in is a night in Aguas Calientes, with our Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour (+US$ 75 for the Huayna Picchu ticket).
- Prices and ticket rules are explained in our Machu Picchu tickets guide.
7 am or 10 am?
- 7 am: cooler, quieter and better for fitting in a train back the same day. The summit is often in the clouds at first.
- 10 am: clearer views on most days, but hotter and busier, and the day finishes later.
Safety tips
- Wear hiking shoes or trainers with good grip, never sandals.
- Keep your hands free: use a small daypack and leave poles behind unless they have rubber tips.
- Hold the cables and take the steep stairs slowly, facing the mountain on the way down if needed.
- Give way to people coming up, and do not stop on the narrowest steps for photos.
- Do not climb if it is raining heavily; the stone becomes very slippery.
What to bring
Water in a reusable bottle, sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket, your passport and your ticket. Food is not allowed inside Machu Picchu, so eat before you enter.
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
| Huayna Picchu | Machu Picchu Mountain | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 2,720 m | 3,082 m |
| Time up and down | About 2 hours | About 3 hours |
| Trail | Steep, narrow, exposed | Wider, long and steady |
| View | Close-up of the citadel | Wide view of the whole valley |
| Spots | 200 a day, entry 7 am or 10 am | 400 a day, entry 7 am or 9 am |
Tours to link
Plan this with a local team
Machu Picchu journey
Machu Picchu 2 Days
Spend a night in Aguas Calientes and enter Machu Picchu early. Train, hotel, ticket and guide included, subject to availability. Huayna Picchu add-on available.
Private train tour
Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco
See Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco with private transport and guide, train, shuttle bus and entrance ticket included. Ask our local team for a quote.
Inca Trail · permit required
Classic Inca Trail
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with a local Cusco operator. Permit, Machu Picchu entry, porters, meals and an Expedition return train are included.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Is Huayna Picchu dangerous?
It is safe if you go slowly, hold the cables and do not climb in heavy rain. It is not for anyone with a strong fear of heights.
How long does the Huayna Picchu hike take?
About 2–3 hours up and down: 1–1.5 hours to climb, some time at the summit and 40–60 minutes to come down.
Which entry time is better, 7 am or 10 am?
7 am is cooler and quieter but often starts in mist. 10 am usually has clearer views but is hotter and makes the day longer. With a night in Aguas Calientes, either works.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu on a day trip from Cusco?
Sometimes, if the entry times fit the train schedule. A night in Aguas Calientes makes it much easier.
Can I climb it after the Inca Trail?
Yes, with a Huayna Picchu ticket for the morning of your arrival, if your legs still allow it.
Is the Temple of the Moon included?
No. The Temple of the Moon is now a separate route (3C, Great Cavern) with its own ticket, usually available in high season.