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Tips and recommendations on how to get to Huayna Picchu mountain

Portada / Useful information for travel to Peru / Data for traveler / Tips and recommendations on how to get to Huayna Picchu mountain

The mountain Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu as it is also known has a maximum height of 2,720 meters above sea level, that is almost three hundred meters above the citadel of Machu Picchu. One of its main characteristics is its steepness, or in other words, the steepness of its slopes. The mountain is composed mostly of rock on which the Incas carved their steps and roads to the top, there is a single path for both the ascent and descent.

The paths that lead to the summit have on one side the rock wall of the mountain and on the other a 200 to 300 meters abyss to the bottom of the ravine, where you can see the Urubamba River in the distance. This makes the human body react in a natural way with a feeling of fear and vertigo in the first stages of the ascent. There are records of visitors who have been paralyzed by fear in the middle of the ascent, being unable to go forward or backward, hindering in turn the travelers coming behind.

However, it should be clarified that despite the danger of the ascent and the unfathomable abysses throughout the journey, there are no official records of visitors who have perished on the Huayna Picchu mountain.

Huayna Picchu is also full of Inca archaeological remains, such as stairways, cultivation terraces and the famous temple of the moon, which is a construction made inside a natural cave.

5 TIPS TO CLIMB THE HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN

1.What is the best time of the year to go to Huayna Picchu Mountain?

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is located in the department of Cusco, in the southeast of Peru. This part of Peru is characterized by two clearly marked seasons: the first is the rainy season, during which there are abundant downpours that cover almost the entire department of Cusco, this season usually begins in October or November and ends in late March. The second is the dry season, which begins in late April and ends in August or September.

In CuscoPeru.Com we recommend the traveler to make your trip in the dry season because during these months almost no cloudy days are recorded which is ideal for taking excellent pictures, besides avoiding the inconvenience of rain (mud, wet clothes, slippery trails).  One of the advantages of the rainy season is the lack of visitors, which gives more space to visit this world wonder in solitude.

2.How much does the entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain cost?

The entrance ticket to the Huayna Picchu mountain is sold separately from the ticket to the Machu Picchu citadel, being the combined cost of both approximately USD70.

If you have complications with the reservation of tickets to Machu Picchu, tickets, hotels, in CuscoPeru.Com we have a team of professionals in tourism with over ten years of experience that will gladly answer all your questions and queries. Write us and leave us a message that we will gladly atenderemos.info@cuscoperu.com

How many tickets are available to enter Huayna Picchu mountain?

The agency in charge of the care and preservation of this incredible work of the Incas is the Ministry of Culture of Peru, which is in turn the entity responsible for managing and issuing admission tickets to both the citadel of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain.

How many turns are there to enter Huayna Picchu?

The Ministry of Culture has determined that 400 tickets will be put on sale per day, divided into three shifts:

  • First shift: 6:00am. Approximately one hundred and fifty visitors enter this group, who are the first to get to the top and take the best photos, taking advantage of the fact that at that time of the morning it is not too hot and there are not many visitors.
  • Second shift: 7:00am. One hundred and fifty travelers enter this group, who arrive at the summit already when the prevailing heat in the area has increased, as well as the number of tourists.
  • Third shift: 8:00am. This group admits one hundred visitors, who arrive at the summit when the prevailing heat in the area has increased, as well as the number of tourists.

It is important to mention that the number of visitors per shift is not fixed, i.e., there may be more people in one group than in another. In the previous system, there were two entrance groups that were divided into two hundred for each group.

5.What should I take to Huayna Picchu mountain?

The area where the Huayna Picchu mountain is located is the jungle, where the rains, humidity, the presence of plants and animals is constant, so we recommend bringing the following implements to ensure that your hike and your travel experience are not clouded by small but annoying inconveniences:

  • Shoes or boots with non-skid soles (rubber) - This is one of the most important items to consider, since on the one hand it is a safety implement that will prevent us from slipping and falling while ascending and on the other hand it also provides comfort and convenience. Avoid wearing new boots as they will most likely cause injuries to the ankles and heels due to the constant friction.
  • A camera with plenty of memory - If you want to take the best pictures of Machu Picchu and its surroundings, we recommend you bring a professional camera.
  • Mosquito repellent - Will prevent mosquitoes from ruining our experience.
  • High-grade sunscreen - It will prevent us from ending up with reddened shoulders, back and face at the end of the day.
  • A bottle or canteen with water - It is very important to stay hydrated while hiking, and consider that there are no water vendors in the vicinity.
  • A wide-brimmed hat or cap will provide the shade and coolness we need on the climb.
  • A small backpack to carry all the above and that allows us to have our hands free and ready for any eventuality.

Above all, do not forget to enjoy this experience, because most probably at the end of the climb and finally being at the top of the mountain you will experience a mix of emotions of joy, euphoria, satisfaction and happiness, which have changed the lives of many travelers.

Every year the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is visited by tens of thousands of tourists, however there is an additional adventure to the walk in the citadel that allows us to live an unforgettable experience: the journey up to the top of the mountain Huayna Picchu, which is the one that appears as a background in most photos of Machu Picchu.

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