Everything You Need To Know About Huayna Picchu, Peru

The Andes Mountains form a majestic landscape unlike anyplace else on Earth. Each year, roughly 16 million people travel from across the world to visit the mountain range, a staggering sierra sprawling across four Latin American countries.

One of the most impressive peaks? Huayna Picchu.

The mountain is an iconic, lush part of the Peruvian horizon. It also holds one of the New 7 Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu.

Discover why the ancient Inca built their legendary city on Huayna Picchu’s slopes. Then, learn everything you need to know to start planning a trip there yourself.

Where Is Huayna Picchu?

Huayna Picchu is a mountain in the Peruvian Andes. It is one of two mountains supporting the structure of the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. It’s on the complex’s North side.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of Huayna Picchu are 13.1562° S and 72.5464° W.

Huayna Picchu: Altitude, Weather & Ecologies

Altitude

The base of Huayna Picchu is the trailhead to Machupicchu Realeza (“The Royal Route”), within the Machu Picchu site. Its elevation is 2,430 meters (7,970 feet).

The Temple of the Moon is 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level.

The peak of Huayna Picchu has an altitude of 8,835 ft. (2,693 m.) altitude.

The elevation gain of the Machupicchu Realeza hike is 952 ft (290 m).

Weather

Being an Andes mountain, Huayna Picchu has the “rainy season” / “dry season” weather cycle of Peru’s Sierra region. To learn more, check out our “Quick Guide To Seasons In Peru.”

Ecosystems

Huayna Picchu has a tropical climate. Cloud forests cover most of its slopes, bringing the rainforest to higher-than-usual altitudes.

This rare biome makes the mountain one of the few places on Earth to see a spectacled bear, an Andean puma, and a Puya bromeliad.

The Inca History of Waynapicchu Mountain (Huayna Picchu)

Huayna Picchu was called Waynapicchu by the Inca people. The name means “young mountain.”

Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, the thriving Inca Empire made the mountain into a central hub of their civilization. They build stone trails into the mountain, fusing granite with acids to form smooth, resilient slabs. These created stairs and terraces.

The paths also created a means for people to pilgrimage to Machu Picchu, without compromising the citadel-city’s strategic position. Much of their development worked with Waynapicchu’s natural structures to create temples and ceremonial sites.

Centuries after Machu Picchu was lost and found again, many of the Incan structures remain intact on Huayna Picchu.

How Safe Are The Huayna Picchu Stairs of Death?

The “Stairs of Death” are a narrow, steep staircase carved into the mountain. They were created by the Inca in the 15th century.

Today, they’re precarious. They’re often slippery, and most sections have no handrails. Children under 12 are not allowed to climb them.

However, with guides, most adults can summit Huayna Picchu by way of the Stairs of Death.

It may require clever footwork and a strong grip. But, for the most part, it’s workable.

Ultimately, despite the name, the Stairs of Death are roughly moderately challenging for most adults.

How To Plan a Huayna Picchu Hike

To plan a hike to the summit of Huayna Picchu, or to the Temple of The Moon in the mountainside, consider safety, stamina, and trail access.

Safety

Stay safe by taking altitude sickness risks into account, staying hydrated, and having enough to eat.

Consider hiring a local guide to help you navigate challenging paths, like the “Stairs of Death.”

Stamina

Pay attention to trail elevation gains and challenge ratings.

The Machupicchu Realeza trail has an elevation gain of 300 vertical meters. It’s rated “Moderate Difficulty.”

Access: Circuit 3, Route A Vs Route 3 C

For safety, only a limited number of people are allowed on the trail at any given time. To climb Huayna Picchu, you’ll need to purchase a route ticket ahead of time.

Route 3A is ideal for most. It reaches the summit, includes Machu Picchu, and it’s a 1.2-mile. ( 2 km.) round trek. Most hikers can complete the route in 2 hours or less, though the route pass grants each person 3 ½ hours on the path.

Route 3C skips the Huayna Picchu summit in favor of lush wildlife and the chance to explore the Temple of the Moon. It’s 4.8 km (3 mi) long. It typically takes around 4-5 hours to complete the round trip. It’s a steeper and more challenging route than 3A.

Route 3C closes after November, and it doesn’t reopen again until April.

Climb Huayna Picchu on Caravan’s Peru Tour

Our eight-day Tour of Peru With Machu Picchu is curated by our masterful travel directors.

Every element of the guided trip—from dining on flavorful Peruvian cuisine, to mountainside accommodations, to transport and cultural tours—is booked well in advance and bundled right into the price.

The tour includes a Route 3D pass, letting visitors soak in the vistas from Huchuy Picchu.

Adventurous types might choose to include another Route pass: 3C to explore the cavernous Temple of the Moon, or 3A to summit Huayna Picchu!

For more information about our all-inclusive Peru tour, call +1-312-321-9800. Or, phone our team at 1-800-227-2826 to secure your spot today!