Huayna Picchu is one of the must-visit sites in Machu Picchu. This is the most desirable adventure in the Inca city. There you can also contemplate the full biodiversity of this impressive territory. However, there are some things you should know before climbing this summit. Learn about some rules, restrictions, and tips for visiting the famous Huayna Picchu mountain.

• What are the main rules at Huayna Picchu?
• Who can visit Huayna Picchu?
• What things can’t I take to Huayna Picchu?
• Prohibitions on Huayna Picchu
• What are the entry times to Huayna Picchu?
• Warnings for visiting Huayna Picchu mountain
• More information on Huayna Picchu
• Frequently Asked Questions

Visitor taking a selfie at Machu Picchu

Tickets for Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A) must be booked online at least three or four months in advance. Otherwise, you may not be able to book one for your desired date. Other mountains you can visit include Machu Picchu (Route 1A) and Huayna Picchu (Route 3D).

What are the main rules at Huayna Picchu?

• Only 350 people are allowed to enter Huayna Picchu daily.
• Admission is with the ticket: ‘Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A)’.
• The ticket allows you entry to Circuit 3, known as the Royal Route, where you visit the lower part of the Machu Picchu citadel.
• Entry to the mountain will be done in an orderly manner and in accordance with established schedules.
• You won’t be able to hike this mountain with any significant physical disability, due to the narrowness of the trails. In some cases, you’ll have to hold onto safety cables to navigate certain sections of the trail.
• Bring only what is absolutely necessary: a maximum weight of 5 kilos is allowed.

Who can visit Huayna Picchu?

• Only visitors over 12 years old are allowed to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain.
• Minors visiting this mountain must be accompanied by their parents or guardian.
• Older adults should consult with their doctors before taking this hike.

What things can’t I take to Huayna Picchu?

Just like the rules at Machu Picchu , visitors to Huayna Picchu Mountain should not carry the following:

• Metal-tipped canes.
• Baby strollers.
• Tripods.
• Banners.
• Paints or sprays.
• Musical instruments.
• Stabbing or firearms.
• Aerosols.
• Posters or objects for advertising purposes.
• Selfie sticks.
• Pets.

Classic photo of a tourist in Machu Picchu

Prohibitions on Huayna Picchu

• No crowding is allowed on Huayna Picchu.
• Do not deviate from marked paths.
• You should not risk your life by taking photographs near cliffs.
• Obscene acts are not permitted on Huayna Picchu.
• Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Waynapicchu.
• You should not carry a backpack that weighs more than 15 kilos and measures more than 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters.
• You will not be able to exit and re-enter Waynapicchu Mountain.
• You are not allowed to enter Waynapicchu Mountain if you are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

What are the entry times to Huayna Picchu?

• You won’t be able to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain unless you reserve one of the 350 tickets available for entry each day.
• Tickets are sold out within a matter of days, so it’s recommended to purchase them online and well in advance.
• On average, it is recommended to purchase tickets to Huayna Picchu four months in advance.
• Admission is divided into 2 groups or schedules per day.

These are the schedules for the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket:

Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Group 1:

• Entrance to Machu Picchu: from seven in the morning.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu: between eight and nine in the morning.
• Visiting time limit: 6 hours from the moment of entry.

Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Group 2:

• Entrance to Machu Picchu: from nine in the morning.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu: between ten and eleven in the morning.
• Visiting time limit: 6 hours from the moment of entry.

View of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu

Warnings for visiting Huayna Picchu mountain

• You will not be able to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain if you do not present your printed Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A) ticket along with your passport or ID.
• With the exception of the Inca Trail, the only way to reach Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu is by train or the hydroelectric route. Reserve all necessary tickets in advance.
• Remember to bring your camera fully charged and with plenty of space. That way, you won’t miss any of the stunning views this mountain offers and the fabulous mountain setting where it was built.
• Protect your skin by using sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
• Don’t forget to bring a rain poncho. Machu Picchu is located in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, and you never know when it’s going to rain.
• When you are on the way to the top of Huayna Picchu, you do not turn back because there are other tourists who are making their ascent to the summit.

Climbing Huayna Picchu takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This hike is of moderate difficulty. The descent from the summit takes only 1 hour. This adventure is considered one of the best short hikes on the planet.

More information on Huayna Picchu

• Huayna Picchu Mountain rises to 2,720 meters above sea level (8,923 ft). At this altitude, it’s common for visitors to experience symptoms of altitude sickness, or soroche.
• On the way to Mount Wayna Picchu, the Incas built a sacred precinct called the Temple of the Moon. This structure is reached near the entrance to Machu Picchu, with the Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C).
• On the way to the summit, you’ll walk along the famous “Stairs of Death” of Huayna Picchu . This is a difficult climb. Despite its name, no one has lost their life on this stretch.
• Surely your first adventure option is to hike Huayna Picchu. However, if you weren’t able to reserve one of these tickets, purchase a ticket to Machu Picchu Mountain (Route 1A), the second adventure option in the Inca City.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) How many people can climb Huayna Picchu per day?

  Only 350 people are allowed to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain per day. Therefore, it is essential to purchase your ticket in advance, especially during peak season.

• 2) What ticket do I need to climb Huayna Picchu?

  You must purchase the ticket called Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A). This ticket allows you to tour the third circuit of the citadel and ascend the mountain.

• 3) How difficult is it to climb Huayna Picchu?

  The trail is steep, narrow, and challenging in some sections, but no experience is required; it can be overcome with great willpower and strength.

• 4) Can I climb Huayna Picchu if I have vertigo or fear of heights?

  It is not the most advisable option, because the mountain includes areas with narrow steps and precipices, which can be uncomfortable for those who suffer from vertigo.

• 5) Can children climb Huayna Picchu?

  Yes, but only for those over 12 years old. They must also be accompanied by their parents or responsible guardians.

• 6) Can I use walking sticks during the climb?

  Yes, although only rubber-tipped poles are permitted. Metal-tipped poles are prohibited because they damage paths and structures.

• 7) Can you leave and re-enter the mountain?

  No, once you leave the route for ascending or descending Huayna Picchu, you are not allowed to re-enter.

• 8) What is the Temple of the Moon?

  It is an Inca construction located in a cavern halfway, but its entrance is through an alternate route with the ticket Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C).

• 9) What to do in case of rain on Huayna Picchu mountain?

  We recommend bringing a poncho or waterproof clothing. The mountain is not closed due to rain, so caution should be exercised when climbing Huayna Picchu.

• 10) What alternatives do I have if I don’t get a ticket to Huayna Picchu?

  If you want to hike one of the mountains, you can choose to climb Machu Picchu Mountain (Route 1A), which also offers stunning views and is easier to climb.

Advice from people who have been there

Huayna Picchu

By: Celine D.

“A dream came true!“

“I wanted to come to Machu Picchu for a long time, but it didn't work out, first came one thing, then another and it never happened. But one day I decided to travel to Machu Picchu and make it big; so I chose the Huayna Picchu mountain. I have been to the pyramids in Egypt, the Grand Canyon in the USA, the Great Wall of China, but Machu Picchu was special, it was the trip of a lifetime; being in Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu and seeing the incredible stone buildings was the best experience I have ever had.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, June 20, 2025