The Huayna Picchu mountain offers the best experience in the Inca city of Machu Picchu. It is a hike on steep trails alongside frightening ravines. To enter this summit you must make your reservation months in advance. People over 12 can enter.

• Is Huayna Picchu dangerous?
• What are the dangers in Huayna Picchu?
• Altitude sickness in Huayna Picchu
• The stairs of death
• The Temple of the Moon
• Safety tips for touring the Huayna Picchu mountain
• How to get an income to the Huayna Picchu mountain?
• Entrance to enter the Huayna Picchu
• What to bring to Huayna Picchu?
• Frequently asked questions about the dangers in Huayna Picchu

The Huayna Picchu mountain is the summit that is located north of the Inca City. The Incas built roads to its top. They also built a mysterious temple known as ‘The Great Cavern’. From its top the entire Inca City is appreciated.

Discover the truth about the dangers of the Huayna Picchu mountain

Is Huayna Picchu dangerous?

• Many people wonder if the Huayna Picchu mountain is really dangerous.
• Climbing and descending this mountain is difficult but not dangerous .
• If you are in good health and pay attention to the trails and stairways; the Huayna Picchu mountain is safe.
• However, if in Huayna Picchu you find your own way or cross the security lines, you may have an accident.
• The few cases of accidents in Huayna Picchu occurred by people who decided to deliberately omit the signs and safety lines.

What are the dangers in Huayna Picchu?

• The Huayna Picchu mountain does not represent a danger to the tourist .
• However, visitors should take their precautions when crossing some sections of the mountain, such as: the stairs of death or the Temple of the Moon.
• In addition, altitude sickness could put the health of older adults or people with heart problems at risk.

Altitude sickness in Huayna Picchu

• The Huayna Picchu mountain is 2,720 masl (8,923 ft.).
• At that altitude the symptoms of ‘altitude sickness’ are not dangerous. However, the effort of climbing the mountain could generate an accelerated heart rate .
• That is why older adults are recommended to consult their doctor. People with heart problems should avoid climbing this summit.
• The most common symptoms of altitude sickness in Huayna Picchu are: fatigue, cardiac acceleration and nausea.

The stairs of death

• The stairs of death are the last section that leads to the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain .
• They are so called because of the dizzying views that can be obtained from them as well as the difficulty of surpassing them. However, there have never been any unfortunate accidents in this part of the Huayna Picchu mountain.
• Tourists are in no danger on this part of the road. There are lanyards on the side of the stairs. It is only recommended to go slowly step by step so as not to get too agitated.

The stairs of death of the Huayna Picchu mountain

The Temple of the Moon

• The Temple of the Moon or ‘The Great Cavern’ is an Inca construction located at the back of the top of the Huayna Picchu .
• You get there by crossing a winding path that deviates from the main path. The visitor must descend stone steps, wooden stairs and other reefs.
• If the tourist visits the Temple of the Moon, they should carefully follow this alternative path. Although no one has been injured there, it is recommended to take the necessary precautions. In the most complicated sections there are safety ropes.

The Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu entrance allows entry to this mountain. The ticket must be purchased online 3 months in advance. Otherwise, you will not find availability. You can do it with the official website of the Ministry of Culture of Peru or with a tourism agency.

Safety tips for touring the Huayna Picchu mountain

These are some safety tips that you can take to travel the Huayna Picchu mountain:

• No matter how much experience you have with mountains, keep in mind that absolutely all of them deserve respect, even more so when their trails lead you over cliffs and cliffs.
• The mountain trails are made of stone and can be slippery in the morning dew or if it rains. Bring hiking boots (non-slip) with you.
• Carry only necessary in a small backpack that allows to have your hands free: rain poncho, snacks, water, hat, etc .
• Follow the road signs throughout the journey. Any attempt to find your own way can end in an accident.
• Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, a cap as well as sunscreen since the radiation is high in the Machu Picchu area.
• Carry water in a non-disposable container. The trails are steep and you will need to rehydrate. There are no garbage cans on the mountain trails so don’t dispose of the waste on site.

How to get an income to the Huayna Picchu mountain?

• You can buy one of the 400 tickets available per day to enter the Huayna Picchu mountain.
• Remember that to find availability you must do it 3 months in advance . Therefore, the best way to get entry is by reserving it online.
• On the internet there is an official website authorized to offer tickets to Machu Picchu: website of the Ministry of Culture of Peru. You can also do it with the website of an authorized tourism agency that offers the tickets.

Follow these steps to buy the ticket online:

• a) Enter the ticket sales website for Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu .
• b) Look for availability of tickets Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu.
• c) If you find availability, enter your personal data as well as the date and time of your visit.
• d) Make the payment of the entrance Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu through a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.).
• e) Receive your tickets through your email, print them and present them on the day of your visit to Machu Picchu.

Entrance to enter the Huayna Picchu

The ticket offers 3 different entry times:

Group 1

• Entrance to Machu Picchu – From six in the morning.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu – Between seven and eight in the morning.

Group 2

• Entrance to Machu Picchu – From seven in the morning.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu – Between seven and eight in the morning.

Group number 3

• Entrance to Machu Picchu – From eight in the morning.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu – Between ten thirty and eleven thirty in the morning.

What to bring to Huayna Picchu?

For an optimal visit to the Huayna Picchu mountain, the tourist should carry the following:

• Non-slip hiking shoes.
• Light clothing (polo, pants, cotton stockings, etc.).
• Hat or cap.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Water in canteen.
• Insect repellent.
• Towel.
• Photographic camera.
• Documents.
• Extra cash.

Frequently asked questions about the dangers in Huayna Picchu

• 1) Is Huayna Picchu safe for children?

  The mountain is a safe place for children as long as parents supervise their children. The entrance to the mountain is allowed to people over 12 years old . Minors enter the Inca City accompanied by their parents or a legal representative of legal age.

• 2) Are mountain rains dangerous?

  No. The rains in the mountains happen between November and March. Although walking in the rain is not a danger, it is recommended to go with non-slip hiking shoes as well as use a rain poncho.

• 3) When is the best time to go?

  The best time to visit Waynapicchu is in the dry season (from April to October) . During those days there is little chance of rain making it possible to visit the mountain in full sun.

• 4) Which of the 3 groups should you choose?

  The 3 groups to enter the mountain are in the mornings. Group 1 and group 2 enter Waynapicchu from 7 am to 8 am Group 3 enters from 10.30 am to 11.30 am This last group is preferred by tourists because the best photos are taken from the top of the summit.

• 5) Should I hire a tour guide in Huayna Picchu?

  Visiting Waynapicchu with a tourist guide is not mandatory . On the other hand, the tour with a tourist guide through Machu Picchu is mandatory. Therefore, if you do not think it is necessary to go to the mountain accompanied by a tour guide, do not do it.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Izile María G

“Excellent experience“

“The whole experience was excellent, the train to the mountains, the Sacred Valley was impressive, Machu Picchu is amazing and going up to Huayna Picchu was completely vertical, the views are amazing, especially of Machu Picchu.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, June 1, 2020