Huaynapicchu

Machu Picchu is the most beautiful from above.  No matter how you get to Machu Picchu, train, Inca Trail or an alternative trek, seeing Machu Picchu from above is always possible.  There are a few different ways, from the Sun Gate, from Machu Picchu mountain or from Huaynapicchu being the three most popular ways.

Those of you doing the Inca Trail will see Machu Picchu for the first time from the Sun Gate, but if you are training in or doing an alternative trek, this option is still available.  It takes about an hour to walk there, and the walk is gradual uphill the entire time.  This is the easiest path.

Machu Picchu Mountain is the most difficult of these three options.  This takes about an hour and a half to get up and is very steep.  The most challenging of the three options.  You are much higher and directly over the ruins, so the view is stunning, but it is time consuming and for those of you who have already hike for a few days, you may want a shorter option.

This is where Huaynapicchu comes in.  This is the most popular path, but because of this, there are some restrictions that makes obtaining passes difficult and sometimes, well for you inca trail trekkers specifically, expensive.

  Huaynapicchu is limited to 400 hikers a day, so you should plan early and book this extra hike at least 2 months in advance.  This is something that you do through us, we will definitely purchase your permit for the hike if tickets are available.

The permits are given for a window of time, either from 7-8AM or 10-11AM.  This is when you need to start the hike.  It takes approximately 45 minutes to the top, snap some photos, and then another 45 minutes down.

We purchase the second time slot for all our travelers, the 10-11AM time slot, so that you can enjoy your tour of Machu Picchu with your guide first.  Once your tour of the ruins are over, your guide will show you where you begin this hike.  This is usually done on your own, but if you need your guide to join you, please let the office know and we will arrange beforehand.

just let us know if you want the permit for Huaynapicchu.  The permit is $25 per person to hike UNLESS you are doing one of our Inca Trail treks.  Unfortunately if you are trekking the Inca Trail, no matter how long of a trek you chose, it will be $65 per person to climb Huaynapicchu.  Why so much more for Inca Trail trekkers?

So when we purchase your permit for the Inca Trail, the permit includes entry to Machu Picchu.  You don’t need a physical ticket into the Lost City of the Incas.  But when you climb Huaynapicchu you need a permit for the hike, plus a physical entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.  This is something required by the Park office and not something done by Alpaca.

When choosing to purchase this extra hike please remember that it is challenging, quite steep.  While the views are extraordinary, they are similar to the Sun Gate which is free to access and it does get crowded.  But if you choose to do this hike, you will have your facebook profile photo for life – the views are incredible.

Please let us know if you have any further questions about Huaynapicchu, Machu Picchu mountain or the Sun Gate.