Huayna Picchu, also known as Wayna Picchu, is a mountain located near the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. It has an altitude of 2667 meters (8750 feet) above sea level. This mountain appears in the background of almost all photos of Machu Picchu.
The most important location of Huayna Picchu is the Temple of the Moon. This place is exclusive for those who hike the sinuous path to Huayna Picchu. The temple is located inside a great cavern. It features three small stone windows located under a big rock.
The Temple of the Moon is located at 2256 meters (7401 feet) above sea level, just slightly below the top of Huayna Picchu mountain. The route to this mysterious place is difficult to walk on. The road is narrow and steep. Some sections have ladders and railings that help to cross this unique route.
Like many buildings of Machu Picchu, the real purpose of the Temple of the Moon is still unknown. However, there is a stone structure that resembles a throne inside the temple. Some historians have suggested that this structure was used to perform ritual sacrifices.
We recommend visiting Huayna Picchu during the dry season, between April and October. During the rainy season, the trail to Huayna Picchu mountain becomes quite dangerous to traverse. The rain, combined with the narrow and steep roads, makes it really difficult to reach the top of Huayna Picchu.
At Sanvil Turismo we offer the best travel packages in the region of Cusco. Our tour guides are professionals authorized by the local government to guide treks and tours in the region. They are experts in the history and traditions of each destination you will be visiting.
We also offer small group tours to the Ausangate Trek, the Humantay Lake, and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Explore the beautiful Inca archaeological sites of the Andes mountains with us.
Your Hotel in Cusco City
7:00 am
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 7:00 am. Then, we will drive to Ollantaytambo town, which is located in the Sacred Valley. Once there, we will board a train to Aguas Calientes. This train trip takes around 1.5 hours to complete, and it is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Peru. The train tracks follow the Urubamba river course and offer great views of the Andean valleys.
Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes, our staff will transfer you to your hotel room. Then, you will have time to explore Aguas Calientes and visit its famous hot springs.
We will wake up early in the morning. After having breakfast, we will board a bus to Machu Picchu. Once we pass the security checkpoints, we will enter the Inca citadel.
You will have a guided tour of the most important landmarks of the citadel. You will visit the Intihuatana, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Condor, among other Inca marvels. After exploring the citadel of Machu Picchu, we will begin our short trek to Huayna Picchu mountain.
Huayna Picchu dominates the Machu Picchu landscape. The route to its top has an approximate length of 300 meters (984 feet). Only 400 people per day are allowed to hike this incredible trek.
The route to Huayna Picchu is narrow and difficult to walk on. The main attraction is the Temple of the Moon, a stone building located inside a cavern. Another highlight of the route are the “death stairs”, a short section of steep stone stairs.
The top of the mountain offers incredible views of Machu Picchu. This is a place that just few people managed to reach during their vacations in Peru. We will spend some time there admiring the astonishing landscapes that surround Machu Picchu.
After reaching the top of Huayna Picchu, we will return to Machu Picchu, and then we will take a bus to Aguas Calientes. Once there, you will have free time to have lunch at a local restaurant. The lunch is not included in the tour price.
Finally, we will take a train to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. Once in Ollantaytambo, our staff will transfer you to Cusco city, where you will be arriving around 9:00 pm.
