Huayna Picchu Sacred Mountain

Descending from Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu is a sacred mountain. It is located over Machu Picchu. The Incas built a trail up the side of the Huayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top. The Incas built a trail up the side of the Huayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top. The peak of Huayna Picchu is 2,693 metres (8,835 ft) above sea level, or about 260 metres (850 ft) higher than Machu Picchu.

According to local guides, the top of the mountain was the residence for the high priest and the local virgins. Every morning before sunrise, the high priest with a small group would walk to Machu Picchu to signal the coming of the new day.

Climbing Huaynapicchu

Huayna Picchu is one of the most in-demand additional hikes available and it may be visited throughout the year, but the number of daily visitors allowed on Huayna Picchu is restricted to 400. A steep and, at times, exposed pathway leads to the summit. Some portions are slippery and steel cables (a via ferrata) provide some support during the one-hour climb. The ascent is more challenging between November and April because the path up the mountain becomes slippery in the rainy season. Better conditions for climbing can be expected during the dry season, which runs from May to September.

From the summit, a second trail leads down to the Gran Caverna and what is known as the Temple of the Moon. These natural caves, on the northern face of the mountain, are lower than the starting point of the trail. The return path from the caves completes a loop around the mountain where it rejoins the main trail.

Climbing Huaynapicchu

Huayna Picchu Booking

To trek Huayna Picchu one must be in Machu Picchu with a specific combination ticket for both Machu Picchu itself and Huayna Picchu.

From the main entrance of Machu Picchu you take the lower circuit around the site. The trail head is located far north of the Machu Picchu citadel behind the Sacred Rock. The entrance is clearly marked with a large sign at the warden’s hut. From the main entrance of Machu Picchu it takes 15-20 minutes to walk to the trail head.

After signing in at the warden’s hut (passport number and name required), the Huayna Picchu Trail follows an undulating path for 15 – 20 minutes until the trail splits. The upper path continues to the summit of Huayna Picchu, and the lower trail continues around the base of the mountain to the Great Cavern and the Moon Temple before climbing a steep incline to the summit.

360 View image of Huayna Picchu

View complete details of tour at Huayna Picchu mountain

Machu Picchu Sacred Mountain

The Machu Picchu Sacred Mountain is the most spectacular alternative to Huayna Picchu, available at the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

You will realize a walk to know the Machu Picchu Sacred Mountain, located to the south of citadel of Machu Picchu. The Machu Picchu and Sacred Mountain ticket also allows you to visit and have an impressive sight of Machu Picchu Ruins in all its splendor and climb this Sacred Mountain.

The starting time for visiting Machu Picchu Sacred Mountain can be in any of these two schedules: From 7am to 8am or from 10am to 11am.

From Machu Picchu Sacred Mountain you can really get a sense of the high protected plateau Machu Picchu was built on and how remote and inaccessible the site it. It is simply gorgeous country.

Located south-west of Machu Picchu, rises 3,082 meters (10,112 feet) above sea level; this mountain hike, offers unrivaled views of the Inca City of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountainous landscape. At their summit Inca priests performed rituals on special dates, also performed liturgical greetings to Apu Salkantay.

MACHU PICCHU SACRED MOUNTAIN ON GOOGLE MAPS

Apu Salkantay Mountain

Apu Salkantay

Salkantay is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range, part of the Peruvian Andes. It is located in the Cusco region, about 60 km (40 miles) northwest of the city of Cusco.

View of Salkantay mountain top

Salkantay proximity to Machu Picchu makes trekking around it an alternative to the Inca Trail; this is known as the Salkantay trek.

The name Salkantay is from sallqa, a Quechua word meaning wild, uncivilized, savage, or invincible, and was recorded as early as 1583. The name is thus often translated as "Savage Mountain".

Climbing the Salkantay Mountain

Salcantay is a large, steep peak with great vertical relief, particularly above the low valleys to the north, which are tributaries of the Apurimac and Vilcanota Rivers.

The standard route on the mountain is the Northeast ridge. Accessing the route typically involves three days of travel from Cusco. The climb involves about 1,800 m (5,900 ft) of vertical gain, on glacier, snow, ice, and some rock.