Aguas Calientes, Peru: Machu Picchu Sunrise & Huayna Picchu. Your journey to the legendary Machu Picchu begins in Aguas Calientes, where you’ll board a mini-bus that winds its way up the steep, verdant slopes to the Sacred Citadel of the Incas, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
As you ascend, the grandeur of this pre-Hispanic engineering marvel slowly unfolds before you. Chosen by Inca Pachacutec as a royal retreat, Machu Picchu, meaning “Old Mountain” was once a place of worship and reverence, where his mummified remains were to be honored. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its beauty transcends any title, captivating travelers with its mystique and breathtaking scenery.
Your guided visit includes the sector of Huayna Picchu (daily admission is limited to 400 visitors; in case Huayna Picchu is sold out at time of booking, it will be replaced with Machu Picchu Mountain).
Huayna Picchu is the towering mountain behind the actual site of Machu Picchu. From a distance the mountain looks impossible to climb without the necessary tools but even though a strenuous climb with some parts where you will actually will need both hands and feet, the climb is quite possible for all averagely fit visitors. For many people, climbing Huayna Picchu is one of the highlights when visiting Machu Picchu.
The climb itself is interesting as you will see how the Inca did cut out some steps out of the rocks and as you wind around the side of a mountain will see Machu Picchu from different angles. Before you reach the top you will also have to go through a tunnel carved in the rocks and the higher you get the more structures you will recognize on the top of the mountain. Some structures and terraces are built on impossible places that really speak to your imagination.
The ascent to the peak takes about an hour on a steep rock staircase from where you will enjoy breath-taking views. There are cables attached to the rock in many places to help the climber and there are places to step aside to catch your breath and enjoy the view.
Climbing Huayna Picchu certainly is challenging, yet one of the most rewarding experiences one can have in a lifetime!
At the end of your visit, make your way to the shuttle bus station for your return to Aguas Calientes. There, a well-earned, delightful lunch awaits you at the Café Inkaterra Restaurant, the perfect way to reflect on your unforgettable visit.
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