You’ve seen that photo before — the one of Machu Picchu with a dramatic mountain looming in the background. That mountain is Huayna Picchu, and the sweeping view below? That was taken from its summit, where I stood, slightly breathless, staring down at one of the most extraordinary sights on earth.
Outside magazine ranks the Huayna Picchu hike among the 20 most dangerous in the world, and honestly, that reputation isn’t entirely undeserved. The infamous Inca’s Death Steps alone — those ancient, near-vertical stone slabs you can see in the last photo — are enough to earn it that title. That said, we survived to tell the tale, and while the hike demands your full attention, we’d call it moderate rather than terrifying. The key is to never, ever stop watching your feet.
Getting up here isn’t as simple as just showing up. Only 400 hikers are permitted on Huayna Picchu each day, split into two groups: the first enters between 7–8 AM, the second between 10–11 AM. Tickets sell out months in advance, so plan ahead. Once you’re in, though, there’s no rush — you can linger as long as you like, soaking it all in.
The hike to the summit, where the ancient Temple of the Moon awaits, takes about an hour and fifteen minutes — longer if you stop to catch your breath or simply stand there, jaw dropped, at the scenery unfolding around you. And you will stop. The trail is just over a mile (1.6 km), but it climbs 1,180 feet (360 meters) in that short distance. It is relentlessly steep, a relentless staircase of stone that keeps going just when you think it must be done. Ropes and cables appear in a couple of places to help you along, but mostly it’s just you, the ancient steps, and the mountain. One important caveat: if it has rained, the hike closes. Wet stone here isn’t just slippery — it’s treacherous.
Just before the summit, the mountain throws one last challenge at you: a tunnel so narrow and low that you have to drop to your hands and knees to get through. The Incas built it deliberately, a defensive bottleneck to keep enemies from reaching the temple. It still works. My backpack scraped against the rock on both sides, and I was very glad I hadn’t eaten a bigger breakfast. Incidentally, my husband captured the image above.
From the top, Machu Picchu reveals itself in a way that no postcard ever quite captures — the full sweep of the citadel laid out far below, impossibly precise and impossibly beautiful, cradled by mountains that seem to go on forever. And if you look to the left in the wide shot above, you can spot the infamous switchback bus road snaking up from Aguas Calientes. Watching those buses barrel uphill, squeeze past oncoming traffic on a single lane, and then — heart in your throat — back up toward the edge to let someone pass? That, more than any steep staircase, had me gripping my armrest in white-knuckled silence.
Then there are the Inca’s Death Steps on the descent. No ropes. No cables. Just a cascade of uneven, centuries-old stones falling sharply away beneath your feet, with Machu Picchu shimmering 1,180 feet (360 meters) below as a constant, dizzying reminder of exactly how high up you are. Every step demands your complete focus. The sensation is primal — that electric mix of awe and just enough fear to make you feel magnificently alive.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Huayna Picchu, Inca’s Death Steps, Landscapes, Machu Picchu, One Step, Peru, Sunday Stills. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: A Gallery of Green.
Posted for Pepper’s One Step at a Time #2.
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Rebecca Cuningham
What an exciting climb. The gorgeous view of the ancient city is breathtaking.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Rebecca. It was unforgettable.
solaner
wow, what an experience.
Egidio Leitao
It was, and we loved it. Thanks.
Bay Photos By Donna
Amazing photos and adventure!!
Egidio Leitao
Donna, yes, it was a great adventure. Thanks for writing.
Anita
Stunning photos, Egidio. You capture not only the beauty but also the raw intensity of Huayna Picchu. It must have been a breathtaking and truly exciting experience.
Egidio Leitao
That place is wild. Thanks, Anita.
Rupali
I agree with all the previous comments.
What an incredible place you shared with us, Egidio. Isn’t it a blessing to be in such a place and experience.
Egidio Leitao
Rupali, thanks for writing.
carabeinsplash
Oh man, those photos made my heart speed up! Those steps are scary. I loved the new perspective of Machu Picchu. What a fascinating place. Thanks for sharing the experience Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Cara. There were people going down those steps and saying they shouldn’t have come up. Inca’s ingenuity was amazing in building those treacherous steps.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
What a view and what an an incredible experience Egídio, I would never be brave enough to hike these trails! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for the feedback.
Toonsarah
Wow, such incredible views of Machu Picchu from up there 😮 But what a hike to get there! Not for me, for sure, so I’m glad to have been able to experience it virtually through you.
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you enjoyed the hike. Thanks.
Brian Scott
Thank you for this Egidio, one of those “one day” places but that day has passed now, great images
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks, Brian.
margaret21
Wow. Just … awe-inspiring. Well done both of you for accepting the challenge … and to you for sending us these ‘postcards’.
Egidio Leitao
It was my pleasure. Thank you.
Hammad Rais
Many thanks for taking me along on this next-to-heart-fail trip to one of the most amazing wonders of the world.
The details you’ve shared are certainly intriguingly strong for a thrill seeker, which sadly I’m not.
Thanks for the captures also 🙂
Egidio Leitao
It was my pleasure, Hammad. Glad you joined us.
philosophy through photography
Egidio, I have given access to, my site. Thank you. 🙏
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much. I hope that WP will continue to allow me to see your posts in the Reader.
philosophy through photography
Egidio, now you can see regularly what all I post. Thank you, once again, my friend.
Egidio Leitao
You’re welcome.
philosophy through photography
That perfect mix of awe and just enough fear… no wonder the view feels unforgettable, Egidio.
Lovely long shots!
Egidio Leitao
Very vivid, indeed. Thank you for the comment.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, Egidio.
Tina Schell
Egidio, this is an incredible post. I’ll admit I’ve heard many times about Machu Picchu but I’d never heard of Huayna Picchu, Not only does it look amazing but the views of MP are spectacular! A wonderful read with fantastic images – you really took us right there!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Tina. Every photo in Machu Picchu shows Huayna Picchu in the background, but few people know you can go there. I’m glad the post was as effective as I’d hoped for.
Anne Sandler
That is some hike! I’m glad you and your husband made it up and down okay. But what a reward! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne. It was worth doing it and breathtaking, too.
Pepper
What impressive, yet treacherous looking landscapes. You are brave to go down those steps. You are a true hiker. 👏
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Pepper. I must say, though, that when we hiked Huayna Picchu, we did not know it was treacherous. I’m glad I only found out about the Outside magazine article the evening after our hike. It is exhilarating to hike there.