Huayna Picchu is a mountain next to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. We climbed the mountain which took us 360 metres (1,200 feet) above Machu Picchu. The climb was hard work but was worth it as the top of the mountain provided spectacular views of the area.
The Incas built a trail up the side of Huayna Picchu. It's this same trail that you follow today. There is a dirt path or steps most of the way but there are a few spots where you have to use a rope to pull yourself up the mountain.
We reached the top in three hours - 90 minutes of climbing and 90 minutes of picture-taking. Here are a few views from the top.
You take a different path to go down the mountain but it's just as steep, narrow and uneven as the way up.
We earned a nice dinner after our hard day of climbing. We headed back to Cusco and met up with Lisa and Tina at the same place where we had the best hot chocolate in South America a few days before. Dinners at the restaurant are just as good as their hot chocolate!
This was the end of our Inca adventures but we weren't finished in Peru. After a plane ride of just 30 minutes, we left behind the cool, dry, high altitudes of Cusco and landed in the very hot and humid rainforest of eastern Peru. Our lungs and our skin didn't know what hit them but they liked the change (initially!).
Vanessa and Blake
 |
| Us with the peak of Huayna Picchu in the background |
The Incas built a trail up the side of Huayna Picchu. It's this same trail that you follow today. There is a dirt path or steps most of the way but there are a few spots where you have to use a rope to pull yourself up the mountain.
 |
| You go down to start as you cross a valley to get to the mountain |
 |
| Soon you're heading upwards |
 |
| There's lots of nice scenery on the way |
 |
| One of the challenging parts where you have to use a rope |
 |
| Tina and Lisa were our climbing buddies for the day; they're hilarious and great photographers too! |
 |
| Inca constructions on the side of Huayna Picchu |
 |
| Someone wrote Blake's name in the sand just before we got there |
 |
| Just about there! |
We reached the top in three hours - 90 minutes of climbing and 90 minutes of picture-taking. Here are a few views from the top.
You take a different path to go down the mountain but it's just as steep, narrow and uneven as the way up.
 |
| Steep steps headed down |
 |
| Another spot where you needed a rope |
 |
| Finished! |
We earned a nice dinner after our hard day of climbing. We headed back to Cusco and met up with Lisa and Tina at the same place where we had the best hot chocolate in South America a few days before. Dinners at the restaurant are just as good as their hot chocolate!
This was the end of our Inca adventures but we weren't finished in Peru. After a plane ride of just 30 minutes, we left behind the cool, dry, high altitudes of Cusco and landed in the very hot and humid rainforest of eastern Peru. Our lungs and our skin didn't know what hit them but they liked the change (initially!).
Vanessa and Blake
